This is our 5th journey since 2014 to the sunshine state to perform live on stage at Walt Disney World, meet Disney Directors and have fun in the parks when we aren’t working!
What Where How Who and When?
What?
This trip is for teenage and young adult dancers (musical theatre dance, commercial, other styles) who audition for a place in our cast.
In May half term 2025, a cast of 30+ performers will travel to Florida to stay in a Disney hotel. We will perform for the public at a venue in Disney World. We will take a dance workshop with Disney Directors. We will have fun in the 4 parks, enjoy unlimited ride and park photos, outlet shopping trip. Costume loan and workshop uniform bespoke tee shirt (to keep) is also provided.
Top choreographer Carla Crowley (Team England Dance Choreographer), who runs the dance programme at Artemis College and oversees all our Hiphop and Street as well as dance exams will work with a team of experienced show directors to create a 25 minute dance showcase.
On past trips, older dancers and musical theatre performers have been offered work in parades in the parks as a result of attending. While this is never guaranteed, it would be lovely to see some of you in Disney parades in 2026!
Where - Rehearsals
Rehearsals will all be in Bracknell, Berkshire.
The venue locations will be confirmed later in 2024.
For those who are in the final cast for the trip, you will also have a further intensive in February half term of 2025, a showcase at the Wilde Theatre in March and some evening rehearsals in the run up to the travel day.
Where - Disney (Performance)
We will travel to Disney World, in Orlando Florida, USA. Flying from Heathrow to MCO in the USA.
We will stay in one of the ‘All Star’ or Disney Partner resorts on Disney property. This will also give us safe unlimted access to Disney busses to the theme parks while we are there. There are other benefits, such as early access to parks.
We dont stay in villas, or other ‘off property’ hotels. Although they are/can be cheaper to rent, when you add in the private taxis or coaches we then need to get us everywhere we need to be everyday as a large group, it actually costs more.
Cast travelling with family are welcome to stay where ever is best for their group, as long as the cast member can attend all rehearsals, performances, workshops and photo calls on time.
How do I apply for bootcamp and also the trip?
Applying to Bootcamp in August 2024
Casting took place in August 2024 and is now closed for this trip.
Who can be part of the cast of 2025?
Performers who will be aged 12+ in May 2025 and meet the following criteria in audition:
Dance ability
Musicality
Team work
Good attitude
Takes direction
Good Attendance
Punctual
Availability for rehearsals
Able to travel with family (under 16’s only)
Able to travel as part of a group with minimal supervision (over 16’s)
You must also be able to travel with a chaperone/family if you will be aged 15 or younger. Younger cast will remain under the care of parents/guardians throughout the trip with the exception of rehearsals, performance, workshop, photo shoot.
We will only be providing college teacher chaperones for participants aged 16-19, and older performers will be sharing rooms (3-4 per room, gender based).
How much is it?
The Disney Trip
Option A - For those who are travelling independently with family (including ALL under 16’s).
You must arrange your own travel. We can arrange a room/tickets at schools prices, but this is NOT included below. Families may find it cheaper overall to book through a travel agent as they may be able to offer other perks such as free food, or you may wish to stay in a hotel/villa outside Disney and hire a car.
£690 per person for Artemis Members (those enrolled and attending in a class from Sept Autumn 2024)
£790 per person for non-members.
Included:
All rehearsals (min 60 hours).
Performance at Disney
Bespoke rhinestone crystal tee shirt (keep)
Photos with other cast in Magic Kingdom
Performers gift from Disney
Costume (loaned)
Workshop at Disney
5 Day all park pass at schools pricing. (Please note - it is a Disney condition of performing that all cast have a schools parks ticket)
Private coach to and from rehearsals in Disney (no cars/public transport permitted backstage).
NOT INCLUDED
Transport in the UK or US
Flight
Hotel
Food
Chaperones (except during cast called activities)
Option B - For those who are 16-22 during the trip, and wish to travel with college and stay in shared rooms.
£1550 per person for Artemis Members (those enrolled and attending in a class/college in Autumn 2024)
£1650 per person for non-members.
Included:
All rehearsals (min 60 hours).
Performance at Disney
Bespoke rhinestone crystal tee shirt (keep)
Photos with other cast in Magic Kingdom
Performers gift from Disney
Costume (loaned)
Workshop at Disney
5 Day all park pass.
Private coach to and from rehearsals in Disney (no cars/public transport permitted backstage).
Airport transfers in the US (airport to hotel and back)
Flight (direct or indirect, Virgin economy)
Hotel 6 Nights (shared room)
Busses to all Disney parks
Transport to a shopping afternoon (Wallmart/Outlets)
Tutor chaperones in the hotel, parks and wherever needed.
NOT INCLUDED
Transport in the UK (we can help lift share to and from the airport with other cast).
Food (budget $30-$40 a day for fast food/snacks)
ESTA visa ($20)
Travel Insurance (£30)
Can my family come?
Yes!
An we have two pricing options for the trip to reflect this. ‘Option A’ is for people travelling with family, independent of the school group (except during cast calls).
In the past we have had families come to support and it becomes a very different family holiday experience! In 2014, we had a group of almost 80 including cast and supporters!
If you are aged under 16 - you HAVE to travel with family/guardian. Please factor that in when applying for a place in the cast as you will be paying for travel and accommodation/park ticket/food for your whole party.
Artemis will not be able to help with travel. We can offer discounted schools prices on rooms and park tickets. HOWEVER, these can only be the same hotel we stay in (block booking) and also park tickets can only be for the same duration as our trip (group booking).
Families who plan to stay more than 6 nights should look to book their own hotel/park tickets instead. You may also find that you save money on 3 or more people travelling together through a travel agent when you factor in the special offers Disney make for staying on a Disney hotel for a week or more and buying 7+ day tickets (such as free food).
As a school, the duration of our trip and the kind of discounted park tickets we have to purchase to be able to perform and undertake workshops means we are not able to use package deals.
We are not able to offer any further discounts or support. We will be subsidising around £12,000 of costs in order to offer the rates above.
What is the timeline of events?
Bootcamp - Tuesday 27th - Saturday 31st August 2024. 10am-6pm
Cast offers made - Wednesday 4th Sept
Acceptance due - Friday 6th September
Disney to confirm travel dates and hotel before deposits are due.
Deposits due (A £300/ B£600) - Friday 11th October
Cast photo shoot call/public announcement - Friday 1st November (in half term)
Payment plan begins for cast fees. Cosume sizes are taken. Tee shirt designs are finalised and the bespoke Disney rhinestone designs ordered.
February 2025 - Performance bootcamp. 17th-24th Feb. 10am-6pm
9th March - Top up rehearsal. 12-6.
March - All fees to be paid in full by 1st March
27th April - Top up rehearsal. 12-6.
11th May - Top up rehearsal. 12-6.
May Half Term 22nd May - 28th May 2025 We depart/fly out 22nd, and land at 7am 29th (overnight flight) on 29th May.
Day 1/night 1 - Travel day. Heathrow to Florida. Check in to our hotel.
Day 2/night 2 - Morning rehearsal. Photo shoot in the Magic Kingdom 10am. Shopping trip (late afternoon/early evening)
Day 3/night 3 - Morning rehearsal. Performance in Disney Springs. Hollywood Studios.
Day 4/night 4 - Workshop in Epcot (arrival usually before the park opens 8.30am). Cast photos. Park day.
Day 5/night 5- Parks day. Animal Kingdom (AM, see the lions in safari!). Magic Kingdom PM (watch the fireworks as a cast).
Day 6 - Disney Springs/Travel home.
On ‘parks days’ - cast 16+ are able to ‘park hop’ as they wish, as long as they are present for cast photos when called. They must also stay in group of 3 or more, and communicate through a whatsapp group every 2 hours to help tutors track their whereabouts.
All cast are banned from the water parks until AFTER performances and workshops. Past experiences with sunburn have prompted this rule.
We do not go to non-Disney parks as a group. Those who are 16+ and wish to do so, can in groups with at least one 18+ chaperone. They will be responsible for the additional cost (around $40 Uber to Universal, plus $200 day ticket).
What happens if I accept a place on the trip and then can't go?
You are still liable for the cost, unless another comparable cast member can take your space.
All costs are shared and already subsidised and Artemis is not able to cover for your expenses.
We are not able to get refunds from suppliers.
Depending on when you withdraw (if you are 16+ and Option B);
If you drop out 10 weeks before our flight, you may not have to pay for the remainder of the cost of the flight. We would have to confirm this with Virgin at the time. If their deadline has passed, and they require payment, you will still have to pay full cost. All other fees will still be payable in full.
We STRONGLY advise taking out travel insurance at the time of deposit to cover medical but also cancellation if you have to cancel (this is only likely to be for a bereavement or illness).
Parents and friends should NOT book flights or hotels until the trip is 100% confirmed by Disney and Virgin.
Are there discounts for siblings or family?
No. Artemis is already heavily subsidising the cost of the trip and bootcamps.
I'm going to be under 16, can I come alone to Disney?
No, all under 16’s must travel with a parent or guardian. See above for information on hotels or park tickets if you want to use the schools rates.
Can I apply if I can't make it to bootcamp in August?
Yes, possibly, if you are 16-22.
However, unless you are either:
A full time member of Artemis College (for at least 1 year) or
Another full time vocational performing arts school such as Urdang, Bodens, Arts Ed (normal colleges or sixth forms do not apply as they will not be of a comparible standard ) or
A performing arts graduate or
Have been a member of one of our dance based crews or teams for at least a year (or one directed by Carla Crowley) or
Have appeared in a show one of our creative team has directed/choreographed (including South Hill Park shows).
It is unlikely we will be able to assess you.