It seems that lately, in various places on the Internet, I’ve heard about school bands going to Disney World. Why is Disney World such a popular place for school bands to go? (Or is it?)
You get to march in the parade, which is awesome! Also it’s the type of place where you can take a bunch of under-aged people and they won’t get in to too much trouble.
Why would it not be a good destination?
Lots of every kind of group go to Disney World don’t they? Even groups of pro athletes like to go sometimes. It is a popular spot and supposedly the happiest place on earth.
They put on parades every day. Where else do you see that? Plus, large groups of high school students go to Disney World all the time. Disneyland shuts down in the evenings for grad night parties multiple days this time of year.
It’s also warm year-round, and has lots and lots of hotels, and many things to see/do around.
Well, it is a small world after all, you know…
I think they encourage it. Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm both have packages for school band trips here in SoCal. The kids participate in a competition offsite at a local school and then tour the parks for the rest of the day. Sometimes there are also opportunities to perform at the parks.
Our local high school marching band did it a few years ago. They did fundraising for a year to cover the costs, which were something like $1,800 per student (the park tickets alone are a large chunk of the cost - if you don’t buy tickets your band isn’t getting into the park to play). I’m not sure why anyone would give them money to take a vacation, since that’s all it really is.
For the kid whose family family jets off to Paris every year, it’s no biggie. But for some kids it may be their first time out of the state, and it may have an enormous impact on their development. Granted, Disneyland is not the most mind-expanding travel destination, but it’s still something to look forward to and keeps kids engaged in school.
OP here. Aha, performance opportunities - I think that’s the answer to the question.
I played in a high school band in Canada. We did go on a big trip once, to Connecticut. Good times. 
maybe they’re hoping to get discovered, like the Osmonds did. 
Our high school band went on a trip from Saskatoon to Minneapolis, where we competed in a band competition at Valleyfair amusement park and then rode the rollercoasters in the afternoon. Presumably it was the same sort of package deal as with Disneyworld. (We also went to see a Twins game, IIRC.)
Ages ago, my high school choir took a tour from Illinois to California by bus - singing in churches and for organizations along the way.
One of the highlights of that trip was our day at Disneyland!
Imagine going there (or DisneyWorld) with no parents, just your best friends - and getting to do all the rides, pig out on snack food and having a great time for a very long day! It was fantastic - and I can think of no better way to spend a day at either of those parks. To spend a few days and being in a hotel (with pool, etc.) must be even more fantastic!
When I was at Disney World a few years ago, there were multiple school groups there. I think they were attending a volleyball tournament there. As for the why Disney question; they have many hotels and it’s basically a safe, fun place for kids to spend some time.
And Disney caters to those groups like Vegas caters to conventions of IT geeks. They package tickets and hotel rooms (tickets are expensive - tickets for 100 band kids for four days are discounted), hand hold you through the planning.
(Hmmmmm…high school band trip to Vegas…probably not going to get a lot of parental support. New Orleans? Nope… New York City - perception of safety issues unless you are from Jersey…)
My high school band did Hawaii.
Mine did too. I decided at the absolute last minute not to go (long story as to why) and it was a decision I have NEVER regretted. My mother went as a chaperone (I half think she went in my place so the money wouldn’t be all lost) and had a miserable time, as did most of the people there. 
NOBODY I spoke to who didn’t go regretted it either, and most of them flat out said, “I’m glad I didn’t go.”
My brother and sister went in later years, and had a great time. Maybe that trip was cursed, IDK.