Additional Things to Know

Information Session

Students are required by the Internationalization Office at MUN to attend an information session during which issues central to travel abroad will be discussed. This will take place in class early in January. The Go Abroad Coordinator or delegate will be invited to discuss issues including, but not limited to, passports, visas, travel insurance, health insurance, vaccines, and legal waivers.  All students will be required to sign a legal waiver absolving Memorial University of legal responsibility for issues arising during the field trip.  Students who are unable to attend the information session in person may make arrangements to attend via Zoom– you must make arrangements with the professor to do so at least one week prior to the information session.

Prerequisite

This course requires permission of the instructor, or completion of a prerequisite. Prerequisites are: RELS 2812, RELS 3812, or RELS 3860. Please email jporter@mun.ca for permission to enrol if you do not have one of the prerequisite courses. All three possible prerequisites are being offered in FALL 2023.

Missed Classes

This course involves a nine-day field trip to Walt Disney World Theme Parks (two travel days and seven days onsite.)  The field trip is scheduled to take place over the winter semester midterm break.  Departing on a Saturday and returning on a Sunday, students should not miss any on-campus instruction.  However, should weather or other factors delay our return, you should be aware of the possibility of missed classes in other courses. The course instructor will work with students upon our return to explain the delays to other professors as necessary. You should understand that you will be responsible for all material covered in any missed classes, assignments given out during missed classes, and work due for classes missed as a result of the field trip.

Physically Demanding

All Disney theme parks are physically demanding… At Walt Disney World, students will visit all theme parks, ride every major attraction, attend every major live-action theatrical event, and explore every themed area of the parks.  Florida is hot – you should be prepared to get tired – you will be covering a lot of ground with little time to rest. Make sure you stay hydrated. Touring strategy guides will be distributed to students prior to departure to ensure successful completion of all research goals.  Many people travelling to Disney theme parks dedicate only a single day to each park – we will have seven full days available for the four theme parks in Orlando, ensuring sufficient time to meet all theme park experience goals.  You will, however, get tired, and your feet will get sore – please bring appropriate footwear!

Travel Documents   

Travel Documents are needed for all Study Abroad opportunities, including this course. You must make sure you have a valid passport well in advance of our trip.

International Students

International Students should be aware that their Student Visas might require additional measures to accommodate a field trip to the United States.  It is your responsibility to make sure that your student visa allows for travel to the United States, and to take necessary steps to ensure that you have fulfilled the legal requirements for travel abroad while studying in Canada on a student visa.

According to Government of Canada Citizenship and Immigration policy, any international travel while studying in Canada on a Student visa requires that you have a) a valid passport; a) a valid study permit that covers the time period of your return to Canada; and c) a valid temporary resident visa if you are a citizen of a country or territory whose citizens require visas to enter Canada – for a list of such countries, and for further information, visit the Government of Canada website here. 

You should also contact the US Customs and Border Protection Agency here tosee if you are required apply for ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) under their Visa waiver program. 

You should further contact your Consulate or Embassy for information about international travel for citizens of your country, and the Internationalization Office at Memorial University  at for general help and advise on Student visas and international travel. Please click here to visit the Memorial University Internationalization Office website.

Students with Disabilities

In accordance with Memorial University’s policy on Accommodations for Students with Disabilities, students who require accommodations should contact the Glen Roy Blunden Centre prior to the start of the course if at all possible, but no later than the first week of classes to discuss what accommodations are necessary for the successful completion of the course.

Disney Theme Parks have an excellent record of accommodating guests with Disabilities. Please visit the Walt Disney World website here for information on services and accommodations available for guests with Disabilities at Disney Theme Parks.

Travel in a time of Covid

Covid is now a fact of life, and may impact our field trip in a number of ways. Students are encouraged to be fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to travel. Students must have travel insurance that covers covid related expenses. Walt Disney World has its own Covid protocols, and should an outbreak happen, this may require wearing a mask while visiting the parks.

For more information on Memorial University’s Covid-19 policies, please click here.

For more information on Walt Disney World’s Covid-19 policies, please click here.