Well, it’s safe to say that the senior trip was a success. Going to Disney World and Universal

Studios was an amazing experience that I feel everyone should have at least once.

It was great to take this time off from school to spend it with people I’ve known but will soon separate from.

The first night was all about anticipation. When we all arrived to the school, all we could do was talk about the trip and enjoy each other’s company.

Being on the bus was one of my favorites about the trip. It was a nine-hour chance for us all to have fun, chill out and eventually get some rest before arriving to Golden Corral. At Golden Corral, we received a much-needed buffett and 50 dollars to add to what amount we already had.

Getting back on the bus, we saw how much of Florida we missed while we were asleep. Everyone was wide awake when we began making our way to Disney World and it allowed for the opportunity to soak up how beautiful Orlando, Florida is — buildings, trees, shiny cars and just great scenery.

After arriving to Disney World, it was amazing to finally be there and be able to be let loose in this paradise. I was in a big group consisting of 10 people that we eventually broke up into two groups.

The first ride we went on was the Test Track ride. It was a long line and a lot of waiting, but we all kept each other company and it ended up being an enjoyable experience. It was fairly fast, cool and exciting. The thing that I loved about this and all the rides on this trip was the interaction and immersiveness.

During the long lines, you were surrounded and immersed in a building filled with the ride’s theme. While in this line, you were surrounded by futuristic cars and give insight on the near future. The ride itself allowed you to make your own car, which you could later race with against other attendants there.

(A great example of the immersiveness of Disney came a few days later at Magic Kingdom. Space Mountain ride had a mini game everyone could play, which was helpful because it was the longest line I experienced while at Disney.)

The rest of the first day was filled with excitement, going from ride to ride and just enjoying everyone else, even the strangers’ enjoyment of the park.

The second day we went to Universal Studios, which was my favorite day of the trip.

The Hulk ride was the first ride we went on, and it was the first true roller coaster we rode out of the first two days. Despite it being a long line, it was well worth the wait. All we and everyone on that ride could do was yell to the top of our lungs.

The best rides I went on were the Spider-man, Transformer and Incredible Hulk rides.

My favorite of these were the Spider-man ride. He’s my favorite hero of all time, and it was an exciting experience. As a result of my excitement, I paid $50 for two shirts, which I knew was not worth it, but personally I just had to have it.

The Dr. Doom Fear Fall was the ride only me and senior Zach Johnson went on. The first initial spring to the top scared the both of us. We were able to see the entire park and see a lot of Orlando from our exclusive view.

Next me and Zack attended the Rip Ride roller coaster, which may have been the most exhilarating ride in the park. You go up a tall, straight track then drop down into complete madness from there. You could also choose your own music and use that to calm your racing heart.

The ones that surprised me with how much fun we had were the Mummy ride and Transformers ride. The Transformers ride has to be my second or third favorite.

Finally came the third day, and I have to be honest, it was exhausting.

Although we had a lot of fun riding the Expedition Everest roller coaster and other rides at the Disney parks, it was hot and crowded.

And there were strollers. Lots and lots of strollers.

The amount of baby strollers through the three days there was unbearable. You had to constantly say, “Excuse me,” let baby strolling carriers pass through and be careful not to step on them; it was the worst part by far.

(Why bring your toddler to Disney anyway? They don’t know what’s going on!)

But even though it was hot and crowded, it was still, well, magical.

When you first arrive in Magic Kingdom, Cinderella’s Castle is just amazing to behold and is something you have to take a picture of. That’s definitely the first thing our group did when we got there.

The end of the night featured fireworks and projections on or around the castle. It was amazing.

It was a fun day, but I guess we had fatigue from the heat, being tired coming into that day, the thousands of people and incredibly long lines. I’ll also throw in the fact that we knew we would be there for 14 hours, maybe that left us tired mentally enough.

After that 14 hour stay, we loaded the bus and headed back to Inman. We left at 11:30 p.m. and got back at 8:25 a.m., and everyone was physically spent.  

Now onto the biggest Disney fan, Dr. Drew Timmons. He missed the trip due to his wife’s pregnancy. With her not giving birth during the trip, he may feel he missed out. Happily, their daughter was finally born on March 22. I feel that he is now over the trip and all his attention is on the newest member of his family. I, along with everyone else, am happy for him and wish his family the best of luck.

Like I said in the beginning, the trip was a complete success! It has to be the most fun I’ve ever had and am honored to have spent it with the people I’ve grown up with since elementary school and friends I’ve met through the years.

Despite the heat, crowds and strollers, it was easily worth the money to have this experience, and I feel that everyone should go to Disney World and Universal Studios once in their life.