Spring break tends to be a great time for all. Many students go with their families to exotic locations for vacation, while others tend to take a “stay-cation,” just enjoying the time off while relaxing at home. For most, it’s a welcome relief to take a break from school. The Prep/Villa chorus, however, continued their choral pursuits while off from school. The young ladies and gentlemen from the Prep and Villa chorus/show choir met at Villa Monday, April 17, at 1 a.m. to depart for the Pittsburgh airport for a 5:30 a.m. flight to Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
The Prep/Villa crew was bused to the Magic Kingdom at 9:30 a.m. Monday, where they would spend their day. At Magic Kingdom they could ride iconic rides such as Splash Mountain, Dumbo, Peter Pan’s Flight, It’s A Small World, and Space Mountain. They had the option to be bused back to the Pop Century Hotel at 9 with chaperone and Villa principal Ms. Karlinchak, or stay until 11 and bus back with chaperone and Villa music teacher Mr. Alesso. After a long day at the park, the Ramblers and Victors settled into their beds and prepared for another day.
On Tuesday the choir went to Epcot. The choir met a Disney cast member in Norway who led them to their workshop. In their workshop they were taught a Beauty and the Beast medley and a Disney dance routine by a professional performer. When they returned to the park afterwards they could ride Test Track, Frozen Ever After, and Soarin’, but the main attraction of Epcot is the mini countries around the pond. Park goers can walk from Mexico to France to Morocco to Italy in a matter of minutes, while eating authentic cuisine in each section. At 9 p.m. there was a fireworks show over the water, and then the choir met at 10:30 to bus back to the hotel.
On Wednesday, the Prep and Villa vocalists were bused to Disney springs to perform their 30-minute set, which was the whole reason they went to Disney World. The set consisted of “Seasons of Love” from Rent, “Dust In The Wind,” a Les Mis medley, and “Hallelujah.” They were then bused back to the hotel, and then they had the choice to go to either Epcot or Magic Kingdom again.
With their successful performance behind them, the students were bused to Hollywood Studios on Thursday. As they walked in, they were met with a Star Wars performance where iconic Star Wars characters, such as C-3PO, R2-D2, storm troopers, Boba Fett, Kyle Renn, Darth Vader, and Chewbacca, appeared onstage, saying iconic lines, wielding light sabers, and shooting flares out of blasters. Throughout the day, The First Order March, a Nazi Germany like march of storm troopers, marched through the park, and park goers could go on the Star Wars Ride, Star Tours. Other popular rides at Hollywood Studios include Rockin’ Rollercoaster and Tower of Terror, and many shows are presented, such as the Frozen Sing-Along.
On Friday, all the Prep/Villa chorus returned to Magic Kingdom for a full day, where they re-rode the classic rides and went on any rides they missed the first time. With their time drawing to a close, most students packed their bags that night.
Saturday, the Rambler and Victor singers were due in the lobby at 7:30 to check their bags. They then boarded a bus to go to Animal Kingdom for the day. Here they could ride iconic rides such as Expedition Everest, Kali River Rapids, Dinosaur, and the Kilimanjaro Safari. On the safari, park goers can get up close to wildebeests, zebras, cheetahs, warthogs, giraffes, and elephants.
Overall, the Disney trip was a great experience for everyone involved. The rides and friendships made the early mornings well worth it. The Prep and Villa students got to get some prestigious musical work done with their performance, but they also got to have loads of leisure time in the parks. Rest assured, many dreams came true on this school trip.