The performing arts departments at Athens Drive- including theatre, chorus, and orchestra- went to Disney World in Orlando, Florida. They were at Disney from Friday, April 26, to Wednesday, May 1 to experience the Sing the World tour! Students were informed to bring all of their necessities and to especially not be late to the train station.
On Friday at 8 p.m., students would start arriving at the station ready for their bag check to board the train. Once all of the students, chaperones, and teachers arrived and were ready for departure, the train would be set to leave around 9:30 p.m. It was an overnight train and the students slept on board.
Students await to board the Amtrak carriage car to Orlando.
Photo credit: Brady Jones
At approximately 8 a.m. the next morning, students who were interested in purchasing breakfast from the train could do so at the designated car for dining on the train. At 10:30 a.m. arrive at the Orlando Amtrak Station. From then until noon, bags were unloaded from the train and everyone made their way to the Pop Century Hotel. Not too long after, students and chaperones in their own groups made their way to Disney Springs, experiencing places like The Landing, Marketplace, West Side, and Town Center. Once everyone was done, they loaded back up on the buses and went back to the Pop Century Hotel. With lights out being at 10 p.m., it’s understandable that everyone was a little tuckered out but excited for the next day.
The day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom approached, and students woke up, got ready, and headed to the park. With everyone together, they split into groups to visit the attraction for a little while. Later everyone met in front of Africa gates, to disperse into the group that would go to the immersive storytelling workshop with the other group of people going to visit the rest of Animal Kingdom.
“I’d have to say Rise of the Resistance was my favorite. It was one of the newer rides, and a lot of cool effects which probably came from the higher budget,” said Brady Jones: senior.
After everyone was done in Animal Kingdom, the group departed and went to Hollywood Studios and spent some time admiring the park. After that, everyone checked into Fantasmic or Wonderful World of Animation NightTime Spectaculars and later got a group photo in front of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Soon after everyone loaded back up to the hotel for another successful day.
Students woke up on Monday and quickly got ready to be privately transported to Epcot in a Motor Coach provided by Sing the World. Now they’re ready for the Power of Performance Workshop with Michael Lee Brown & Corbin Bleu in the World Showplace Pavilion, learning acting and vocal techniques from both of them. After all that, students now get to enjoy their lunch in Epcot, with singing students later meeting back at the World ShowPlace Pavilion located between Canada & the United Kingdom for a performance rehearsal. While singing students got to work, Orchestra students were to meet Ms. Batts at the ShowPlace Pavilion located between Canada & the United Kingdom to prepare for the performance with all non-singing students reporting to the World ShowPlace Pavilion for Sing the World Performance.
Once everything was prepared and ready, the Sing the World performance commenced. Soon after the show concluded, everyone met back at the courtyard of the World ShowPlace Pavilion, and after everything that day, the students got to enjoy a Buffet and Dueling piano after-party with the students being escorted to a private viewing area to watch the “Luminous Symphony of us” Firework show, also grabbing a group photo after the show to close out the day.
Students gathered at the Epcot after their performance to take a group photo
Photo credits: Ella Johnson
For their last day at Disney, Students loaded up and headed to the Magic Kingdom where students in their respective groups were able to enjoy attractions like the speedway, the new TRON Lightcycle run, and the Haunted Mansion. After grabbing a group picture in front of the castle, everyone went to retrieve their luggage from the hotel. Later, students head to the Amtrak Station where they depart back to Cary overnight. In the morning, students arrived back at Cary with classes for that day being excused so they could rest from their long train ride.
The recent trip to Disney World was amazing for the students of Athens Drive. They got to explore the parks, learn from pros, and show off their talents. The trip was a big deal thanks to the teachers and chaperones who made it happen and it was a very special contributor to their high school experience.
