February 16 through 21, JAHS band students got the opportunity to travel to Disney World in Orlando Florida. Not only did they get to enjoy the fun rides such as Space Mountain and Rock N’ Roller Coaster, but they had the chance to perform on Main Street U.S.A at the Park. 

For a group of friends such as juniors Hannah Green, Addison Johnson, Alyssa Kise, and freshman Ella Humm, the trip “was really fun.” “One of my favorite parts of the trip was standing in line,” Humm says. Now this may seem uncommon for people to say because, like Johnson says, “we waited in line for like 2 hours,” but for Humm it was time spent with friends. “Everyone was talking and interacting with each other,” Johnson chimed in. “Friendships for sure got stronger.”

Highlights of the trip were all different for everyone, but both Kise and Humm agreed on Animal Kingdom being their favorite experiences. “Animal Kingdom was really pretty,” Kise says. “The artificial tree was gorgeous.”

The Avatar Flight of Passage which unlike your usual roller coaster, is a 3D flying simulator attraction that is within Pandora. “For me it was Animal Kingdom and riding on the Avatar ride,” Humm says. 

Unlike Humm and Kise, junior Jesus Marcos’ favorite part of the trip was the ride to the destination. “The stops on our way there and our way back were so fun. Walking around getting food with friends and being wrapped in a blanket.”

For Marcos this trip held a lot of his firsts. “I have never gone out of state, so this was my first time and I was so excited,” he says, “especially because I got to go with all my friends.” On top of his first trip out of state, Marcos also had the opportunity to go on his first rollercoaster ride. “I’ve never ridden any ride, like ever, so I made it my goal to get on some.”

The band traveled to all four parks; Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios. Although he had the opportunity to try several types of rides, out of them all, his  “favorite one was the Rock N’ Roller Coaster in Hollywood Studios.” 

      When it came time to march down Main Street, there were a few complications. Unlike the Ohio weather in February, Florida was the complete opposite. As Kise says, “the weather was really nice.” However when it came to marching day the weather was more on the hot side. “Before we began I was so scared and anxious because it was very [emphasize on very] hot outside,” says Marcos. 

 Similar to Marcos, the heat was a memorable part of the experience for Green; “marching was fun, but it was really hot.” When it was finished she says, “I took my hat off and there probably was a small puddle of sweat sitting in there.” 

Even though the heat was a huge factor, it didn’t phase Green, “beside the heat it was a pretty awesome experience.” The heat didn’t stop them having fun though, “it was the coolest experience ever, marching down, playing in front of a new audience made me feel really good and it was just a great experience,” Marcos says. But it was all worth it because they are all “official Disney Crew Members now.” 

Overall, most members of the band felt like it was a good experience.“I am so grateful I got to be a part of the experience,” says Marcos. “Going to Disney was never something I really had a desire to do but now that I have, I would do it again. It was so fun and I made so many great memories with all of my wonderful friends.”