The Student News Site of Parkway North High School

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The Student News Site of Parkway North High School

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The Student News Site of Parkway North High School

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Music Department Orlando Trip

Riley Gibbons
April 25, 2025
Students get off the two-day bus ride to enter Universal Studios for the first time on the trip. The students were given a $20 meal ticket and their park ticket for a three-day park hopper pass.
Freshman Abbie McGee and Nathaniel Wells take a selfie as they go into the park for the first time on the trip. “It was our first official day at Universal. I have never been before, so I was rightfully excited and a little scared,” McGee said. “We were on the way to the Hogwarts train to go to another section of the park. It was a cute ride, though the wait was a little long. It was honestly such a blast at Universal, and I would absolutely go again.”
Senior Samantha Platke takes a selfie with her friends as they try butterbeer for the first time, a popular beverage at the park. “I loved exploring the different exhibits. I thought the Harry Potter one was so cool,” Platke said. “Even though I am not really into Harry Potter, that was probably one of my favorite parts. The music and everything is so cool. It’s very immersive.”
After day one of Universal Studios, students head back to check into the hotel for their first night in Orlando. “It’s nice being around my friends and not having to worry about school or anything like that, and just being surrounded by my friends,” sophomore Gina Brimer said.
The students participate in a behind the scenes Universal Music Workshop, where they play a piece of music that makes the prepared scene come alive. The students also helped voice act, create sound effects using the Foley method, and voted on sound effects that were provided by the instructor and their team. “I thought is was a super fun experience. I thought it was a little bit pricey for what it was,” sophomore Nate Kershman said. “I felt like I would’ve appreciated a little bit more time at the music experience and getting to learn that aspect of it. But as someone who wants to go into that industry, it was very enlightening and I’m really glad I got to do it.”
The infamous Dragon that sits on top of the popular Harry Potter: Escape From Gringotts ride breathes fire over a crowd of visitors. “I like seeing all of the different themes and stuff. The rides were pretty cool too. I just think it was very unique.” junior Lyric Gleason said.
Senior Evie Blue looks around a store at Disney Springs, where students spent their Sunday evening. Disney Springs is free and has both food and shopping available with many stores and restaurants of differing themes, including a Rainforest and Dinosaur café.
A group of students take a photo in Dr. Suess Land as they grab a quick snack on the third day of Universal. “I really liked going on all the rides even though they terrified me. But I really liked doing it with my friends” senior Lily Weiss said. “Probably one of my favorite rides had to have been The Mummy. I was terrified of it at first, but after riding it the first time I thought it was so fun that we ended up coming back to it at the end,” Blue said.
The line was long to get into the park on the final day of the trip before students headed home. “My friend Lily pointed out this shirt to me when we got off the Mummy ride, and it’s literally just a picture of Brendan Fraser’s face,” Blue said. “We thought it was so funny that we had to come back and get it the next day and I got it. It became an inside joke the rest of the trip.”

 

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About the Contributor
Riley Gibbons
Riley Gibbons
My name is Riley Gibbons. I am a Senior. I enjoy writing, singing and producing my own music outside of school, along with performing with my rock band. I am excited to be back in Newspaper this year!