The Lancer Marching Band's trip to Orlando, Florida was a great success! After stuffing the charter busses to their capacity, the band departed for Florida on Monday, March 24th. After driving all day and all night, the Lancer Band pulled up at Epcot Center at 9am on Tuesday morning. The band spent the day in the park, and regrouped at 6pm for a Disney Magic Music Days "You're Instrumental" concert band workshop, where they played many Disney songs and even recorded a "soundtrack" to Disney's Fantasia 2000. The next day was spent in Disney's Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios, where students rode rides like Expedition Everest, Aerosmith's Rockin' Rollercoaster, and the Tower of Terror. That evening, the Lancer Band cheered on the blue knight at the Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament.
Thursday morning, the band suited up in uniform and headed backstage at the Magic Kingdom. The clear blue skies and warm weather were the perfect setting for the Lancer Band to march down Mainstreet USA in their very own parade! The band stopped in Frontierland and performed 'The Great Escape' to a large crowd. The Lancer Band's signature style and dancing was a treat for spectators from around the world! At the conclusion of the parade, band members spent the rest of the day at the Magic Kingdom, enjoying rides like Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, and Space Mountain.
The band once again packed up the busses on Friday morning and headed towards Cocoa Beach. After a stop at the largest surf shop in America, the Ron Jon Surf Shop, it was off to a day at the beach. Students spent the rest of the day playing in the sand and sun, enjoying the 85 degree weather. After a beachside cookout, it was time to head back home. Unlike on the drive down to Florida, the students were exhausted after such a busy week and spent most of the 20 hour drive home sleeping! The Lancer Band arrived back home on Saturday afternoon, March 29th at 3pm. Sun burnt and tired, everyone was anxious to get home and sleep in their own beds!
The Lancer Band's trip was truly one of a kind. The students represented Lakewood in a way that should make us all proud. My most sincere thanks goes out to all those who helped make this trip possible. This is an experience our Lancer Band students won't soon forget!