This year, the Lakewood Ranger Marching Band (LRMB) traveled to Orlando, Florida, to march down Main Street, U.S.A., at Disney World and participate in a backstage workshop at Universal Studios. The trip, which the band takes once every four years, was a highly anticipated, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Bus Ride
The band boarded the buses to leave on Friday, Nov. 21, at 11:15 a.m., following a final practice, to ensure all music and routines were ready for the final performance. Once on board the bus, it was evident that a good night’s rest was not in the cards. “I think the hardest part [of the trip] is just taking care of yourself and making sure you can enjoy the experience,” said Clinton Steinbrunner, LRMB director.
Stops were made every few hours for the students to use the bathroom, get snacks, and stretch their legs. Every break was brief, as directors and chaperones ensured the trip remained on schedule. The first stop on Saturday morning, Buc-ee’s, was a major hit, as the gas station chain is not available in Ohio. Everyone left with snacks or Buc-ee’s merch, making the band look like a Buc-ee’s fan club at each of the following stops.
Most band members spent the bus ride trying to conserve money at rest stops, anticipating the high cost of food and souvenirs inside the parks. The buses maintained a good pace, which helped reduce stress among the travelers.
Day One
The band arrived early Saturday morning and headed to the Hard Rock Cafe near Universal Studios to dine on a filling, complimentary breakfast buffet. Students formed small groups to explore Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.
These parks were full of attractions that everyone enjoyed. The “Potterheads” rushed to Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley to get the full experience of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Sophomore clarinet player James Neumann specifically cited the Marvel section of Islands of Adventure and the Transformers Ride as some of his trip highlights.
The band concluded this day of fun with a party at the hotel pool. The moment felt full circle, considering the end-of-band-camp pool party at the beginning of the season, but this one celebrated the end of the marching band season and the successful journey to Florida.
Day Two
The band began their day with breakfast around 7 a.m. Today was the day they would march down Main Street, U.S.A., at Disney.
The band members met up to prepare for the parade behind the scenes at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Changing from summer uniforms to their main performance outfits, the band was ready to go. People from around the world watched the parade, cheering, singing, and dancing along to recognizable songs. “By far the most memorable part of the entire trip, everyone looking at us, that was a really cool experience,” said sophomore trumpet player John Grasso.
The whole experience brought everyone together and made for an unforgettable experience. “We had a really awesome performance opportunity where we got to kind of spread what we worked on all year… with a huge audience at Magic Kingdom,” Steinbrunner said.
The band ended the day watching the Magic Kingdom firework show, bringing back many childhood memories.
Day Three
The third day brought the band back to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. The highlight of the day was a backstage workshop at Universal Studios, where the band got to produce the audio for the film Despicable Me. The activity included voice acting, making sound effects, and performing music to act as the score for the scene. The band was practicing up until they departed Ohio to get the song perfect.
The workshop concluded with the band getting some insight into the filmmaking process by crafting their own film pitch, choosing actors, producers, and a director from within the band. That evening, the band made its way back to the parks, where they gathered to watch a drone and water show in an opera of all things pop culture.
Day Four
The final day in the parks was spent at Disney World’s Hollywood Studios. The goal was to enjoy the parks fully before boarding the bus for the ride home (for the chaperones, they hoped to tucker out all of the band members). The trip concluded at 9 p.m., when the band gathered together to watch Fantasmic! Show.
The band’s trip allowed them to connect in ways they couldn’t before, given the amount of time they spent together and the experiences they shared. “It was like, probably my favorite day,” said flagline member Zoey Horne, referring to the day spent at Hollywood Studios.
Back Home
After four days of beautiful weather and magical parks, the band began the journey back to Lakewood. These six long days away from home gave everyone some amazing memories, but also made them eager to return home. Whether it be the people who joined for the trip and discovered their love for the band throughout the season or the seniors who are ending their time with the LRMB in an unforgettable way, the trip was life-changing. From rides and games to marching on Main Street, U.S.A., this trip brought the band together and created experiences and memories that will keep the band bonded for years to come.
