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It was closing time at EPCOT, but that didn't mean we were finished. In fact, we went back to our dinner venue where five desserts were prepared for us. Naturally, I had to take all five, and I would have gone back for more, but I had a modicum of decorum in the moment. Charles Thomas, director of the Disney Imagination Campus, stood to deliver a final speech, telling us (again) how much his staff appreciates teachers. He mentioned that many of them were at the verge of tears several times during the day. |
One of the 50 teachers interrupted Mr. Thomas and asked if we could take a group picture. It really was incredible that at no point did they think to do that earlier, but it played right into the plans for our park exit. This part of the event was well-orchestrated. To explain, I have to go back to the week before the trip to Orlando. All of us had received an email about a "possible" extra event. If we were interested, the message said to respond as such. Most, if not all, of us did so, knowing that there was a new attraction opening on the evening of our special day. The $500 million roller coaster, themed to Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy was set to open to huge crowds, and there would be no way of getting onto it without a two hour (or longer) wait in line. |
But then, after dessert, with EPCOT closed, 50 teachers (many with families in tow) were headed toward Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Some teachers commented that it was pretty cruel to make us pose in front of the ride building and then not enjoy the ride. Would it really hurt them to push a button and let us enjoy the thing? Of course, everything was not as it appeared, and the whole thing was a setup, complete with the disappointment of not being chosen. |
| In the preshow room, there were the typical Disney doors, announcing, Caution: doors open toward you. An audible proclamation also warned us to stay within the lighted circle on the floor. There is a whole story told in the preshow area, but the short of it is that a transporting device has been stolen by this giant overlord character, and we were bring recruited to keep him busy (in our individual pods) until the Guardians of the Galaxy could get there. |
Lights flashed and lightning struck overhead to disrupt our transportation to the distant planet, but nothing happened. As far as we knew, we were still at EPCOT, still on earth. Or were we? Looking back at the wall of doors that would take us to the boarding area for the ride, we were amazed that the it was completely gone. Shortly, we would get on and lower the lap bars and be launched into something I can't even describe. Somehow I was positioned in just the right place to have a ride with the main Imagineer, Zach Riddley (who had spoken to us earlier in the day about the design process, in the photo bottom, right). Not everyone can say they rode this unbelievable ride on opening day, after closing, with the Imagineer who designed it! The backward launch, the 80s music, the giant projection, the complete darkness, and the smooth, continuous sideways, straight-ahead, and backwards flight through the star field makes for a highly unique and thrilling experience. On the way off, they handed me a fanny pack announcing the ride. It was one more extra perk that wasn't necessary, but it would come in handy for me the following day. All in all, this Friday was a full day of professional development and thrilling surprises. We rode a late bus back to the resort with a satisfaction of having eaten well, having been entertained, having learned, and having been pampered with appreciation. The 50 Teachers Celebration is documented on my Imagination Campus page. | |