Studio Memories

Story Time-

Back in 1994, I took a trip with my dad to Orlando. Through his job, he got tickets to a World Cup match. It was a match between the Netherlands and Ireland. I don't remember much of the match. It was hot, there were a lot of people, drums were being played, and at one point a giant banner was raised above our heads. I think it was Ireland's flag. But I know that my dad was having fun, and by proxy, I was too.

Now the day before the match, we did something that I still remember today, and it is definitely in the top 5 favorite days of my life. My dad took me to MGM Studios (now Disney Hollywood Studios). And much like the soccer match, I don't have clear memories, but just snippets of feelings and images-

•  I remember seeing the Tower of Terror for the first time. It wasn't open yet, but they were running tests because I remember looking up and seeing the doors open and close on the 13th floor. I was one of those kids who LOVED the Twilight Zone, and to see a ride based on something that I loved, oh yeah I wanted to ride it. I remember my dad taking a picture of me with the tower behind me. Flash to 20+ years later and I refuse to ride it only because the feeling of falling in an elevator is terrifying. But don't tell that to 8 year-old Gaby. Regardless, I'll still take my picture in front of it.

• I remember sitting in the Theater of the Stars waiting for the Beauty and the Beast stage show to starts. It was hot, but I was having fun. We hit all the stage shows that day, Little Mermaid and Indiana Jones too. 

•  I also have a clear memory of walking down the streets of America, taking more pictures and playing the street carnival games they had. Something about getting a rubber frog into a bucket by swinging a large rubber mallet. I can still feel the weight of the mallet and the feel of the frog. I remember my dad encouraging me, and consoling me when I didn't win.

• I MET THE NINJA TURTLES! Now this interaction ranks up high along with the time I got to watch the Power Rangers with the Power Rangers (A story for another day). But the Turtles were doing meet and greets on the Streets of America, and I got to take my picture and get an autograph with my favorite Turtle, Michelanglo. Now that was pretty awesome.

• We also checked out The Great Movie Ride, and the Backlot Tour. Oh as well as the Annimation Tour too! Oh and don't get me started on Star Tours!

I think this is the main reason why I love Hollywood Studios so much. These memories and every other trip to Hollywood Studios are my favorite. A mix of a Classic Hollywood that never was, Disney Magic, and hanging out with my dad.

So the point of this lovely disjointed story is to mention a new show at Hollywood Studios. It's called "The Music of Pixar Live".

Holy Heckles if this or some sort of "Music of Disney Animated Films" was around when I was a kid, I would have died right there, died of happiness.

So not only was I that weird kid who like the Twilight Zone, but I was also a sucker for Orchestras and Orchestrated music. This was YEARS before I took up the cello, but listening to the scores of my favorite animated films, and seeing symphonies live? Yeah, some of my favorite things. In fact, it still is.

Guests today probably do not know how amazing something like this is, to have an orchestra playing your favorite Pixar melodies. Seriously, go watch the video. **

If I had the money, I would go just for this. 

So imagine my favorite day, and add this to it. Yeah, it would have been amazing. But you know what, in the end, I don't need a fancy theme park and a fancy orchestra to have an amazing day. All I really need is my dad.

Oh speaking of my dad and music, come September the National Folk Music Festival is having its last run here in Greensboro, and I'm totally stoked for that! We're going to have fun

** Did you cry during the "Up" sequence. I did.