Every year at Gateway Regional High School seniors have an option to provide funds to attend the senior trip to Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The trip for the class of 2024 started on April 22nd and ended on April 26th. It is a 5-day trip in which seniors were able to free roam the designated areas at Disney World, as well as park hop to permitted areas.
April 22nd: Flight and Magic Kingdom
On the day of the trip, students were expected to arrive at Gateway by 2:15 am with packaged items that met the TSA requirements. A bag check will be conducted on both carry-ons and luggage for safety measures. At 3:00 am, the luggage was loaded onto a bus, and students were taken to the Atlantic City airport for the flight.
Once arrived, the students grabbed their luggage and had it transported to the loading dock while going through TSA. The plane used for transportation was Spirit, and it departed at about 6 am. The plane would undergo a 2-hour flight to Orlando, Florida. *It is advised to download shows, bring a book, or anything other source of entertainment, as well as gum (if permitted) to help ears pop.
Once in Florida, students grabbed their luggage and proceeded straight to the Magic Kingdom where they went separate ways to partake in the activities they favored.
At the end of the day, the students went back to the hotel after the 9:30 pm fireworks show.
April 23nd: Epcot
Similar to the first day, students free-roamed around the Epcot Center from 8:30 am – 9:30 pm with the option of park hopping. After the Epcot nighttime show, the students made their way back to the hotels, ending day 2.
April 24th: Universal Center
On the 3rd day, the students went to Universal Orlando from 8:30 am – 7:00 pm where they had access to both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Students were able to experience immersive rides such as Revenge of the Mummy, Velocicoaster, Harry Potter Escape Front the Gringotts, and many more.
On the same as other days, students returned to the hotels where the teachers had prepared pizza for them to enjoy.
April 25th: Typhoon Lagoon & Hollywood Studios
On this day, the class of 2024 gathered outside the All-Star Movies hotel and took the senior group photo at 8:45 am. At 9:30 am everyone took a bus to Typhoon Lagoon where they could experience waterslides, pools, the wave pool, and other attractions. Teachers then notified students that by 2:30 they had to park hop to Hollywood Studios.
Multiple students hanging out at Hollywood Studios
After the 9 pm fantastic nighttime show at 9:00 pm, everyone made their way back to the hotel to end day 3.
April 26th: Packing & Animal Kingdom
On the final day, students packed everything and checked out of the rooms by 8:30 am, where they dropped off their luggage and made their way to the Animal Kingdom. The class would be given from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm to enjoy Animal Kingdom to the fullest until they would then depart to the Orlando Airport.
After proceeding through TSA, the class would board the flight at 8:07 pm and land at 10:20 pm, when they would then gather their belongings onto the bus and arrive back at Gateway Regional High School at approximately 12:30 am.
It surely was an enjoyable vacation for all.
