The Last Summer at Disney World

There we sat on the noisy Disney World tram in the Orlando summer rain. It wasn't our first time being wet at Disney. As local law student, we have visited Disney World at least once a month, rain or shine. Today was to be a special day at Disney World even though the rain made an appearance. Today was determined to be the last time my law school friends and I would be visiting Disney World together now that we had graduated and are going off to make a name for ourselves in the legal world.

The seven of us are lucky enough to be as dry as we are by the time we approach the ticket turns styles of Epcot, a place we spent many weekends. The rain seems to stop almost immediately as we walk through the gates, signaling that we are in for some added humidity. The crowd taking pictures just beyond the turnstiles is larger than we had expected during this time of the year. As we quickly maneuver our way past the crowd, we hear bits of conversations engulfed with many languages most people have not heard since middle school foreign language class. We know the experience all too well though because we have done this so many times before.

With the bright Florida sun now shining and the summer heat beginning to emerge, we pick up our pace to that of a light jog as we head toward the stunning England pavilion we spent so many ours at in the past. My girlfriend Erin and I poke around inside the pavilion's stores when we arrive, taking note of any new Beatle's merchandise on display. We lose track of time and track of our friends whom we have lost in the crowd. Calling cell phones and looking around the stores frantically draws attention to ourselves almost immediately. Just beyond a tall woman wearing Mickey ears I see my roommate and other friends exiting the England area. We join up with the rest of the group who are now walking across the majestic brick bridge on the path to the Italy pavilion.

The magnificence of Epcot is more prevalent today than it has been in the past. Maybe it is because it is our last time visiting together or way the sun reflects off the wet building fronts along the lake, but whatever it is, it is beautiful. The sun begins to set, releasing that bright orange glow that makes the sunset a beautiful event. We position ourselves along a pathway facing the center lake of Epcot to secure our normal spot for the amazing fireworks display soon to follow.

The giant torches along the Epcot pathways are lit, warming the air and signaling the beginning of Disney World's amazing nighttime fireworks show. The rough baritone voice of the fireworks narrator begins triggering goose bumps on our skin. This is the end of a law school era for our group and there is no better way to say good bye than with a little Disney magic.