The mouse has left the house. 

With Disney’s discontinuation of their Grad Night event, Activities Director Ms. Felicia Christin had to come up with another event that would rival the evening of excitement seniors looked forward to all year. 

Universal Orlando’s annual Grad Bash celebration became that replacement. 

On the Friday morning of April 27, the senior class of 2012 showed up to school dressed to impress because of Varela’s mandatory dress code for the event.  They also brought along blankets and pillows for the long bus ride ahead. 

The seniors arrived at the Universal Studios Mardi Gras pre-party at around 6 p.m.. The party featured a DJ and catering. Burgers, hot dogs, macaroni and cheese and cookies were laid out on trays for the guests. 

Although the food looked delicious, many seniors complained about feeling sick afterwards.

“I didn’t enjoy the food mainly because it made me feel sick. It lacked flavor and it tasted like it had been laid out for a while,” senior Hymmel Cuadra said. 

Once the gates were open, some seniors decided to stay in Universal Studios while others went to Islands of Adventure. Many of the popular rides in Universal Studios, such as Revenge of the Mummy and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, filled up quickly. Most of the night, the estimated waiting time for Rip Ride Rockit was 60 minutes. 

However, a lengthy wait did not keep many of the enthusiastic seniors from waiting in line for the adrenaline rush. 

Islands of Adventures, the park most appreciated by seniors, was quickly filled with thosewhose main goal was to reach the Wizarding World of Harry Potter first. 

At the Wizarding World, seniors rode the Dragon Challenge, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and Flight of the Hippogriff. But for many, the Wizarding World was more about experiencing a world they also wished to be a part of.

“The Wizarding World was such an incredible experience,” said senior Ashley Kearns. “I felt like I was at home,” 

Marvel Super Hero Island was another hot spot for many. On this Island, there were rides such as The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk Roller Coaster, Dr.Doom’s Fearfall and Storm Force Accelatron. 

However, most seniors decided to stick to The Incredible Hulk as this was one of the longest lines in the park at over two hours wait.

In an attempt to make Grad Bash more memorable for seniors, Universal Studios had guest performers Pit Bull and DJ Khaled. Although both performers were supposed to put on a show for the seniors full of energy and excitement, DJ Khaled didn’t end up performing. Seniors were not disappointed, as Pitbull pulled through by putting on a great show which had kids dancing and singing along to his songs.

As the night came to an end, seniors began boarding their buses, and many left with feelings that would last them a life time. For many, it was one of the last chances they would get to spend time with the class of 2012.