By Mason Lopes
It was a warm, sunny day in Orlando, Florida. I was 16 at the time and enjoying a vacation with my family in the Sunshine State. Life had been routine with school and basketball, so this vacation felt like a dream come true. We explored several parks, including Discovery Cove, SeaWorld, Aquatica, and Animal Kingdom. We thought our trip couldn’t get any better – but we were wrong.
Universal Studios was our last stop. The previous day had been rainy and overcast, so we were hoping for better weather. Luckily, we got it. As soon as we entered the park, I could hardly contain my excitement. I was determined to experience every ride that day.
Among the many attractions, I found myself in front of a towering building with a sign that read, “Return of the Mummy.” While waiting in line, I was impressed by the meticulous Egyptian-themed decor: artifacts, statues, and even sand scattered on the ground. As we finally reached the front, I boarded the roller coaster, eager to experience the ride. At this point, I didn’t realize that “Return of the Mummy” was based on an early 2000s movie.
As the roller coaster began, Brendan Fraser’s voice filled the air, narrating a scene from the movie. Suddenly, he was attacked on the screen, and the TV went dark. That’s when I knew this ride was going to be unforgettable. The coaster twisted and turned, and a menacing laugh echoed through the ride as a mummy’s face ominously warned us of doom. The room burst into flames, and we plummeted down a drop. The ride ended, and all I could think was, “Wow!”
As the day ended, I reflected on how much fun my family and I had, especially on the “Return of the Mummy” ride. Packing up to head home, I was reluctant to leave. At the airport, after some food, we boarded our JetBlue flight. As we ascended out of Orlando, I waved goodbye and fell asleep. Upon landing and disembarking, my mind was still on that incredible ride.
I turned to my mother and suggested we watch the movie that inspired the ride. She smiled and agreed. Once we were home, I eagerly searched for “Return of the Mummy” on our TV. Settling on the couch with my dogs, I started to connect the movie to the ride. Brendan Fraser, the mummy, the fiery room – it all came together. I was more engaged with this movie than I had ever been before.
As the credits rolled, I marveled at how the ride had enhanced my movie experience. From then on, I made a vow: If a movie had a corresponding ride, I would experience the ride first. It’s a new way to engage with films that I never thought I’d discover.