Rockin’ through suburbia
Want to add a little fun to your commute? I recently picked up an Aerosmith Greatest Hits CD at the grocery store for $4. Yes, I know CDs are old school, but my ten-year old car still has a working CD player, so it was an easy decision. Obviously, you have other options for listening to Steven.
As many of you know, Aerosmith is the featured artist in the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This fun ride, built in 1999, is the only roller coaster to travel upside down on Disney World property. The “back story” of the attraction, as Disney likes to call its themes, is that guests are granted back stage passes to an Aerosmith concert taking place at the Forum that evening and are required to board a blazing fast limousine to get to the venue on time.
The beginning of the ride is thrilling, launching you to 60mph in 2.8 seconds. Disney wisely timed its on-ride camera to capture your image during the blast. Then you wind through the greater Los Angeles area, traveling upside down and all around with classic Aerosmith songs blaring through personalized speakers in your head rest. Although I knew the music varied by ride, I recently learned the specific songs you hear are determined by which limo, or roller coaster car, you board. There are five different themes distinguished by their license plates (examples are: 2FAST4U or H8TRFFC). It’s a fairly short ride at about 1 minute and 30 seconds, but the pre-boarding video and overall theme make it a fun attraction and unique to the rest of Disney World.
Photo by William Hemes for Geffen Records
Back to my CD.
The first time I listened to it in my car I laughed out loud. Instead of driving to a big box store to buy paper products, I was suddenly rocketing through LA on the way to a concert. Ridiculous, yes, but oh so fun. I’m not even convinced I’m an Aerosmith fan, but since I associate their music with this ride and the numerous happy memories of Disney World, the love transfers. I suppose some of the appeal is also due to the nostalgia of the music, since it reminds me of my school days. Big hair! Ripped jeans! Whatever the case, the music was a low-cost, easy way to add some magic to a nondescript day. Want to give it a try? Find some music you associate with a happy memory and listen to it during one your least favorite tasks. Who knows? Maybe it will add a little magic to your day too.
