Happiest place on earth: bookstore hosts a Disney-themed costume night
It was a night full of costumes, trivia, raffles and pizza. Dozens of students came out Thursday night for the highest-attended event ever hosted at the Liberty bookstore, competing in teams to answer a variety of trivia questions fit only for the biggest fans.
From Mickey Mouse ears to full Stormtrooper costumes, the Animated Character Night was nothing less than magical. The first event of its kind was hosted at the LU bookstore on Jan. 30.
Some of the most popular fan-favorite movies included “Mulan,” “Finding Nemo,” “The Avengers,” “Aladdin” and “Tangled.” For many students in attendance, Disney was an important part of their childhood memories.
“We went to Disney all the time growing up. It is just our vacation place. Some people go to the beach – we go to Disney. We’re Disney people,” student Cassie Stowers said.
Stowers and her friends Cassidy Goggins and Abigail Downey recently went to Disney together after watching Liberty win the Cure Bowl. The Disney-loving trio were dressed as Cruella de Vil and two of the 101 Dalmatians.
FRANCHISE FANATICS — Attendees represented a wide array of classic characters, including those from franchises like Marvel and Star Wars.
Another student, Hannah Warren, attributes her love of Disney to the world that is created by the stories Disney tells.
“Disney has always been a part of my childhood and it’s fun to escape and get lost in a fantasy world,” Warren said.
Disney is perhaps most well-known for its captivating soundtracks. Students broke out into song spontaneously throughout the night, sharing lyrics with people they had never met before.
“What sets apart Disney movies from all others is the music because not only are the movies themselves enjoyable, but the songs that are in them are also inspiring and fun to sing along with, and they are catchy and easy to remember,” student Hayden McCallister said. “Song is a universal language that brings people together.”
The night was not only a fun time to gather together and celebrate beloved stories – it was a tough competition as well. Throughout the night, teams competed in three rounds of trivia ranging in category from Pixar and Disney Channel to music and animated classics.
Students also came in an array of costumes for the occasion, receiving complimentary pizza for their efforts. With the addition of Marvel and Star Wars franchises to the Disney family, the entertainment company is even more accessible to a wider variety of fans.
“Disney is more than princesses and fairytales,” Michael Chembars, who was dressed as a Stormtrooper, said. “It now represents franchises that I care about and am proud to represent.”
The bookstore will host a Star Wars event with trivia and cosplay on April 23 at 6 p.m.
Drexel is a feature writer. Follow her on Twitter.