VIP Solo Day Trip to London

Magic and Markets:

We have been to London on the trains several times now, but there’s something uniquely exciting about a solo day trip—it’s just you, your plans, and an open city to explore. My adventure started with an early train ride from Canterbury West to Stratford station, then navigating the Tube like a seasoned Londoner (or so I told myself) to Custom House. My destination? The Disney 100 exhibition, and as a former Disney cast member, it was an experience I knew I had to go explore!

Disney 100 Exhibition | London

The Disney 100 exhibition was everything I imagined and more. I missed the magic, and it was fun to feel like I was stepping into the pages of a storybook, surrounded by artifacts and memorabilia from Disney’s century-long legacy. The exhibition spanned across several themed galleries, each one meticulously curated to showcase the evolution of Disney’s magic.

The first gallery was dedicated to Walt Disney himself, featuring personal items like his sketches and letters. It was surreal to see his original concept art for Mickey Mouse—each line brimming with imagination and charm. Nearby, there were early storyboards from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Disney’s first full-length animated feature. The detail in those hand-drawn panels was astonishing, and it made me appreciate just how much heart went into the animation process back then.

Moving through the exhibition, I was greeted by a to-scale poster of the Incredibles characters, and I felt very short in comparison. So many costumes and props from Disney’s live-action films covered the gallery. One of my favorite displays featured the iconic red dress from the live-action Cruella movie. Seeing the intricate layers of fabric up close made me love the film even more. As well as the curtain dress from the Enchanted movie with Patrick Dempsey. For the longest time, I wanted to be the main character in the movie, singing to the animals. Another standout was Frank Wolff's costume from Jungle Cruise (2021). The level of detail—the worn leather and the tool belt —made it feel like Dwayne (the rock) Johnson himself could walk in at any moment.

Something I wasn't expecting to find in the exhibition was all the different variations of Disney music. I was surrounded by iconic scores that instantly transported me back to my favorite scenes from Disney classics. The showcase of popular Disney songs in various languages made this gallery especially unique. Hearing Let It Go sung in French, Mandarin, and Spanish was a fun experience—it was the same song, but each version carried a unique sound.

In addition to the music itself, the gallery featured rare artifacts like sheet music from 1935 for With a Smile and a Song, one of the signature pieces from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). Seeing the sheet music was like holding a piece of history; it represented not just the origins of Disney’s musical legacy but also the dedication and artistry that went into their very first feature-length film. Nearby, there were interactive stations where you could explore how individual elements, like vocals, instrumentals, and sound effects, come together to create Disney's unforgettable soundscapes. Listening to Alan Menken’s early demos for Beauty and the Beast and comparing them to the fully orchestrated versions we all love was nothing short of inspiring for this film and video student. The gallery is proof of how Disney's music continues to transcend time, language, and culture, creating a magical connection for fans around the world.

The animation gallery was a treasure trove for Disney fans like me. It included story sketches from classics like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Three Caballeros, The Jungle Book, and Cinderella, along with modern favorites like Frozen and Moana. I could’ve spent hours examining each piece, marveling at the progression of animation techniques over the decades. There were also props scattered around each exhibit like the Mouseketeers drum and the Captain America Shield from Avengers: Endgame in 2019.

The props continued into the next gallery, one after another, the Porg Puppet from Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) and THE BB-8 Puppet used in several other Star Wars projects. I loved seeing the Lightsaber Hilt used by Mark Hamill in The Last Jedi. Then, onto more Disney classic movies, Lumiére and Clogsworth from Beauty and the Beast, the Glass Slipper from the live-action Cinderella, and the Carousel Horse from Mary Poppins (1964). So many interesting things from Disney projects, including something I wasn’t expecting to see: Disney's Multi-plane camera, which has been used in so many cartoons.

The next gallery might have been my favorite; it showcased all the things Disney Parks! One of the first things was concept art for the Tree of Life in DAK. (Disney's Animal Kingdom) There was also an animatronic head from Walt Disney Imagineering! Lost in the world of Disney, I walked through the next gallery past several old drawings, animations, and art pieces from Disneyland. It was crazy to see Tea Cups, boats, and other ride vehicles off of their tracks.

What really brought the magic to life was the last interactive element. The final gallery was a celebration of all things Disney’s. It was called WE ARE JUST GETTING STARTED; it had mirrors to look at yourself and showed clips of new and upcoming projects! It’s crazy to think that one man’s dream sparked a legacy that continues to bring joy to millions around the world.

Camden Market:

After spending several hours soaking in all things Disney, I hopped back on the Tube and made my way to Camden Market to meet up with my friends. The energy at Camden was electric, with its colorful stalls, eclectic shops, and the constant buzz of people moving through the market.

One booth caught our attention with its collection of old retro cameras. As a photography enthusiast, I was instantly drawn to the vintage film cameras displayed on the shelves. Some were decades old, with fun stories and histories behind them, while others were the point and shoots that have gotten very popular. I couldn’t help but imagine the stories these cameras must’ve captured over the years. My friends laughed as we geeked out, a few even bought some old film cameras. I snapped a few photos of the booth before we moved on.

We spent the rest of our time wandering through the market, trying on funky sunglasses, flipping through racks of vintage clothes, and sampling street food from the many vendors. There were several stands with oranges and orange juice, which I found odd. Camden is the kind of place where you could lose hours just exploring and still not see everything, shout to the random man dressed up to look like they were in the KISS band.

For dinner, we settled on a cozy little cafe where we ordered some grilled cheese and drinks and chatted for several hours. I don't drink alcohol, so I opted to order a lemonade. As I've learned over my last few weeks in Europe, lemonade is actually a lime-flavored sprite. (spoiler alert: I HATE carbonated drinks, aka soda) So water, grilled cheese, popcorn, and conversation were delicious and comforting after a long day of walking.

A Race Against the Clock

As we finished dinner, we realized time had gotten away from us. The clock was ticking to catch our train back to Canterbury. There’s nothing like the adrenaline of running through a station, weaving through crowds, and hoping the train doors don’t close before you make it on board. Thankfully, we slid into our seats just in time, laughing breathlessly and already reminiscing about the day.

This solo trip turned group adventure was everything I love about exploring a new city: a mix of solo adventures, shared experiences, and just a little bit of chaos. London never fails to surprise me, and this day was no exception. From the enchanting world of Disney to the lively atmosphere of Camden Market, it was a trip filled with magic, memories, and just the right amount of spontaneity.