Everyone Needs to Escape Reality Sometimes, Right?

We had been looking forward to our second Florida trip of the year for months. David was going to get to see one of the last shuttle launches and visit the Kennedy Space Center (his Disney), the kids and I were going to get a Disney trip and all of us would enjoy the beautiful beaches. I booked the flights, the resort accommodations and set our itinerary.

Our JetBlue flights were wonderful! It was a little over two hours from Austin to Orlando non-stop (sure beats a 20 hour drive) and the most comfortable flight we had ever been on. Even David, with his long legs, had enough legroom. The kids set back, snacks and drinks in hand, with their headphones on watching the FREE(!) tv/cartoons they offer. I didn't even have to reach for the "just in case" toys/coloring books/etc that I had packed to keep them entertained. From now on, if JetBlue flies where we need to go, I will be choosing them over Southwest or American!

We got to our resort, Mystic Dunes, a little after 10:30 pm. I had heard about how the staff at this resort wasn't that pleasant and how they would try to pressure you into buying a timeshare at check-in. This made me a little nervous, but the deal was a good one so we booked it. Once we got to our room I was less than impressed! Why anyone would buy a timeshare there I have no idea! Maybe I'm spoiled to the condo we stay in when we visit PCB, but this was nothing more than a glorified motel. Thankfully we didn't receive any pressure or timeshare speeches during our stay.On Sunday we got up early to make the hour drive to the Kennedy Space Center. We were there from 30 minutes after it opened until 10 minutes before closing. There is SO much to do and see there that you don't realize you've been there for so long. I wouldn't think you'd need more than a day there unless you are planning on doing one or both of the extra tours they offer.

First we took a bus over to the Launch Pad Viewing Deck where we could see Pad 39-A and 39-B. The Discovery shuttle, scheduled to launch the next afternoon, was on 39-A and covered by a metal casing so we couldn't get a very good look at it. Hayden didn't seem too interested...he'd rather chase the black birds around at the tower.

From here we took the bus to the Saturn V building. Since Nicholas is in the Saturn V program at school I thought this would be a good educational trip for him too. That rocket is HUGE (pic)! I knew it was big, but it was much larger than I had expected (not that I know a ton about space launching and rockets). In this building they had the Saturn V rocket, some Apollo artifacts, a moon rock, as well as all the different space suits from that time. There was also a show about one of the Apollo missions. It took place in the actual set up of Mission Control. It was all pretty interesting!























After lunch, which was school cafeteria quality and super expensive, we headed back to the KSC Visitors Complex. David and Nicholas went on the Shuttle Launch Experience ride while Hayden and I waited outside. Poor guy was about an inch too short to ride. We also saw the International Space Station 3D IMAX movie. It was pretty incredible! Hayden tried to grab all the things that were coming at him. I think he really enjoyed it.

























The last interesting thing we did was the Astronaut Encounter where we got to listen to Astronaut James Reilly, at Texas boy himself, speak about his time as an astronaut and his three space missions. He was really engaging and thoroughly answered questions from the audience, then posed for pictures after.







That night, since it was Halloween and the boys would miss Trick or Treating, we took them to the Cocoa Beach Riverfront Park Halloween Festival in their costumes. I expected it to be like the festival we had here in Buda this year...area vendors passing out candy, arts & crafts, etc. Nope, absolutely not. This one had a few activities for the kids to do, but they were closing up when we got there (almost 2 hours before it was over) and there was only 1 group passing out candy. The kids each took a turn in the bounce house, played for a few minutes at the park and that was about it. I was a little disappointed and Hayden had a meltdown in the car so we decided to make the hour drive back to the room and call it a night.




















The day before we left for the trip we learned the shuttle launch would be delayed by at least 24 hours due to air leak issues. So our Monday plans were switched around a bit. Instead of boating over to the island to watch the launch we took the kids to Lori Wilson Park at Cocoa Beach. I have to say, after visiting the Atlantic coast, I definitely prefer the Gulf side. The sand on the Atlantic side isn't as soft, the water isn't as clear and the waves are vicious. I thought it would be too cold for the kids to swim, but it wasn't too bad and they seemed to really enjoy it. Hayden stayed with me on the shore most of the time while David and Nich caught some waves. David and Nich also played with the coaster frisbee until it was lost at sea. Once we'd had enough of the beach for the day, we headed back to the room and had a pizza night in.






On Tuesday, we got news that the launch would be delayed yet another 24 hours because they wouldn't have the leak fixed in time to finish all the assessments. Now it would be a Wednesday afternoon launch time at the earliest. We decided to make the most of our day and head to Disney's Hollywood Studios. We were originally only going to do one day at Disney and I thought this would be the one the kids would enjoy the most. At this park they had the Pixar movie characters that the kids know so well and less of the classics and princess type movies. We bought their autograph books and set out to find some characters! Our first visit was Tigger and Eeyore. Hayden got a hug from Tigger...so sweet! He was terrified of Mater and Lightening McQueen though. In his defense they did make some pretty loud grumbly noises.






















One of our favorite rides, although the line was an hour long, was Toy Story Mania 3D. The wait line was interesting though and kept us occupied. It led you through a building that was decorated with over-sized toys and games. There was, of course, the talking/singing Potato Head, but also Candy Land, Chutes & Ladders, giant crayons, Domino,etc. Anyway, you ride around in these little two-seater carts with 3D glasses on and "shoot" balls at all these targets. You rack up points as it spins you around. Towards the end of the ride things start "flying" at you. I think I enjoyed it the most! Totally recommend this one!







We enjoyed the car stunt and Disney Playhouse Live shows,but Scary Sounds with Drew Carey was one of the dumbest things I've ever seen! I absolutely do not recommend wasting 20 minutes on this exhibit. I would've been highly upset other than the fact that we were escaping the rainstorm outside at the time. When the rain let up a little, the kids played around in the "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" park.

Unfortunately, the parade that was schedule for that afternoon was canceled. We didn't meet as many characters at this park as I was hoping nor did we ride Tower of Terror, but we still had a great day! ...and I must say that all the park staff was nice and very courteous.

Hoping for that shuttle launch on Wednesday, but once again it would be pushed back. This time because of electrical issues. So, again, we reorganized our itinerary and headed to Clearwater Beach. This was an hour and a half drive, but the beach was gorgeous so it was worth it! Nich, David and I had a good time throwing the football, watching the pirate ship and making sand castles with Hayden. There was a dad and daughter from Germany playing on the beach close to us. I think the girl was probably close to Nich's age, 10 or so. We know the dad spoke some English, but I'm not sure about the girl. She never seemed to answer any of Hayden's questions, but the language barrier didn't stop them from jumping waves and picking out seashells. Hayden had found himself a new little friend.




















On Thursday the shuttle was once again delayed because of a storm that was moving in. We had only planned on one day at Disney, but decided to go ahead and do another day now that we had time to spare.

When we went to Hollywood Studios we bought cheap tickets outside of the park. Apparently people buy 14 day passes and when they don't use them all they sell them to these other people and they turn around and offer them to you at a discount price. Illegal yes, but when it saves you $100 a day it's kinda worth the risk. The morning we headed to Magic Kingdom, we stopped by the same place to buy more. The guy didn't show up until 9am and we wanted to be at the park when it opened so we decided to go to a different place. David got our tickets and we were on our way. We got to the gate and our passes wouldn't work. The same thing happened at Hollywood Studios. You stick your card through the machine, then put your finger on the scanner. It doesn't actually scan your print, but rather the length and width. Of course ours didn't match, but the lady there didn't seem to worry about it and just let us through. The lady at Magic Kingdom wasn't as accepting. She questioned us for 4-5 minutes about where we bought the passes, when we used them last, etc. She knew we were lying, but eventually let us through anyway. Maybe it was because Hayden was already on the other side of the turnstile or she felt bad for us. Who knows.

So we got in the park, finally something Momma wants to do!! One of the first things we did, after taking our family picture in front of Cinderella's Castle, was the Monsters Inc Laugh Floor interactive show. David and Hayden were part of the "interviewed humans" segments. It was pretty funny and definitely entertaining, a must-do.

The kids really seemed to enjoy this park a lot more than Hollywood Studios too because there were more rides and things for them to do and see. We took a real steam engine train ride around the park. Hayden rode his first roller coaster, Goofy's Barnstormer, and LOVED it! He was giggling so loud the first time around! I think we ended up riding that one 3 times. The kids loved Splash Mountain, me not so much! I think our favorite ride at Magic Kingdom was the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad rollercoaster. Nich wanted to do Space Mountain so I took him to that one while David and Hayden rode the more mild Astro Orbiter. The one ride I do NOT recommend at this park is It's a Small World. It's a boat ride inside a building where you go through all the different nations and each one of them sings the song and little animated dolls dance in place. It's long and boring. Hayden wanted out not a minute into the ride.
























We met quite a few characters here and Hayden even got a kiss from Minnie Mouse! We toured Mickey's Clubhouse and Minnie's Country House, saw the Dream Along with Mickey show, the Electrical and the Celebrate with Mickey Parades. All of them were great!






After dark, and when the park is closing, they put on a fireworks show behind the castle. This was incredible! When it first starts, Tinkerbell is dressed in her costume, fitted with green lights, and flies down on a wire from the very top of the castle. Awesome! The castle was lit up, there was music and tons of fireworks. Just a great show!! At the very end it became a torrential downpour! Thankfully David had bought some ponchos earlier that morning, but we didn't have them on. By the time I got mine on it was already too late. My umbrella was leaking at the seams and I was soaked from head to toe! Guess that one was meant for shade only and I must have lost the instructional booklet it came with! As soon as the show was over everyone was racing to the exit. Of course you have to take either the ferry boat or the monorail back to the parking lot so there was quite a wait to get out of the park. The line seemed to move fairly quick though so it could have been much worse.






Our last day in Florida we were really hoping to see that launch. It was, after all, our main purpose of the trip. Sadly it has now been delayed until November 30th. While draining the fuel tank there was a crack in the foam. The launch window was passing so they scrubbed it all together. Maybe we can catch it online. Since we wouldn't be seeing the launch we decided to just take it easy. We took the kids to see Megamind at Disney's AMC Pleasure Island. Expensive, but the kids, and David even, enjoyed the movie. I fell asleep. It was just too cold in there!

Although we never saw the launch, we thoroughly enjoyed our trip and can't wait to do it again someday!

PS. A huge thank you to my wonderful, loving husband for making our vacations possible and for being such a great parent. The kids and I love you and I know they will cherish these memories as they get older.