When I got the plum assignment to head down to Orlando for a few days to celebrate Disney World’s Space Mountain attraction turning 50, I naturally hesitated before telling my kids.
Every parent knows why: the incessant “Is it time to go yet?” questions were sure to ensue and the trip was weeks away. Thus, I kept the magical secret to myself until just before it was time to go. But honestly, I was just as excited.
I cover stars for a living, but usually not the kind Space Mountain is known for. I’ve been a fan of the ride ever since my first trip to Disney at 8 years old when I circled back into the line multiple times after riding to keep experiencing what at the time felt like warp speed. I’ve since learned that the world’s first computer-operated coaster only goes about 27 mph and that actual astronauts turned out for its big unveiling back in 1975.
On top of celebrating that history, this magical milestones-themed trip the folks at Disney put together felt even more special given I’d be revisiting one of my favorite rides with my own 9-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter.
When we arrived in Orlando we headed straight to our accommodations at the Art of Animation Resort, one of Disney World’s Value Resorts offering off-peak, budget-friendly pricing for families. The kids, along with my Disney-loving mother-in-law who joined us, became instantly animated themselves as our bus rounded the corner revealing the larger-than-life renderings of Ariel and Simba that decorate the main entrance.
They got even more amped when they saw our family suite in the Cars section of the resort, complete with beds, couches and dressers all colorfully themed around the hit movie. In that moment I realized sticking to their bed time was out the window for the next few days.
We were given a full rundown of events, including a competitive family scavenger hunt organized for those in town for the experience. The task: We had three days to hit all four massive parks and document as many Disney milestones as we could throughout. From meeting Mickey and Minnie for the first time, to my youngest riding a “big kid” ride, the race was on against nine other families to bank as many core memories as possible. No small feat, let me tell you.
On day one, we headed to Hollywood Studios where my daughter proved tall enough to ride her speediest coaster to date, Slinky Dog Dash in Toy Story Land.
It was a little fast for her liking, but her big bro loved it. To celebrate, we headed over to Woody’s Roundup Rodeo BBQ, one of the many restaurants available to guests who use the park’s cost-saving family dining plans. There, we filled up on delicious Texas-sized portions.
We ended the night checking off another milestone: getting to not only meet, but party with, Mickey and Minnie during a wildly fun welcome event complete with a deejay and loads of themed desserts. I’ve never seen my kids dance like that!
The next day, the kids woke up to a phone call bright and early from the head Mouse himself inviting them to Magic Kingdom for the main event: Space Mountain’s official birthday! One of the world’s first ever indoor rollercoasters was ours for the riding and with early access as guests of a Disney resort, we went straight over to it before the park fully opened.
But upon reaching the ride’s height measurer we learned my little one was just a few inches shy of this particular milestone. I was mortified having to break it to her, but honestly, I think she was a little relieved.
My son, on the other hand, had gone forth with Grandma and had the same reaction to Space Mountain that I did many years ago, immediately asking to hop back in line for another go round as soon as it was over.
From there we were treated to a hearty breakfast in Tomorrowland before getting back into the competition. Our first task: hunting down as many sparkling Princesses as we could. It turned out my daughter’s current two faves, Tiana and Rapunzel, were hanging out together at Princess Fairytale Hall that day and we got a two for one!
Then came time to test my son’s courage and ride Tron, one of the park’s fastest coasters that reaches up to 60mph. He was legitimately scared, but toughed it out and was so happy to have the bragging rights afterwards. He’d earned a treat.
Later that evening, we hopped aboard a Disney Skyliner gondola and headed over to Epcot for dinner and waffle-making at new eatery Connections Cafe. Then it was time to catch Epcot’s truly inspiring fireworks display called ‘Luminous: The Symphony of Us’ that’s put on nightly over the park’s central World Showcase lagoon.
It was beautiful on so many levels, but my littlest wouldn’t know because she’d passed out long before on our peaceful ride over and managed to sleep soundly through all the bursts and booms.
On the last day, we had one mission: run wild and free through Disney World’s newest park, Animal Kingdom, checking off as many scavenger hunt tasks as we could before it was time to head to the airport. Let me just say, this park is stunning.
As my mother-in-law and I marveled at all of the natural and man-made wonders like The Tree of Life, my little ones became card-carrying wilderness explorers, stopping to earn badges as they learned interesting facts about wildlife.
We got to check off meeting Pocahontas, who posted up just around the river bend, and even got to fly around on the breathtaking Avatar-themed attraction Flight of Passage. That was another one my daughter didn’t measure up to, but the blue boba-filled icee I got her from a nearby kiosk more than made up for it.
After all was said and done, eaten and experienced, we left Orlando exhausted, a little heavier and with dozens of wonderful memories made. The trip more than made up for the fact that we came in second in the scavenger hunt, just 10 points shy of the winning family. In all, I highly recommend a family milestone trip to the “Most Magical Place on Earth.”
But a piece of advice: if your kid’s on the height cusp, do a little measuring before you make any ride-related promises!
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