Trip Report Might As Well Be Walking On the Sun - June 2024

Hello Friends!

We've been back for a couple of weeks now, so it's time to get this TR rolling!

Who: Me (Ali, rhymes with Sally), my husband Jim, Gwen (16) and Ethan (13)
What: 11 sweaty days celebrating Ethan's 8th grade graduation & our 19th wedding anniversary
Where: Cocoa Beach & a Sheraton time share
When: June 4th-14th 2024

This was our 6th Disney World vacation, but our first time with just our family of 4. We've had one or both of the grandmas with us on every prior trip, including a big family trip for my MIL's 70th birthday.
We wanted a less scheduled, more spontaneous trip this time, so we decided not to purchase Genie+ or ILL's. No regrets on that one. None.
I told Jim I wanted to treat our park days like a trip to Great America (the Chicago area Six Flags park) in the 90's. Feel happy just to be there, and take it one ride at a time.

Day 1 - Tuesday June 4th

After a nearly sleepless night for me, (thanks, travel anxiety!) we were up and on our way by 6:30.

I REALLY don't enjoy flying, but thankfully our flight was smooth. I watched LaLa Land to pass the time. It's one of my favorites, and it never fails to make me happy.

Once we arrived, we grabbed all of our carry-on luggage, picked up our rental mini van and headed for the Cocoa Beach!
We booked an ocean view balcony room at Hampton Inn Cocoa Beach.
At check in, the man at the front desk asked where we were traveling from, and was surprised when we told him the Chicago area. "I was sure you were French or maybe German"

The room was clean and spacious but unremarkable.
We were there for the view

Everyone was eager to get to the beach, so we did a quick change and headed down.

Meta tortoise friend on the beach path

Gwen's tiny shell collection

I had hoped to have dinner on the beach, but we found a dockside grill that had live music. Good enough!
After dinner we made a quick stop at DQ for ultimate cookie Blizzards for the kids (because ice cream every day), then headed back to the room for an early night.

Day 2 - Wednesday June 5th

We chose our vacation dates months ago and planned to visit the Kennedy Space Center on our first full day. As luck would have it, there was a launch scheduled for 11 o'clock the same day!
I have always wanted to see a launch in person, and for the kids to see one, so it was an exciting morning!
We had a quick complimentary breakfast at the hotel, and were on our way by 8:30.

Once at that visitor complex, we boarded the bus to the Saturn V Center. I was expecting the same 40 minute tour of the facility that we had back in 2016, but now that KSC is once again an active space port, and this was a launch day, it made sense to not take bus loads of people around the launch pads.
After a 10 minute express ride to the site, we quickly found a spot on the bleachers. Only 15 minutes to launch time!

Our timing could not have been more perfect! The group in front of us had been waiting for two hours!
It was already scorching outside. I don't know how they tolerated it for so long!

Just before the countdown, they played an address from the 2 astronauts aboard the Starliner, followed by the National Anthem. It was a beautiful and uplifting moment. I'm so glad we were there
All systems go for launch!

To say it was thrilling would be an understatement. It was exhilarating and awe-inspiring.

We were so full of excitement, and we weren't even at Disney yet!

 

[MerMom1981]

Totally agree with @Zipadeelady!! I love Kevin and it's a fabulous photo They are ALL great photos and your descriptions are so fun! Keep it comin'!

Thank you!
I'm having fun reliving it all!

 

[MerMom1981]

And....... I hope it's ok to say this, but every time I look at a picture of Ethan, I see a young Rick Moranis!

With all the gif's I looked at I forgot how many funny movies he's been in. Now I need to go back and watch some 80's classics.

100% ok!
Messy brown hair, freckles & glasses....
Might go watch Little Shop of Horrors

 

[MerMom1981]

Day 9 continued:

We made our way to the Wildlife Express train station for our very first trip to Rafiki's Planet Watch. It was too hot and humid to pet goats, but I'm always here for art class!

We have done the animation experience at California Adventure, and back when it was available at Hollywood Studios, but this was our first time at AK. Being detached from the rest of the park makes it feel way less accessible. I'd heard they would be featuring characters from The Lion King in honor of the 30th anniversary, so we made the extra effort.

Gwen did the best job by far

After the class, we headed back to the train station.
Spotted Simba in the sidewalk

Is it just me, or is this train a total hotbox? The enclosed sides and sideways seating created zero breeze. It felt like we were sitting under a used beach towel.
We were all in the mood for something frozen when we exited, and there happened to be a snack cart right in front of us. We refilled our popcorn bucket and grabbed frozen lemonades before heading for Festival of The Lion King.
I love this show every time!

Since we were so close to Pandora, we decided another ride on FoP was in order.

We walked all the way to the lab without stopping! Preshow in under 20. Standby all the way!

We were nearing our 6 o'clock dinner reservation, but Ethan was desperate to ride Everest at least one more time. We hurried towards Asia via Discovery Island and the kids bolted to the single rider line. Ethan did a second ride solo, but then I cut him off. We only had 10 minutes to hustle all the way to Rainforest Cafe.
It might be the worst restaurant in Disney World, but it was one of the few things Gwen requested for the trip.
The things we do for our children.

Jim and the kids had unremarkable burgers and chicken fingers while I had what I suspect was a Fresh Express bagged salad with grilled chicken.
Ice cream of the day came in the form of their over-hyped volcano dessert. A roughly constructed tower of brownies with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream

The server would call out "VolcanOOOOO!" every time one was delivered to a table. The spectacle almost prevented Gwen from wanting dessert. Fortunately for her, the dining room was all but empty, as the restaurant closed 30 minutes after the park, and we were one of the last tables seated.
As lack-luster as Rainforest Cafe is, it was not the worst dinner of our vacation. That would come later.

 

[rshell68]

Day 9 continued:

As lack-luster as Rainforest Cafe is, it was not the worst dinner of our vacation.

You are scaring me. Can't imagine anything much worse

 

[erstwo]

Is it just me, or is this train a total hotbox? The enclosed sides and sideways seating created zero breeze. It felt like we were sitting under a used beach towel.

Okay, this made me laugh.

 

[MerMom1981]

Okay, this made me laugh.

I aim to please

 

[MerMom1981]

Day 10 - Thursday June 13th
Magic Kingdom

One last early wake-up to join the VQ for Tron. I was tapping furiously, and was rewarded with a boarding group in the 60's!
I had my rope-drop strategy planned well ahead of time. Space Mountain? Seven Dwarfs? Nope.

Sleepy Hollow

Little did I know my beloved Nutella waffle sandwich would soon be no more. So glad I got to enjoy it one last time!

Mine Train was the only thing we missed on our previous MK day, so that was our top priority. The app listed a 30 minute wait, but a CM was closing the queue as we approached. Nooooooooo!

We quickly pivoted and headed to Haunted Mansion instead.
We do HM decorations for Halloween, so we are always looking for more inspiration.

I want to add these guys to our front lawn cemetery

SDMT was once again open, so we hurried back to join the queue.
Recreating yet another photo

We waited about an hour, but we were moving most of the time, so it wasn't bad at all.
Gwen and I wanted another ride on Little Mermaid, but we had to stop for a photo with everyone's favorite guy on our way.

After our journey under the sea, we made our way to Adventureland for another ride on Pirates.

Yo ho?

It was right about lunch time, so we headed across the way to Tortouga Tavern and easily found a table in the shade. I've gotta say, packing lunch saved me so much money, time and stress on our park days. I'm cool waiting in line for rides and attractions, but the lines for QS spots in MK make me see red. It's better for all of us if I eat my turkey sandwich outside in the shade somewhere.

After lunch, we decided to keep it low-key and toured the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse.

I know lots of people skip the treehouse, but we love it

It was time for a frozen treat, and when in Adventureland, that means Dole whip.

Yes, we took our Dole whips inside. Yes, we were the only ones. Yes, everyone in the Tiki Room was jealous

After the show, we headed towards Liberty Square for a very special souvenir.

I love them so much!
We have always admired the vintage charm of silhouette art, and now that we have a Victorian house, we decided it was time to have them done.
I can't recommend this highly enough! The artist did the cutting freehand and finished each one in under five minutes! VERY impressive. And only $15 each!
The speed was also much appreciated, as it was once again excruciatingly hot outside. We were ducking in and out of Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe while the kids took turns sitting for the artist.

From there we made our way across the hub to Tomorrowland to wait out the Tron VQ.

 

[MinnieM123]

We have always admired the vintage charm of silhouette art, and now that we have a Victorian house, we decided it was time to have them done.
I can't recommend this highly enough! The artist did the cutting freehand and finished each one in under five minutes! VERY impressive. And only $15 each!
The speed was also much appreciated, as it was once again excruciatingly hot outside. We were ducking in and out of Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe while the kids took turns sitting for the artist.

Those are really cute. (When I was about 7, I also had one done, although not at WDW.) It never ceases to amaze me how accurately the artist can create the resemblance. I'm sure those two framed silhouettes will make a lovely addition to a wall, in your Victorian house.