If you are a Florida resident, you are lucky enough to say- we live where you vacation.

What happens when you go on vacation, but stay here? Then you have participated in a Staycation. If you want to stay local, decide your itinerary, and not be beholden to flight time departures and arrivals, this is not a bad idea. Another advantage, you can pick as much or as little as you want. You are literally in the driver’s seat.  Last year, we traveled to the furthest side of the globe, we went to Vietnam. This year, we decided to do the opposite.

Putting together the itinerary was actually fairly easy. Just like any trip, carve out your dates, let your work know, make boarding arrangements for your pet, book your hotels, and if applicable purchase tickets ahead of time to any attraction you’re interested in checking out.

We decided on this agenda

-Day 1 Disney Theme Park (Hollywood Studios)
-Day 2 Orlando (local)
-Day 3 Cocoa Beach -Kennedy Space Center
-Day 4 Fort Pierce -National NAVY UDT-SEALS Museum
-Day 5 Palm Beach -Jupiter Lighthouse, Jupiter Inlet
-Day 6/7 Fort Lauderdale -Beach, Sawgrass Mills Outlet

 

Day 1- Disney’s Galaxy Edge

I’ve wanted to check out Disney’s Galaxy’s Edge since it opened in 2019.   Located in  Hollywood Studios in Florida transports you to a galaxy far, far away. As we stepped into this fantastical world, we saw numerous encounters with iconic Star Wars characters, including the imposing Darth Vader himself. Many Stormtroopers were walking around in front of the Millennium Falcon.

Our first stop was a different kind of thrill, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror offers a chilling journey into the unknown. Step into the eerie Hollywood Tower Hotel and brace yourself for a drop into the Twilight Zone, where the supernatural awaits. With its spine-tingling atmosphere and heart-pounding surprises, this ride is a must for fans of the macabre and mysterious. Standing in line, I kept staring at the tower’s height, trying to gauge how tall the drop was going to be. I finally Googled it.  It’s 199 feet, but it didn’t feel like it, because it’s 3 separate drops on the way down. So it wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be.

One of the highlights of Galaxy’s Edge is the homage to the entire Star Wars saga through original movie posters. As you walk through the themed areas, you’ll come across posters representing all nine films, from the classic “A New Hope” to the epic conclusion of the Skywalker saga in “The Rise of Skywalker.” Each poster is pretty amazing to look at, although none of them compare to the original trilogy (episodes 4,5,and 6) in my opinion.

I talked my husband and teenager into waiting in line for the Millennium Falcon’s  “Smuggler’s Run”.  I think this was worth the wait. The group we were paired with took on daring missions as pilots, gunners, or engineers. I was the pilot, my son was a gunner and my husband got stuck with being an engineer. This interactive ride put us in the heart of the action, as we navigated through space, evade Imperial patrols, and worked together to complete our mission. It’s an adrenaline-fueled experience. I was surprised at how realistic it felt sitting in the pilot seat. I loved everything about it.

The last part of the battle against the First Order in “Rise of the Resistance.”  This was my favorite part.  You join the Resistance and embark on a harrowing mission to escape Kylo Ren and his forces. This ride placed us right into storytelling, technology, and heart-pounding action as we were right in the middle of the action. We faced off against stormtroopers to encounter life-sized AT-AT walkers, “Rise of the Resistance” was an unforgettable experience!

Disney’s Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios is a must for all Star Wars fans.  It offers an immersive escape into a galaxy.  Whether you’re piloting the Millennium Falcon, exploring the original movie posters,  or joining the Resistance, every moment in this galactic adventure is sure to ignite your imagination and leave you with memories to last a lifetime.

Day 2- Lake Eola, Orlando, & Disney Springs

On our second day, while we were still in the area, I wanted to check out Orlando.  So I asked a friend what he recommended for a wide open Sunday with no set plans.  He recommended we check out Lake Eola and their farmer’s market.

Lake Eola is in the heart of downtown Orlando.  It’s a serene oasis offering both locals and visitors a peaceful escape from the bustling city life. Fun fact, it was originally a sinkhole! The lake has a rich history dating back to the 1800s when Orlando was first settled. Over time, it has evolved into a beloved focal point of the city, surrounded by a beautifully landscaped park that invites leisurely strolls, picnics, and moments of quiet reflection.

The lake itself is a stunning sight, covering nearly 24 acres and boasting a brilliant fountain, the iconic Linton E. Allen Memorial Fountain. This fountain, affectionately known as the “Lake Eola Fountain,” has become a symbol of Orlando and is often illuminated with colorful lights, adding a magical touch to the surrounding scenery, especially during evening walks. Visitors can rent swan-shaped paddle boats to glide across the lake’s shimmering waters, taking in views of the city skyline that provides a striking backdrop.

Every Sunday, Lake Eola has a vibrant energy of the Orlando Farmers Market. This weekly event transforms the area into a bustling marketplace filled with the aromas of freshly baked goods, the colors of locally grown produce, and the sounds of live music drifting through the air. I decided to get my energy by caffeinating at Black Brew Bros coffee with an iced coffee called Tiramisu.

After exploring the lake, we walked around downtown Orlando.  Orlando on a Sunday morning, seemed sleepy.  There was very little to no traffic or pedestrians like us walking around.   We walked up and down Central Blvd and all around Church St.

I was getting hungry- so we headed back down towards the Lake and decided to eat at Metro Espresso.  You can smell the pizza dough from the sidewalk. I ordered a colossal calzone. It was bursting at the seams with gooey cheese, and savory meats, and I added spinach. I highly recommend this place, and even though it destroyed my diet- it was worth it!

Disney Springs

If you’ve never been to Disney Springs, you may not know what to expect.  When pulling into the parking lot, you’re going to want to park in the large parking garage.  It’s free. It’s huge and has many levels.  It feels like an airport parking garage. There’s even a digital counter on every floor and aisle stating if that area is full, or the number of open spaces. Once you park and exit through the garage on the ground level, you’ll have to go through security.

Once you enter Disney Springs you’ll feel like you’re at Disney. Same look and feel. Only it’s the biggest outdoor shopping mall you can imagine.  There’s an endless number of stores, restaurants, and lots of entertainment. Disney Springs is nestled in a waterfront setting, with large named areas called The Landing, Marketplace, West Side, and Town Center.

Here’s a list of the top restaurants and retail shops.

Top Restaurants at Disney Springs

• The BOATHOUSE
• Morimoto Asia
• STK Orlando
• Wine Bar George
• Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’
• Jaleo by José Andrés
• T-Rex Café
• Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant
• Paddlefish
• The Edison

Top Retail Shops at Disney Springs

• World of Disney
• The LEGO Store
• DisneyStyle
• UNIQLO
• Anthropologie
• Sephora
• Coca-Cola Store
• Star Wars Galactic Outpost
• Alex and Ani
• Ever After Jewelry Co. & Accessories

 

After some retail therapy, we decided to do Happy Hour at the Rainforest Cafe. There was about a 35-minute wait, but it was worth it, as we were able to get a table near the water.  You can see the rest of Disney Springs from where we were sitting.  There were even tourists sitting in small paddle boats that were converted to look like cars. Even though the Rainforest Cafe has closed many locations, the one at Disney Springs doesn’t seem like it’s hurting for business.  I highly recommend the Awesome Appetizer Adventure.  Basically a super large plate of calories that consists of Chimi Cha-chas, Spinach & Artichoke Dip, cheese sticks, and chicken strips.  Of course had to get a margarita on the rocks in their signature souvenir glass.

Day 3-  Kennedy Space Center

Next on our list, we were to head over to Florida’s east coast and work our way north to south.  Our first stop on the East Coast begins at Cape Canaveral: Kennedy Space Center.  I had previously taken my son when he was a Cub Scout. They actually did an arranged overnight trip and we got to sleep under the Atlantis.  This time, we wanted to take our time going through as much of the Space Center as we could.

Kennedy Space Center has 4 major facitlities:

1. Launch Complex 39-  This was used for Apollo, Space Shuttle, and npw the SpaceX Falcon rockets
2. Vehicle Assembly Building- Thhis is called the VAB. It’s actually one of the largest buildings in the world by volume, and it’s where they assemble the rockets, before they take them to the launch pad.  We drove by this on the bus tour
3. Crawler- Transporters-  These vehicles are massive. These are used to transport the rockets from the assembly building to the launch pad.  We also saw these from the road while on the bus tour.

When you go, make sure you carve out time to go on the bus tour, to see the above-mentioned 3 areas. The really exciting part is the destination: the Apollo/Saturn V Center. If you do the tour first, you can take your time coming back, and not have to worry about rushing through the tour to catch a bus back to the main complex.  Allow around 2-3 hours. There are multiple return buses to choose from  when you’re ready to leave

Here are all of the sights you can see at the Apollo/Saturn V Center

• Saturn V Rocket: This was my favorite, and is the jewel.  The rocket is fully restored. Fun fact: 363-foot-long rocket is displayed horizontally id 60 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty.
• Lunar Module and Command Module: Exhibits include a Lunar Module (LM) and a Command Module (CM), here, you can take a close-up look. This was used during the Apollo missions.
• Moon Rock: I touched the real Moon rock that was brought back by Apollo astronauts.
• Firing Room Theater: The tour includes a multi-sensory experience in the Firing Room Theater, simulating the launch of Apollo 8 with the original consoles and countdown sequence.
• Apollo Treasures Gallery: This gallery houses a collection of artifacts, including spacesuits, tools, and personal items used by Apollo astronauts.
• Lunar Theater: Visitors can watch a reenactment of the Apollo 11 Moon landing, featuring actual footage and an immersive presentation.

In summary, my favorite part was standing under the Space Shuttle Atlantis. The sheer size of it, only can be realized when seeing it in person.  Suspended in mid-air, the shuttle its displayed with its payload bay doors open, and it really gives you an an unparalleled view of the design and engineering. The close-up view of this iconic spacecraft forces you to appreciate the incredible complexity and scale of human space exploration.

My second favorite part, was definitely the bus tour to the Apollo/Saturn V Center.  It stories an immersive journey of NASA’s storied past and present. The tour itself is a highlight, providing fascinating insights from the guide.  I was very impressed with the level of detail of their knowledge.  It didn’t seem like they were using memorized scripts. The Vehicle Assembly Building and the Saturn V rocket up close are worth the 2-hour investment.

Day 4- Fort Pierce  The National Navy UDT- SEAL Museum

As we continued our trek down the east coast, heading south, we were going to spend the day/evening in Fort Pierce.  If you’ve never been there before, you are missing out. If you a history, buff and you want to see how and why the NAVY seals were started, this is where it all began!  The National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum, is dedicated to preserving the history and legacy of the U.S. Navy SEALs and their predecessor units, the Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs). Here I am sitting inside a Blackhawk chopper.

Blackhawk chopper The National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum, Fort Pierce (St. Lucie, Florida)The museum was established in 1985 to honor the elite warriors of the U.S. Navy SEALs and their forerunners.

I really like the way the museum was laid out.  Like most museums, it takes you on a chronological journey.  It goes through the history of the Navy SEALs and their predecessor units, the Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs). It begins with World War II, the origins of UDTs, and then covers the post-war era and the Korean War.

My favorite part, that drew me to this museum wasthe information about the Vietnam War, and how the SEALs were formed

Here’s how they covered that era:

Vietnam War and Formation of the SEALs

• Establishment of SEAL Teams: A significant section of the museum is dedicated to the Vietnam War era, during which the U.S. Navy SEALs were officially established in 1962. Exhibits explain the formation of SEAL Teams ONE and TWO.
• Vietnam Operations: Displays include weapons, uniforms, and equipment used by SEALs in Vietnam. Personal stories and accounts provide a vivid picture of the challenging jungle and riverine warfare SEALs engaged in.
• Notable Missions: The museum highlights key missions and operations in Vietnam, showcasing the SEALs’ versatility and effectiveness in unconventional warfare.

Post-Vietnam to the Cold War

• Expanding Roles: This section covers the SEALs’ expanding roles during the Cold War, including counter-terrorism, reconnaissance, and special operations around the globe.
• Training and Development: Exhibits detail the rigorous training processes, including BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL) training, and the development of SEAL tactics and strategies during this period.

Day 5- Palm Beach, Jupiter
Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse

On our 5th day, we drove through Palm Beach, heading to Jupiter. Our destination was to check out the historic Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse.  This lighthouse was first lit on July 10, 1860! It’s 105 steps to the top.  I know this because I completed the trek myself and earned the certificate.  Here’s a pic from the top of the lighthouse.

The lighthouse was designed by George Meade and constructed between 1859 and 1860. It was built to guide ships along the treacherous waters off the Florida coast. During the Civil War, the lighthouse was extinguished by Confederate sympathizers to disrupt Union shipping. It was relit after the war in 1866. The lighthouse was first lit on July 10, 1860. Its light has been a critical navigational aid for mariners ever since. The lighthouse stands 108 feet tall, and its light can be seen from 24 nautical miles away. The height and strategic location provide a wide range of visibility for maritime navigation. It is built from brick and painted red, which makes it a distinctive and easily recognizable landmark. The lighthouse originally used a first-order Fresnel lens, which has since been replaced with a more modern light source.

Days 5 & 6-  Fort Lauderdale

Sawgrass Mills

Of course, I had to get some shopping down while on vacation.  I wanted to go back to one of the largest outlet malls (the 11th to be exact)  in the US called Sawgrass Mills.  Here’s a fun fact, the mall is actually designed in the shape of an alligator.  This is one of the older outlet malls, and one whose construction began in the late 80s, and it actually opened in 1990.  When it first opened, they named areas of the mall after Florida wildlife.  Some of the names back then, included Oasis and Avenue.  The mall continued to grow and expand, and word spread quickly.  It began attracting not just locals but tourists.  In 2006 they opened an upsale section for high-end retailers, called The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass.  The Oasis section also expanded where they added a variety of dining and entertainment. The mall has over 350 stores and outlets including Gucci, Tory Burch, Michael Kors Outlet, Ralph Lauren, Lululemon, and Prada.

Fort Lauderdale Beach

When visiting Fort Lauderdale, several people told me I had to grab lunch or dinner at Coconut’s. This restaurant is the perfect waterfront location that sits on the Intercoastal Waterway. The views are incredible especially if you’re able to watch the sunset. They are known for their paella- and fresh lobster rolls. If you enjoy fresh seafood, you have to add this to your itinerary. There was about an hour wait but it was worth it.

Overall, this was an amazing trip, and next time I explore other parts of this beautiful state I’ll be sure to share. Sometimes you don’t need to travel far to explore, there are amazing things to see right here.  That’s why I love to travel locally and globally.

 

 

Check out additional pictures from my trip on my Gallery page.