Orlando & Cocoa Beach Family Getaway

Florida Road Trip: From Roller Coasters to Rocket Launches

Day 1: Road Trip Begins

We picked up our Turo rental at 7:00 AM in Kansas City and hit the road for Central Florida — nearly 20 hours ahead of us. It was a long haul, but the excitement kept us going. The goal: get into travel mode and reach Florida ready for adventure.

Arrival Options:After the long drive, we had two choices:

• Option 1: Cool off at Kelly Park – Rock Springs in Apopka.

• Option 2: Head straight to Universal Studios Orlando and jumpstart the theme park fun.

We left it open, depending on our timing and energy.

Day 2: Orlando Arrival & Universal CityWalk

Once we crossed into Florida, cooler weather had us skip Rock Springs and head straight to Universal Orlando. Instead of rushing into rides, we eased in by exploring CityWalk and the parks — checking out the layout and soaking in the atmosphere.

Lodging:SpringHill Suites near International Drive — budget-friendly and comfortable. Still, in hindsight, staying at a Universal resort would’ve made logistics smoother.

Day 3: Hard Rock Hotel & Ride Day

We headed early to Hard Rock Hotel, dropped off our bags, and grabbed our room keys — which double as Universal Express Passes. These passes were a game-changer, letting us skip lines and maximize our park time.

Having stayed at Dockside before, I was used to longer walks and no Express perks. Hard Rock blew me away with its unbeatable location — minutes from the park gates. We missed some themed queues, but for a ride-focused day, the Express Pass made all the difference.

Evening: My mom and brother flew in and joined us for dinner at The Kitchen, Hard Rock’s casual on-site restaurant. A relaxing way to regroup before another big day.

Day 4: Water Rides & Hotel Switch

We kicked off our last day at Hard Rock with more Express Pass action. Bags went to the front desk for transfer to Aventura Hotel — hassle-free, thanks to Universal.

We went all-in on rides, especially the water ones — Jurassic Park River Adventure, Ripsaw Falls, and Popeye’s Bilge-Rat Barges. We got absolutely drenched, and it was glorious.

Highlight: VelociCoaster — every bit as wild and thrilling as the hype promised. A true standout.

Day 5: Rope Drop & Halloween Horror Nights

We started the day with a water taxi from Sapphire Falls — a peaceful way to hit the parks. My mom, brother, and I rope-dropped Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, which never disappoints.

Later, we did Stay & Scream for an early jump on Halloween Horror Nights. We hit three haunted houses, but… honestly? The craftsmanship was stunning, but the experience felt underwhelming. The conga-line pacing killed the scares.

Redemption: The Nightmare Fuel show — pure adrenaline, talent, and energy. Absolutely incredible. I ended the night alone in Diagon Alley, watching the Dementors and soaking it all in. While HHN wasn’t our favorite, the Wizarding World and that show made it worthwhile.

Day 6: Final Park Stops & Cocoa Beach

We took the morning slow. Some stayed back to pack, others squeezed in one last park run. Before leaving, we saw The Bourne Stuntacular — and wow. The mix of live action and digital effects was seamless and stunning.

Afternoon: We drove to Cocoa Beach and checked into a spacious rental house just minutes from the shore. Pool, hot tub, game room — the works. After nonstop action, this was the perfect place to decompress.

Day 7: Beach Vibes & A Launch That Wasn’t

We took it easy in the morning. Some of us hit Ron Jon Surf Shop, a Florida classic. Later, we met up with friends from Tampa for a beach day — swimming, catching up, and enjoying the ocean view.

That night, we headed to Jetty Park to watch a satellite launch — something on my boyfriend’s bucket list. Sadly, it got delayed. Still, we ended the evening with a night swim and hot tub back at the house — not a bad Plan B.

Day 8: Kennedy Space Center & Rocket Launch

We got an early start and spent a full day at Kennedy Space Center, covering everything from the Rocket Garden to Space Shuttle Atlantis and the Apollo/Saturn V Center. If you want to see it all, budget a day and a half — but one day can still deliver a great experience.

Evening: We returned to Jetty Park — and this time, the rocket launched. The rumble, the light, the crowd — completely unforgettable. After a day of learning about space, seeing a launch live was the perfect finale.

Day 9: Sunrise, St. Augustine & The Road Home

The day began with goodbyes — my mom and brother flew out, and the rest of us started our drive home. We followed the coast north and stopped along Canaveral National Seashore to watch the sunrise — a calm, golden moment of reflection.

St. Augustine was our final stop.

• Lighthouse: All 219 steps — brutal, but worth it.

• Castillo de San Marcos: Free to explore the exterior and full of history.

• Historic District: Ice cream, light shopping, and old-world charm.

Final Tradition: A pit stop at Buc-ee’s — part gas station, part theme park, all ridiculous in the best way.

Final Thoughts

Somewhere between the coasters, coastlines, and rocket launches, Umbrella Hat Travel became more than just a joke. It became a mindset. We adapted, explored, and made the most of every moment. And that’s what this trip — and this brand — is all about.

The journey is just beginning. And it started right here.