A trip to Disney World to celebrate Space Mountain’s 50th anniversary was a dream come true for a lifelong fan of the iconic ride. The excitement was amplified by the opportunity to share the magic with a 9-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter.
The family stayed at the Art of Animation Resort, a budget-friendly option with larger-than-life decorations featuring beloved Disney characters. The Cars-themed family suite was a hit with the kids.
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A three-day, park-hopping scavenger hunt was organized for the families celebrating Space Mountain’s anniversary. The challenge: document as many Disney milestones as possible across all four parks.
The first day at Hollywood Studios was a success. The youngest member of the family was tall enough to ride Slinky Dog Dash in Toy Story Land. A celebratory meal followed at Woody’s Roundup Rodeo BBQ.
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The evening culminated in a dance party with Mickey and Minnie, complete with a DJ and themed desserts.
The highlight of the trip, Space Mountain’s birthday celebration at Magic Kingdom, arrived on day two. Early access allowed the family to head straight to the iconic indoor roller coaster. Disappointingly, the youngest child was too short to ride.
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The older child, however, shared the same enthusiasm for Space Mountain as his parent, wanting to ride again immediately. After breakfast in Tomorrowland, the scavenger hunt continued with a successful meet-and-greet with Princesses Tiana and Rapunzel.
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The older child bravely conquered Tron, one of the park’s fastest roller coasters. The day ended with dinner and waffle-making at Epcot’s Connections Cafe, followed by the spectacular ‘Luminous: The Symphony of Us’ fireworks display.
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The final day was spent exploring Animal Kingdom, completing scavenger hunt tasks and marveling at the park’s beauty. Highlights included meeting Pocahontas and experiencing the Avatar-themed Flight of Passage attraction.
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The family left Orlando with cherished memories, despite finishing second in the scavenger hunt. A Disney World vacation is highly recommended for families celebrating milestones, but a pre-trip height check is advised to avoid ride-related disappointments.
