The Trip
This fall, Grand/Dad is retiring, and the family is getting together in Orlando for a week built first around visiting Cathy and Charlie near Kissimmee. Disney World, Universal Studios, and a few other Orlando-area attractions are part of the fun, but the center of the trip is time together as family.
The week is planned around staying together near Kissimmee, making it easy to visit with Cathy and Charlie, enjoy the parks, share meals, hang out at the rented house, and keep the schedule full without turning it into a forced march.
Travel Group
- Art & Angie
- Rachel & Jesse
- Lisa & Rich
- William
- Elanor
- Cathy & Charlie
Week-at-a-Glance Itinerary
Monday, October 5 — Spokane to Orlando
The Spokane Flight Crew flies to Orlando, picks up the SUV and car, and gets settled into the rented house near Kissimmee.
Decision: final Southwest Choice flights.Settle in near C2
The rented house should make it easy to unpack, meet up with Cathy and Charlie, swim, visit, and start the week without everyone living out of suitcases.
Decision: final rental house selection.Two Disney World park days
Two weekday Disney park days are planned for the full Orlando group, including C2. Disney is a major part of the trip, but not the only point of the trip.
Universal Studios
Universal is included in the working plan as a one-day outing. The practical version is one park for one day unless the group later decides park-to-park access is worth the extra cost.
Decision: one park or park-to-park.Recommended airboat ride
A Kissimmee-area airboat ride adds a classic Florida wetlands experience without using up an entire day. Expect open water, wildlife, birds, possible alligator sightings, and a ride that feels very different from the theme parks.
Decision: ride length and operator.Medieval Times dinner show
Medieval Times in Kissimmee is a family dinner show with knights, horses, jousting, sword fighting, cheering sections, and a full meal. It fits well as a non-park evening where everyone can do something together.
Decision: which evening to reserve.Pool, breakfasts, meals, and time with C2
Breakfasts will mostly be at the rented house. Some dinners and evenings can be spent with C2, with a mix of casual restaurant meals, house meals, and downtime built in.
Monday, October 12 — Family heads home
The kids and grandkids return after the main week. Art and Angie continue with their extra Florida week and trade in the group vehicle setup for something sportier.
Getting Around
Three vehicles will be parked at Spokane airport. In Florida, the working plan is an SUV and car for the Spokane travelers during the main family week. After that, Art and Angie can switch to a sportier vehicle for their extra Florida week.
Decision: exact SUV/car combination for the family week.Food Plan
Breakfasts will mostly be simple rented-house food. Park lunches happen on park days, with casual restaurants, meals at the house, and some dinners or evenings with C2 filling in the rest of the week.
Open Decisions
- Flights: final Southwest Choice schedule and booking.
- Lodging: exact rental house, bedroom layout, kitchen, pool, and location.
- Vehicle setup: final SUV and car arrangement for the main week.
- Universal: one park or park-to-park.
- Airboat ride: operator, ride length, and best day to fit it in.
- Medieval Times: best evening for the dinner show.
- Art and Angie’s extra week: details later, with Kennedy Space Center or rocket launch possibilities parked for that portion.
Later Planning
Art and Angie’s extra Florida week will be planned separately after the main family week is shaped up. That portion may include sightseeing around Florida, visiting Mike and Mindy in Plantation, switching to a sportier rental car, and possibly considering Kennedy Space Center or a rocket launch if the timing works.