(From top): The Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse statue; the Rocket Garden at Kennedy Space Center; the Saturn V exhibit

The whole of northern America was gripped by a cold wave. And all we could do was think wistfully about our trip to sunny Rio de Janeiro — but that was still a few days away. We needed a quick fix to take our minds off the dreadful chill and cheer us up. That’s when it hit us! No one, but no one can remain glum and gloomy in the Magic Kingdom. Yes, it was time to indulge our inner child with a quick trip to Disney World and the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Our first stop in the Sunshine State was the Tourist Welcome Center, where I picked up some literature, including some Disney World flyers. A couple of hours later, we were in Ocala, and stopped at the Disney Information Center. It’s hard to miss this one! There were certainly enough billboards — each with one of the Seven Dwarfs — on the highway promoting the place. At the centre, we made a Priority Seating reservation for a character meal at Disney World’s Crystal Palace restaurant. Dining with us would be Winnie the Pooh and Tigger. Before leaving the Center, we bought a box of Mickey-roni and cheese — to get in the mood!

But first a diversion. We zipped across the state on Florida’s Turnpike and the Bee Line Expressway, passing through Orlando and heading for Titusville and the Kennedy Space Center. Shortly after four in the evening, we arrived at our hotel, which faced the Indian River and the Cape. I could see the huge Vehicle Assembly Building and what appeared to be two gantries for shuttle launches. I could even make out the smoky silhouette of Discovery; the next launch was almost due. This would be an awesome point from which to view a launch! The hotel’s usual charges were $150 a night, but I was told it rises to $1,500 on a launch day.

After breakfast, we hotfooted it to the Kennedy Space Center. As we headed to the Visitor’s Center, a spacecraft was being taken to its pad. The centre itself came with a whole lot of attractions including IMAX theatres, the Space Store and the Rocket Park.

We signed up for the Cape Canaveral Then and Now bus tour, which took us to the oldest part of the space centre, the Air Force space museum and even past several historic launch pads. It was a special feeling standing on the pad from which Alan Shepard and Gus Grissom were launched into space on their Mercury missions! We spent some time at Pad 34, the site of the Apollo 1 fire that killed Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chaffee as well as the site of the successful Apollo 7 launch.

Next on our itinerary was the Saturn V viewing building, which contained one of the three remaining moon rockets. Of course to call the Saturn V impressive is an understatement — it looks like a huge building lying on its side. We also did the rounds of the International Space Station building and the Kennedy Memorial where we saw some historic photographs. I was thrilled to see one of Kennedy on his PT 109 gunboat during WW II.

From a place dominated by shuttles and rockets to a world ruled by flights of fantasy! I could hardly wait to visit the land of Mickey and his toon troupe. The following day, we drove to Teahouse Villa, our home for the next few days. Needless to say, images of Mickey were plastered everywhere from the front door to most of the windows.

(From top) Winnie the Pooh, Piglet and Tigger make merry at the Holiday Parade; the Mad Train ride is one of the most popular rides at Disney World; a view of the Tomorrowland pavilion

The first sight that greeted us upon entering the Magic Kingdom was a life-size statue of Goofy decorating a Christmas tree. We walked down Main Street, stopped at the Hub and snapped some shots of the famed Walt Disney and Mickey sculpture. But what really bowled us over was Cinderella’s Castle, which to me seemed taller and narrower than Sleeping Beauty’s majestic pad in Disneyland. Of course, a ride in Cinderella’s carousel followed.

If that was leisurely, then the Mad Tea Party ride, which had us whirling around in giant teacups, was electrifying. Welcoming us to the ride were Chip and Dale, Susie Mouse (from Cinderella), and Tweedledee and Tweedledum. Some of the other rides we took were the Disney World railroad and the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway. Thankfully, in the latter, the cars couldn’t do over seven miles an hour.

The most endearing part of a trip to Disney World is watching the various toons being mobbed by little ones, seeking an autograph and that prized photo. And even if you can’t corner one of your favourites, the Holiday Parade is a great way to see the entire Disney Gang in action. Youngsters can also sign up for the Mickey Camp and hobnob with all the characters. The Little Mermaid in her grotto is a big hit here.

Visitors to Disney World should also work in a trip to Epcot, the sci-fi pavilion which is dominated by a giant dome called Spaceship Earth. We were highly impressed by the Spaceship Earth Caveman and Egyptian exhibits as also the Ice Station Cool exhibit sponsored by Coca-Cola. This took us through a simulated iceberg, into a room where you could taste various Coke products from around the world. In between all that, we took in a performance by the Jammitors — janitors who use their trashcans as drums.

The MGM Studios pavilion is another big draw. We were greeted by Rafiki from The Lion King, Mu-shu from Mulan and a Green Army Man from Toy Story. Once inside, we walked up Hollywood Boulevard and bought tickets to the Great Movie Ride. And what a ride it was! There were moments when the girls covered their eyes as we whipped through the Mummy’s Tomb.

Our last day in Disney World was spent exploring Animal Kingdom. As soon as we entered, we saw three characters holding forth: King Louie and Baloo from The Jungle Book, and Terk from Tarzan. We set off for the Kilimanjaro Safari ride, which took us through all sorts of terrain. We passed pelicans, hippos, wildebeest, elephants and a family of gorillas. We even saw some lions sunning themselves and a cheetah enjoying the shade. For a moment, I forgot we were in Disney World — it almost seemed we were in the African savannah. But then again, that’s the beauty of the place. The Magic Kingdom almost makes you feel like you’re in a land far, far away.

Photographs by the author