🎢🦁 Roller Coasters & Roars: Our Family Vacation 2025 🎠🍦🧃

📅 Day One – Road Trip, Coney Dogs, and the Shores of Cedar Point

Today is the day! My family and I have officially embarked on our 2025 summer vacation. After packing our bags and loading up the Traverse, we hit the road toward Sandusky, Ohio — the first leg of our four-day family adventure.

Hours into the trip, the call for food and restroom breaks became too loud to ignore. My wife and I always try to find unique, local restaurants we don’t have back home — it adds a bit of mystery and excitement to being on the road. After spotting a sign (and checking our trusty phones), we landed on a place just off the highway in Ann Arbor, MI, called Uptown Coney Island.

Allow me a moment to shout: GO BLUE!

(Sorry, couldn’t resist tooting the fan horn 😆)

Anyway, back to the story…

From the outside, the restaurant didn’t look like much. Honestly, I had second thoughts — but we were too tired and too hungry to start searching again, so we took a chance and went in.

And I’m glad we did.

The inside was surprisingly cozy and inviting. We were greeted with a smile by the staff and seated in what may have been the best table in the house — right next to a beautiful mural that looked like a nostalgic 1950s summer diner scene. Suddenly, the 4.5 Google rating and 1,000+ reviews made sense.

Now, you’d think going to a place called Coney Island would make the food decision easy, right? Just get a Coney Dog. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy right?

Wrong.

The menu was loaded with so many great options it made choosing difficult. Eventually, the kids went with their usual favorites — grilled cheese and mac n' cheese. Christian, however, wasn’t feeling it and chose not to order anything. He seemed to be in one of those classic pre-teen moods we all know too well.

My wife went with two classic Coney Dogs.

As for me? Well… I couldn’t decide between two items — so I did the only logical thing: I ordered both. 😆

The first was a Grilled Cheese BLT, which sounded like a match made in sandwich heaven. The second was the Coney Special — because when you’re at a Coney Island, you’ve gotta test the dog.

The verdict?

The Coney Dog was bursting with flavor — perfect snap, seasoned beef, chili, mustard, and no onions (only because my stomach doesn’t handle them well — sadly, I do love onions).

The Grilled Cheese BLT? Genius. Whoever first decided to throw bacon, lettuce, and tomato inside a grilled cheese deserves a lifetime achievement award.

Christian eventually snapped out of the funk he was in and ordered a quesadilla. He was plenty pleased and it was nice to see him smile again. Turns out he was embarrassed that his momma hugged him when we went inside the restaurant.

With full bellies and satisfied smiles, we hit the road again.

After a couple more hours of driving, we arrived at our destination: Cedar Point.

This was the first time my wife and I had ever stayed at Hotel Breakers, the resort inside the park. Driving through the winding road that cuts through the amusement park itself, we had close-up views of towering coasters and thrill rides. The boys were in awe, shouting “oooh!” and “whoa!” at every turn.

Once we checked in, I was impressed by the layout and upscale decor. The resort features four on-site restaurants: Tomo, TGI Fridays, Perkins, and Starbucks — a solid lineup.

But my favorite perk? The concierge luggage service. After hours in the car, having help with our bags was a blessing. Once we made it to our room, we were greeted by a stunning beachfront view of Lake Erie. We took a moment to collapse onto the beds and just listen to the gentle sound of the waves.

We thought we’d hit the park that night… but exhaustion had the final say.

Instead, we opted for rest — saving our energy for a big day ahead.

🎢 Day Two – Gatekeepers, Gimbals & Growing Coaster Buddies

We woke up the next day full of anticipation. Excitement was high — so high, in fact, that we skipped breakfast just to get into the park faster.

One of the perks of staying at Hotel Breakers is the shuttle service to the main gate. We decided to take advantage of it, but let’s just say... it wasn’t the speediest option. We waited. And waited. And waited some more. Eventually the shuttle arrived, and while it did its job, I do hope they’ll be a little more punctual next time around.

Once we reached the gate, I was eager to break out my new phone gimbal — my personal tech toy for the trip. We took a moment to rest on a bench while I dug it out of my bag, excited to capture smooth videos and steady photos. And to start the day, it performed wonderfully.

Walking into Cedar Point felt like entering a world of wonder. We soaked in the sights and sounds — the scents of popcorn and funnel cake in the air, the hum of machinery, the distant screams of thrill-seekers. And then we saw it: GateKeeper, soaring above us, gliding across the sky like a mechanical guardian. Now I get why they call it that.

To the left, I saw an old favorite: The Raptor. The last time I rode that coaster was over 20 years ago. Sadly, it looks like it’ll be even longer before I get to ride it again. When you're on a family vacation with young kids, you quickly realize — this trip isn’t about your thrill-seeking bucket list anymore. It’s about them.

And that’s perfectly fine.

Our boys — ages 11, 6, and 5 — had different levels of courage and ride-readiness. Our oldest wasn’t quite up for the big ones yet, and the younger two were too small for most of them. So we made our way to Kiddy Kingdom, which was perfect for our youngest sons. They had a blast.

Unfortunately, my gimbal’s battery gave out not long after we entered the park. So I stashed it away and went old-school, filming and snapping photos the traditional way — phone in hand.

My oldest son and I went on a couple of classic spinning rides like Calypso and Troika. I had fun, but the rides ended just as I was getting into them — short and sweet. Understandably so; the lines were long, and they had to keep things moving.

Later, we all rode the Ferris Wheel together — a rare occasion when my wife joined us on a ride. She’s not big on rides herself, preferring the games and shows, and especially loves watching the kids have fun. But this moment was special. From the top of the Ferris Wheel, we had a breathtaking view of the park, and the boys were mesmerized.

Throughout the day we also stopped at the arcade, played a few games, and grabbed some delicious food to keep our energy up. It was a solid, fun-filled day.

But then came the moment I didn’t expect.

Toward the end of the night, I somehow convinced my oldest son to ride Iron Dragon with me. I reassured him it was beginner-friendly — smooth and not too intense. To my surprise, he agreed. And even more surprising? My 6-year-old wanted to ride too!

We all hopped on.

My oldest wasn’t a huge fan — but he gave it a shot.

My 6-year-old, though? He loved it.

I may have just found my future coaster buddy. 😄

☀️ Day Three – From Coaster Scares to Creamy Disasters and a Double Rainbow

We started our third day with a fantastic breakfast at Perkins inside Hotel Breakers — a welcome moment of calm before a very eventful day. Our original plan was to spend the day at Cedar Point’s water park, especially since we’d be meeting up with my wife’s sister and our adorable, spunky niece. But unfortunately, the forecast called for thunderstorms. We didn’t want to risk it, so we changed our plans.

Luckily, we have season passes this year, which meant we could always come back later this summer and dedicate a full day to the water park. Crisis averted.

One perk we continued to appreciate from Hotel Breakers was the preferred parking — a real lifesaver. Being parked so close to the entrance made running back to the car for forgotten items quick and painless. It was especially handy at the end of a long day when the only thing anyone wants is to stop walking.

Later that morning, Christian, Logan, and I decided to ride Blue Streak, one of the park’s classic wooden coasters. Let’s just say… it didn’t go how I imagined.

Christian was frightened by the ride and afterward wanted nothing more to do with coasters. But I was scared for a different reason. Halfway through, I looked over and noticed that Logan was slipping underneath his harness — and he had a look of concern on his face.

I was enjoying the ride… until that moment.

After that, I don’t remember the rest of the ride. My only memory is wrapping my arm around Logan, pulling him back into the seat, and not letting go. I wasn’t letting anything distract me — my sole focus became his safety.

That moment left a mark. It made me rethink how ready kids truly are for certain rides. Just because a child meets the height requirement doesn’t mean they’re secure. Logan is a “skinny mini,” and that harness didn’t hold him in properly. Honestly, amusement parks should consider weight as well as height — because not all kids are built the same.

After the adrenaline wore off, we moved on from that unsettling moment and met up with my sister-in-law and niece at Kiddy Kingdom. While the kids rode ride after ride, we chatted and caught up. At one point, my wife and I walked back to the car to grab our refillable drink cups while her sister stayed behind with the kids.

Just as we returned, we stumbled into a Peanuts Gang performance happening right next to Kiddy Kingdom. For the second year in a row, we somehow ended up in the right place at the right time — front row seats to singing and dancing from Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and friends. It was a highlight of the day, and I managed to get some fantastic footage (coming soon to Instagram and YouTube!).

After the show, we squeezed in rides we missed the day before: The Scrambler, Matterhorn, and the fun-for-all-ages Wild Mouse. It was great spending quality time with family and seeing the kids light up with joy.

Our extended family left around 6 p.m., and we headed off in search of refreshments. I had my eye on a snack I found on Cedar Point’s website: cream cheese–filled pretzels. We took a long walk past Top Thrill 2 and Magnum XL-200 to track them down — and let me tell you, they did not disappoint. That sweet-and-savory combo was a chef’s kiss.

As the day began to wind down, the boys had one more request: arcade games and ice cream.

We headed to the arcade, where Christian and Logan excitedly tried a mirror maze. I couldn’t resist either — the kid in me needed to explore it too. My wife and our youngest son Jaxon stayed behind, playing claw machines. Inside the maze, we ran into ourselves (and a few walls) more times than I could count. It was hilarious and confusing all at once.

Eventually, we reached an exit… or so we thought.

Christian, being the smart one, left. Logan and I, not fully convinced, went back in. And yes — we bumped into more people, more mirrors, more walls. Eventually, we realized we had already escaped the maze the first time. A small sign would’ve been nice, but I guess the mystery is part of the design.

We made our way to the larger arcade across the way and continued playing, winning plushies, prizes, and tickets, until we were thoroughly satisfied.

Then came the final stop of the night: the Ice Cream Parlor.

As we waited in line, the sky grew darker. All day, it had teased us with clouds and sun — but just as we placed our order… the heavens opened up.

Torrential rain began pouring down, and while we were lucky to be indoors, we now had a new problem: no seating, melting ice cream, and five souvenir drink cups to juggle — all while standing shoulder-to-shoulder with dozens of other drenched guests.

You can guess what happened next.

In the chaos, Jaxon dropped his full cup of Superman ice cream. It exploded on the floor like a neon casualty of war. I had placed my drink on the floor for a moment to hand my wife a napkin, and in the blink of an eye — disaster struck. A full $6 scoop down the drain. But honestly? I was expecting it. I knew it was coming. The chaos was inevitable.

My wife generously shared her ice cream with Jaxon to cheer him up. Meanwhile, we were all covered in sprinkles, syrup, and sticky hands, with no chairs in sight and rain still falling outside. It was one of those moments where you just have to laugh through the mess.

Eventually, the rain lightened enough for us to head out. We walked back toward the car looking like a walking dessert table — chocolate on our faces, sticky hands, and laughter in the air.

Then, as we were wiping off with the wet wipes from the car…

We looked up and saw a double rainbow stretching across the sky — right above the parking lot.

I didn’t even get a photo.

We were too tired, too sticky, too human in that moment. But the memory is etched in my mind.

And just like that, our final night at Cedar Point came to a messy, magical close.

🦁 Day Four – Lions, Jellyfish, and One Last Adventure

Our last day of vacation was also, perhaps, the hardest. The plan was simple: before heading home, we’d visit the Toledo Zoo, a place we’d heard great things about — especially its aquarium, which had our boys excited from the start. They absolutely love anything that swims.

But that morning, we all woke up a little sunburnt, sore, and sluggish.

My wife’s forehead, which had taken the brunt of the sun at Cedar Point, was starting to swell, and the boys were feeling cranky. At one point, they even said they were ready to go home.

Still, we pressed on — determined to squeeze in one final family outing before calling it a wrap.

Unfortunately, breakfast at our Home2Suites hotel had already ended at 9 a.m. We had it in our heads that it started at 9 — I could’ve sworn the front desk clerk said 9 to 12. But to be fair, I was pretty out of it when we checked in the night before after a long day in the park. Thankfully, the hotel staff was kind and let us grab some leftover items: cereal, yogurt, and bananas — just enough to get us going.

Then came a familiar family tradition: Tim Hortons.

We stopped in for a proper breakfast — a dozen donuts, a batch of Timbits (that’s donut holes for the uninitiated), and breakfast scramblers for my wife and me. These wraps were loaded with eggs, cheese, bacon, sausage, and potatoes — but what really took mine over the top was the sauce. I couldn’t quite place it… but it reminded me of Thousand Island dressing, and it worked. Big time.

After grabbing a few essential items at Meijer, we finally made it to the Toledo Zoo. I threw the gimbal in my backpack again — this time fully charged — and hoped for a smoother video experience.

Just as we entered the zoo gates, that moment all parents dread arrived.

“Dad… I forgot my sunglasses.”

Christian’s voice stopped me in my tracks. We’d just walked from the car, after spending what felt like half a day reminding the boys to bring everything they’d need. But alas — the sun was blazing, and Christian couldn’t go without them. So, he and I turned around and made the long walk back to the car.

There are moments as a parent where you feel like you need the equivalent of five brains — one for each member of the family — because clearly no one else is thinking through logistics. Maybe it gets easier as they get older? (Right? Please?)

We finally caught back up with my wife Jami and the two littles — Logan and Jaxon — and re-entered the zoo.

Shortly after, we stopped by a souvenir shop to buy hats. My wife had picked up a visor earlier at Meijer — perfect for shielding her forehead — and now the rest of us needed something to help keep the sun off our heads too. It was part protection, part memory-making.

With my phone secured in the now fully functional gimbal, we ventured into the zoo.

One of our first stops was at the eagle exhibit, just in time for feeding. We watched one of the eagles drag what looked like a white rat (or possibly a possum) and begin tearing it apart right in front of us. I turned to Christian and joked, “Yummy! Looks like a tasty little morsel, doesn’t it?” He chuckled, but it was clear he was ready to move on from mealtime at Eagle Café.

Next came a cougar, gracefully pacing its enclosure, followed by one of my favorite exhibits of the day — the brown bears. They were active, playful, and engaging — tearing at tree limbs, roaming around, and even wading into a shallow pool to cool off. Unlike many zoo visits where the animals are asleep or hiding from the heat, these bears put on a show.

We entered the aviary and took in the beautiful variety of birds. Our youngest, Jaxon — a nature lover through and through — was mesmerized. We often call him our little “nature boy,” and in that moment, he truly was in his element. The indoor setting was also a welcome relief from the heat.

Then came the grand finale: the aquarium.

The jellyfish, the sharks, the stingrays — it was everything the boys had hoped for. We even got to pet the stingrays, which was a huge hit. But as we made our way toward the exit, I started to notice something: my family was fading fast.

Even the boys, who are usually unstoppable balls of energy, were slowing down.

When I heard them say they didn’t even care to see the otters — their favorite animal — I knew it was time.

We were done.

We stopped once more in Chelsea, Michigan for food and fuel. We ate at Culver’s, where things took a strange turn. My wife removed her hat and sunglasses, and I noticed her forehead swelling had worsened — now creeping down toward her eyelids.

It wasn’t just sunburn. Something was off.

We were both concerned.

By the time we finally pulled into our driveway, we were exhausted — physically, mentally, emotionally. The only thing any of us wanted was rest. We even declared that the next day would be Do Nothing Day, and I think we all sighed in agreement at the very mention of it.

Later that evening, after the boys were tucked in, my wife called an on-call nurse. They got her an appointment the next morning at 11 a.m. with a nurse practitioner — a huge relief, considering her swelling had now reached both eyes.

We didn’t know it at the time… but our Do Nothing Day was about to be anything but.

💊 Day Five – The Aftermath: Swells, Shots, and Sighs of Relief

I woke up that morning groggy, hoping for a long, lazy “Do Nothing Day” after our whirlwind vacation. I rolled over to check my phone. 9:45 a.m.. Jami’s appointment was at 11, so I gently woke her.

Moments later, from the bathroom, I heard her say something that instantly jolted me upright:

> “Oh my gosh, honey, you should see my eyes! I’m going to need you to take me — I can’t see!”

She wasn’t exaggerating.

While she slept, her eyes had swollen shut.

Whatever this strange reaction was to the sunburn, it had worsened overnight. Exhausted as I was, I knew our day of rest was officially canceled. We quickly got ourselves ready, dressed the two younger boys, and left Christian at home — this was supposed to be a quick visit, after all.

I had never seen a sunburn do this before, but I assumed she just needed a steroid shot to bring the swelling down. Simple enough, right?

Apparently not.

The nurse at the appointment didn’t seem confident or prepared to treat it. She brought in a doctor for a second opinion, and both of them ended up referring us to the ER.

Anyone who’s ever had a non-life-threatening issue knows what that means: waiting. The kind of waiting where your phone dies and your soul contemplates its life choices. It was the last thing we wanted to hear.

I tried to advocate for Jami — asked them to administer a steroid while we were already there — but their response was vague and non-committal. They basically told us that they didn’t know what the ER would do, so they didn’t want to do anything.

So off we went — back home to pick up Christian, then to my parents’ house to drop all the boys off so we could face the inevitable ER wait.

Two to three hours later, we were finally taken back. A nurse took a look and mentioned Jami might get a steroid shot. That gave us hope.

But then the doctor walked in.

His vibe was the exact opposite. He seemed content prescribing antibiotics and sending us on our way. When I asked why he wouldn’t just give her a steroid shot to reduce the swelling and help her see again, he gave no real explanation. Just vague confidence in eventual healing.

It was like trying to reason with a wall.

I felt dismissed. Silenced. Treated like the annoying guy who questions authority instead of a husband trying to advocate for his wife.

I got the unspoken message loud and clear:

> “We’re the professionals — even if we don’t know what’s happening or how to fix it. Sit down and be quiet.”

I bit my tongue.

As we waited to be discharged, my frustration boiled. I politely asked the nurse how much longer it would be.

She was an angel.

She checked and returned with unexpected news: they were now going to give her the steroid shot after all.

The very thing I’d been asking for from the beginning.

Apparently, now that it was the doctor’s decision, it was finally “appropriate.” (Yes, I say that with sarcasm.)

At the end of the day, I didn’t care who got the credit. I was just relieved someone finally did the right thing.

After the shot, we picked up the kids from their grandparents and grabbed her prescription on the way home. It wasn’t long before the swelling began to go down.

By that evening, Jami's eyes were starting to open and she was beginning to see again.

It was quite the unexpected epilogue to our summer vacation. Proof that sometimes, the real test of family resilience doesn’t happen at the park or zoo — it happens the moment you think the adventure is over.

🎢❤️ Final Reflections: Beyond the Thrills and Through the Trials

Vacations don’t always go as planned. Sometimes they’re messy, unpredictable, and exhausting. But hidden between the shuttle delays, ride lines, sunburns, swollen eyes, and sugar crashes, are the memories that matter most — the kind that stick with you long after the bags are unpacked. We laughed, we rode, we roared, and yes, we even limped a little toward the finish line. But we did it together. And that’s what makes it all worth it. This wasn’t just a vacation — it was a reminder that life’s wildest rides aren’t always found on coasters… sometimes, they’re found in the little moments: a child’s first roller coaster, a family Ferris wheel ride, a laugh shared over jellyfish and stingrays, or the simple relief of coming home again. Until the next adventure — we’ll cherish this one for all it was.

🗣️ Have you ever had a vacation that didn’t go quite as planned, but still created unforgettable memories? We’d love to hear your story! Drop a comment below and share your own family adventure — we’re all about celebrating the chaos, the laughter, and the love.