10....9....8....7....6....5....4....Canceled!
Written: Oct 29 '02 (Updated Oct 29 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: fun, most exhibits, Orbit Cafe, cheap, interesting
Cons: Space Shuttle Plaza, no refund on launching which was canceled
The Bottom Line: Fun, interesting, cheap. What more to ask?
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| jetbluefan1's Full Review: Kennedy Space Center |
I have always been interested in space shuttles, space, and rockets. One day not too long ago, my wife and I decided we would take a visit to the Kennedy Space Center while we were visiting Orlando.
The Kennedy Space Center is located in Cape Canaveral. It is on the east side of Florida, about an hour drive from Orlando. After parking our car at the massive parking lot, we walked into the long line for tickets. Tickets were $26 for adults, and $16 for children. After paying we handed our tickets to a worker and we were allowed in. We entered a small room with info on when the next shuttle launches were. There was also an info desk, and restrooms. Here you could buy tickets for tours of the center.
Then we went outdoors and there were many paths leading to different sections of the center. We decided first to go to the Rocket Garden. The Rocket Garden had models of rockets and were very realistic. They had a replica of every rocket made in history, just a bit smaller. Each rocket was surrounded by a small gate and had a little pedestal with information about the rocket engraved into a gold plate.
After walking around the Rocket Garden for a bit, we entered another building where there were instructions on what the workers in Houston did to keep the shuttle safe and flying. There were also the same machines and experiments for the children to use. It was quite interesting because there were computers that showed the course of an “imaginary” space shuttle and you would have to get it back to earth safely.
Next we decided to go to the Imax Theater. There we saw a 3D show on a motion picture five and a half stories tall. The show was about a little girl who lived in space. She showed us what life was like in space and, there was a sort of problem that had to be solved. She also talked about how she wanted to move back to earth because life in Space was too complicated and too far away from things needed to live in life. The dilemma is that the people in space had to figure out how to get all the necessary objects for life. The shows change time from time.
After the show we were directed to the Orbit Cafe which had hot dogs, hamburgers, and other fast food items. While sitting down to eat, you may just notice a huge replica space shuttle above you! It is hanging down from the ceiling and is very realistic. There was also a moon rock which you can touch and there is also a sheet telling you how the moon rock was brought from the moon itself!
Next we went to the replica of the International Space Center. It was a walk-through tour that was free. It showed the objects used on the International Space Center such as food provisions and how they stored it. They also showed the machines used for heat, air conditioning, air pressure, and oxygen. There were also examples of the way people kept healthy when in the station. It is very interesting to learn about how people live in space.
Next we took a free bus ride to a section where we could view the launching pad of the space shuttle. It was a pretty good distance away but there were binoculars available for us to be able to see more closely. On the bus ride, we took a detour to see where the space shuttles were stored, and to see the largest automobile in the world that brings the space shuttle to the launching pad. While passing the building where the space shuttles were stored, we actually got to see one! There was the Columbia space shuttle right in the entrance of the building, nose facing up while on the fuel tank. The reason the space shuttle was there was because it was getting ready for a space shuttle launch in a month afterwards.
Next we went to the Space Shuttle Plaza. We walked up tons of steep man-made hills just to get to the top and walk in a replica of a space shuttle. I thought that we would be able to go in and see what a real space shuttle was like in the inside, but instead there was a bar holding us back so we could just see a bunch of open space. There weren’t even any space shuttle tools used in everyday launchings! It was just a bunch of open space. Actually, there was a tiny unrealistic flight deck that looked nothing like the pictures taken in a real space shuttle.
Space Shuttle Launching - This took place on a different day that we went to the actual center.
We bought our tickets for the space shuttle launching of the Discovery. Tickets were $10 per person.
Once giving our tickets to the agent, we entered a line of at least 200 people and waited for about 20 minutes. Then, we got to enter a NASA Bus which brought everyone to the launching viewing area. At this area we could see the space shuttle launch but still be a safe distance away (it is the law to be at least one mile away). On the bus we watched a short document about the NASA Kennedy Space Center. Then in about five minutes we were dropped off at the viewing area.
It was about 12:00 mid-night and we were all tired and ready to go to sleep. We were laying down on the grass waiting for the shuttle to launch. We didn’t know that there was a rope that we were not suppose to cross because there were crocodiles on the other side! While we were waiting, we ate some cookies that we brought with us and listened to the reports from the NASA radio which kept us updated on what was happening in the shuttle.
It finally stroke mid-night and the countdown started.
Eight minutes....
Seven minutes....
Six minutes....
Five minutes....
Four minutes....
Three minutes....
Two minutes....
One minute....
30 seconds....
15 seconds....
10....9....8....7....6....5....4....Canceled!
The space shuttle launching was canceled because of a mechanical problem! Oh no! I was looking forward to seeing the space shuttle launch but it just had to break down at the last few seconds.
Kennedy Space Center did not refund our tickets but told us that we could return on Thursday which was the day that the space shuttle launching was postponed to.
On our drive back to Orlando from the Kennedy Space Center, we were stuck in four hours of bumper to bumper traffic! What a terrific and joyful night!
Kennedy Space Center is a very nice place to visit while in Florida. There are many exhibits to go to and many things to do. Just make sure that you don’t waste your time going into the Space Shuttle replica. There are many interesting things to visit though, and you can’t miss the Orbit Cafe! Go to the Kennedy Space Center whenever you have the chance.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Couples
Best Time to Travel Here: Mar - May
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