T
The Whitts
Guest
: The Whitts Hit Florida Day 3 Kennedy ( or To boldly go where no Whitt has gone before
Cast (Crew of Voyager mk11 ie Van): as before, but with latest promotions:-
Graham (dad)- Trainee JEDI & Pilot (sorry Driver)
Lyn (Mum) - Astro nought (nought being the amount she knows about Space travel)
Clare (dd 14)- Unwilling captive being brought along by space mad Dad
Phil (ds 12) - Navigator (makes the saying "where no man has gone before" come true on every journey
David (ds 8) - An experiment in Cloning a David
Once again up at 6:30 with a view to an early start.Yet another good breakfast courtesy of the Hawthorn Suites saw us transported to the bridge of Voyager (sorry got carried away again) I mean Van by 7:45. The proposed course was to follow the 520 and at a suitable moment look for the appropriate Kennedy signs. No problems as yet with navigation(famous last words) as we follow signs leading us through an M class planet called Titusville (At this point a mental note was made to turn left after police station on the way back - Some hope??)
Cross the causeway , past Space School and there it was a lifes dream right there in front of us(well actually to the right but you already know what our navigatings like)
Initially the trip was mainly for the interested male part of the family, but you could see Lyn & Clare were already getting caught up in the incredible atmosphere. It was now about 9am and we joined what appeared to be only a short queue only to be told we had to join another to cash in our Seligo vouchers, we finally entered at 9:30, having been informed that the bus tours would be limited to the Saturn v area, Gantry 39 and the Space station area and would be closing early due to an event being held that evening. With this in mind we immediately joined a bus tour heading for the Saturn V area.A video and some commentary by the driver gave us an insight into the buildings we were passing including the massive building where work is carried out on the shuttles pre launch.Upon reaching the first stop we were led into a room where a short history of space film was shown , we then went into a mock up of the original lunar mission control room, where a launch was simulated.Upon exiting the control room we entered a large (extremely large) hanger type room where a Saturn V rocket was suspended from the ceiling. The feeling was incredible there above us was a rocket identical to those used in previous lunar missions it was about 1 1/2 times the size of Old Trafford (sorry Spottydog). Besides this there were several other activities including a space capsule ( imagine three men stuck for days at a time in an area the size of a mini). You could also touch a piece of moonrock.
Before moving on we decided to have lunch in the moonrock cafe (choices included burgers,pizza,salads and sandwiches),we had 4 burger & fries and one ham & cheese salad all with ***as the cost came to around 40 usd
(not great but not too bad either)'
Before moving on the kids picked up some pin badges in the shop here.
Next stop and another well informed 10 minute bus ride saw us well prepared to enter the gantry 39 area including a sight of the vehicle which transports the shuttle to the distant launch platforms at a stately 1 mph.Upon arrival we were once again shown a short film and then were allowed to climb the viewing tower ( lifts available)The view of the launch platforms was incredible.
By this time it was 2:30 and we were beginning to wonder whether we would fit it all in before the tours stopped?
Our next stop was the space station facility,firstly you are allowed to walk through typical living and working area which will be identical to those being installed in the space station, then you cross over the walkway to a viewing area where you can see the space station parts being built.
It was at this point we met our first problem the so far reliable transport system (ie every 10 minutes)was not coping with the fast turn around of people from this area and after a 55 minute wait we were finally transported back to the main area, where after a quick stop for a drink we went to the cinema area ( choice of two films)both of which are superb.
With time now running out we rushed to where the shuttle mock up was kept and were enthralled by the feeling of history whilst viewing the areas iside the shuttle.From here we went to the memorial and onto the main shop where we wanted to buy some souveniers dw and myself bought t shirts @14.99 usd whilst Phil bought some more pin badges and David bought some space figures.
(we also shared a block of the dried icecream
interesting and tasty were two of the comments passed.
By this time they were closing we had missed meet the astronaught and the rocket park but the general concensous was wow! what a great experience.
Into the van and return home what could be simpler (remember the earlier mental note turn left at the police station - yeh right but that only applies if you find the police station???)
As you have probably guessed by now the expected 45 minute trip home turned into yet another Whits tour Florida special. After several extremely well executed U turns we finally found a sign marked Orlando, as per usual , after what seemed like hours we still had not seen a second sign and after passing through a place called Christmas we decided to ask at the next restaurent. It seems we were generally going in the right direction as we were told to continue to the next major road and then follow signs for the 417, the rest is history and we eventually arrived back at the Hawthorn Suites, tired but extremely happy with a day which would provide us with many happy future memories
To follow shortly Day 4 Islands Of Adventure
Cast (Crew of Voyager mk11 ie Van): as before, but with latest promotions:-
Graham (dad)- Trainee JEDI & Pilot (sorry Driver)
Lyn (Mum) - Astro nought (nought being the amount she knows about Space travel)
Clare (dd 14)- Unwilling captive being brought along by space mad Dad
Phil (ds 12) - Navigator (makes the saying "where no man has gone before" come true on every journey
David (ds 8) - An experiment in Cloning a David
Once again up at 6:30 with a view to an early start.Yet another good breakfast courtesy of the Hawthorn Suites saw us transported to the bridge of Voyager (sorry got carried away again) I mean Van by 7:45. The proposed course was to follow the 520 and at a suitable moment look for the appropriate Kennedy signs. No problems as yet with navigation(famous last words) as we follow signs leading us through an M class planet called Titusville (At this point a mental note was made to turn left after police station on the way back - Some hope??)
Cross the causeway , past Space School and there it was a lifes dream right there in front of us(well actually to the right but you already know what our navigatings like)
Initially the trip was mainly for the interested male part of the family, but you could see Lyn & Clare were already getting caught up in the incredible atmosphere. It was now about 9am and we joined what appeared to be only a short queue only to be told we had to join another to cash in our Seligo vouchers, we finally entered at 9:30, having been informed that the bus tours would be limited to the Saturn v area, Gantry 39 and the Space station area and would be closing early due to an event being held that evening. With this in mind we immediately joined a bus tour heading for the Saturn V area.A video and some commentary by the driver gave us an insight into the buildings we were passing including the massive building where work is carried out on the shuttles pre launch.Upon reaching the first stop we were led into a room where a short history of space film was shown , we then went into a mock up of the original lunar mission control room, where a launch was simulated.Upon exiting the control room we entered a large (extremely large) hanger type room where a Saturn V rocket was suspended from the ceiling. The feeling was incredible there above us was a rocket identical to those used in previous lunar missions it was about 1 1/2 times the size of Old Trafford (sorry Spottydog). Besides this there were several other activities including a space capsule ( imagine three men stuck for days at a time in an area the size of a mini). You could also touch a piece of moonrock.
Before moving on we decided to have lunch in the moonrock cafe (choices included burgers,pizza,salads and sandwiches),we had 4 burger & fries and one ham & cheese salad all with ***as the cost came to around 40 usd
(not great but not too bad either)'
Before moving on the kids picked up some pin badges in the shop here.
Next stop and another well informed 10 minute bus ride saw us well prepared to enter the gantry 39 area including a sight of the vehicle which transports the shuttle to the distant launch platforms at a stately 1 mph.Upon arrival we were once again shown a short film and then were allowed to climb the viewing tower ( lifts available)The view of the launch platforms was incredible.
By this time it was 2:30 and we were beginning to wonder whether we would fit it all in before the tours stopped?
Our next stop was the space station facility,firstly you are allowed to walk through typical living and working area which will be identical to those being installed in the space station, then you cross over the walkway to a viewing area where you can see the space station parts being built.
It was at this point we met our first problem the so far reliable transport system (ie every 10 minutes)was not coping with the fast turn around of people from this area and after a 55 minute wait we were finally transported back to the main area, where after a quick stop for a drink we went to the cinema area ( choice of two films)both of which are superb.
With time now running out we rushed to where the shuttle mock up was kept and were enthralled by the feeling of history whilst viewing the areas iside the shuttle.From here we went to the memorial and onto the main shop where we wanted to buy some souveniers dw and myself bought t shirts @14.99 usd whilst Phil bought some more pin badges and David bought some space figures.
(we also shared a block of the dried icecream
interesting and tasty were two of the comments passed.
By this time they were closing we had missed meet the astronaught and the rocket park but the general concensous was wow! what a great experience.
Into the van and return home what could be simpler (remember the earlier mental note turn left at the police station - yeh right but that only applies if you find the police station???)
As you have probably guessed by now the expected 45 minute trip home turned into yet another Whits tour Florida special. After several extremely well executed U turns we finally found a sign marked Orlando, as per usual , after what seemed like hours we still had not seen a second sign and after passing through a place called Christmas we decided to ask at the next restaurent. It seems we were generally going in the right direction as we were told to continue to the next major road and then follow signs for the 417, the rest is history and we eventually arrived back at the Hawthorn Suites, tired but extremely happy with a day which would provide us with many happy future memories
To follow shortly Day 4 Islands Of Adventure
I'm glad you enjoyed the Space Center. One day you will have to see the shuttle go off. Its quite a sight!!
