| I must admit the historical significance of my home state went mostly unnoted – especially during my teenage years. But, this weekend, I paid a visit to Florida’s Space Coast and decided I should have paid more attention. Watching a launch at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor’s Complex is something that cannot be overlooked by Florida natives or vacationers.
My family – including my parents – went over to Cocoa Beach/Port Canaveral this weekend for that very reason. I was shooting a video to air soon here on my VISITFLORIDA.com page.
Readers are constantly asking me where to go for a multi-generational family vacation. TheSpace Shuttle Launch now tops my list. Hands down, it was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen. Perhaps the trip was more meaningful because I was with my parents and their grandchildren.
With a glimpse into the past and a look into the future, the Kennedy Space Center teaches you not only why you are there, but how the astronauts arrived to this point. It is not just a Florida history lesson, but an American history lesson.
With IMAX movies and the Shuttle Launch Experience simulator, you will feel what it’s like to go into Space. And then – if you plan your trip for a launch like we did – you’ll get to see history in the making!
Last weekend’s launch went off without a hitch! We got there early enough to tour the property and have lunch (I had a really delicious turkey wrap with a side of raspberry chutney at the Moon Rock Café that was “out of this world,” no pun intended!). Don’t pass on the Shuttle-shaped drink container for the kids; it makes a great souvenir.
Our tour included the Apollo/Saturn V Center, where dramatic multi-media shows and hands-on displays provide visitors with an inspirational look into America’s quest for the moon. Guests relive the historic launch of Apollo 8 at the Firing Room Theater, then marvel at a monstrous 363-foot long Saturn V moon rocket, the most powerful rocket ever built, and one of only three Saturn V rockets in existence. Finally, the Lunar Theater provides a rare look at the harrowing final moments before man landed on the moon.
What really stuck out to me is that our kids are so used to theme/amusement parks that we had to struggle to keep in mind that these rockets are the real deal….not “movie-set” types of interiors. The rockets and control centers aren’t models. The magnitude of that fact hits home the minute you see the Saturn V floating overhead.
Just on time at 5:02, we watched the rocket blast into the Florida skies. With only a trail of smoke behind us, we were left speechless in awe of the Space shuttle Discovery as it blasted off. The STS-124 mission is the 26th in the assembly of the space station. The 14-day flight includes three spacewalks.
We had a clear view from our spots in the hallmark Rocket Garden that features eight authentic rockets from the past, including a Mercury-Atlas rocket similar to the one used to launch John Glenn into space in 1962. Families came from everywhere and staked out spots with blankets, chairs, tents and umbrellas. If you didn’t know better, you would have thought it was the 4th of July. But this was much more spectacular!
We stayed 20 minutes away at the Ron Jon Cape Caribe Resort on Cocoa Beach. The timeshare was a perfect place to stay with our extended family. Grandma and Grandpa had their own room, adjacent to the family room/kitchen and we were in a room on the other side of the condo.
The hotel had some great amenities for the kids. A basketball and tennis court on the roof of the parking garage was a novel idea! Round-the-clock activities from magicians to crafts keep the little ones busy. There is a giant pool – with a giant water slide, rafting areas and a giant Jacuzzi.
My boys played several rounds of mini-golf and logged plenty of time in the GIANT play area and arcade.
The Ron Jon Cape Caribe Resort and Kennedy Space Center Visitor’s Complex – the gateway to space exploration for the past 50 years – is a great day-trip from Orlando.
Just 45 minutes from Orlando, the drive isn’t bad at all. And keep in mind when planning your vacations that you are planning invaluable learning trips for your children that bring text books to life.
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor’s Complex opens each day at 9:00 a.m. Closing times vary by season. Open daily except December 25 and certain launch days.
So, bring them to the real classroom: Florida 101 and see what it’s like to be launched into orbit at 17,500 MPH. Meet an astronaut. Grab a cool souvenir like astronaut freeze-dried ice cream at The Space Shop.
Touch a piece of the moon like we did.
You will never look at the clouds in the same way.
Jennifer Michaels, Family Travel Expert |
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