My very long vacation, part 2
My very long vacation, part 2
Through a combination of events, it transpired that Barb and I took a two-week vacation. I case you're interested, here's more of what we did.
Arriving at Kennedy Space Flight Center, we grabbed a map and a schedule and started looking about. We discovered an IMAX movie "Space Station 3d" was about to start, so we rushed there. It was about the International Space Station and had some awesome footage. Immediately following, there was another IMAX movie about the moon "Magnificent Desolation". It wasn't as good, as mostly it had old (non-IMAX quality) images and interviews with kids.
After that, we walked about.
I posed for the traditional cheezy pictures. Our bus tour of the complex wasn't for another 30 minutes, so I let Barb loose on the gift shop. She gathered information for a while, then it was time for the bus. We got to see a Space Shuttle on the pad from fairly close (like a mile).
We saw the Vehicle Assembly Building. It is hard to appreciate how big it is. If you look at the doors on the left, two statues of liberty could go through at once, stacked atop each other. This picture might help.
The doors were designed for a Saturn 5, which I also took a picture of, but the picture doesn't really do it justice.
After the tour we saw the space flight memorial.
From there we went to the Astronaut Hall of Fame, a few miles from Kennedy, to which we had free admission with our tickets to KSFC. It had lots of good educational stuff and a real Mercury capsule.
After that, it was a drive back to Orlando and one night in a Best Western Hotel. The next morning we got up casually, ate a leisurely breakfast at Shoney's, at were heading off to a park when Barb's cell phone rang. It was N, telling us the ednoria contingent had just checked in. We drove directly to Shades of Green, a resort of Disney property but run for and by the military. Kugleblitz was gracious enough to sponsor Barb and I for a room, so we could get the cheap rates, probably a third of a similar room elsewhere on the property. Ednoria and Kugleblitz were there for the Disney half-marathon. Aren't they buff?
I spent the afternoon taking the runners to the Wild World of Sports, where they got their runners packets and checkout out the runner's expo, then they went off to dinner with some other runners and Barb and I ate at the Shades of Green buffet and did some grocery shopping. The next morning we got up while it was still dark (but still 2 and a half hours later than Ednoria and Kugleblitz got up) and went to cheer the runners as they went past. We were getting hoarse and our hands were sore from clapping by the time we quit, about 15 minutes after ednoria went by. N, K, Barb and I drove in the rent-a-car heading for Epcot center, but traffic was still backed up from the run, so we turned around and went to the Polynesian resort, where we took the monorail to the Magic Kingdom.
Sunday, there was a full length marathon, which we did not deign get up for to cheer at. We eventually drove over to the Polynesian again and hooked up with N at Disney Studios (formerly known as MGM). I got a chance to see the stunt car show, which I had missed my last time at MGM. It started pouring just as the show ended, but after a short time we pressed on to a nearby pavilion (Honey, I shrunk the Kids) where there was a roof, food, and shopping. What more could we ask for? The rain eventually let up, and we met up with ednoria, kugleblitz, and their DS. We had dinner and went to see Fantasmic, a laser/fireworks/movie/live-action show that's awesome.
The next day was at Magic Kingdom again. There, a few enjoyed a cup of tea.
and various other rides were visited. The Haunted Mansion was recently overhauled and looked and sounded great. I especially liked the Escher room. Barb and I were able to hook up with our friends the Kilgallons, which was very nice.
The days all grow fuzzy now, but I think the next day was at Universal Studios and Universal Islands of Adventure.
Wednesday was Epcot Center, the highlight of which was our Segway Tour!
I found the segway very intuitive and mastered it in just a few moments. Barb and ednoria got it right off too. We received some instruction, then toured the World Showcase. It was waaaay cool.
Thursday was Animal Kingdom, which is a favorite of mine. I tried the new Everest coaster, but it was a little too much for me. I greatly enjoyed the two walking trails, the safari ride, and the Nemo musical.
One thing I haven't mentioned was Barb's wheelchair.
With her hip acting up recently, we decided it would be best if we got her a wheelchair for the parks. While she could probably walk all day for one day, a week was unlikely. Disney is VERY wheelchair friendly, Universal much less so.
Friday I flew home and Barb flew to Boston for Arisia.
Through a combination of events, it transpired that Barb and I took a two-week vacation. I case you're interested, here's more of what we did.
Arriving at Kennedy Space Flight Center, we grabbed a map and a schedule and started looking about. We discovered an IMAX movie "Space Station 3d" was about to start, so we rushed there. It was about the International Space Station and had some awesome footage. Immediately following, there was another IMAX movie about the moon "Magnificent Desolation". It wasn't as good, as mostly it had old (non-IMAX quality) images and interviews with kids.
After that, we walked about.
I posed for the traditional cheezy pictures. Our bus tour of the complex wasn't for another 30 minutes, so I let Barb loose on the gift shop. She gathered information for a while, then it was time for the bus. We got to see a Space Shuttle on the pad from fairly close (like a mile).
We saw the Vehicle Assembly Building. It is hard to appreciate how big it is. If you look at the doors on the left, two statues of liberty could go through at once, stacked atop each other. This picture might help.
The doors were designed for a Saturn 5, which I also took a picture of, but the picture doesn't really do it justice.
After the tour we saw the space flight memorial.
From there we went to the Astronaut Hall of Fame, a few miles from Kennedy, to which we had free admission with our tickets to KSFC. It had lots of good educational stuff and a real Mercury capsule.
After that, it was a drive back to Orlando and one night in a Best Western Hotel. The next morning we got up casually, ate a leisurely breakfast at Shoney's, at were heading off to a park when Barb's cell phone rang. It was N, telling us the ednoria contingent had just checked in. We drove directly to Shades of Green, a resort of Disney property but run for and by the military. Kugleblitz was gracious enough to sponsor Barb and I for a room, so we could get the cheap rates, probably a third of a similar room elsewhere on the property. Ednoria and Kugleblitz were there for the Disney half-marathon. Aren't they buff?
I spent the afternoon taking the runners to the Wild World of Sports, where they got their runners packets and checkout out the runner's expo, then they went off to dinner with some other runners and Barb and I ate at the Shades of Green buffet and did some grocery shopping. The next morning we got up while it was still dark (but still 2 and a half hours later than Ednoria and Kugleblitz got up) and went to cheer the runners as they went past. We were getting hoarse and our hands were sore from clapping by the time we quit, about 15 minutes after ednoria went by. N, K, Barb and I drove in the rent-a-car heading for Epcot center, but traffic was still backed up from the run, so we turned around and went to the Polynesian resort, where we took the monorail to the Magic Kingdom.
Sunday, there was a full length marathon, which we did not deign get up for to cheer at. We eventually drove over to the Polynesian again and hooked up with N at Disney Studios (formerly known as MGM). I got a chance to see the stunt car show, which I had missed my last time at MGM. It started pouring just as the show ended, but after a short time we pressed on to a nearby pavilion (Honey, I shrunk the Kids) where there was a roof, food, and shopping. What more could we ask for? The rain eventually let up, and we met up with ednoria, kugleblitz, and their DS. We had dinner and went to see Fantasmic, a laser/fireworks/movie/live-action show that's awesome.
The next day was at Magic Kingdom again. There, a few enjoyed a cup of tea.
and various other rides were visited. The Haunted Mansion was recently overhauled and looked and sounded great. I especially liked the Escher room. Barb and I were able to hook up with our friends the Kilgallons, which was very nice.
The days all grow fuzzy now, but I think the next day was at Universal Studios and Universal Islands of Adventure.
Wednesday was Epcot Center, the highlight of which was our Segway Tour!
I found the segway very intuitive and mastered it in just a few moments. Barb and ednoria got it right off too. We received some instruction, then toured the World Showcase. It was waaaay cool.
Thursday was Animal Kingdom, which is a favorite of mine. I tried the new Everest coaster, but it was a little too much for me. I greatly enjoyed the two walking trails, the safari ride, and the Nemo musical.
One thing I haven't mentioned was Barb's wheelchair.
With her hip acting up recently, we decided it would be best if we got her a wheelchair for the parks. While she could probably walk all day for one day, a week was unlikely. Disney is VERY wheelchair friendly, Universal much less so.
Friday I flew home and Barb flew to Boston for Arisia.
