For this weekend, our mission was to go to the moon and beyond! Our destination? The Kennedy Space Center (KSC).



Another space adventure!


Only three hours from our home in Ft. Lauderdale, Papa, Mama, Tito Bobbet and I arrived at KSC at around 11am. From our recent trip to Houston's Johnson Space Center, we thought that we could finish visiting the KSC complex within half a day, too. Boy, were we wrong! There was a whole lot more interesting things to see and do here in KSC (than in Houston) and even one whole day was not enough!


Our ticket was supposedly good for two visits (within seven days) but since we weren't planning on visiting for two days, we weren't able to use it again and weren't able to see some of the other attractions, too. Bitin!


Anyway, here are the things that we did do.



First, Mama got me a cool galactic stroller. They let guests use these strollers (and wheelchairs, too) for free.


Then, our first stop was the IMAX theater to view space films in 3D. We got there just in time to watch "Space Station 3D". Narrated by Tom Cruise, it was a feature on the contruction of the International Space Station thousands of miles above the Earth. It was awesome! Papa said it was the best 3D movie he's ever watched (and we've watched more than a few!).


Since we were getting a bit hungry, we decided to watch the other show "Magnificent Desolation" (narrated by Tom Hanks) a little later on. We trooped over the Orbit Cafe for some high tech fast food.


After lunch, we decided to do the tour first and save the movie for later. There are actually three different tours offered here: the NASA Up-Close Tour, the Cape Canaveral: Then and Now Tour, and the Kennedy Space Center Tour, which we took because it was the basic tour. Besides, whereas we would have to pay extra for the other tours, the KSC Tour came with the ticket, hehe.



Waiting in line.



Interesting trivia posters (like this one) were hung above the waiting area to entertain waiting passengers.


Our first stop was the Apollo/Saturn V Center.



Upon arrival, you will be taken to a holding room where they would show a short clip about the history of the Apollo/Saturn V rocket.



After the pre-show, you will then be brought inside the actual control room which they used to launch the Apollo flights in the 1960s. Then, a simulated launch will be done. The launch effects were great!



After the main show, we got to go into this huge chamber where they kept the (unused) Apollo Rocket. There was another one exactly like this in Houston, but the presentation here in KSC is much more welcoming and interesting.



Huge boosters.



A very very long space vehicle!



Like a huge puzzle, the rocket is composed of different parts which need to be pieced together before it is launched. Then, one by one, the parts would disengage from the main rocket as it is sent off, leaving only the topmost part (where the astronauts are) to enter space.



Mission flags.



The moonbuggy. I wonder if its true that a Filipino guy really designed this?



I'm looking into this binocular-shaped game console. Cool!



One small smile for Mama, a giant leap for the rest of my relatives.



A view of an actual launch pad.



From these bleachers, people can actually watch rocket launches.



The next stop of the tour is the International Space Station Center.


This facility gives you an up-close glimpse inside the actual facility where NASA is preparing the real components of the International Space Station. There is a full-scale mock-up of the Habitation Module, as well as the facilities that space station crewmembers use for living, sleeping and working.



Mr. Astroboy here is our tour guide, hehe.



A super small mock-up of the super huge space station being built outside Earth.



As you can see, people are actually working here, building the other components of the Space Station before it is delivered to outer space.


We were supposed to go another facility, the LC 39 Observation Gantry as part of the tour. However, they had to close down this attraction for visitors because NASA was preparing the facility for a scheduled rocket launch this mid-October. Wow, exciting (pero lugi, haha).



By the way, this is the Vehicle Assembly Building, which we got to see again on our way back to the visitor center. It is the largest one-story building in the world. This is where Orbiters are assembled (or prepped) before they are launched.


Back at the visitor center, we just had to take loads of pics!



Here we are in front of an actual orbiter booster.



And then in front of an actual Orbiter. This orbiter is named "Explorer".



A closer look.



Papa and me inside the Explorer's the cargo bay. Huge!!



Us with the spooky astronaut guarding the control room.



This building is home to KSC's newest attraction. The Shuttle Launch Facility houses the New Shuttle Launch Experience, which Papa and Tito Bobbet tried out while I took a nap.



Dedicated in 1991, the Space Mirror Memorial honors the 24 U.S. Astronauts who gave their lives for space exploration.



In Memoriam.


KSC closed at 5:30pm that day and, sadly, we were not able to do some of the other stuff like: watch the 2nd IMAX Movie, visit the Rocket Garden, see the Mad Mission to Mars comedy show, interact with Astronauts at the Astronaut Encounter, and visit the Astronaut Hall of Fame.


All in all, it was a fun day and we learned a lot about space exploration. We promise to come back next time, or maybe even see an actual shuttle launch, too. Yey!


That night we drove straight to Orlando to Papa's friend Tito Arnel's home where we would be spending the night. Tito Arnel's home is so comfy that we always forget to take pictures when we go there. Awww! :( He did feed us some yummy sinigang, hehe. Yum! Papa had a great time spending time with his old friends. :)


The following day, we took Tito Bobbet (his first time) around Orlando. Since we didn't feel like spending our day in a theme park, we just decided to go to Downtown Disney.



First order of the day, ice cream!!



Yummy chocolate!



As usual, I'm not so fond of mascots and standees. Not even pretty Cinderella.



Then we saw this huge dragon in the river which is totally made up of legos! Amazing!



My brand new minnie mouse hat! Cute?



Papa posing in front of a grandprix car.



Our lunch. Earl of Sandwich! After two years, we were finally able to eat here again. :D Yum!



Mama's order: Earl's Club.


After walking a little bit more, we then drove off to Universal Studios City Walk to see some more sights.



Papa, me, and Tito Bobbet



We're back! But just passing through. :D



A bit older than the first time I was here.



Hard Rocking.



Sportsfans at NBA City.



Holding hands with Charles Barkley.


Before heading home to Ft. Lauderdale, we caught the last mass at the Mary Queen of the Universe Shrine. Super beautiful church. Too bad we didn't have more time to visit the Museum. Maybe next time. :)


And so, our weekend in Central Florida ends. Can't wait for next weekend! :)