Florida Fun in 2008

Roaming amongst the rockets and astronauts . . . Another visit to Mickey Mouse (and Bruce the Shark!) . . .

Kennnedy Space Center

When the family first arrived in Florida, we went to the Kennedy Space Center — the place where NASA has been firing astronauts into space for more than 40 years. Below, Apollo 8 lifts off! This was the first time a Saturn V rocket — the largest rocket in history — was launched. Apollo 8 was also the first lunar mission, orbiting the moon beginning on Christmas Eve, 1968. Apollo 8 crew: Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and William Anders. This was part of the Apollo/Saturn V Center: A recreation of the last moments before and then during the launch of Apollo 8.
Above, Launch Control. These are the actual machines used during the launch — and they activate in the same sequence and for the same duration as they did during the launch. The only soundtrack is a recording of the radio traffic around Launch Control and to the Apollo capsule, and the noise of the rocket as its systems come online and then fire.
Right, Jim Lovell, crew member of Apollo 8, appears on film at the end of the launch simulation and mentions that he went back to the moon on Apollo 13. He pauses and smiles and then says, "But that's another story . . . " When you leave the simulation, you walk into a gigantic hall where one of the last remaining Saturn V rockets lies in a huge steel frame that stretches almost 400 feet away (below).
Above, the Saturn V rocket stretches out of sight. When fully assembled with the Apollo capsule atop it, the entire rocket was just under 400-feet long. The engines were so powerful that this gigantic object flew through the atmosphere at the speed of a bullet. Right, the engine nodules of the main stage of the Saturn V. Each cone is so big you could park a minivan inside it. Below, Greg hangs out at the business end of the largest rocket ever launched.
Above, left, Apollo 11's landing module in a simulation of the first lunar landing at the Apollo/Saturn V Center. Right, Greg, Mom and Dad in front of the VAB (Vehicle Assembly Building). Inside the VAB is one large room — the single largest room on the planet, actually. During the Apollo program, the capsules were mounted on the Saturn V rockets here and then wheeled out to the launch pad. At the time of our visit, the VAB was used to mate the Shuttle to its external boosters, which you can see, below,with cousin Judy, Mom, Greg and cousin Tom.
Above, Dad gives an impromptu lecture to the group, as if he had the faintest idea of what he was talking about.
Below, Launch Pad 39B, the site of both Apollo/Saturn V and Shuttle launches.
To give you a sense of scale, here's Launch Pad 39A with a Shuttle in position for launch. Below, Greg hangs out with Tom and then his Dad, at an observation deck for 39B. The launch pad (in the background) is more than a mile away — during launches the cameras on the observation deck are run automatically. All human begins are at least 3.5 miles away.
Below, some pictures of NASA's recent work. The shuttle ready on the pad, and then, liftoff!
Disney World . . . Universal Studios
After we visited the Kennedy Space Center, we had no choice but to attempt to entertain ourselves at some of Orlando's other attractions. Above, tickets to Blizzard Beach (the one with Goofy, one of Disney's water parks), Cirque Du Soleil, Walt Disney World, and Universal Studios. Below, one of the pools at Blizzard Beach.
Below left, Cross Country Creek, a slow flowing stream that encircles the entire park. A very relaxing way to travel. Below right, what looks like a ski lift takes you to the Summit Plummet (a very scary water slide) and the Slush Gusher (a slightly less scary slide).
Above, Margy and Greg at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The park's trademark, a giant version of Mickey Mouse's Sorcerer's Hat (from Fantasia) is behind them. Turning in the other direction, Greg was confronted by the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (right). Is that eagerness or fear on his face?
Above, the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. Riders are whisked in open limos to a party — at the invitation of Steven Tyler and the 'smith boys. This is an in-the-dark coaster, with upsidedown loops and extreme turns and rolls — a true thrill ride. Greg and his Dad loved it!
Above, left, Greg in front of Space Mountain at the Magic Kingdom and, right, Spaceship Earth at Epcot.
You may have noticed that Greg is wearing a New York Giants T-shirt in a lot of these photographs. That's cause the Giants had won Super Bowl XLII only ten weeks earlier, beating the 18-0 New England Patriots 17-14!
Below, Greg and his Mom hang out with topiary versions of Donald and Daisy at Epcot. Imagine having to do the trim job on those ducks . . .
Greg and his buddy Ethan on the Studio Backlot Tour at Disney Hollywod Studios.	The Lights, Motors, Action Stunt Show, right next door to the Backlot Tour. First the Disney folks "shoot" a movie stunt sequence, then explain how it's done. Very hot.
Above, the Kilimanjaro Safari at the Animal Kingdom. Right, the elephants were too busy eating to say hello.
	Left, Greg in front of the famous Universal Studios logo at the park. A version of this logo has appeared at the beginning of every movie ever released by Universal, including a few directed by Steven Spielberg like JAWS. Speaking of JAWS, below, right, Greg cringes in the mouth of Bruce the Shark. Spielberg called the mechanical sharks used during the film, Bruce. Below, left, Greg in front of the Twister attraction, a special-effects extravaganza based on the film of the same name (and produced by Speilberg).
Above, Greg in front of Revenge of the Mummy, based on the movies starring Brendan Fraser. Behind Greg, you can see a private party being set-up, which meant that the park was going to close early. Greg and his Dad loved this ride, an indoor roller coaster that runs mostly in the dark. They ran out the exit and hustled back around to the entrance, laughing and screaming all the way, so that they could ride the Mummy three times in ten minutes. How's that for revenge?
Below, on the right side of the photo, the home of Cirque Du Soleil at Downtown Disney.
Above, one of the clowns during the performance of La Nouba at Cirque Du Soleil. Below, some of the more intense performers dazzle the audience.
Above, We finished our stay with a dinner at Disney's Yacht Club, very tasty and a nice place too, with our Orlando hosts (and cousins). From left, sitting: Tom Galligan, his mother-in-law and greg's honorary grandmother, Pat, and Greg. Standing: Greg's Mom, Judy (cousin Tom's wife) and Dad.