| If you're bringing your family to Orlando you will no | | | | space missions and you get a feeling that you are right |
| doubt visit Disney World and the other theme parks in | | | | there with them. Saturn 5 Center The Saturn 5 was |
| the area, but why limit yourself to theme parks, when | | | | the huge rocket that took astronauts to the moon and |
| you can also visit the fascinating and educative | | | | back in the early 1970s. Featuring an actual 363-foot, |
| Kennedy Space Center located at historic Cape | | | | 6.2 million pound Saturn V moon rocket, this exhibit |
| Canaveral? Here is a brief guide to some of the | | | | takes you on a trip to the moon with a recreation of |
| attractions currently on offer at the Kennedy Space | | | | the first Apollo mission to the moon. There is also a |
| Center. Meet an Astronaut The center has arranged | | | | hands-on exhibit. LC 39 Observation Gantry This is a |
| for various astronauts to meet visitors and talk about | | | | 60 foot tower which will give you a great view of the |
| their missions in space. Astronauts from the Mercury, | | | | space shuttle launch pads. There is also an |
| Gemini, Apollo and Shuttle programs are scheduled to | | | | on-the-ground exhibition which includes films of the |
| take part throughout the year. Simulated Shuttle | | | | Shuttle program, showing the actual process used to |
| Launch If you want to get an idea of what an | | | | launch a Shuttle into space. Space Center Guided Tour |
| astronaut feels during liftoff, then the Space Center's | | | | This is a bus ride all around the Kennedy Space |
| launch simulator is the best way to do it. The room | | | | Center. It stops at the important places and the bus |
| vibrates and roars and when the engines shutdown | | | | tours depart each day (except Christmas Day and |
| participants get to view the earth, as astronauts see it | | | | certain launch days) beginning at 9:30 a.m., and leave |
| when they reach their orbit. Early Space History This is | | | | continuously throughout the day, with the last bus |
| a walk through exhibit showing the background of | | | | leaving approximately four hours before closing. The |
| today's space program. One of the highlights is the | | | | Space Shop Are you fascinated by space |
| actual control panel which was used to guide the | | | | memorabilia? Then this is the place for you. The |
| astronauts of the Mercury and Gemini space | | | | Center's gift shop has more than 8,000 space-related |
| programs. Mercury and Gemini capsules are also on | | | | items that make perfect souvenirs or additions to your |
| display. Viking Mars Mission In 1976 a U.S. unmanned | | | | serious space collection. This is only just a small part of |
| craft landed on Mars and took the first pictures of the | | | | what you can see at the Kennedy Space Center, so if |
| red planet's surface. This exhibit takes you on that | | | | you want to treat your kids to an out of this world |
| journey and visitors also can see and touch a piece of | | | | experience be sure to add it to your list of "must-see" |
| Mars as well (in the form of meteorite that fell to earth | | | | places when you make your next Florida Vacation. |
| many years ago). IMAX 3D Theater With the help of | | | | Mark Whichard is a frequent writer on Orlando tourism. |
| giant screens, five stories high, you are taken on an | | | | He and his wife Susan are the proprietors of Orlando's |
| awesome journey into space. The films contain | | | | Finest Vacations Homes. Visit his website for more |
| dramatic footage taken by astronauts during their | | | | information on Orlando Vacation Homes. |