Granted, Orlando is the destination for Disney and Universal. We seem to forget that only 44 miles and 50 minutes east of Orlando Airport is the Kennedy Space Center for an educational side trip, with now the newly added attraction of “Angry Birds Space Encounter.” It is advertised as appropriate for all ages.
Directions to Kennedy Space Center from Orlando Airport:
From Orlando International, take the north exit to 528 East (the Beeline). Take the Beeline east to a left exit labeled “407, Titusville, Kennedy Space Center.” Take 407 until it ends at 405. Turn right onto 405 and proceed east. After crossing over U.S. 1 in approximately eight miles you will arrive at the main entrance to the KSC Visitor Complex on the right hand side. This is where bus tickets for launch viewing may be purchased and where tours, food, exhibits, movies, space-related memorabilia and other merchandise may be purchased after a launch or on non-launch days.
Click here for the official website.
What is brand new at Kennedy Space Center is the Angry Birds Space Encounter exhibit. From now until June 28, 2013, you can get 30% off admission by going to the official website. By the summer, the Center is also opening an Atlantis exhibit with the Atlantis space shuttle on display.
Angry Birds Space Encounter is a collaboration between NASA and Rovio Entertainment, which created Angry Birds app, which many of our grandchildren are addicted to. It seems that there is now educational value and physics that can be learned from interactive stations. Here is what the official media release says about the new exhibit:
The 4,485-square-foot Angry Birds Space Encounter, which is included in regular Visitor Complex admission, brings to life the space adventures of the Angry Birds as they follow their kidnapped eggs into an inter-galactic wormhole, come face-to-face with Space Pigs and gear up with heroic superpowers. Visitors encounter six interactive stations designed to engage and immerse guests in a new dimension of Angry Birds Space:
Create Your Own Angry Bird – Red, green, blue or purple – Guests create their own Angry Bird by choosing from an array of body styles and accessories. When the bird is complete, guests can print their bird as a keepsake.
Eggsteroids Slingshot – Ready, set, squawk! Guests take their best shot – slingshot, that is – at King Pig and Corporal Pig, competing with fellow players using mini Angry Birds launched in a slingshot to zap the Space Pigs.
Cold Cuts Tile Puzzle – Guests line up a universe of planets and Angry Birds to solve sliding puzzles, with three levels of difficulty, featuring images of Super Red, Ice Bird, The Incredible Terence and Space King, Pig in a Bubble.
Danger Zone – Proceed with caution! The Danger Zone features a mirrored labyrinth challenge to find the hidden Angry Birds. Guests discover surprises along the way.
Red Planet Lazer Challenge – The Angry Birds need help finding their prized golden eggs! Guests journey to the surface of the Red Planet to search for the mythical eggs but need to watch out for lazer beams that create obstacles along the course, making the mission more difficult.
Angry Birds Game Zone – Guests can play the actual Angry Birds Space game in a tournament against fellow guests, mastering selected levels and discovering little known hints to zap the pigs.
An Angry Birds Space photo opportunity also is available, as is Angry Birds merchandise
Of course, there is more to do than just focus on angry birds. For the tours available at Kennedy Space Center click here .
For planning a few hours to a full day click here
Two family friendly restaurants in the area are:
Madd Jacks Grillin Shack 6006 N Atlantic Ave, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920 321-613-5800 B-B-Q,ribs, pulled pork and fixins
Papa Vito’s Italian Restaurant 6200 N. atlantic ave, Cocoa Beach/ Cape Canaveral, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920 321-784-0050 Pizza, subs
What an interesting side trip to add educational value to a trip to Orlando with more..
Joy,
Mema
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