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Interview with Philip from Kennedy Space Center

Hey Thrill Seekers!

Welcome to the first instalment of this years series of interviews which we have now named ‘Tuesday Talk’ 

First up we have Philip Briton from Kennedy Space Center who you may remember from our OAT live episode!

Name: Philip Britton

Company: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Position: UK & Ireland Account Manager

Getting to know you..

How would you describe your job to a child?

I work with Space Rockets, Astronauts and talk to lots of people about exploring space and reaching for the Stars!

What was the last thing you watched on TV and why did you watch it?

Channel 4 news last night. Keeping up with domestic and world events in an informed manner is important to me

If there was a movie produced about your life, who would play you and why?

I don’t really watch many movies but have always liked aircraft, Top gun was and remains a favourite. I don’t really think a story about my life would sell too many box office tickets!

If you could choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what would it be?

At University in 1994 – 97 it was the height of Britpop and a musical revolution. Oasis were and remain hugely influential to me, most songs from Definitely Maybe and What’s the Story Morning Glory?, would suffice and on a coin toss it would be Columbia v Some Might Say!

Work..

Describe your theme park / attraction using only 3 words.

Inspirational / Educational / Real!

Favourite theme park / attraction of 2018?

KSC and Space Shuttle Atlantis

What is going to be BIG for your company in 2019?

50 years since man 1st set foot on the moon and a number of commemorative events will happen across the year.

Tell us a fact about your theme park / attraction that most people don’t know.

KSC is the only place in Florida you can watch a rocket launch into space from, It’s a fantastic experience and everyone should try and get to see us.

What is a must do for first time visitors to Orlando?

One day at KSC will open your eyes to mans achievements both past and present in our quest for the stars and what the future of space exploration will bring…..with the Journey to Mars.

So there we have it. I’d like to thank Philip for his time, i’m yet to visit Kennedy Space Center but everyone here who has been has absolutely loved it and i would loveeee to see a rocket launch one day!!

Come back next Tuesday for another instalment of Tuesday Talk!

Smiles Included,

Abby

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Rocket Launch at Kennedy Space Center!

Hey Thrill Seekers!

So today (5th December 2018) A SpaceX Falcon 9 CRS-16 rocket will launch into space to deliver a shipment of cargo and science investigations to the International Space station. It will be the 16th SpaceX mission under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services contract.

It is due to launch at 1.16pm EST (6.16pm GMT)

The most important thing to know is that there is no extra cost to visit Kennedy Space Center during a rocket launch – it is included with general admission but be aware… it gets VERY busy so if you are going to see a rocket launch be sure to leave with plenty of time to get there! The visitor complex opens at 9:00 AM daily, all three viewing locations and the available bleacher seating are first come, first served.

Kennedy offers not only the best view of rocket launches but also launch commentary, bleacher seating and access to the visitor complex exhibits and attractions.

According to Kennedy Space Center, the best viewing opportunities are:

Apollo/Saturn V Center – Approximately 6.2 miles/10 kilometers from launch pad

  • Included with daily admission.
  • Bleacher seating and launch commentary with access to restrooms.
  • Dining and souvenirs available for purchase.

 

Main visitor complex – Approximately 6.7 miles/10.8 kilometers from launch pad

  • Included with daily admission.
  • Bleacher seating and launch commentary with access to restrooms.
  • Dining and souvenirs available for purchase.

Check out these top tips from Kennedy about visiting on launch days!

LC-39 LTT holders and those wishing to view from the Apollo/Saturn V Center:

  • Arrive early to ensure you have plenty of time to board your bus by the designated time. Viewing at the Apollo/Saturn V Center does not require an extra ticket for this specific launch, so the location is first come, first served until capacity is reached.
  • Bus boarding for LC-39 Observation Gantry begins approximately three hours before the scheduled launch time.
  • Kennedy Space Center buses transport from the inside the main visitor complex to these special viewing areas beyond NASA’s gates. Security protocol requires that all guests must be transported by only visitor complex tour buses to these secure facilities.

Main visitor complex viewing/daily admission only:

  • Viewing from the main visitor complex does not require bus transportation.
  • Check the Daily Schedule regarding the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour hours of operation on a launch day. If you wish to include the bus tour and the Apollo/ Saturn V Center in your day but do not want to remain there for the launch, be sure to take the tour either before or after the launch, depending on the scheduled launch time and visitor complex hours of operations/tours.

Anyone going to get the chance to see this?!

Smiles included,

Abby.

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Interview With Philip from Kennedy Space Center

Hey Thrill Seekers,

Tell Me Tuesdays is back (well duh it is Tuesday) i’m now aware Tell Me Tuesdays might be just as bad as Jamie’s ‘Interview Tuesdays’ buy hey, lets just roll with it.

This week we’ve got a cracker from our mate Philip from Kennedy Space Center, Philip is a top bloke and if you haven’t seen the Kennedy Space Center special OAT Live episode with myself, Gavin and Philip then why not? Watch it… now!!!!!

Name:  Philip Britton
Company:  Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Position: UK Account Manager

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

What did you want to be when you grew up? A pilot

If you could only have one meal for the rest of your life what would it be and why? Love a full English, (no fried bread or black pudding), scrambled egg with grilled bacon & sausage and brown bread ……So its good for you!

What movie title best describes your life? Apollo 13…… It nearly all goes badly wrong but somehow it all works out in the end…..

If you were stranded on a Desert Island and could only take 3 items what would they be and why? A football – so I could try and beat my keepy up record of 259. A massive box of matches as trying to start a fire by rubbing 2 sticks together would drive me mad! A combined compass and atlas – so when I built my escape boat I would know where to go……

Would you rather be able to time travel into the past or the future and why? The past, the future should be a surprise!

How would you describe your theme park / attraction using only 3 words? Past….present…..future

WORK

What was the highlight of 2017 for your company? A record number of launches from KSC & Cape Canaveral, numerous satellites, resupply missions to the International Space Station and  so much more!

What are you most looking forward to in 2018? Hopefully the first test flight of the SLS Space Launch system, the largest rocket ever built which will one day take man to mars and beyond!

Favourite Theme Park ride/attraction of 2017? The Shuttle Launch Experience has remained ever popular this year, it’s a 7 ½ minute rocket ride to space!

What is going to be BIG for your company in 2018? New Mars Exhibits and the Mars Rover Concept Vehicle on Display at the Visitor Complex!

Best Theme Park/attraction tip? Always get to KSC early (Gates open at 9) as it gets very busy especially in the summer months and make sure you jump on one of the KSC buses to the Saturn V Center and see the rocket that took 12 men to the moon!

Tell us something we don’t know about Florida… South of KSC is Fort Lauderdale which is known as the Venice of America because the city has 185 miles of local waterways!

Of course the movie title answer was going to be space related, we can always count on Philip to get involved! You can purchase your Kennedy Space Center tickets here for as little as £36.00.

Smiles Included…

Abby

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Interview With Philip Britton From Kennedy Space Center

Hey Thrill Seekers,

It’s Interview Tuesday  (still not a thing) and today we’ve got a good one with Phil from Kennedy Space Center. If you met Phil you’d like him, he’s one of those guys. A top bloke and what he doesn’t know about Kennedy isn’t worth knowing.

Lets get to know him;

Name: Philip Britton
Company: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Position: UK Account Manager

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

If you could have an endless supply of any food, what would you get? Walkers Salt & Vinegar……….simply the best there is!

If you were an animal, what would you be and why? Elephant…..Gentle, caring, intelligent and loves roaming around, playing and a good swim!

If someone made a movie of your life would it be a drama, a comedy, a romantic-comedy, action film, or science fiction? Part 1 would be an action film (aged 1 – 25), part 2 a drama (26 – 50), and then in part 3 (51-nutil the end!) life becomes a comedy!

Complete the sentence; I was once mistaken for . . . Gary Lineker

If you had your own talk show, who would your first three guests be? Glenn Hoddle followed by Kylie Minogue and then an Astronaut!

WORK

What was the highlight of 2016 for your company?: KSC had a great year in the UK as interest in Space Travel really hit the headlines. Tim Peake’s Mission to the International Space station was fantastic and we look forward to his return. Watching the new private space companies re land a rocket back on the launch pad at Kennedy after it had released its payload was an amazing feat of engineering. KSC itself opened Heroes & Legends, a new walk through interactive attraction that combines the Astronaut Hall of Fame and is simply stunning.

What can we expect from your company in 2017?: More Space related News and Press to Flow from Florida. 2017 will see NASA move closer to launching the first test flight of the rocket which will hopefully one day be able to take a man to Mars, called the SLS (Space Launch System) it will be the most powerful rocket ever built and hopefully will fly in 2018. There is still a long way to go then, the technology required is hugely advanced and there will be many tests before we finally reach the red planet in many, many years’ time!. Meanwhile at the visitor complex the exhibitions will evolve, the world’s only back to back IMAX screens will keep showing wonderful space films, one is entitled “A Beautiful Planet” and shows us hundreds of spectacular images of Earth taken from the International Space Station…… Simply amazing!

Make a 2017 prediction…:  2017 will be a challenging year but Florida will not shut down because of Brexit, the exchange rate or politics. As a nation, we continue to regard Florida as a great destination and the weather, the parks and the thrill of it all will keep drawing us back. Kennedy is just an hour’s drive from Orlando, it’s a fantastic day out, standing underneath the Saturn V rocket, one of which took Man to the moon or gazing in awe at Space Shuttle Atlantis which made 33 missions into space are memories that will never be forgotten. 2016 was a record year for Brits at the Visitor Complex and we hope the our fascination with Space will draw even more of us this year. Maybe a future British Astronaut will pass through the gates!, KSC is where many dreams are made…..

Best Theme Park ride/attraction of 2017?: At KSC we have an experience called the “Space Shuttle Launch Experience”. Designed by NASA astronauts it gives the feeling of a real Space Shuttle launch, strap in for the sights, sounds and excitement of what it was really like to reach 17,000mph and head towards Space. It’s an adrenaline filled rush that should not be missed!.

Best Theme Park/attraction food of 2016?: Space Ice Cream!….. NASA has designed hundreds of different foods to give the astronauts the opportunity to experience the types of food we have here on earth. Space food is very different, but one is very popular, Space Ice Cream and sells by the scoop load in the Space Shop at KSC……! Try it, it melts in the mouth!

Best Theme Park/attraction tip?: Any visit to Kennedy isn’t complete without taking the “Lunch with an Astronaut” optional upgrade. Where else can you actually sit down and dine and hear space stories from a former NASA astronaut?, It’s a superb addition to any visit, includes a picture with the astronaut of the day and a 3 course buffet lunch, an experience not to be forgotten!

Best kept secret in Florida?: There continues to be many rocket launches each year from KSC, satellites and payloads to the International Space Station are always being sent up!. Why not check out the launch time table on the Kennedy Space Center website and see if your visit to Florida co-indices with a launch. They are spectacular events and can be seen from many miles away or up close (Well a few miles back!) at KSC!

Thanks Phil for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat to us. Remember Kennedy Space Center Admission tickets adult prices are currently on offer at the same price as child tickets, so take advantage while you can.

You can read other interviews in the series here;

Eat & Play Card

Fun Spot

Kids Eat Free Card

Gatorland

WonderWorks

Smiles included…

Jamie

 

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Do You Really Mean All The Parks?

Hey Thrill Seekers,

A lot of our customers ask for a ticket that includes ‘all of the parks’ without realising how many parks there actually are. Ticket purchasing can become quite complicated when you aren’t aware of all the parks and attractions, especially if you’re a first timer. We have ‘The Big Three’, Disney, Universal and SeaWorld but there is so much more!

Let’s take a look at the big three first.

Walt Disney World actually consists of 6 parks in total, 4 theme parks, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and 2 water parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. All of our Disney tickets include all 6 of these parks, we do not offer single day or single park tickets.

Disney’s Magic Kingdom is the park to explore lands of endless enchantment, where your fantasy becomes a reality. 

Disney’s Epcot allows you to travel around the globe, under the sea, into outer space…and beyond!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom will amaze you, behold the magic of nature with rare animals and world-class entertainment.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios puts you smack bang in the middle of the action, take center stage in the world of movies, television, music and theater.

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is a storm ravaged tropical bay while Disney’s Blizzard Beach is a melting ski resort.

Disney

Moving onto Universal now with their 2 theme parks, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. These 2 parks are joint together using The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the Hogwarts Express. You must have a hopper ticket to ride the Hogwarts Express, which is of course, what we offer! 🙂

Tip: Ride the Hogwarts Express both ways to encounter two completely different experiences. 😉

Universal Studios is where you can jump into the action of your favourite movies and TV shows’. At the back of the park you will find yourself in Diagon Alley.

Universal’s Islands of Adventure is where you can live the adventure. Towards the back of this park you will be in Hogsmeade.

Universal’s Volcano Bay is the newest park which is due to open on the 1st June 2017. Water is life. Life is joy. 

universal

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment have a total of 4 parks including SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Discovery Cove.

SeaWorld Orlando has a mixture of thrill rides, family rides and animal interactions. SeaWorld rescue a lot of animals from the wild to treat them and then release them back into the wild.

Aquatica is SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment’s water park which is themed to the Southern Pacific and features Australian and New Zealand mascots that you can spot relating to each attraction.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is about an hour out of Orlando but so worth the journey! The 19th century African themed park is also, like SeaWorld, a mixture of the thrill and family rides as well as the animal encounters. All of the SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is suitable for all the family.

Tip: We offer these parks at an amazing 3 parks for the price of 2 offer which entails free parking!

Discovery Cove is an amusement park where guests can completely relax with an all inclusive day and have the choice to ‘talk, touch, play and swim with bottlenose dolphins’.

There are 2 Discovery Cove packages available, 1 including 14 days into SeaWorld and Aquatica and our Ultimate package including 14 days into SeaWorld, Aquatica and Busch Gardens.

Tip: You can make the most of the free parking with our Ultimate Package as well. 😉

SW

LEGOLAND Florida & Merlin Attractions is next up. LEGOLAND Florida has their theme park and their water park – great fun for all the family. As well as Legoland, Merlin also have I-Drive 360 which is made up of The Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds and SEALIFE Orlando.

lego

We offer a number of different ticket options for these attractions, so if you don’t necessarily want to visit all of them, you can take your pick!

If you’re looking to visit some of Florida’s more alternative attractions, you won’t be at a loose end as there are so many options!

Kennedy Space Center

Fun Spot

Gatorland

Boggy Creek – 30 minute

Boggy Creek – 1 hour

WonderWorks

Orlando Magic

So if you were stuck for ideas, I hope you’re not anymore! All of these attractions are available on our website and any questions you have, you can contact us to find out more!

Smiles Included…

Louise

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Kennedy Space Center Open New Attraction Tomorrow!!

Hey Thrill Seekers,

Kennedy Space Center are opening a new attraction called  Heroes & Legends featuring the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame® presented by Boeing®!

The brand spanking new Heroes & Legends will be the first attraction that guests to Kennedy Space Center will encounter when they arrive at the visitor complex. Opening on the 11th November 2016 this attraction has been designed to touch the hearts and minds of the next generation of space explorers, it aims to bring to life the weird and wonderful stories of America’s first space explorers. Heroes & Legends featuring the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame® presented by Boeing® will allow visitors to feel as though they are actually experiencing the missions themselves.

ksc

Early space artifacts from the Mercury and Gemini programs will be brought to life by holograms and it will almost feel like reality! Inside the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame you will have the chance to get to know 93 heroes and legendary astronauts.  The new Heroes & Legends attraction will be incorporated into the Rocket Garden which will give visitors a new and elevated perspective of the huge collection of historic rockets that Kennedy Space Center has to offer.

You will enter the new building via a ‘sweeping ramp’ entrance, sounds fancy doesn’t it?! It is described as a “stimulating journey to the stars” which will feature a slingshot manoeuvre through Kennedy Space Centers iconic Rocket Garden.

RocketGardenatsunset

The Heroes & Legends attraction will feature three different experiences.

The first experience includes a 360 degree discovery bay where guests can explore what it means to be a ‘hero’. This will last around 7 minutes. It also includes a 4D ‘multisensory experience’ which will allow guests to stand on a platform overlooking Planet Earth and find themselves amongst the company of astronauts, cool ay?! The use of lighting and effects including fog, mist, water spray and wind alongside some incredibly realistic images will give you the sensation of actually being in space!!

The next stage is always my favourite part of visiting any museum type attraction.. the interactive bit!! This floor is home to loads of cool stuff such as holograms and interactive media which will give access to a whole new way to interact with artifacts and memorabilia. You will also get to watch a virtual Wally Schirra climb into his spacecraft!

The final experience inside Heroes & Legends is the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. Set out in a cool, round building, the hall of fame comes equipped with a 365 degree video cylinder that has interactive stations. You will also have a great photo opportunity where you can pose with some of the legends that you met throughout your journey.

Heroes_and_Legends_exterior

Another highlight of the experience is a theatre which is designed to make guests feel as though they are floating in space as legendary astronauts including Alan Shepard, John Glenn, Jim Lovell and Neil Armstrong invite you to join in their epic journeys into the vast unknown.

Protze – the New Chief Operating Officer of Kennedy Space Center has said:

“The opportunity to learn about the amazing attributes of our heroes behind the … historical events that have shaped the way we look at space, the world and the future, will not only entertain and inspire guests, but lay the groundwork for their interactions throughout the rest of the complex, We consider Heroes & Legends a ‘launch pad’ for our visitors that really sets the stage for their full-day experience here.”

Visitors are welcome to join the festivities for the grand opening of Heroes and Legends, featuring the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, on November 11, 2016 at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Don’t forget you can purchase your admission tickets and transport through us.

With technology improving at the rate it is i wouldn’t be surprised if the next attraction from Kennedy Space Center is on the moon itself!

Smiles Included,

Jess
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Interview With Philip Britton From Kennedy Space Center

Hey Thrill Seekers,

Its Tuesday which means interview day. Today’s interview is with Philip Britton of Kennedy Space Center. Phil is a very friendly man always smiling, but I guess you would Rupertbe if your job was space related! Every little boys dream surely? That and premiership footballer…

Name: Philip Britton
Company: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Position: Account Manager UK & Ireland

Getting to know you

Traditional Coasters or Motion Simulators? – Motion simulators!
Fast Pass or queue? – Fast Pass
Facebook or Twitter? – Facebook
Fictional Character that most represents you? – Rupert the Bear
Book or Film? – Book
Night out or night in? Out
Favourite song?: Don’t Look bank in Anger (Oasis)
Favourite film?: Top Gun!
3 People (real or fictional) you’d invite for the perfect dinner? Elvis, Glenn Hoddle and Bill Clinton

Work

What’s been the highlight of the year (2015) for your company?: For the first time UK visitors to KSC broke the 150,000 mark and with increasing interest in Space Travel and Exploration its been a fantastic 12 months.
What’s been the highlight of the year (2015) for you?: We have really moved KSC forward with the UK trade and its become a much loved Florida product, spending a week with former Astronaut JR Reilly here in the UK was great, walking into a London pub and ordering a pint of Spitfire -like a true professional was priceless.
What can we expect from your company in 2016?: Lots!, we have some major new attractions opening (Watch this space!) and lots more rocket launches to the International Space Station and beyond!. The Astronaut Hall of Fame will be re opened this year, and Space Shuttle Atlantis continues to wow all those that view her.
Make a 2016 prediction…: Tim Peake, the 1st Brit to do a space walk and go to the International Space station to be honoured by the Queen and deservedly so.
Best Theme Park ride/attraction of 2015?: – Space Shuttle Launch Experience at KSC – A 7 minute rocket ride to orbit!
Best Theme Park/attraction food of 2015?: – You cant leave KSC without purchasing a packet of Space Ice cream!…. Just like they eat it space!
Best Theme Park/attraction tip?: Take the “Lunch with an Astronaut” option when visiting KSC, it’s an amazing opportunity to get up close and personal with some great Space Travellers!
Best kept secret in Florida?: KSC by far!…………The home of NASA and where Man when to the moon from……and hopefully Mars!

Thanks to Philip for taking the time to get involved with our interviews, we’ll be looking to work a lot closer with KSC over the next year and hopefully we’ll be able to get some of that Space Ice Cream sent over.

You can view our other interviews in this series here;

You can also purchase Kennedy Space Center tickets directly from Orlando Attraction Tickets.

Smiles included…

Jamie

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Kennedy Space Center Added To Orlando Attraction Tickets

Morning Thrill Seekers,

Its taken a bit of time but finally we’re happy to confirm that Kennedy Space Center has now been added to Orlando Attraction Tickets. We’ve been after a direct contract with them for ages and the process has taken just over a year to complete.

I visited Kennedy in 2010, to be totally honest with you I wasn’t really keen on visiting. Space isn’t really my thing. It was more for my wife who finds the whole thing fascinating.

I drove from Orlando to Kennedy in my hire car, which took about 45 mins with clear traffic. The drive was pretty easy and gave me the opportunity to see some of Florida that I hadn’t visited. When we got there I had already convinced myself that I wasn’t going to enjoy it, I love coasters, thrill rides and big attractions… Kennedy was not going to be for me.

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Hand on heart, after spending the day there I absolutely loved it, probably even more than my Mrs. For me Kennedy Space Center was the perfect break from the hustle, bustle and queuing of theme parks. I learnt without feeling like I had been taught and was awestruck by the size and scale of everything! I would highly recommend visiting the Space Center it really is a little piece of history and as its a working space center you might even be lucky enough to see something launched.

You can purchase the Kennedy Space Center Admission Ticket from us for as little as £29.00 per adult. We’re offering real ticketstoo so no need to exchange anything, head straight to the gates.

The ticket includes;

  • Space Shuttle Atlantis – See Atlantis as if it were in space – raised 30 feet off the ground and rotated 43 degrees. More than 60 interactive, immersive exhibits and simulators will provide guests a never-before experienced perspective on the shuttle’s complex systems, components and capabilities.
  • The Shuttle Launch Experience* – visitors strap in to the sights, sounds and sensations of a real Space Shuttle launch.
  • Angry Birds Space Encounter brings to life the space adventures of the Angry Birds as you follow their kidnapped eggs into an inter-galactic wormhole. Experience any of the seven interactive exhibits including Create Your Own Angry Bird, Angry Birds sliding puzzle, Slingshot target game, Danger Zone mirror maze and the Red Planet Laser Challenge.
  • The Saturn V Center which houses a massive Saturn V rocket and Apollo mission memorabilia including a rare collection of spacesuits and other gear used by the Apollo moonwalkers
  • The LC39 Observatory Gantry and Shuttle Plaza where you can see all three components of a Space Shuttle and view real life Space Shuttle mission hardware.
  • IMAX® films – in two giant IMAX theatres, the dream of space flight comes alive. Current films include Hubble 3D narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio and Space Station 3-D narrated by Tom Cruise.
  • The Astronaut Hall of Fame with the world’s largest collection of Astronaut memorabilia.
  • Simulator Station – realistic astronaut training simulators allowing guests to feel the pressure of gravity and land a space shuttle.
  • Rocket Garden – climb-aboard Mercury, Gemini and Apollo capsule replicas and view the monstrous 111-meter Saturn V moon rocket, the most powerful rocket ever built.
  • Space Shuttle Explorer replica

Smiles included…

Jamie

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