HO-HO-HOLY GRINCHMAS...10 JOLLY HOLIDAY NIGHTS AT RPR..NOV/DEC 2018

[schumigirl]

Phew! Just spent all morning reading this TR Carole, very entertaining and its given me hope that I may be able to summon up the courage somehow to go on The Hulk, maybe not RRR though!

WELCOME SPIKE

Glad you joined in...…...and glad you liked it...….

Oh RRR is easier than Hulk for me......it`s just that first climb and it is so much darn fun!!!!! The Hulk is a lot of fun too though......if I had to choose only one to go on though, I guess it would be Hulk...….

Once you go on it once, there will be no stopping you!!!!

 

[schumigirl]

Wow! I think we might have to a trip to KSC on the next itinerary... getting chills from your pics alone

Oh my goodness...it really is the best day possible outside of the parks......it is so memorable and as I said we never saw everything we wanted to in our one day....and already we are looking forward to going back this year....we`ll do some of the same things, but certainly add in a few selected treats...….

 

[J'aime Paris]

Such an impressive write up Carole!!
I'm embarrassed to admit that going to KSC has never even crossed my mind....I need to re-think that position!

 

[schumigirl]

Such an impressive write up Carole!!
I'm embarrassed to admit that going to KSC has never even crossed my mind....I need to re-think that position!

Thank you so much!!! I’m glad you enjoyed it.......I genuinely have to hold back from filling in every single minute detail about everything......it would take me months to complete this trip report if I did that!!!

Oh you absolutely should consider going......I think I said it earlier, but, we expected to love the place, we just didn’t know how much we would love it. Beyond impressive.

I teased Kyle and said we’d go back in March or May...he really wasn’t happy....lol....we wouldn’t really go without him......

 

[DisneyLifePapioNe]

Awesome!!! I can’t wait to get to KSC and finally see it all in person!

Thanks for the great info and wonderful photos as usual!!!

 

[schumigirl]

Awesome!!! I can’t wait to get to KSC and finally see it all in person!

Thanks for the great info and wonderful photos as usual!!!

You are so welcome!

I’m so glad you enjoyed the KSC part so far.........you will love it when you get there.......and prepare to want to go back before you’ve even left the place!!!

 

[cynditech]

Whew - all caught up - looks like another amazing trip! We haven't been to Kennedy yet, but it's on our list of places to visit!!! I totally know what you mean when you're kid isn't feeling 100% - I'm always asking a million times, are you ok?!?!?! LOL! Looks like we do that regardless of their age!

I was thinking of you guys this week - we were at Uni for a day (after a Disney cruise). Talked hubby into getting an AP!!!

 

[schumigirl]

Whew - all caught up - looks like another amazing trip! We haven't been to Kennedy yet, but it's on our list of places to visit!!! I totally know what you mean when you're kid isn't feeling 100% - I'm always asking a million times, are you ok?!?!?! LOL! Looks like we do that regardless of their age!

I was thinking of you guys this week - we were at Uni for a day (after a Disney cruise). Talked hubby into getting an AP!!!

Yay for the AP!!! Hope the cruise was a lot of fun too.........how lovely, nice to get some sunshine during the winter months........did you do one park at Universal or a bit of time in both? Always nice to do either though........you’ll have to get a few trips planned now to make use of those AP’s.......

It really was a fabulous trip and Kennedy was a real highlight for us,......I’d bet you’ll love it when you do go.

Yes, it’s hard not to keep checking with the are you ok questions......lol......I would get a lot of don’t ask me I’m fine....yep, it never changes even when they’re adults......actually my mum still calls me the baby of the family.......technically I am, but I’m 51 Guess it really doesn’t ever change........

 

[schumigirl]

Heading downstairs we realised we still had a few things to see and do down here too, and again we missed out a whole lot of interactive detail you can enjoy with your family...….I believe you could easily spend 2 maybe 3 days going around everything and experiencing every little thing on offer...especially if you have children of a suitable age who want to touch and experience everything.

Even seeing the underside of the Space Shuttle was impressive.....and we were all still amazed at the size of it when you see it up close...…it looks smaller when you see it on tv...although doesn't everything!!

The whole area downstairs is amazing...….there is an awful lot of amazing in this day!!!!


But, before we hit the interactive areas we wandered through some of the displays that basically showed you life on the Space Shuttles and how they deal with day to day activities like eating and visiting the bathroom....all the little things that children always think of when asked what they want know about space travel lol...…..

I could not for one minute imagine sleeping in this little area that looked like it was a mixture of a padded cell and a coffin...…

The next area was probably the most sombre part of the whole day and the one area that was very difficult to experience.

Forever Remembered is a tribute to the 14 astronauts who perished in both the Challenger 1986 and Columbia 2003 disasters.

This permanent memorial was revealed to the public in June 2015. I hadn't realised it was as new as it was, I assumed it had been there for a long time till we saw it.

The memorial was actually kept secret from most employees of the complex and when it opened with a small and tasteful ceremony, it was in the presence of two NASA administrators who had also previously been astronauts, and family members of the lost crews.

They worked together to create this amazing and heartfelt display that you see today and have included personal items that meant something to each one of them and individually and collectively you see what impact they had on history with their many great achievements....

Between them you can see cowboy boots and a Bible that belonged to the Commander of Columbia Rick Husband, Michael Anderson’s childhood lunch box with the Star Trek logo on it, and it made you think of a little boy who had already started dreaming about going into space and looking to the stars as his future..... there is a karate outfit and a sword belonging to Challenger mission specialist Ronald McNair that show how much show he loved karate.

Sheet music that indicated Challenger mission specialist Judith Resnik’s love of music, and apparently she was skilled as a pianist. A camera and hiking boots suggest Columbia pilot William McCool loved the outdoor life and took advantage of that whenever he could. Every single item tells a part of their life to us. ​

Some of these items were very kindly given on loan for this display by the astronauts’ families. For us it showed them on a more personal level, not only an astronaut who gave their life for us to make advancements, but so much more. Not all families gave a personal item for the memorial.

Although I`m aware of all the individuals that perished during both disasters, the one that stays in the forefront of my memory is Christa McAuliffe.

She was a 37 year old teacher who had won her place to participate in this mission back in 1985. She was to be the first teacher in space. She seemed an amazing woman who fully grasped the dangers she faced but did it all the same......she could have been anyone that we all know and I think that is embedded in everybody`s consciousness....she was just a normal lady. She hadn't been trained as an astronaut for many years, but still went through the rigorous training and came out with a desire to educate and help be part of our future discoveries with her input in this mission.

Christa McAuliffe captures her role as the Teacher in Space aboard Challenger with the quote “I touch the future. I teach.”

I didn't see any personal items in Christa`s particular memorial, but I could have missed it if there was something.

I was in two minds to take any pictures in here before I went in, but speaking to an employee beforehand she said they actively encourage picture taking...…but even so, I felt a little uncomfortable doing so.

This was so emotional. More emotional that I think any of us realised it would be. Walking round and taking the time to read all the information and see personal items was a greater impact than I expected. You can spend time reading and learn about each and every one of them.....what made them so special to their families and ultimately to us too. As one employee said to me later, they gave their lives for us, and they certainly did.

Throughout the whole display it was, I believe a conscious decision from NASA not to show any images of either Shuttle falling apart. The memorial was to show how these amazing people lived their life, not how they gave the ultimate sacrifice. I think that was the right decision. We all remember these disasters clearly and always will.

Ultimately, and something I am a little ashamed about as it was so upsetting, I didn't get through them all. I will next time though.

Outside of where the individual astronauts memorials are there are a couple of items that were recovered later from the disasters. They really don't need much explaining.

The first piece of recovery with the American flag still proudly emblazoned is from Challenger.

And below are the recovered window frames from the Columbia cabin.

An employee spoke to me later I said how emotional and upsetting it was to read, but it should be seen and never forgotten....she fully agreed and said yes, it had been designed to be as emotional as it was.....

Charles Bolden one of the administrators who helped create and open the memorial said this...….

“The artifacts here on display are not easy to look at. Many of them are on display for the very first time,” It is our hope that by making them available for the public to view, we will help remind the world, that every launch, every discovery, every measure of progress, is possible only because of the sacrifice of those we have lost.”

After a brief bathroom visit and a face wash as my eyes looked red and raw right now, we began to explore the other areas of the experience.

And another of the star attraction from below of course...….

This area below is a lot of fun. You can do many things for fun including land the space shuttle...…

Easier than it sounds. Although I have to say, I have never in my life played a play station or games console of any kind......so I have none of the abilities that folks that do have......Kyle and Tom I`m looking at you......so when I had a go at landing the shuttle interactively......I failed in very dramatic circumstances.

I could not angle the joystick in any way shape or form to even remotely land.....so I crashed every single time...….and sometimes it cut me off before I could even attempt it again!!! Although...….have to say.....my two didn't do much better...….at one attempt neither of them even reached the runway and someone ended up facing the sky!!!! For three engineers we were remarkably poor...…..

I also couldn't manipulate the robotic arm to do anything other than seemingly move in the opposite direction...….I gave up on that.

The bottom of the Hubble shows the diameter of the space telescope and reminded us how huge the next one is going to be...…

You can go on the shuttle take off experience....and normally we would have done it, but Kyle just wasn't taking any chances as I think it wouldn't have taken much to knock him off how ok he felt today...…the lady was telling us all about it and made it sound like something we would enjoy doing......next time. I said to Tom we need to come back twice to do everything we missed this time.

Although we were leaving this area, I think it stuck with us the whole day and beyond. It`s something that we will never forget we have seen and always remember the men and women who sacrificed themselves in such dangerous conditions. We have nothing but the utmost admiration for them all, and for the astronauts who continue to put themselves in peril to this day.

And of course the other side of the day so far, is the tremendous pride and admiration we have for them all too......The Space Shuttle Program is among one of the finest achievements we have and will certainly have an impact on our future.

So, after another glance through what was around us, we decided it was time for lunch. And we headed through to the gift store. It`s much smaller than the main one as you exit the bus tour, but we still glanced around.

We would wait to buy anything we wanted in the main store later.

But, now we were all a bit hungry...…

We had been told by Samuel from the lounge that the food options were ok, nothing special, but we all agreed with him that you didn't come here for the food choices, so anywhere would do.

We had passed this place on the way to Atlantis and thought it would do fine as we were planning to do the bust tour out to Saturn V display after lunch.

It was immaculately clean and not too busy...…...we had a quick look at the menu and decided, yes, we liked the look of it here...…

There are automated machines where you put in your order and your cards....you can make all sorts of substitutions and alternatives on here......then you went forward and collected your order when it was ready.

Kyle had decided to have the macaroni and cheese, Tom went for a burger and added cheese and bacon, and I opted for the pulled pork sandwich....we all got fries and drinks. It certainly wasn't an expensive place.

To the side of the tables were a whole load of condiments including a very nice barbecue sauce which went lovely with the pulled pork. It was nice, but not great. Tom said his burger was a bit dry, but Kyle loved his macaroni...…..

It was very saucy and had a lovely creamy texture......I think Tom and I wished we had ordered it now. Although I did enjoy the pulled pork, and the fries were really nice......​

We sat for a while and just spoke about our morning. It had certainly had an emotional impact on us that we hadn't expected. But, at the same time we were enjoying it so much. Much more than we thought we would, although I suspected Kyle knew just how much we would as he had looked into it a little more than us....him and Samuel had enjoyed some nice chats about the place and what it meant in today`s quest for the future.

Next up...….on the bus and Saturn V.

 

[Cara]

Seeing Atlantis up close and personal -- wow! Lt. Col. Terry Wilcutt, a NASA astronaut, is an alumnus of the college I attended (Western Kentucky University). I believe he both piloted Atlantis and served as a Mission Commander on two separate space missions. He also piloted and commanded two others missions (on Endeavor, I think). I would love to see that!

 

[cocofifi]

Carole - I’m so lazy about posting. It seems I pull up your trip report installments when I have a few moments to spare; fully intending to going back to make a comment. I look forward to and enjoy each and every post.

Thank you so much for the positively beautiful KSC entries. You had me tearing up a couple of times. We absolutely need to make time for this on our next trip down. As always, looking forward to hearing about the rest of the trip.

 

[Tgrgrl]

Carole, I have loved reading this trip report! Our youngest daughter was born the day before Endeavors final launch at KSC and we had a great view of it from our hospital window! The nurses gave us some great mementoes to take home and I made a shadow box out of them. If you look to the far left in the circled area of the photo, you can see Endeavors final blast off.

 

[schumigirl]

Seeing Atlantis up close and personal -- wow! Lt. Col. Terry Wilcutt, a NASA astronaut, is an alumnus of the college I attended (Western Kentucky University). I believe he both piloted Atlantis and served as a Mission Commander on two separate space missions. He also piloted and commanded two others missions (on Endeavor, I think). I would love to see that!

It was unbelievable. To have followed the whole program since I was young and then to finally see it was amazing.....and seeing Kyle see it all was very special too as he has such a love for the subject......

Isn’t it a small world! I always think it adds a bit of extra interest when someone who is local or has a connection to your area is involved in something.........fascinating.

Yep, you would enjoy seeing everything there..........

 

[schumigirl]

Carole - I’m so lazy about posting. It seems I pull up your trip report installments when I have a few moments to spare; fully intending to going back to make a comment. I look forward to and enjoy each and every post.

Thank you so much for the positively beautiful KSC entries. You had me tearing up a couple of times. We absolutely need to make time for this on our next trip down. As always, looking forward to hearing about the rest of the trip.

Oh don’t worry my friend......I’m just glad you’re enjoying it so much.......yes, life does get into the way sometimes......

And thank you!! This part of the trip was both emotional and exciting at the same time....... it tough as it was to see some of it, we wouldn’t have missed it for the world. I hope you do get to visit at some point......I can throughly recommend a day there.........

Rest of the trip coming up.....I need to think about finishing this one soon........it should have been finished by now......but again.......life pops up at times.......lol........

Glad you’re still reading along though.....always lovely to see you post......

 

[schumigirl]

View attachment 378121 View attachment 378118 Carole, I have loved reading this trip report! Our youngest daughter was born the day before Endeavors final launch at KSC and we had a great view of it from our hospital window! The nurses gave us some great mementoes to take home and I made a shadow box out of them. If you look to the far left in the circled area of the photo, you can see Endeavors final blast off.

Oh wow!!! Truly amazing.........that must have been spectacular to see from such a wonderful vantage point.....and while celebrating your second daughter’s arrival too!!

Extra special touch with the gifts, that was so lovely of them.......and the pictures of your daughters are beautiful too.......

I’m so glad you have enjoyed this one, thank you.......shouldn’t be too long till it’s all wrapped up.......

 

[Tink2Day]

Here's my story to join the rest.
Columbia landed in my home State due to a flood at Edwards AFB in California, it was a dry lake bed landing. We could usually spot the shuttles way up when they were coming over to land at Edwards. Also, the same site the Columbia landed was the training site for the shuttle 'pilots'. We are a State rich in Aerospace connections, National Labs (the Trinity site). One of our native sons (there were several) and former Senator was a geologist (the only one who walked on the moon) is the last surviving crew member of Apollo17. Met him once, fascinating man.

Your trip looks spectacular and Kyle is in his glory!

 

[cynditech]

Yay for the AP!!! Hope the cruise was a lot of fun too.........how lovely, nice to get some sunshine during the winter months........did you do one park at Universal or a bit of time in both? Always nice to do either though........you’ll have to get a few trips planned now to make use of those AP’s.......

It really was a fabulous trip and Kennedy was a real highlight for us,......I’d bet you’ll love it when you do go.

Yes, it’s hard not to keep checking with the are you ok questions......lol......I would get a lot of don’t ask me I’m fine....yep, it never changes even when they’re adults......actually my mum still calls me the baby of the family.......technically I am, but I’m 51 Guess it really doesn’t ever change........

We did both parks - in just the one day - so kinda rushed, but totally worth it!!! We figure we know we're going back for HHN this year, so we will use the passes at least then (can you tell I'm counting down the days until HHN)!!!!!

 

[keishashadow]

Really enjoying reading your KSC experience. Glad I didn’t spoil the ‘big reveal’ of the shuttle. Hoped you’d be blown away by it . I remember being stunned into silence, rarity lol. Find the entire day there to be a rather profound emotional experience.

So interesting to read other poster’s reflections re the program & their visits.

I thought the gift shop had some interesting stuff, the way a good museum is wont to do, and the prices seemed reasonable...well, as far as touristy gift shops tend to roll.

Ps next time try the salad, Pittsburgh style, order fries and toss them on top

 

[schumigirl]

Here's my story to join the rest.
Columbia landed in my home State due to a flood at Edwards AFB in California, it was a dry lake bed landing. We could usually spot the shuttles way up when they were coming over to land at Edwards. Also, the same site the Columbia landed was the training site for the shuttle 'pilots'. We are a State rich in Aerospace connections, National Labs (the Trinity site). One of our native sons (there were several) and former Senator was a geologist (the only one who walked on the moon) is the last surviving crew member of Apollo17. Met him once, fascinating man.

Your trip looks spectacular and Kyle is in his glory!

Wow that would have been amazing to see......I often used to think how nervous these guys must have been when this program began, not only because it was so new, but knowing every single moment of every flight was watched with so much interest around the globe. That would add to my nerves!!!

How fabulous you got to meet one of them too!!! I would have been so overawed to meet any of them........

Thank you, I think most folks feel something strong for the Shuttle program, anyone I’ve spoken to certainly has and your story of how you met one is amazing......

I’m glad you’re enjoying this one and yep, he was in his glory today

 

[schumigirl]

We did both parks - in just the one day - so kinda rushed, but totally worth it!!! We figure we know we're going back for HHN this year, so we will use the passes at least then (can you tell I'm counting down the days until HHN)!!!!!

Oh that would have been so much fun........even if you were a little rushed, you know the parks well enough and sounds like you did have a lot of fun too....and yes, HHN is just around the corner.......well, kind of......lol.......

But it’s true, it’ll be here before we know it.......it’ll only be a few more months before all the speculation starts again about houses and zones for this year.........yep, counting the days too