Space visit - NASA

And finally on the last morning in Orlando, we visited the Kennedy Space Center.


Bus tour takes us to 3 different locations in the area. Informational video playing in the bus tells us of so many different types of jobs involved in "Space work". I mean, by NASA we think of only Astronauts and Scientists. But we don't quickly think of the variety of science fields involved here - chemicals, metals, physics, ... The video featured actual people working here. And each one of them was proud of their work - even if it meant fixing a screw. Because they knew how important it was.



Open space around the Kennedy Space Center


An actual engine which was used nearly 6 times.


Large wide tracks for the vehicle which carries the launch vehicle.


An old launch vehicle on display. The entire thing which took up almost a plane hanger.



Launch site


The room which re-enacts the Apollo-11 launch. The room has the exact same computers which were used then. Displays show us all the footage, of scientists, common people, at the exact time of launch. And finally even windows shatter with the launch. Good experience.




And we got to see a shuttle launch in the previous evening.



Though not from inside the center. This was from a sea shore. Didn't get a good shot, because I was busy being bedazzaled by the whole thing. And I was not the only one. Look at the crowded jam on I50.



And with this I wrap up my Orlando story.

Disneyland - The Magic Kingdom

Now, Disneyland is huge. Most definitely. They have 4 themeparks there, and we visited only The Magic Kingdom

Away from the city. And then it took nearly an hour to go from entrance parking lot to the actual park ! Infrastruture to get people to actual park, is comparable to an actual city one. Across river by boats or by monorail. That did feel like Hogwarts entrance.


With springbreak going on in most of the states, there was a sizable crowd, which only added to the festive spirit.

And looking at the crowds, it made me wonder what recession was the media talking about ? I mean, people are living and spending just like before. Jobs are being lost yes. But that's not because people are saving-more-&-spending-less - as the media would like all to believe. The downturn is because of miscalculation by the bigger fish. But as usual media would like to pin down the blame on the silent majority. Phew, let me get on track.

Morning parade of practically all Disney characters.


Animatrix display of puppets co-ordinated with lights, sounds, even water.

I was so tempted to apply for job here. Surely they need designers, light-sound-water-software-hardware-structural-everything engineers, entertainers, what not. I can't think of any job description, that does not fit here.

The castle is the centerpiece. And maybe a million shows & rides around it. We did cover the whole place. Thanks to the maps and the Fast-Pass system.


And with dusk, things got even better. Castle looked more magical with all the lights.


Then at 8pm, they started the Lighted parade. Totally Ganeshostav-in-Pune style.


And finally fireworks at 10. Now I could say this was Diwali-style, but even better. Millions of rockets in sync with background music.

I know this blog is on a photo overload. But I just had to share each & every photo of that dazzaling fireworks. Truely amazing work there.

Universal Studios in Florida

Universal Studios was more of a theme park. No shooting-wooting here. But it is a fun place.



People dressed up as Universal characters. Movie memorabilia.



Streets designed in a certain style. Playareas with a million ideas to keep the kids involved.



There are so many things it's all paisa-vasool. There is even a show put up, before the actual show, for the waiting crowd too !

Paisa-vasool ke saath, paisa kharch bhi hain. Coz there is an overload of merchendise that we can buy, food to eat & drinks in interesting sovenier bottles. But still its worth it.



But some had just way too long and slow-moving queues. And then some delay in starting. So I jumped out of the ET queues. But the rest are awesome. Terminator 2 : 3D - too good; just an extention of my favorite movie.

One thing I am fascinated by things in USA, apart from the infinite free space around, is the way everything is so well organised. Every single need or requirement is considered and taken care of. With the rule being - Safety First. Details of that later.

SeaWorld, Orlando

Orlando has so many theme parks. We need to spend an entire day in each. We began with Seaworld, which is an awesome place. People above age 3 will have all the thrill watching those large fishes & other sea animals - dolphins, killer whales, penguins, & a whole range of fishes. And really enthralling shows.

Orlando - not Bloom, but the Florida one

In the begining of March, while Minnesota was covered in snow, we went off to visit my friend M in Orlando, Florida. Thanks M, it was such a great holiday !

First thing to hit me was the weather ofcourse. I mean, away with the jackets. All the freedom to play in the backyard, walk in & out of the house without preparation, look around and actually see more colors than white & brown.

Florida vehicles don't have number plates in the front, only in the back. Thats the first time I have seen this.

Here are some of the Orlando downtown pictures. In general not too many highrises in Orlando. Thats due to the hurricane risks.



And being a coastal area, weather was all warm & toasty, this being winter. I am told summers are really really hot.



Florida and especially Orlando is major tourist destination. There are whole lot of places to visit and things to do. Beaches (Cocoa, Merritt), theme parks and more. I covered some usual suspects, which I could.

Update: So among the million things to do in Orlando, here are some which I covered:

1. A whole lot of theme parks. I visited 3 of them:
   
2. SeaWorld
   
3. Universal Studios &
   
4. Disneyland - The Magic Kingdom
   
5. Sea beaches - Cocoa, Meritt.
   
6. NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Also check ther website for any shuttle launch schedules. You can catch at actual launch too.