Electerik

We wrap up--at least, for the immediate future--our Kennedy Space Center updates with an attraction some miles down the road, in Titusville. Admission is $20, or free on the same day with your Visitor Complex ticket--but that's actually a bit tricky to pull off, considering this place's noon-to-6:00pm operating hours. But we opted for the KSC annual pass, since we knew we wanted to do this on a separate day. The U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame There's a space shuttle out front, but don't let those ramps fool you: You can't go into it. (Boo, hiss!) According to an employee, you used to be able to, but it was damaged by a hurricane, so now they only let school groups go into it(!) Note that this is the *US* Astronaut Hall of Fame, so don't expect to see anything about unimportant astronauts, like the first man in space. Or the first woman in space. Or the guy who did the first space walk. Quick, who's this? What's cool about this mural is that it was actually painted by an astronaut. (Specifically, Alan Bean, the fourth man to walk on the moon.) This sign is on the back of the restroom door and kind of freaks me out. Okay, I know I should let this go. But we can mention Jules Verne, but not Yuri Gagarin? If you so choose, you can sit through a short film that manages to make space exploration seem completely uninteresting. A display dedicated to the Mercury 7. (The then-surviving 6 of which first came up with the idea for this place.) Hooray, a space capsule! (Specifically, Sigma 7. Yes, the real one.) Gemini never gets any love. Let's move on. A spacesuit designed for sitting. I love this quote. All the stronger that it came from a man who died in said pursuit. SPACE STUFF There are lots of displays like this. Meaning that you can breeze through this place, or spend several hours there, depending on your approach. This room is focused largely on space shuttle stuff, which is why it's so boring. Nope, can't ever be an astronaut. This pretty well encapsulates my feelings on the subject. Oh, this is the hall of fame? Alright, then.... This is maybe about a quarter of what's on display in this room. I'm pretty sure everyone who's ever had Tang is here. Stuff that *belonged* to astronauts. Bit of a stretch, if you ask me. A really complicated diagram that aims to show how Neal Armstrong ended up being selected to be the first astronaut to set foot on the moon, but doesn't really. And they both ended up in space later, when we became slightly less picky about the whole thing. Moon dust created a spot on my photo. Fun Erik fact: I was conceived before man walked on the moon, but born after. None of which has anything to do with Jimi Hendrix. This area has lots of interactive games and such, as well as a small ride that's very much "Mission: Space" lite. Speaking of which: I wonder what rides would be like on the moon...? The "Science Sphere." Why we must go to Mars. To carve giant logos on it. This photo was taken through the window of the room the Science Sphere is in, and is awesome. Photo op! Photo...um, well this isn't going to work. What the surface of Mars is like. So it's good to know that it's already wheelchair accessible! No, dear, you can't be an astronaut. But you can be dizzy like one! Seriously, who wears a shirt with a quote from themselves on it into space? That's just tacky. Space chess! But which one is Melody? Holy crap! You can buy a whole space jumpsuit?! I totally want one. But I live in Florida. Um...maybe we should leave it to the scientists, for now. And maybe we'll just leave it there. Goodbye, for now, US Astronaut Hall of Fame and Kennedy Space Center. We had fun being inside of you!

Yeah, that's what I was going for. Yeah, that's what I was going for. For the record, that is explained at the Snoopy statue. I was just (attempting) being funny. Hmmm, not sure. I'm not opposed to it. But only if it's more interesting than going out in a boat to look at gators. Aeronautics? Perhaps.... Not only do I have one more KSC update in the works (stop groaning!) but I've recently been informed that we won free tickets for "Lunch With An Astronaut." I'd like to think that it was rigged by NASA because they've been so happy with our updates and they want to advertise their dining program. (Especially since I don't remember entering to win it. ) Now doubly glad I didn't make the "Dine With An Astronaut" joke that I was going to back in the first KSC update!

Continuing our boring coverage of Cape Canaveral.... The Kennedy Space Center Tour is included with admission to the Visitor Complex, where it also begins and ends. Currently, the tour stops at the LC 39 Observation Gantry and the Apollo/Saturn V Center, though I've been told that other stops have been substituted for LC 39, when there was something interesting going somewhere else. Tours leave the Visitor Complex every 15 minutes. We pass by the VAB, but don't get to go in it. Maybe that will change eventually, now that the Space Shuttle is no longer in service. First stop, the LC 39 Observation Gantry. Now, this place might be pretty cool if you were actually watching a launch from it. But, as it is, it's just a big observation tower with not very much to look at. There's also a small televised presentation and a model of a Space Shuttle on a launch pad. So if that excites you, go for it. Not that you'd want to be much closer if there was a launch, but this isn't very exciting. Ooh, it's a Space Shuttle engine...thing. There's also a snack bar and a gift shop back on the ground level, but those are hardly worth mentioning (even though I just did). Back on the bus, Gus. So here we are outside the Apollo/Saturn V Center. Basically, the bus drops you off outside, and then you have to wait around for the next preshow to start so that you can go indoors. Not the best system. Here you can watch a recreation of the Apollo 13 launch, if there were no people controlling or monitoring it. And finally we enter the main exhibit hall, dominated by an actual (I think) Saturn V rocket. Unlike LC 39, and despite my snarky comments, this place is actually pretty cool. (At least, if you like Apollo-era (which, let's face it, was the best era) space stuff.) Astronauts used to be cool, manly men who drove Corvettes and smoked Marlboros. Ooh, a model of the thing that's right in front us! Awesome! I'm...not really sure why Snoopy is here. The Moon Rock Cafe is definitely a better bet than the snack bar back at LC 39. What the...? In all my years of Oddventuring, this may very well be the greatest thing I've ever seen. Like, why not just remove them? Or at least, you know, turn the water off?? I tested them. Water comes out! Seriously, NASA, what the Hell?! Here's some other stuff. I don't know. I really can't focus now. I'm still thinking about the forbidden water fountains. How sweet would that water have tasted? How dangerous? Perhaps I would have developed space powers.... The Corvette was cool. This...this is not cool. "Yes, yes, isn't that interesting? It's a space capsule!" In the Lunar Theater, you see a recreation of the Apollo 11 landing. It's actually rather good. Quite moving, too, in its way. Next to the Lunar Theater is an exhibit of stuff that went to the moon. And, you know, space capsules. Somehow I'm imagining that the moon is quite germy. This lunar rover did not actually go to the moon. (And how do we know that, space nerds?) The ever-so-appropriately-named gift shop and exit. And back to the Visitor Complex. Honestly, I think the Apollo/Saturn V Center may very well be the best thing at KSC, and should not be skipped, despite the inconvenience of the whole bus thing. And that's it for this update. Make sure to comment on it, so that I know you want lots more from Kennedy Space Center!

^ Honestly, I think the "correct" number of coasters for a park to have is 2-5. Any more than that, and they just become numbers. Management seems to lose interest in all except the newest one, non-coaster rides are viewed as irrelevant, and the park slowly becomes a sort of "credit death march." I honestly can't think of a park I really like that has more than six coasters. Not because I hate coasters, mind you. But because parks that are all about coasters don't seem to be interested in very much else. Of course, your mileage may vary.

I guess that's a possibility. (Though she certainly never indicated that she was talking about Star Trek Live only.) I've blanked out much of the half a show that I actually watched. But I think that the audience was supposed to be recruits for some earlier version of Starfleet Academy. Then the party is crashed (via video screen) by a very Nero-like time-traveling Romulan, some Vulcan chick shows up to help you, many bad jokes are told, and then you leave the theater before it can hurt your brain anymore. Oh, and no Guinan hats. Sorry.

In protest to the end of of manned US space flight. And also, because we visited twice, about a week apart.

^ This photo would have been more appropriate.

As mentioned in our last update, one of the reasons we chose to go to Kennedy Space Center this summer was in order to see... Star Trek: The Exhibition There was a woman captain, too, wasn't there? Eh, must've been my imagination. There was a line. And it was an upcharge. Sue me. The first of the two main exhibits is in the IMAX theater building. This one is dedicated to "classic" Trek. (That means Kirk and Spock for you non-this-kind-of-nerdiness-types.) KHAAAAAAN!!! These items are behind glass because they are dangerous weapons. Obviously, I don't need to tell you which episode this is from. That's *captain* dumbass, to you. And while I'm cursing: This kid was a shite navigator. Back outside, Smisty tries to figure out how big the Enterprise D is as measured in Saturn V rockets (so she can try to win that free trip to space). Kirk has his communicator, I have my space dots. And now it's time for Star Trek Live! I'm excited. Diabolical preshow trivia, solvable by only the most hardcore of Star Trek nerds! (Or "Trektards," as they prefer to be called.) Note: Photos of the actual show are prohibited. Sorry. I...I couldn't take it and bailed out halfway through the show. Misty stuck it out, though, and even got this swell photo at the end. This is the second main exhibit hall, and encompasses all the other Trek TV shows. Once inside, you see a TV! So exciting! But it has Voyager on it, so let's keep moving. Along one wall is a linear timeline of all the shows, movies, and major events in the Trek universe. Smisty says yes to Star Trek II. Sorry, Bill. I think this is supposed to be from Insurrection or Nemesis. I guess I need to rewatch those, but one of them has Data singing or something and I don't want to risk it. Ignoring Smisty for the moment... (sorry!) ...I find it amusing that this quote is right next to a Borg. Yay, let's all look forward to being assimilated! Um...Worf, did you kill Doctor Crusher? Ahhh! This has suddenly turned into the Horror Nights version of Star Trek. OMG, we're all dead. Luckily, the afterlife is a gift shop. (See what I did there? That's called a "transition.") I was happy to see that they were selling vibrating NON-SEX toys. Tell the world that your child is expendable! Mr. Spock is not impressed. So, was Star Trek: The Exhibition worthy of a special trip to Kennedy Space Center? No. But it was kind of a cool extra since we wanted to go anyway. There's more Kennedy Space Center crap to come. Until then: May the force be with you!

I think they had that. I just didn't get it in my photo. Interestingly enough, they didn't have any Star Trek DVDs....

This definitely seems like a park I would really like, but I'm not sure how I would ever make it there, for many of the reasons you listed. Looks great, though. Thanks for the TR!

^ It's very nostalgia-based. Nothing that's happening now is all that exciting compared to what was going on 40 or 50 years ago. If someone can't get through The Right Stuff, I wouldn't take them there.

If you're not excited by space exploration, then you have no soul. And also, you may as well stop reading here. In fact, you might want to skip the next couple of updates, as well. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Kind of an overcast day when we went. Also, this was taken through a bus window. [More on that later.] "Aw, I wanted to park in John Glenn!" So, the lady at the ticket booth started chatting us up, asking if we'd ever been before, what we were most interested in, that sort of thing. So we tell her that we came partially for the special Star Trek exhibit they had going on. [Which will be covered in a separate update.] To which she responds, "Oh, that show is for kids! But, I guess you can see it if you want to." "Hello? Is this Major Tom?" Airport-level security. Note that we will not actually be getting anywhere near, say, the space shuttle. We're gonna go look at some old rockets and space memorabilia. I dunno, it just seems a bit...excessive. That kid is really excited about the possibility of winning a trip to space. Little known fact: Kennedy Space Center was named after President John F. Kennedy, not Lisa Kennedy Montgomery. If you like space capsules, you're gonna love this place! That's a good name. But what the hell is a "space dot"? This tree came from a seed that was carried to the moon and back. Which seems like an awful lot of effort to go to just so you can put up a sign. We did not encounter an astronaut. We did, however, see the Star Trek show. [Tune in next time!] The Rocket Garden is cool, but a bit "dry" as exhibits go. We did not explore this kids play area, but it's got a cool theme. "Fountain_1 looks too intense for me." The Early Space Exploration building is mostly dedicated to the Aztecs, though the Egyptians do get a couple of mentions here and there. I have a joke for this, but I don't want to be sued by NASA. A rare (at Kennedy Space Center) Soviet artifact. I'm sorry, Misty, but you're a girl. One day, I hope somebody parks in me. Mission Control Hooray for capsules! Even on the moon, Smisty doesn't want to drive. Nature and Technology is a weird exhibit. It's a fake, indoor nature walk with stuffed animals. Which would make sense almost nowhere. But this is at Kennedy Space Center. Nice mural. Next up is "Exploration Space." Um...Misty, what are you doing? Ever the salesmen. Lots of interactive stuff here. CHOOSE A DANGER This is two legs in front of a mirror because they were too cheap to get four legs. Weight limit for crew members. Aw, dang! "Vehicle" From there we are magically transported across the courtyard and into the IMAX building. I took a photo of an IMAX movie screen with my phone, then reduced that image to 800x600 for your TPR viewing pleasure. Hopefully, nothing will be lost in translation. After the movie (it was about Hubble), it was time for lunch. The pizza was dreadful, but the cheeseburger was surprisingly good. Space ball. Oh look, a gift shop! Today's astronaut is Zzrglxx, from the dark sphere of Septa-Alphinium! There's some good stuff in this gift shop (space legos!), there's some bad stuff in this gift shop (um, diapers). Okay, The Right Stuff, for sure. Astronaut Farmer and Space Cowboys? I guess. But...Moon? Robot Scouts is an interesting exhibit, in that the exhibit itself seems to be fully automated. On the other hand, it's so clearly aimed at kids (without that actually being mentioned anywhere) as to be nearly pointless for adults. Honestly, we got bored about halfway through the series of presentations and skipped through to the exit. So, this is, like, a pretend thing they'd like to build some day if they ever get enough money. I think. Since my previous visit here, Kennedy Space Center has built an honest-to-goodness ride! Preshow. Basically, it's a simulator. Which makes sense. But, it's really not very good. It just sort of tilts you backwards and then shakes the crap out of you. Which may very well be a completely accurate recreation of what it's like to launch in a space shuttle, but isn't very fun. There is a nice bit at the end, where the doors above you open to reveal the Earth, but that's not enough to make me want to ride it again. It has a cool exit ramp, though. There's a gift shop at the end. But what they really need at the end is benches. This is a replica of a space shuttle. Though I suppose they'll be getting a proper one soon enough--when it comes right down to it, would you really know the difference? You take these ramps up to get inside of it. These accurate-but-wacky signs are arranged all along the ramps. The cargo bay. The, um, front bit. PUSH A DANGER BUTTON. The Mission Status Center is probably going to be pretty boring now. Because we were there while the last shuttle mission was still in space, and the Mission Status Center was pretty boring then. I took this photo. Then we left. The Space Mirror Memorial, dedicated to the US astronauts who died while being astronauts. And, also, one Israeli. There's also a guy on there who died flying a jet, and who wasn't actually an astronaut. But I guess he knew a guy. Here's a money-saving tip for anyone thinking about going to Kennedy Space Center in the future. :OP You know, I hate to complain. It was very nice of the guy to take our photo for us. But could this be anymore crooked? A pretty good overview of the Visitor Complex. Mid-left, you can see the buses that take you out on the various tours that are offered. [but more on that in a future update.] The road out from Kennedy Space Center. Yeah, it's only barely relevant. But it's a gorgeous picture by Misty, don't you think? There will be more from Kennedy Space Center. But that's the Visitor Complex.

That made my night. I guess this will have to be my thing now. You know...even though what they're saying is rubbish, it's hard to escape the fact that these kids are much better rappers than, say, MC Hammer or Vanilla Ice. And, also, it's a better song than the one Guy posted. ^

Because Misty suggested that I do so. And, hey, it was my day off. I'm a wacky guy.

Before I begin this update, let me just say that we did have a lot of fun at this attraction. Of course, I'm still going to eviscerate it. It's just what I do. Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens (You have no idea how badly I want to put quotation marks around the words "botanical gardens.") The entry sign is nice.... There is a zoo back here somewhere, right? Well, at least they have plenty of room to expand. The parking lot. Well, not the whole thing. But this is in it. The main entrance. I like trains and carousels, so that's nice. Entry is $11.95 for adults, but we got 50% off due to already being members of a partnering zoo. The train ride cost us another $3.00 each. You've just seen the best thing here. There's a lot of space between the ticket booths and the actual zoo, as well. Much of which is filled with ropes courses and zip-lines. Which is cool, if you're into that sort of thing. As you can see, this is not a terribly large zoo. The map was nice, though. But before we enter it properly, let's check out the insect zoo! I think this was what Smisty was most excited about, going in. Grasshoppers gettin' it on. Oh yeah! Which is more interesting: the giant ants above your head, or the fact that you can play dress-up? And make sure to check out all the other fun thing you can do in the Sanford area! (Not a typo, for once. Not pluralizing "thing" was the joke, you see. Oh, forget it.) 14 photos into the TR and we finally get to the zoo. That's pretty sad even by my standards. Just inside the gate, Smisty spies two Mold-O-Matic machines. One of which craps her out this pink, moth-eared kangaroo-looking thing. Toucans eat fruit. So that whole Froot-Loops endorsement thing is fine, really. Heading left, we find a children's water play area. But that's not what's interesting. What's interesting is.... What the hell? "Re-shoe"? People used to do that to horses, right? Worst zoo ever. ...possibly. Like, if one just happens to wander by here and like it. There's a big birdhouse on a stick that any bats who might be in the area could chose to land in whilst flying by, if they felt like it. This zoo is a lot like my backyard, which also could have animals in it at any given time. But what's this? A herpetarium! Looks like it's time to pull out my iPhone and look that word up so I'll know whether to be excited or not. Oh, it means snakes and lizards and things! Awesome! This is a pointy-nose snake. Yes, that's what it's called. No, don't look it up. Just trust me on this one. "Let me outta this crappy zooooooo!!!" Who the hell named this thing?? Well, okay, it is pretty. But I'm more about a snake's personality. (And also, that's a different snake. Shut up.) Heading back outside, we find more theoretical exhibits. There's a long "nature walk," made of boards paid for by people like you. And by people who like to shoot animals. Hey, the zoo's not picky. Oooh, nature.... Not an exhibit; he just happened by. Hey, Central Florida Zoo, I have a suggestion. Maybe you could put your walkways a tick closer to the exhibits. I'm just saying. (Not that it matters. That little blue sign says that there's nothing in there, anyway.) These kind of look like animals. That counts, right? A real animal! Quick, get it! Actually, there were several animals out like this with zoo employees, which was quite nice. The employees were very friendly, too. "Orangutangs are found only on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. Which is why there are none here, dumb-ass." Tamarin: "Do you have any idea how dull it is to have a sloth as a roommate?? We're playing Scrabble and he hasn't moved in three days! Actually, he hasn't *moved* in three days. You may want to go get somebody. I think he might actually be dead." "We were just flying by and thought it looked nice. You say this a zoo?" If I had to pick one photo to sum up our zoo experience, it would be this one. "This is so embarrassing." And now for the petting zoo (and gift shop). What I like about this sign is the zoo's unwillingness to commit on the issue of whether or not goats enjoy climbing and jumping. Animals with horns like to stab things with them. Enjoy! And back outside the petting zoo, another animal to pet! Again, I really liked this. If you're small, make an effort to wow your guests. (Actually, do that no matter how big you are.) So...there *are* animals here...but we can't see them? "Dude, quit your whining. I'm right here." "Can you jump like a kangaroo?" Yes, yes I can. I then caught this bird mocking my kangaroo jump. I wonder if these trees are traumatized by this? Is it like being surrounded by a bunch of dead bodies? Anyway, this is pretty. This was cool. Would've been cooler if we would have seen any cheetahs, but hey. Read that sign. No, stop looking at my shoes. Read it again. Misty has wings. Except there's a dude there. Checkmate. I'm losing my mind. Who had anything to do with this and didn't find it horrifying? A butterfly house is the outside, you see. I do hope some happen by. I have no caption for this, but I just remembered that there was a boardwalk plank with the name "Shitums" on it. I'm not sure why. How about a snack? I wonder what's in that compost bucket? I hope it's corn dogs! "Ewwwww!" This is the single biggest animal enclosure at the Central Florida Zoo. And, appropriately enough, it houses their star animal. There's even raised seating here in case you just want to sit for a while and observe. Sadly, whatever their star animal was must have died, because the only thing here is a camel. Based on this sign, I'm no longer even sure that it's *their* camel. It might just be a rental. You know, until that big giraffe grant finally comes in. You know you're a crap zoo when your star animal is a camel. Florida's Amazing Amphibians. That's what the sign says. Oh yeah? Go and take a better one, if you're so awesome. It's not even, like, 50 camels. One frakking camel! This is a Children's Python. Which I assumed meant it would be a good pet for a child. Turns out, it was discovered by a man named John George Children. And I am no longer allowed near my nephew. "Wait! Don't leave! Please? We'll let you kick a monkey." Why would a camel need a big concrete drainage pipe thing, anyway? And what are those things even called? It doesn't *look* like laser tag, but okay. "I'm angry because I'm being chased by a demented skull monkey! Continuously!" Hurray! A train ride that doesn't look at animals! What a perfect fit for this zoo! It sounds (and feels) like a lawnmower. We enjoyed it, though. It was fairly long, and had some good wilderness moments. Ladies and gentlemen, the botanical gardens! If you ever find yourself stranded in Sanford, and you've no means to kill yourself, check out the Central Florida Zoo! It's camel-tastic! Tune in next time, when Erik & Smisty go to outer space, possibly!

Either it matters what enthusiasts think or it doesn't. If it does, then we should be honest. If it doesn't, then we might as well be. Maybe at some free media day thing, we should be diplomatic. But here? The general public doesn't read these boards. Do the parks? Probably. But think of it this way: Maybe they use what we say to help figure out how to advertise these things. (Or maybe they don't. My point is: Honesty is still the best policy.) Also, page after page of "this looks awesome" is boring and pointless to read. I'd much rather debate whether some new ride is too much this or too little that. In fact, the only thing I really get tired of reading is, "Stop complaining!" In any case, I'm still trying to figure out why Holiday World would add The Legend. I mean, it's the same type of roller coaster from the same manufacturer as Raven. They're even the same color! Idiots!

I would be fine if Holiday World never added another coaster or water ride again, to be honest. Their coaster line-up is amazing right now, and the water park is something I usually just walk through once per visit to see what's there. I do like their log flume and rapids ride, but I wasn't terribly impressed with Pilgrim's Plunge. I'd like to see more flat rides, indoor attractions, and transportation/observation rides, personally. But that's just me.

I definitely think Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges is the best I've been on. Honorable mentions: Blizzard River (SBNO) Kali River Rapids Grizzly River Run

Tasmanian Tiger! No, I'm not going to tell you where it is. That's what RCDB is for.

Misty and I are quite fond of Sleep Inn. They're not much in the service department, but we really like the rooms, and the price isn't too bad.

Thanks for posting this! I didn't even know it existed.

Almost missed this one! (I seldom check the Random forum.) Thanks, Chuck!

^ I pretty much agree with this list. (With the exception that I don't personally consider Jungle Cruise to be a dark ride.)

I'll do parks: Liseberg Europa Tokyo DisneySea Tripsdrill Three of those are semi-close together, so perhaps one day....