Griswold’s Road Trip

[Solid]

The countdown clock at the press centre.

 

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After the tour we were dropped off at the Apollo / Saturn V exhibit. I think I could use the word amazing for all the exhibits, so will say it once and you can assume it applies to all.

At the beginning you go through the control centre from the Apollo missions which has been moved to the exhibit and there is a simulated Apollo launch. After that on to the main exhibit area.

 

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Back on a different bus to the main are and the Atlantis exhibit. After a two part short film you come face to face with Atlantis with the cargo doors open.

 

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We of course did the Shuttle Launch Simulation (why is my face so wobbly!) before grabbing a bite to eat and on to Gateway which has the current space vehicles (not just NASA) and another “ride” which was a choice of four different films on aspects of space on chairs that moved around. We did two, and on the second one the chairs broke down at the end and we had to wait until a maintenance guy came to unlock them and move them back to the original position .

 

[Solid]

The Rocket Garden and underside of Atlantis. To me Atlantis looked flimsy, but it clearly isn’t!

 

[Human]

So glad you're able to experience KSC. I loved my two days there -- seeing the rocket launch was the icing on the cake but even without that it's a fantastic experience!

 

[Solid]

So glad you're able to experience KSC. I loved my two days there -- seeing the rocket launch was the icing on the cake but even without that it's a fantastic experience!

Stay tuned, there is a SpaceX launch scheduled for two days time! It is Audrey Jnr’s birthday that day and we are scheduled to head on to Jacksonville however she has said she wants to see the launch which is scheduled between 1:29pm and 5:29pm.

Normally the Griswold’s rule is you get to do what you want to do on your birthday.

Will mean a later arrival into Jacksonville, but both Ellen and I are keen as well on the basis that how often do you potentially get the chance to see a rocket launch.

 

[Human]

Stay tuned, there is a SpaceX launch scheduled for two days time!

I SO hope you get to see it! It’s quite something.

I’m realising as I write this that I was at KSC exactly one year ago today — thanks for bringing back wonderful memories!

 

[Aeryn]

Definitely stay for the launch, I was lucky enough to be in Orlando for a night shuttle launch back in the day, it was awesome.

 

[Solid]

Disneyworld, the most magical place on Earth. Big crowds, long lines and fairly hot but we hit all the rides we wanted to and went home exhausted. The junior Griswold’s had a ball, and Audrey Jnr went on her first roller coaster.

One memo we missed was the need for families or groups to wear matching shirts, often describing who they were. Saw so many groups during the day wearing them, seems like something the Griswold’s should have been across, maybe next time.

 

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Space Mountain, Audrey Jnrs first roller coaster. Was fairly intense for a first timer.

And the Haunted Mansion, a really good ride.

 

[kookaburra75]

One memo we missed was the need for families or groups to wear matching shirts, often describing who they were. Saw so many groups during the day wearing them, seems like something the Griswold’s should have been across, maybe next time.

You're a brave man @Solid I suggested something like that to MrsK once, and she commented that was officially grounds for divorce, to wear anything matching.

And really enjoying your trip report too.

 

[Solid]

You're a brave man @Solid I suggested something like that to MrsK once, and she commented that was officially grounds for divorce, to wear anything matching.

And really enjoying your trip report too.

I usually tend to mention that we are doing it on the next holidays to embarrass Rusty, Ellen plays along on that joke knowing we would never do it.

 

[Solid]

After Disneyworld it was comparing with Universal Studios Florida. Much like Disney they have multiple parks and we chose the more kid friendly one.

Everyone had a ball and the junior Audrey’s enjoyed interacting with the characters and the shows.

It was much less crowded then Disneyworld with shorter wait times, not as many rides but all were good and there seemed to be better food options, Disney either seemed to be ice cream or buffet, whereas Universal Studios had a range of different restaurants and at one stage Audrey Jr ate almost two punnets of strawberries..

On the whole, rated higher by the adults than Disney and surprisingly by two of the kids. It was also a shorter day, we got through all the rides we wanted to do fairly easily and then some so seemed less “stressful” than picking at Disney due to time constraints being there only one day.

Some random shots.

 

[Solid]

The next day was Audrey Jnrs birthday,. After some present opening we hit the road to Jacksonville and lunch at her choice of restaurant on the way.

Unfortunately the SpaceX launch had been rescheduled to the next day, so no shuttle launch for us. Audrey Jnr was the most upset about missing it, closely followed by Ellen and Clark.

It would have been something but not to be. Such is travel and life.

At Jacksonville we hit the beach, with a thick fog rolling in just before we got to it. Nice wide beach and first time we’ve been to a beach in the fog. The adults dipped their toes in the cold Atlantic and of course Audrey Snr and Audrey Jr Went crazy dodging the small waves and building sandcastles.

Dinner at a local Italian restaurant and then bed.

 

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The fog did end up making a nice sunset driving to dinner.

 

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Oh and on Disneyworld / Universal Studios. We had made a promise to the Junior Griswold’s that rather than buy merchandise at the theme parks they could choose what they wanted from an offsite (discount) merchandise store near the hotel in Orlando.

Worked out well in not having to lug around merch and also being significantly cheaper. The kids were pretty good about it at the parks as every ride has to exit through a gift shop, or as Audrey Jnr said at one stage “of course there’s a gift shop.”

Worked out well for them anyway getting more than they would have and also the girls snagging some Labubus, which were of course actually Lafufu’s (parents of young children will know what I mean).

As we did it just before we got in the car also made a fairly quiet ride as they all checked out their spoils.