Tapping into your kids’ obsessions – whether it’s reptiles, trains, space, Star Wars, princesses, dolphins, or pirates – is one of the joys of travelling with children. Watching their eyes light up as their fantasies come to life make all the hassles of the trip disappear (at least until the next car ride anyway!).
Orlando is the ideal destination to see this happen. With so many larger-than-life attractions, you can pretty much guarantee at least one will ignite their passion and turn into a lifelong memory.
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For your space-obsessed cowboys
My eight-year-old son walks, talks and breathes Star Wars and everything related to space. He’s watched the movies countless times and his bedtime reading request, more often than not, is Encyclopedia of Space. So for him the two most unforgettable moments were the Star Wars Jedi Training Academy and The Kennedy Space Center.
The Star Wars Jedi Training Academy
Twelve kids are gathered on stage in brown cloaks ready to learn how to be a Jedi and officially become padawans – Jedi apprentices – an experience at the Star Wars Jedi Training Academy (disneyworld.disney.go.com).
“Use the Force,” instructs a Jedi Trainer to the younglings at this interactive attraction at Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World. The instructor takes them through their paces as they practice a set of choreographed manoevers. The future padawans are taking their training very seriously and you can almost see the concentration as they wield their light sabers.
A familiar voice booms out and the kids look up. It’s Master Yoda! “Do or do not,” he commands, “there is no try.”
Smoke then pours on-stage and the evil storm troopers emerge and attempt to seduce the youngsters to the dark side. They resist, their eyes wide with awe.
“You must confront the dark side,” the instructor orders.
Each child trainee then gets his/her chance to fight the commander of the dark side using the maneuvers they’ve just learnt. Some are hesitant and need prompting, while others charges in confidently. My son swings his light saber like he was born with one in his hands. No doubt, he has been imagining this moment since his first Star Wars movie. If only he could put this much enthusiasm into his school work.
All the trainees have passed their test and are now officially padawans with a certificate to prove it. They run to their proud parents with Yoda’s final words ringing in their ears, “The Force will be with you.”
The Kennedy Space Center
A visit to the Kennedy Space Center (www.kennedyspacecenter.com) was another dream come true for my space-obsessed son. Here you see a live shuttle launch (check website for dates), experience a flight shuttle simulator (a big, big hit) and take a bus tour of the facilities.
It’s more than just an attraction, but the working spaceport of NASA is fascinating even if you’re not as into space as my son is. Looking at the actual consoles used for man’s first steps on the moon really brings to life the momentous achievement of those involved. I could see the wheels turning in my son’s head as we looked at space memorabilia, examined real rockets and learned about the history and future of space travel.
His future place of employment? A mother can dream, too.
Jennifer Merrick is a freelance writer specializing in family travel. She feels blessed to be able to experience new places through the eyes of her two curious and energetic children.