Explore Space Exploration Day at EPCOT in Orlando, Florida
Story, photos by Jeni Paradiso
Planning my family’s yearly vacation took a welcome direction when I was fortunate enough to be offered invitations to the Celebration of Space Exploration day at EPCOT Center in Disney. This catalyst created a wonderful plan to share a childhood iconic vacation at Epcot and the Magic Kingdom, since my niece and nephew, ages 8 and 9 years, have not yet been. Excited and ready to explore, I ventured to Orlando, Florida arriving via the Brightline train easily from Miami and my family joined from the north ready to go to space!
Our first family activity was the Space Exploration celebration. We arrived excitedly holding our Disney character cards prepared for a day of fun. Immediately upon check in, we wandered over to the space building, which had larger than life planets decorating the building, helping us to feel as if we were entering a real space center. Upon check in, we filed into the round elevator, ascending as though we were in a spaceship, complete with porthole views of above towards space and below leaving the earth. This had to be my favorite part and the children loved it. We held on and arrived in outer space.
We were immediately gifted a small blue marble upon entry to represent our selected planet, then we were escorted to the dining parlor. Surrounding us, the entire room was adorned as if we were in a real spaceship with screens of moving images, like astronauts and outer space matter, floating across what would be windows on our ship.
After seating, breakfast was the first order of business as our hungry travel bellies were ready to feast on the lovely gourmet buffet selection. This brunch did not skimp on a single detail, including many forms of savory and sweet options. We selected french toast and pancakes, fresh berries, potatoes, eggs, delicious gourmet frittata with an amazing harissa sauce and of course, a large selection of pastries from croissants, muffins and danish. We also had coffees and juices and dined while speaking to the children about what it would be like to actually travel to space.
After superb nourishment, the speakers began to share the story of the importance of space exploration as a part of better understanding and learning about our planet and how to protect it and its inhabitants. As a fan of Jane Goodall’s work, I was thrilled to hear from her protege as she explained the necessity for children in grades third and forth, only slightly older than my niece’s and nephew’s grades, to experience STEAM subjects in order to grow up curious and learning how to care for the earth.
We listened to many speakers letting us know of the dire situations surrounding our world today and how climate change has been contributing to pollution causing great loss of particular animal species and a lack of nutrients in our soil and how this can be helped with more knowledge acquired via space exploration. In the past, I viewed the study of space as separate from natural sciences. These lectures helped me to see the link and importance of these findings for the betterment of the earth’s survival. I was thrilled to have learned something new and another way to be cognizant in order to help create change for the future of our planet.
The speakers shared the history of funding for space programs for many decades and how we are in danger of losing these funds. It becomes a global concern regarding the world’s resources and the space industry can help with learning what is needed when it can be studied from a vast perspective. They explained the necessity of keeping studies relevant for environmental health. Our family’s children did ask questions and were curious about what it would be like to visit outer space but they were also insightful about these more mature topics discussed and asked the adults about what could possibly occur without studying space in the future. I was impressed that while the speakers seemed to have the intention of addressing the adults in the room, the concepts were such that the children seemed invested as well, further proving the point that space studies can and should be implemented into school curriculum. This could also insight future astronauts or those who work on our planet within the space field.
Since there were few children in the room, my niece Bailee was asked if she wanted to offer a question to one of the speakers. Taking after her performing auntie, she jumped at the opportunity to ask the speakers, “Why do you want to go to space?” She was happy to speak into the microphone and that they addressed her question. This led to a family conversation about who would travel to space and who would not. Just in case you are curious, I am absolutely not on the list of who would be open for that adventure. I like to keep my travels on this planet, thank you very much. However, it was fun to pretend.
We then began making our way out of the event, stopping to notice what would most likely be the astronauts’s hydroponic garden and descended back down the spaceship elevator to continue exploring the many countries and rides at Epcot. This special event was the perfect kick off for our family trip with a learning opportunity and delicious food. I am also happy they had coffee in “space”!
