June 18, 2015 - On the Go in MCO

Universal Orlando Resort 25th Anniversary Concert Series Concludes With The Goo Goo Dolls

Goo Goo Dolls set to rock the stage as the final act of Universal Orlando Resort’s 25th Anniversary Concert Series

Universal Orlando Resort’s 25^th Anniversary Concert Series will conclude this weekend with a live concert by the chart-topping band Goo Goo Dolls on Saturday, June 20 at 9:00 PM.

Universal Orlando Resort 25th Anniversary Goo Goo Dolls — © 2015 Universal Orlando Resort. All rights reserved.

With four Grammy nominations, more than 10 million albums sold and 14 Top Ten hits including, “Name,” “Slide” and “Black Balloon,” Goo Goo Dolls has become a globally recognized and influential force in pop-rock music history. Their smash hit, “Iris,” from the “City Of Angels” movie soundtrack spent nearly 12 straight months on the Billboard charts and held the No. 1 position for 17 consecutive weeks.

The excitement of the concert is included with admission to Universal Studios Florida or with an Annual Pass. For more information, visit www.universalorlando.com.

Exploring Harambe Market

A welcome new addition opened recently in the Africa section of Animal Kingdom: Harambe Market.

This area is located near the entrance to the Wildlife Express train and around the corner from Kilimanjaro Safaris. I’ve had the opportunity to check it out twice now and I immediately fell in love with the immersive theming, just like with the rest of the park. The food that I tried was pretty great too.

Constructed around an old colonial-era train depot and lorded over by an iconic water tower, this active marketplace showcases distinct personalities and diverse menus—created using produce and raw goods delivered daily by the local locomotive.

Here, the citizens of Harambe welcome travelers from all around the world, encouraging Guests of every age to tantalize their senses. (Disney)

httpv://youtu.be/nhj8AZhevvs

There are four different food and beverage booths.

Here are the menus from each (click on the picture to look closer):

On my first visit, I tried the beef flatbread from the Grill. I really enjoyed the flatbread and the broccoli that came with it had a really refreshing dressing on it. On the second visit, I tried the ribs and the tart from Chef Mwanga’s. The ribs were very good and very large! The tart was fantastic if you like coconut, which I do! Both of these were easily split between two people, especially the ribs.

While the food is great, the best part about this new area is the theming. It really seems to expand the “story” of Harambe Village. There are posters on the walls advertising local businesses and even a show you may have seen – Festival of the Lion King. There is a small flea market set up by the train tracks with clothing and kitchen ware. You’ll even find a few hidden (or not-so-hidden) Mickeys! There is even a small garden near the entrance to the market. Below are some of my favorite details – yes, there are a few!

There is still one more store to explore. Zuri’s Sweets is by the garden and opened this week so I’ll be checking it out over the weekend. Look for a report on that soon!

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Hosts Public Viewing of SpaceX Rocket Launch June 26

Guests Can Enjoy Best Public Viewing of SpaceX Rocket Launch on June 26 at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Exclusive Viewing Options Offer a ‘Front Row Seat’ for the Launch

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex guests can experience the stunning sights and powerful sounds of the June 26 launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, scheduled for 11:09 a.m. EDT, with four exclusive launch viewing locations from which to choose.

The Falcon 9 rocket will lift off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station for this seventh of 14 resupply missions by SpaceX for NASA, delivering food and supplies, including new science experiments and technology research, to the crew aboard the International Space Station. As a secondary payload, CRS-7 will also carry the International Docking Adapter, the first of two adapters that will assist with docking future commercial crew spacecraft, including the Boeing CST-100 and the SpaceX Crew Dragon. The launch will be followed by the third landing attempt on a custom-built ocean platform by the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket.

httpv://youtu.be/yi09XN3NaeI

The Visitor Complex will offer launch viewing from the NASA Causeway, LC-39 Observation Gantry and Apollo/Saturn V Center, located within the secured areas of Kennedy Space Center, as well as bleacher seating or an open lawn viewing area near Space Shuttle Atlantis^SM in the main Visitor Complex.

Each of the locations offers thrilling viewing experiences:

The NASA Causeway includes an exclusive, up-close view of the rocket on the launch pad and during lift off, as well as live launch commentary and bleacher seating. This is an outdoor viewing site with no covered viewing so guests are encouraged to bring hats, sunglasses and sunscreen. Snacks and beverages are available for purchase. Launch Transportation Tickets to the NASA Causeway are available for $49 plus tax, in addition to admission. Tickets can be purchased at KennedySpaceCenter.com or by calling 855-456-6200.

The LC-39 Observation Gantry offers a premium, up-close view of the rocket on the launch pad and during lift off. Just miles away from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, guests can feel the force of the launch and hear the roar of the engines. This area features lawn and bleacher seating, as well as live launch commentary. The viewing package includes launch transportation, a light snack and a souvenir T-shirt. Launch Transportation Tickets to the LC-39 Observation Gantry are available for $49 in addition to admission. Purchase tickets by calling 855-475-8415.

The Apollo/Saturn V Center is located within Kennedy Space Center and the viewing area features an open lawn and bleacher section overlooking the scenic Banana River. The area includes live launch commentary, food and retail available for purchase, and indoor restroom facilities. Launch viewing from the Apollo/Saturn V Center is included in daily admission.

Located at the main Visitor Complex, viewing adjacent to Space Shuttle Atlantis also is included in daily admission. The viewing area offers guests a view of the rocket once it clears the tree line. Bleacher seating, an open lawn viewing area and live launch commentary are provided.

Buses from the Visitor Complex will take guests to the LC-39 Observation Gantry from the Rocket Garden and to the NASA Causeway near Early Space Exploration beginning at 8:45 a.m. until the last bus departs at 10:15 a.m. Buses will transport guests to the Apollo/Saturn V Center from 8 a.m. until 10:30 a.m., or until capacity is reached.

Admission to the Visitor Complex is $50 plus tax for adults and $40 plus tax for children 3-11. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex admission tickets may be purchased at www.KennedySpaceCenter.com or by calling 877-313-2610.

Visitor Complex hours on June 26 are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Launch date, time and viewing locations are subject to change.

About Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex brings to life the epic story of the U.S. space program, offering a full day or more of fun and educational activities, including the Kennedy Space Center Tour featuring the Apollo/Saturn V Center with an actual Saturn V moon rocket, the new Space Shuttle Atlantis^SM, Shuttle Launch Experience^®, IMAX^® Hubble 3D and Journey to Space films, Astronaut Encounter, Journey to Mars, Rocket Garden and many other interactive exhibits. Admission also includes the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame^®, featuring historic spacecraft and the world’s largest collection of personal astronaut memorabilia, which opens daily at noon and closing times vary by season. Only 45 minutes from Orlando, Fla., Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex opens daily at 9 a.m. with closing times varying by season. Admission is $50 + tax for adults and $40 + tax for children ages 3-11. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers annual passes starting at $75 + tax for adults and $60 + tax for children ages 3-11. For more information, call 877-313-2610 or visit www.KennedySpaceCenter.com.