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Cocoa beach is located in eastern coast of Florida. We thought to visit Cocoa beach on our way back from Kennedy Space Center to our lodge in Orlando.

We had not seen the sea for about 1 1/2 years, since we left Sri Lanka. This would be a funny thing for Sri Lankan people. Anyway it was around 4 p.m when we reach the beach. The beach was so beautiful in the evening but the bad thing was, it was damn cold there. We have herd that Florida has such a nice weather and the temperature does not go down that much. However the last two days we spent in Florida was really cold but sunny.

So we couldn't spend much time there. We hurried back to the vehicle to get warm. So we arrived early at our lodge and prepared some dinner. Next day, we were willing to visit Sea World.
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The fourth day of our vacation (26th Dec 2010) was reserved for visiting Kennedy Space Center. We had bought visitor complex admission tickets online ($43 each). We had to drive about 1 hr from Orlando, FL to Kennedy Space Center.Af
 


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After the security check we entered the visitor complex. Then we were boarded on buses with all other visitors to begin the tour. So they took us to their exhibits including Saturn V. They were worth seeing but the entire tour was not exiting as we expected. We passed the NASA main building but the bus didn't stop their. The visitors are not allowed in there. We got the chance to experience a shuttle launching on a rocket simulator. It was great but not to the level we expected from NASA.

However the tour took half a day. We had lunch from a cafeteria inside and came out. I think the tour could have been really great if we got the chance to see some inside functionalities rather than exhibits. I guess it is worth to buy a ticket to see a shuttle launching at a higher price.

Though we thought it will take whole the day for the tour we got half a day left. So we decided to see Cocoa beach on our way back to our lodge.
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It was around 6.30 p.m when we arrive at Disney's Magic Kingdom from Epcot. Our main target was to see fireworks at 10 pm (It was Christmas day too). So we searched for some attractions to spend time there.

First we peeped into space mountain we gave up the idea after seeing the long queue. Then we joined the queue for Tomorrowland Speedway which looked like a speedy car track. We had to wait  about 45 min in the queue and the worst thing is, it was really disappointing. No matter how hard you push the accelerator the car doesn't increase it's speed above 5 mph, and it runs on fixed rails. I don't recommend this ride for anyone except really small kids.Next, we found a thrilling event, Splash Mountain. Well, it was thrilling and full of fun. You get up on a river boat like block and it takes you through a cave and falls down from a 5 story tall water rail with you. The fall ends in a pond (be ready to get wet). We took the ride for two times as there was no queue by that time.
Then we watched Disney's Electrical Parade while having dinner, sitting on a side of the magic kingdom main street. It was so entertaining.

Next thing was another thrilling event, the Big Thunder Mountain. It was a rail road roller coaster and yes, we had fun. Finally the time came for out big event, Fire Works !!! Everyone gathered around Cinderella Castle to watch it. So there was a big rush. The show was so beautiful and amazing.

The park was open till 1.00 a.m that day but most of the people started rushing out of the park after the show. We had to wait for Disney bus to get to the car park. Everyone was waiting for buses and then it started raining. The shelter was not sufficient at all. People started pushing around. The operators didn't manage the buses well. Buses arrived one after the other and it was not sufficient at all. Finally we walked a little distance to the mono rail and took the mono rail without waiting for buses. I see this as a little hole in Disney's nice management. Anyway we arrived at our lodge in one piece.

Our next day destination was NASA - Kennedy Space Center.
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We took a Disney bus from Animal Kingdom to Epcot and we arrived at Epcot around 12.30 p.m . Epcot park was crowded by that time. The ques were too long. I was getting a sign of cold by that time so I immediately took precautions because I didn't want to ruin my day.

So, first we reached  at Test Track but there was a 70 min queue. So we took speed passes for it (timed at 4.45) and then we thought to take a ride in Mission Space Pavilion. There was a spaceship simulator which simulates a tour from Earth to Mars. Honestly it was a good simulator. Our next target was Soarin. Gosh, we  had to wait 90 minutes in the queue. Anyway it really worthy waiting to experience this marvel . It is a hang gliding flight over California. It really takes your breath off. It was around 4.00 p.m  when we come out of Soarin. Our speed ticket to test track was timed at 4.45 p.m.  So we enjoyed a ferry ride and reached test track on time. Test track simulated a car testing and it was fun.

At about 6.00 p.m we took the mono rail from Epcot to Magic Kingdom.