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 ‘Space Explorers Wanted’: Kennedy Space Center Tour
Wednesday, Nov. 17, 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Advance registration fee: US$89 IAAPA members; US$119 nonmembers
Space travel’s rich history has been well-chronicled at exhibits throughout the world, but developers behind “Exploration Space,” a new exhibit at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, examines the future of space exploration. Guests experiencing the exhibit will view large-scale digital exhibition walls rather than static images. The 10,000-square-foot exhibit turns into an immersive theater environment with a live show—“Explorers Wanted”— airing twice an hour.
“The live presentation integrates performance, interactive, multi-image delivery technology, and storytelling excellence in a way that causes students to want to be engineers,” says Steve Geis, director of guest operations at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Organizers hope guests will feel drawn to serve as more than just spectators in NASA’s future. “The show’s message is that there is room for young people with fresh thinking regarding the future of space exploration,” he adds.
Matthew Solari is the director of education development at BRC Imagination Arts, which produced the exhibit in collaboration with NASA and Delaware North Companies, operator of the visitor complex. Solari says the storytelling challenge in “Explorers Wanted” was to create a look forward to NASA’s future, at a time when the organization is undergoing wholesale changes. “The story approach threads delicately between hazards, and yet delivers an exciting experience,” Solari says.
Kennedy Space Center and BRC aimed to provide a unique and immersive type of exhibit with “Exploration Space” through several narratives. “Sometimes each wall tells its own story, and other times all the walls of the room unify to totally immerse the audience in a single idea,” Solari says.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Tour Tuesday, Nov. 16, 4:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Separate registration fee: US$99 IAAPA members; US$119 nonmembers
Disney’s Hollywood Studios—home to acclaimed shows like “Fantasmic!” and “Beauty and the Beast–Live on Stage”— gives Expo tour attendees an exclusive sneak peek at its live entertainment operations and the DNA behind a successful show. Some of the park’s principal designers in costuming, audio, lighting, effects, and technical design will share insight on the philosophy and process the theme park uses when creating entertainment.
“At Disney, we take great pride in the creative product we offer at all our theme parks,” says Wendy Abraham, entertainment communication resources manager at the park. She says Hollywood Studios’ entertainment operating teams place tenets of safety, teamwork, show quality, and attention to detail at top priority to create a “magical” experience for guests. “I hope tour participants walk away with insight into and respect for the dynamics of entertainment production and operation at Disney,” she says.
Entertainment designers and operators will also walk guests through several backstage areas not usually offered on tours, and visit the Creative Costuming building. In true Disney fashion, the evening will conclude with a few surprises and a dinner held in a private location on a Hollywood Studios lot.
And Don’t Miss These, Either!
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Tour (followed by IAAPA Celebrates)
Thurs., Nov. 18, 6 p.m.-11:30 p.m.
Expo registration and separate ticket required; space limited. Event only US$99 for members and nonmembers; tour and event $179 IAAPA members; US$199 nonmembers Take an exclusive tour of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Orlando, then join colleagues for the IAAPA Celebrates event at the attraction. The magical land, which opened in June and is themed to match the Harry Potter series of movies and books, includes popular attractions like “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” dark ride.
SeaWorld Orlando Midway Games Tour
Tues., Nov. 16, 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Participants must be 16 years or older. Expo registration and separate ticket required: US$89 IAAPA members; US$119 non members The 200-acre marine-world adventure park’s midway game operations will be on display. The tour reviews all the behind the- scenes work, including theming decisions, cashless inventory management system, and loss prevention systems.
Behind the Scenes Tour at Wet ’n Wild Orlando
Mon., Nov. 15, 4 p.m.-8 p.m.
Participants must be 16 years or older. Expo registration and separate ticket required: US$99 IAAPA members; US$119 nonmembers The tour explores the wave pool, lazy river, and “Black Hole” attractions. Tour guides will share a daily operations perspective. The evening ends in a social at the waterpark’s East Wave Deck overlooking “Surf Lagoon.”
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