Travel news from the sources

What's new in Orlando for fall

Halloween

Each fall, park visitors are invited to dress in costumes and trick-or-treat at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at the Walt Disney World Resort. For more information, visit disneyworld.com. Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida is considered the world’s largest and most elaborate Halloween celebration designed for guests to confront their nightmares through a series of haunted houses. For more information, visit halloweenhorrornights.com. At Halloween Spooktacular at SeaWorld, children can trick-or-treat for troves of treasures, participate in ghostly activities and enjoy Halloween-themed entertainment. For more information, visit seaworld.com. 

Rock the Universe

On Sept. 11-12, 2009 Disney’s Hollywood Studios will host Night of Joy and Universal Studios Florida will host its Rock The Universe concert series. These two annual events, designed to highlight the diversity within today’s exploding Chrisitian music scene, will feature chart-topping Christian music stars from across the nation. For more information, visit rocktheuniverse.com and disneyworld.com. 

Houston celebrates 1969 moon landing

On July 20, 2009, as America celebrates the 40th anniversary of the moon landing, the city of Houston will lead the festivities. Astronaut Neil Armstrong's first word from the moon in 1969 was "Houston." He said, "Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed."

Houston is home to Johnson Space Center and Mission Control. 

Space Center Houston is open year round,  

The official space museum in Houston is one of only a few places in the world where visitors can see a Saturn V rocket, an Apollo capsule that was actually flown (Apollo 17), see and touch rocks brought back from the moon by Apollo astronauts and sit in the gallery of Mission Control where the famous words of the Apollo 11 touchdown were first heard. In addition, Space Center Houston offers Level 9 tours, behind-the-scenes tours that let visitors glimpse into the lives of astronauts.

The Health Museum: Facing Mars, May 30-September 2, 2009

 

Facing Mars is a U.S. premiere that features interactive stations that encourage visitors to "walk on Mars," test and launch rockets, "fly over" the Martian landscape and consider the implications humans face in their quest to reach the Red Planet. This innovative exhibit focuses on the real challenges of sending human explorers to Mars. With more than 28 experiences, Facing Mars combines a range of hands-on experiences with compelling artifacts, such as a rare Mars meteorite from West Africa and stunning imagery to engage participants in the physical, psychological and scientific challenges involved in journeying to Mars.

Visitors become a rocket scientist for the day and explore the challenges of aerodynamic stability. They experience what it is like to "walk on Mars" at a station that subtracts 60 percent of their weight to simulate Martian gravity. Visitors also explore some of the potential pyschological and emotional stresses that astronauts may face on their journey, examining how contagious emotions can be and discovering where their own personal space threshold lies. The museum will also have an actual size model of the Mars Exploration Rover on loan from NASA on display throughout the summer.

Star Trek hotel package in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA MARRIOTT Star Trek Hotel Package Features Overnight Accommodations

and VIP Tickets To The Exhibit 

 

The Philadelphia Marriott Downtown is selling a Star Trek package that offers visitors VIP access to “Star Trek: The Exhibition” at the Franklin Institute (www2.fi.edu/startrek/). This interactive exhibition showcases the Star Trek legacy. 

 

STAR TREK: The Exhibition VIP Hotel Package for Two in Philadelphia includes overnight hotel accommodations and two VIP tickets to "Star Trek: The Exhibition." These VIP tickets are not available to the general public and are not dated or timed and provide front of the line access so travelers can skip the crowd and enter this highly anticipated exhibit on their schedule.  These tickets also provide general admission to the Franklin Institute. This package is valid through September 20, 2009 and subject to availability.

 

To book this package, travelers must mention promotional code ARN when calling 1-800-834-6418 or online at http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-deals/phldt-philadelphia-marriott-downtown/?offerInfo=437298.

 

The Philadelphia Downtown Marriott commands a towering presence in the heart of America's original capital. Surrounded by rich revolutionary history and culture, this Center City hotel exceeds the expectations of leisure travelers — including its close proximity to the city’s famous sites like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell located within eight blocks. A collection of Philadelphia's finest restaurants are located on-site or within walking distance of the hotel in addition to the city's best shopping and entertainment venues.

This hotel in downtown Philadelphia features 1,400 rooms and suites, an on-site fitness room, the Ettore European Salon and Spa, a Starbucks coffee shop, and two restaurants:  13 and Circ. The Philadelphia Marriott Downtown is just one mile from the 30th Street Train Station and nine miles from Philadelphia International Airport.
 
www.PhiladelphiaMarriottDowntown.com or call 1-800-320-5744.