There’s great news if you are planning a vacation for the family this summer! The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is the pace to be, its activities are built to incorporate both fun and a splash of education. It also comprises of one-of-a kind attractions that you won’t see anywhere else in the world.
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is located just east of Orlando, Florida. Orlando is the Theme Park capital of the world!
Florida is at the heart of all the theme parks and waterways, along with the Kennedy Space Center other star attractions include Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and also consists of two water parks, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon.
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is the only place on Earth where a family can take a tour of the launch areas, meet a real astronaut, see giant rockets, train in spaceflight simulators and view a rocket launch. And starting this summer, it’s also the place to stand within an arm’s length of one of the most complex machines ever built by mankind - the Space Shuttle Atlantis.
The Space Shuttle Atlantis was just one of five shuttles flown by NASA — the other Shuttles are called - Columbia, Challenger, Discovery and Endeavour. All were commissioned and flown during NASA's 30-year space shuttle program. NASA flew over 33 missions and touched down July 21, 2011, at Kennedy Space Center about 35 miles east of Orlando, the last of all 135 shuttle flights. The lucky visitors to the center will have the chance to truly engage with the exhibit, including touch-screen experiences and high-tech simulators to “be the astronaut.
There is a buzz surrounding the Center this week with the opening of the new Space Shuttle AtlantisSM exhibit. The exhibit will give the visitors the chance to go close and personal with the final shuttle orbiter that was used by NASA mission, Atlantis.
This $100 million, six story exhibits, show cases state of the art multimedia presentations with more than 60 interactive exhibits and simulators. The show also includes an amazing 360 degree view of the Atlantis, elevated 30 feet off the ground. It is placed at an angle that shows the visitors its payload bay doors and inside its robotic arm can also be seen at this angel.
Bill Moore, chief operating officer of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex stated that: “As the home of human spaceflight, Kennedy Space Center launched and processed all 135 space shuttle missions from 1981 to 2011—including Space Shuttle Atlantis’ 33 missions—so having the orbiter here makes a lot of sense.”
This exciting attraction will blast off in just a few weeks and the staff at Tuscana Resort, Orlando Florida is very excited to get up there on the opening and witness all of the amazing experiences that Kennedy Space Center has to offer.
This exciting attraction will blast off in just a few weeks.
In addition we will also for the first time be able to see a full-scale model of the Hubble Telescope.
Project Manager, Tim Macy Explained: "The fact is, Atlantis' new mission and its mission that will continue on are to teach and inspire the next generation of kids and adults that will support exploration of space into the future."
Last month, Atlantis' payload doors opened for the first time since the shuttle was retired. The $100 million exhibit is expected to open June 29, 2013. All of the major work is expected to be finished this week, Macy and the hundreds of others who have worked on the project are happy to see the finishing touches coming together.
"It changes so dramatically every three or four days," Tim said. "You come in, and it's something new."
Tuscana Resort is delighted to share the great news of recently being awarded the prestigious 2013 Certificate of Excellence Award received from TripAdvisor.
TripAdvisor is the world’s biggest travel site which gives vacationers the opportunity to plan the perfect trip. It offers trusted advice from real travelers, while also giving them plenty of options with an abundance of booking tools.
The prestigious award from TripAdvisor honors hospitality excellence and is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveler reviews on TripAdvisor.
TripAdvisor travelers have nominated Tuscana Resort with the highest praise and great reviews of the resort and TripAdvisor have recognised this as an exceptional achievement.
The TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award is now in its third year. Tuscana Resort Orlando has also had the privilege of being the 2012 winner of this prestigious award and we are very happy to be the winners two years in a row!
Garrett Kenny, CEO was ecstatic about the recent news stating that: “I am extremely happy for Tuscana Resort to receive this fantastic award, not only once but twice, winning two years in a row. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our guests who have stayed at the resort and also to thank all of our many staff for all their hard work, without them this would not be possible.”
As featured on A Place in the Sun in 2012, Tuscana Resort is a superb, luxurious resort in Orlando, Florida. The Mediterranean-style villa resort is located in the heart of Orlando, Florida’s best attractions. From the minute guests arrive at Tuscana, they experience the magic of this special resort which is beautifully landscaped with lush planting and private woodland. Accommodation consists of 2 and 3 bed spacious condos with large balconies enjoying varying views. The condos are fully furnished with everything you will need for your stay.
Every condo has a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, TV’s in all bedrooms, screened porch, air conditioning, washer and dryer and 2 full bathrooms. Visitors will enjoy the large swimming pool complex with separate kiddie’s pool, hot tub, 30 seater cinema, a fitness centre, snack bar, restaurant, tavern bar, BBQ areas, picnic tables, free W-FI and spa services.
The resort is in a safe, secure gated complex with free ample parking facilities.
Tuscana Resort is also conveniently located beside major attractions in Orlando Florida, such as LEGOLAND, Sea World, and Magic Kingdom just to name a few.
Tuscana was chosen for the Certificate of Excellence award out of businesses located all over the world. Stephen Kaufer, President and CEO of TripAdvisor stated that; “The Certificate of Excellence award provides top performing establishments the recognition they deserve, based on feedback from those who matter most – their customers.”
Tuscana Resort would like to take this opportunity to thank every one of our valued guests for their loyalty and custom over the past year and of course for all the wonderful comments which enabled us to achieve this fantastic award.
Only the very best in businesses are awarded a Certificate of Excellence! Tuscana Resort will continue to ensure a top class service is provided and all our guests continue to be happy with the service Tuscana provides.
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo has a new addition to its Zoo, a male endangered Indian rhinoceros.
Born on May 9th the male calf named Jiyu, which is the third birth in five years for their species. The name Jiyu means “compassionate friend”. The Indian rhinoceros is also known as the greater one-horned rhinoceros is one of five species worldwide and one of three found in Asia. The Indian rhinoceros is second in size only to the Asian elephant, they are also the second largest living rhino after the White Rhinoceros.
The largest in its size can range up to 4,000 kg which is approximately 8,800 lbs.
Zoo Officials say there are fewer than 60 of the rhinos in the managed population and about 2,850 in the wild. This is the result of excessive hunting in the natural habitat.
The single horn can be found on both male and female rhinos but not on its new-born young, Jiyu will show his at the age of 6 years old and in most cases it can reach a length of about 25 cm.
The calf has yet to be weighed but typically calves of this species weigh between 75 and 100 pounds at birth. Indian rhinoceros are grazers, as their diet consists of mainly grass, leaves, branches of shrubs and trees.
The mother Jamie and the calf will have some bonding time alone before the new addition can go on display at the zoo.
Tuscana are proud to donate a prize for the charity SALVE's Auction. 'SALVE' will action the holiday at Tuscana as a two week vacation for up to 8 people to be take any time in 2013. S.A.L.V.E. International is a British based charity. They do excellent work to get street children who have lost their parents off the street of Uganda and into a home, as well as back into education in order to give them a future. With the generous help of supporters, S.A.L.V.E. works with children on the streets so they have the opportunity to leave their difficult pasts behind them and move forward, towards a brighter future.
They offer these children a chance to be resettled with their relatives or in another loving home environment, providing them with access to support, counselling and an all-round education.
S.A.L.V.E works with the wider community to improve the quality of life for the child. Their aim is simple: “To improve opportunities for education and to work to tackle some of the reasons that children come to the streets in the first place. We do this through women’s empowerment programmes, fruit tree planting in local schools and campaigning to challenge discrimination to uphold children’s rights”.
Keep up the great work guys! To view room rates click here.
A perfect way for families to beat the heat in the Sunshine State this Summer, Legoland Florida's water park is well worth the short trip from Tuscana Resort!
With lots of rides, slides and pools it's geared towards a day (or two) of family fun! From the 'littlest' kids in the family to the slightly bigger thrill-seekers, there's enough to keep everyone happy!
Families can catch a gentle wave or simply cool off in the kid-friendly sized Lego Wave pool where the waves are just big enough for all ages to enjoy.
Kids and their parents can spend hours floating around the Build-a-Raft! A relaxing 1000-foot-long lazy river, where families can get creative, designing and building their own unique Lego themed raft as they float along!
The more adventurous kids can climb to the tallest point of the waterpark, on the 60ft 'Splash Out'. Then choose one of three different ways to sliiide back down! You can choose to twist, ride hills or 'Splash Out' and go for the big drop!
Grab a friend and race down two intertwining slides on the 'Twin Chasers', twisting and turning for 375ft, before plunging into a cool pool below.
You can't miss the 'Joker Soaker'! The fun, interactive playground has something for everyone, with seven slides of varying sizes, heights and lengths, and enough wheels, knobs and soakers to keep the most energetic of kids busy! But watch out for a big surprise from the 300 gallon water bucket above!!
Little 'uns rule the pool at the Duplo Splash Safari! Designed just for them, the water depth is safe for the little Lego lovers and the slides are toddler-sized, featuring interactive larger-than-life Duplo animals.
When the family get hungry, head over to the 'Beach-N-Brick' Grill and enjoy a scrumptious meal. With fresh sandwiches, burgers, chicken tenders and salads, the outdoor eatery is an ideal place to refuel for round two of the Lego-filled fun!
Know before you go!
Families wanting to enjoy the water park will need to purchase the Legoland Combo tickets, and we have discounted tickets for our guests here at Tuscana! They can be bought at our Front Desk, or online as part of your reservation with us!
The water parks hours do vary throughout the year, so be sure to check their schedule before you purchase your tickets. You can find the regular park and waterparks hours here
There’s great news if you are planning a vacation for the family this summer! The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is the pace to be, its activities are built to incorporate both fun and a splash of education. It also comprises of one-of-a kind attractions that you won’t see anywhere else in the world. 
The lucky visitors to the center will have the chance to truly engage with the exhibit, including touch-screen experiences and high-tech simulators to “be the astronaut.
Accommodation consists of 2 and 3 bed spacious condos with large balconies enjoying varying views. The condos are fully furnished with everything you will need for your stay. 
Born on May 9th the male calf named Jiyu, which is the third birth in five years for their species. The name Jiyu means “compassionate friend”. The Indian rhinoceros is also known as the greater one-horned rhinoceros is one of five species worldwide and one of three found in Asia. The Indian rhinoceros is second in size only to the Asian elephant, they are also the second largest living rhino after the White Rhinoceros. 
Tuscana are proud to donate a prize for the charity SALVE's Auction. 'SALVE' will action the holiday at Tuscana as a two week vacation for up to 8 people to be take any time in 2013.
