After space it’s Disney World
Florida Today - Walt Disney World Resort hosted the astronauts from the latest space shuttle mission with a range of festivities Monday, and gave a special thanks to teacher-turned-astronaut Barbara Morgan, honoring her with a plaque at Mission: Space.
“This event honors all of us teachers by helping children dream,” Morgan said.
The Endeavour astronauts also answered questions from guests, and served as grand marshals of the afternoon parade.
The crew — commander Scott Kelly, pilot Charles Hobaugh and mission specialists Tracy Caldwell, Alvin Drew Jr., Richard Mastracchio, Morgan and Dave Williams — returned to Earth on Aug. 21.
While giving thanks to the astronauts, the day of celebration also is a savvy marketing strategy at a slow time in the tourism calendar, experts say.
“I think it’s more of a good public relations move for Disney,” said Rob Varley, executive director of the Space Coast Office of Tourism. “This is a way to honor the heroes. It could draw more people for Disney, but, in general, it’s a good move. We finally got our first teacher in space, and it ties in with Disney’s image.”
During the day, Morgan unveiled a new addition to the Mission: Space attraction at Epcot — a space-themed plaque featuring a quote from her, reading: “Reach for your dreams . . . the sky is no limit.”
Her plaque joins other messages there from such luminaries as Neil Armstrong, Galileo Galilei, Stephen Hawking, John F. Kennedy, Charles Lindbergh and Carl Sagan.
Morgan was teacher Christa McAuliffe’s backup for the 1986 Challenger mission, in which the shuttle exploded shortly after liftoff, killing the seven astronauts aboard.
Morgan’s quote is displayed beside one by McAuliffe at the Mission: Space attraction.
Following the plaque dedication and crew recognition ceremony, the astronauts took part in an education session with Orlando-area students at Epcot’s Base21 Siemens VIP Center.
Also on the astronauts’ schedule at Disney World were answering questions from Epcot guests at the Mission: Space attraction, then moving on to Magic Kingdom to take part in a procession down Main Street U.S.A., greeting guests and serving as honorary grand marshals of the afternoon parade.
