Attraction is the First of its Kind in the United States
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. (March 22,2013) – Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has partnered with Rovio Entertainment, creator of the globally successful Angry BirdsTM franchise including Angry Birds Space, to bring the casual puzzle game to life. The new Angry BirdsTM Space Encounter, set to open at the Visitor Complex at 11 a.m. on March 22, is the first comprehensive, interactive Angry Birds attraction in the United States designed for people of all ages.
The grand opening of Angry Birds Space Encounter will feature an appearance by NASA astronaut Donald Pettit, Ph.D. who previously announced from the International Space Station that NASA and Rovio would partner on the creation of the Angry Birds Space game.
"This one-of-a-kind experience gives guests an up-close encounter with Angry Birds Space characters in a unique multi-faceted adventure featuring Danger Zone, Eggsteroids Slingshot and Red Planet Lazer Challenge," said Bill Moore, chief operating officer of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
Angry Birds Space Encounter, which is included in regular Visitor Complex admission, brings to life the space adventures of the Angry Birds as they follow their kidnapped eggs into an inter-galactic wormhole, come face-to-face with Space Pigs and gear up with heroic superpowers. Visitors encounter six interactive stations designed to engage and immerse guests in a new dimension of Angry Birds Space.
"Working with Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on bringing Angry Birds Space Encounter to life has been a great experience. We are excited to build on our relationship with NASA and bring this unique attraction to our fans," said Dan Mitchell, director of location based entertainment for Rovio.
NASA and Rovio have worked together to teach players about physics and space exploration and energize young people regarding future careers in science and technology.
"Concepts of human space exploration are incorporated into Angry Birds Space Encounter, reflecting Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex's ongoing mission to encourage young people in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields of study," said Moore. "Kids will love interacting with their favorite Angry Birds Space characters, while parents will appreciate that their children are enjoying the learning experience."
Entertainment Design Group, Inc., Austell, Ga., has been retained to develop, build and install the Angry Birds Space Encounter, which will occupy 4,485 square feet at the Visitor Complex.
Located only 45 minutes from Orlando, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex features many attractions and year-round interactive programs, including meeting real astronauts. The standard bus tour, included with admission, explores the history of the Apollo moon and space shuttle programs with panoramic views of Kennedy Space Center, the Vehicle Assembly Building's (VAB) exterior and a stop at the Apollo/Saturn V Center, where visitors see an authentic 363-foot Saturn V moon rocket and relive the historic Apollo missions that saw man land on the moon.
Other Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex attractions and activities include Shuttle Launch Experience, an incredible simulated journey of vertically launching into space and orbiting Earth aboard the space shuttle, as well as the Astronaut Training Experience ® (ATX®), Rocket Garden, two IMAX® theaters, Astronaut Encounter, Lunch With an Astronaut, U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame®and Exploration Space: Explorers Wanted. The Visitor Complex will celebrate the grand opening of the new $100 million home of Space Shuttle Atlantis June 29, 2013.
Visitors also can share mankind's greatest achievements and future of the space program with the entire family and receive rare access to areas of Kennedy Space Center that have been off limits to the public for decades. The KSC Up-Close Tour Series includes tours of the VAB, Launch Control Center (LCC), and Launch Pad. The VAB tour has been extended through 2013 and the LCC and Launch Pad tours are confirmed through June 30. All Up-Close Tours are $25 per adult and $19 per child (ages 3-11) plus tax, in addition to admission.
For more information on Kennedy Space Center Complex, please visitwww.KennedySpaceCenter.com.