Social Program

(Social Alternatives)

Tuesday, 19 June
18:30 – 21:30    Welcome Party for ASTIN Delegates and Accompanying Persons

Cost is included in ASTIN Delegate and Accompanying Person’s registration fees.

Wednesday, 20 June
09:30 – 12:30    Disney Institute Innovation in Action Tour for Accompanying Persons

Tickets are available for purchase on the registration form.

From the first “talking” cartoon in 1928 to his bold vision of an Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, Walt Disney always pushed the limits of technology. His innovative ideas inspired the creation of the Walt Disney World® Resort. During this three-hour behind-the-scenes adventure, you will hear stories about the early days of Walt’s career and visit a variety of locations for an up-close look at innovation.

• The Walt Disney World® Nursery and Tree Farm: See how Walt Disney World® horticulturists create world-famous topiaries.
• Textile Services: Visit the state-of-the-art laundry facility, one of the largest in the world.
• Magic Kingdom® Park: Discover the incredible attention to detail that allowed Walt to have his guests enjoy a three-dimensional experience that could not be duplicated on the movie screen.
• The Utilidor System: Journey beneath the Magic Kingdom® Park to visit support systems located in the “tunnel,” a utility corridor that supports the park operations overhead.

Thursday, 21 June
12:00 – 21:00    Excursion to NASA with Lunch and Dinner for ASTIN Delegates and Accompanying Persons.

Cost is included in Delegate and Accompanying Person’s registration fees.

ASTIN attendees will arrive at the Kennedy Space Center and partake in a bus tour that includes the LC 39 Gantry and the Apollo/Saturn V Center as self-guided tour stops.  After the bus tour, attendees will return to the Visitor Complex to watch an IMAX movie and explore the rest of the Complex.  Dinner will follow in the Dr. Kurt H. Debus Conference Facility, where the pioneering spirit of America’s early space explorers makes a stirring first impression.  Following dinner, enjoy dessert inside Early Space Exploration and explore the Rocket Garden.  Early Space Exploration is dedicated to the key historic missions that paved the way for our current Space Shuttle program and the construction of the International Space Station.  Meanwhile, travel back in time and history in the newly redeveloped Rocket Garden where dramatic new lighting restores the rockets to historic brilliance, and presents them in dramatic context that captures their “blast-off” glory.  Here visitors can experience the very same Redstone, Atlas, and Titan rockets that first put NASA astronauts in space.

For more information on the Kennedy Space Center visit http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/.

Friday, June 22
09:00 – 15:00    Half-Day Excursion to Cypress Gardens for Accompanying Persons

Tickets are available for purchase on the registration form.

Celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2006, Cypress Gardens Adventure Park enjoys the distinction of being Florida’s original theme park. The park features a world famous water ski show, as well as a blend of historic botanical gardens, Nature’s Way animal area, a quaint shopping and food village, exciting new rides, five roller coasters, Jubilee Junction, and Splash Island Water Park. Lunch will be on your own.

For more information on Cypress Gardens, visit http://www.cypressgardens.com.

18:00              Buses depart for 50th Anniversary Gala
                        Dinner at Epcot® for Delegates and Accompanying Persons

Cost is included in Delegate and Accompanying Person’s registration fees.

Guests will be transported to the American Adventure Rotunda at Epcot® for the 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner.  This sweeping venue and courtyard celebrate colonial American and 18th century architecture.  We will then move to a private isle off the shores of the French Pavilion for dessert, coffee, and ideal viewing of IllumiNations, Epcot®’s thrilling nighttime kaleidoscope of fireworks set to rousing original music.