Endeavour Astronauts Visit Disney World

Disney World patrons were treated to a little extra magic on Monday when astronauts from the space shuttle Endeavor paid a visit.


The entire Endeavor crew came to talk to area high school students and some lucky fourth- and fifth-graders about their experience in space.

Space shuttle Endeavour returned toKennedy Space Center safely on Aug. 20 following a mission to theInternational Space Station.

Teacher and astronaut Barbara Morgan was honored with a plaque that was placed at the Mission: Space attraction. The plaque is located on a wall of honor and was unveiled following a launch-style countdown.

The words on the plaque contain a quote from Morgan, "Reach for your dreams, the sky is no limit." Morgan also knows her place in space history, saying she is not the first teacher in space and never will be. Morgan said that honor belongs to her friend Christa McAuliffe, who died when the Challenger exploded after launch in 1986.

Morgan also spoke openly about her time in space, including seeing scissors fly across the shuttle's cockpit and experiencing the space station for the first time.

"Our mission to the International Space Station is a dream come true; the International Space Station is an amazing place," Morgan said.

The unveiling of Morgan's plaque was just the first event in a full day of celebrations with the Endeavor crew. The astronauts also took questions from park guests and will serve as honorary grand marshals for the Magic Kingdom's afternoon parade.