? about Kennedy Space Centre

[ChisJo]

We are contemplating going to see a space shuttle launch when we are there in December. I'm wondering though, do we have to buy a special admission pass to go see that, or is our general admission into the exhibits good enough?

Also, how long does it take to tour this place? we are not space junkies and I am truly wondering if it will be worth it for us to spend the money to get into it if we are just going to hate it....any thoughts?

If we could just watch the shuttle, can we do that without physically paying to get into the area? Is there somewhere, say, on a beach that we would be able to still get a good view?

 

[daver]

I'm fairly certain you can be close enough to see without paying. If you google the kennedy space center site they talk about launch tickets there, but If you were say 1/2 mile away I can't see how you'd miss it.

 

[eeyore_is#1]

We did one of the tours, so I don't remember how much time we actually spent in the exhibits. A few hours ought to be fine, I'd guess.

Launch passes used to be free. You'd request ahead of time, they mail the passes to you. That allows you to drive out on the access road to the viewing area, across the lake from the launch pad. At least, that's how it was in 1998, but I haven't heard about any changes.

We did a night launch. Simply incredible. I had always thought that the sight would be breathtaking. And it was amazingly cool.

But it was the *sound* that I'll always remember. A wave of sound just poured off the lake and just *pounded* into us on the lakeshore.

I don't think you'll get that feeling if your just in the general area, on a road or parking lot somewhere nearby. I highly recommend "doing it right" for your first time. It may just be your only time.

 

[eeyore_is#1]

Looks like it's all changed now.

http://www.launchphotography.com/Shuttle_Launch_Viewing.html

 

[bbangel]

Kennedy was amazing. We were there for 7 hours and couldn't see it all! We were there the day before the launch so we could see the shuttle on the launch pad. There are lots of interactive exhibits and a rocket model garden/playground as well as a bus tour to see things like the pieces of the International Space Station and an observation area. We never had time to see the two films they have.
We watched the launch the next night from the boat dock to WL and it was fantastic!

 

[BPCooper]

Looks like it's all changed now.

http://www.launchphotography.com/Shuttle_Launch_Viewing.html

Let's not confused shuttle launches The next one is slated for Oct. 23 right now (STS-120/Discovery). But ChisJo is correct, there is currently a shuttle launch planned for December 6th and that is STS-122/Atlantis; these are the remaining two shuttle launches planned for 2007 (having just completed the second one of the year last week).

I will say, though, that the schedule is tight for making the STS-122 launch on Dec. 6. The Dec. 6 launch is dependent on the Oct. 23 launch going on time, and they have stated that while Oct. 23 seems likely to be met (or maybe a few days after), Dec. 6 is going to be harder and so there is a possibility it may delay. But, it has not yet, so keep an eye out.

Launch time on Dec. 6 is roughly 4:30pm EST, give or take an hour.

To see the shuttle launch up close you must purchase separate tickets than a normal day pass, which are not good on launch days. However, you can also tour on another day and then view the launch for free from Titusville. The link provided by eeyore (my site) will help give you a rundown on viewing the launch.

If you have any more questions please ask.

 

[SplashMom]

We visited KSC in May and we enjoyed it. My DH and DS really loved it; my DD and I were OK with it but would probably have left earlier. We found some of it boring while the boys found it fascinating. It really depends on your interest. We spent around five hours there and we just did the basic tour--no movies or anything. There is quite a lot to see. We were supposed to have a launch during our trip but it was delayed. In fact, it seems that a few times we have gone to Florida there was supposed to be a launch but there was always a delay.

From what I have read, you can see the launch from anywhere close. I have even read that many people in Orlando have observed launches. It would be incredible to be close during the launch!

 

[ChisJo]

I have a fleeting suspicion that the launch will probably be delayed. I remember when we went in 1999 there was supposed to be a launch, and at that time, it was delayed. If the shuttle in October is delayed, than I will expect the one in December to be delayed too (Thanks BC Cooper ) but I will keep on watching. My BF is interested in seeing KSC, but not extremely keen either. He says there is other things he would prefer to do than spend a day there - he would rather reserve it for a future trip, as this is his first time down there.

 

[LKHomemail]

Kennedy Space Center is interesting to visit. It's quite large and there are lots of exhibits , you can see the actual space craft that went to moon. The movie IMAX theatre makes you feel like you are in the craft. it takes several days to move the craft from the hanger to the launch site . i had no idea that it could only be moved an inch or so an hour. i found it informative, educational and interesting.

With regard to planning, it will be hard to know what day the launch is going to actually be. Many are scheduled but are delayed for weather. It is not that easy to launch. You can see a launch from hotels, etc.nearby. Not necessary to be there , but it adds to the experience.

 

[coastgirl]

Well, we went for 3 hrs first time and scratched the surface. (Me, dh, then 6 yo ds and 3 yo dd.) Dh not such a space nut, but interested in history in general, and he found lots. Me, total space nut. Went back last January for the Astronaut Training Experience, a full-day of special "training" and tours. Can't wait to go back. 6 yo loved it, 3 yo was excited b/c we were.

Truly I think a YMMV thing. BUT I'm replying to say thanks for the info about the launch, we are considering a Dec trip and this would be a major thing for me...our tentative dates are later than yours, but that may be a better bet.

As I recall the regular tours are closed on launch days, so if you don't get the launch ticket, don't plan on being there on launch day. OTOH, I have heard that there are really great views from the beach at Titusville.

It's a much shorter drive than I thought, easy if you have a rental.

 

[disneyfreak75]

We took a tour bus from WDW and it took all day. We didn't even get a chance to see everything. It was really hard to choose a tour. I didn't think I'd enjoy it as much as I did. This trip was for DH but I found myself wanting to see more.

we went in 2004, just after 3 big hurricanes so there was a lot of damage.

I'd definitely recommend going and planning a full day. DH thinks it is about 80 miles from WDW...I think it took 1 1/2 hours to get there.

 

[bgula]

Just a FYI - I've seen 3 shuttle launches now, the last just this past August from the space center. We decided to get tickets to view the launch from the visitor's complex, figuring it would give a great view... nope (sort of). I was disappointed after viewing 2 other launches from across the river. Yes, it might be a little further away, but we had no view of the launch site from the complex. I'd say it took about 5 seconds after ignition before we finally saw the shuttle come up over the trees. Half the excitement of seeing a launch is seeing the thing take off initially, not after clearing the trees! I can't speak for the view that the people that bought the more expensive tickets and were taken closer by bus, but don't view it from the visitor's complex - it's not worth the money (imho).

Couple other things - yes, the price of the tickets did get you into the center for the day, but we spent a good 2 hours in a MASSIVE traffic jam just trying to get to the center. It was just as massive trying to get out. Something definitely needs to be done about this problem. Also, don't think that because you bought a ticket, there will be only a select few to view the launch. Nope - the place was jammed with people. We spent 6 hours just trying to stay out of the hot sun and amuse ourselves while we waited for the launch to happen. There were lineups for everything - even food. Tour buses were cut off after a certain time, so that was out. If you want to do that, you have to arrive early - oh yeah, did I mention the traffic jam? I've been to the space center on a normal day and loved everything you can do there, but this day was like Christmas at Disney. You had to pick one thing and hope you got on it.

Am I glad I went? Yes, just to see what it was like. Would I do it again? Nope - it's not worth the money when you can see it for free.