Kennedy Space Centre
Day 6 - Wednesday 24th August
It's going to be a scorcher today - weather channel forecasts a high of 95 degrees!
It's funny you know - when we first came to Florida in 2002 - we debated going to Kennedy Space Centre and I have to say that I really didn't fancy it at all. Last year - I felt just the same. Now this year - I vowed to go because I felt that we were missing out on a really important and interesting experience but now the time has come - I don't seem to be able to raise much enthusiasm. I hope that I am pleasantly surprised when we get there.
We set off at 8.00am in order to get an early start ahead of the crowds. The journey is very easy and the scenery along the way is quite different to the Disney property on which we spend most of our time.
The scale of the place is the first thing that hits you - it is absolutely massive! The lakes in front of the launch pads are truly huge.
We start with a bus tour out to the observation platform. We were advised to do this first by Simon Veness, as by late morning the busses can become quite crowded and getting back can take some time. He was right about this.
The coach takes us out to one of the observation platforms via the various hangers and equipment used in previous launches.
The view from the tower is brilliant - you can see along the coast to a number of launch sites.
The Saturn 5 Hanger is next. This is excellent. The size of the rocket is amazing.
"Does my bum look big next to this?"
We view a couple of films, take the requisite pictures and all have a touch of the piece of moon rock in the exhibition centre.
The close up view of these rockets and the Lunar Module here brings back memories - as a kid - watching the moon landing on TV with my parents and (much like my own kids today!) failing to really grasp the enormous step that mankind was making and how it would effect the way we view the world today.
I find myself telling Ricky and Hannah this story and see their eyes glaze over - much like mine probably did at their age. I think that at some point in the future though - they will look back on days like today and realise why we bring them to places like this and show them these things. They may even tell their own children in the future - "Hey kids - I remember when MY parents used to bore the pants off ME!".
Oh well - it won't stop me from trying to educate and stimulate their minds!
"Pass the spliff Ricky!"
Back at the base, we take a walk around the Rocket Garden before seeing a great 3D film of the space station in one of the huge IMAX theatres. There are quite a few of these films to choose from but as this is our first visit we were advised to see at least one of them.
Lunch is a "fries & coke" affair - nothing to get too excited about - a bit like a British Cafeteria really but generally Ok all the same. Then we stroll over to see the Space Shuttle Discovery before calling it a day.
The temperature is in the high 90's today and this is quite an exposed place - you need to visit the indoor, air conditioned areas quite a bit to get out of the sun.
At $30 for the entry fee, I thought that this was very good value. We could have perhaps spent more time looking around and seen a couple of more films but it's not everyone's cup of tea so I think we did pretty well really.
I'm not sure that I would rush back here again on our next visit but I have to admit that I am glad we came and saw this. It's one of those things that will stick in your memory as a "Tell your Grandchildren" type of experience.
We leave at about 2.30 and head for home via the Golden Corral for dinner.
We catch up with the weather channel back at the villa and there seems to be a bit of "activity" going on just east of Cuba.
After last years experience with a direct hit from "Hurricane Francis" which kept us here for an extra four days, we are very aware of how quickly the Floridian weather can turn nasty. I think we will have to keep an eye on this!
The kids are worn out and have an early night so I take advantage of an empty pool and have a relaxing swim before bed.
It's lovely swimming in your own pool at night with just the pool lights on. No kids screaming and diving about.
The only trouble is - I start to think about all those horror movies I've seen - where something sinister is lurking in the deep end waiting to pounce on you - nobody hears you call for help - nobody notices you are missing - you hear a splash - something brushes past your leg - then suddenly something grabs you - you get sucked under the water - fighting for breath - too petrified to scream...............
I leap out quickly and sit on the patio for a while until it's safe to assume Alien, Jaws and Sully are no longer after me!
I think it's time for bed!
Tomorrow it's an MGM day - I hope.......
Day 6 - Wednesday 24th August
It's going to be a scorcher today - weather channel forecasts a high of 95 degrees!
It's funny you know - when we first came to Florida in 2002 - we debated going to Kennedy Space Centre and I have to say that I really didn't fancy it at all. Last year - I felt just the same. Now this year - I vowed to go because I felt that we were missing out on a really important and interesting experience but now the time has come - I don't seem to be able to raise much enthusiasm. I hope that I am pleasantly surprised when we get there.
We set off at 8.00am in order to get an early start ahead of the crowds. The journey is very easy and the scenery along the way is quite different to the Disney property on which we spend most of our time.
The scale of the place is the first thing that hits you - it is absolutely massive! The lakes in front of the launch pads are truly huge.
We start with a bus tour out to the observation platform. We were advised to do this first by Simon Veness, as by late morning the busses can become quite crowded and getting back can take some time. He was right about this.
The coach takes us out to one of the observation platforms via the various hangers and equipment used in previous launches.
The view from the tower is brilliant - you can see along the coast to a number of launch sites.
The Saturn 5 Hanger is next. This is excellent. The size of the rocket is amazing.
"Does my bum look big next to this?"
We view a couple of films, take the requisite pictures and all have a touch of the piece of moon rock in the exhibition centre.
The close up view of these rockets and the Lunar Module here brings back memories - as a kid - watching the moon landing on TV with my parents and (much like my own kids today!) failing to really grasp the enormous step that mankind was making and how it would effect the way we view the world today.
I find myself telling Ricky and Hannah this story and see their eyes glaze over - much like mine probably did at their age. I think that at some point in the future though - they will look back on days like today and realise why we bring them to places like this and show them these things. They may even tell their own children in the future - "Hey kids - I remember when MY parents used to bore the pants off ME!".
Oh well - it won't stop me from trying to educate and stimulate their minds!
"Pass the spliff Ricky!"
Back at the base, we take a walk around the Rocket Garden before seeing a great 3D film of the space station in one of the huge IMAX theatres. There are quite a few of these films to choose from but as this is our first visit we were advised to see at least one of them.
Lunch is a "fries & coke" affair - nothing to get too excited about - a bit like a British Cafeteria really but generally Ok all the same. Then we stroll over to see the Space Shuttle Discovery before calling it a day.
The temperature is in the high 90's today and this is quite an exposed place - you need to visit the indoor, air conditioned areas quite a bit to get out of the sun.
At $30 for the entry fee, I thought that this was very good value. We could have perhaps spent more time looking around and seen a couple of more films but it's not everyone's cup of tea so I think we did pretty well really.
I'm not sure that I would rush back here again on our next visit but I have to admit that I am glad we came and saw this. It's one of those things that will stick in your memory as a "Tell your Grandchildren" type of experience.
We leave at about 2.30 and head for home via the Golden Corral for dinner.
We catch up with the weather channel back at the villa and there seems to be a bit of "activity" going on just east of Cuba.
After last years experience with a direct hit from "Hurricane Francis" which kept us here for an extra four days, we are very aware of how quickly the Floridian weather can turn nasty. I think we will have to keep an eye on this!
The kids are worn out and have an early night so I take advantage of an empty pool and have a relaxing swim before bed.
It's lovely swimming in your own pool at night with just the pool lights on. No kids screaming and diving about.
The only trouble is - I start to think about all those horror movies I've seen - where something sinister is lurking in the deep end waiting to pounce on you - nobody hears you call for help - nobody notices you are missing - you hear a splash - something brushes past your leg - then suddenly something grabs you - you get sucked under the water - fighting for breath - too petrified to scream...............
I leap out quickly and sit on the patio for a while until it's safe to assume Alien, Jaws and Sully are no longer after me!
I think it's time for bed!
Tomorrow it's an MGM day - I hope.......
loving the trip reports! My bf wants to go to KSC and I haven't been so keen but your report has made me rethink! 
Caroline 
