Kenndy Space center...is it worth the cost?

[alh2011]

Just wondering if KSC is actually worth paying $50 per person and if you think it would be okay to take a two year old with us? I saw that it is basically an 8 hour day if we do all they recommend. Just not sure I want to spend that much unless it's really good. Thanks!!

 

[Tiramisu]

I've been and enjoyed it, but there isn't much for a toddler to do.

 

[Disworldluv]

IMHO KSC is not worth the money any longer. The first time we went, flights were still happening and the place was interesting. My wife and I went back 3 years ago, and the Space Center was not the same. We were disappointed and bored, to be honest. Definitely not a place for a 2 year old.

 

[alh2011]

Okay thanks for the input!! We will skip it this time!!

 

[lmmantini]

I haven't been for a long time. Last time I was there they were still doing flights. My friend and I saw a rocket launch, which was really cool and we did several tours. It's definitely not going to be interesting for a toddler though.

 

[nancipants]

IMHO KSC is not worth the money any longer. The first time we went, flights were still happening and the place was interesting. My wife and I went back 3 years ago, and the Space Center was not the same. We were disappointed and bored, to be honest. Definitely not a place for a 2 year old.

The Atlantis exhibit has opened since then. A great piece of history to witness.

 

[Love Tink]

If you are "into" the space program, it will still be worth it for you. If not...it probably isn't worth the time and money. (I loved it, but my husband and sons were bored.)

 

[Woodmnky]

I found it to be incredibly boring, but then again I am just not into space exploration. However, my husband found it to be very interesting. With that said even he really questioned the cost and doesn't have plans to go back. It really depends upon your interest level.

 

[Amanda999]

I can't imagine going with either of my kids when they were toddlers even if it was free.

 

[mousefan73]

We were there in 2011 and loved it, but we are space fans. For a 2 year old its not worth it, then again what really is for a 2 year old . IMO they are happiest at bouncy places.

We also did the extra tour on the bus which I first thought would not be worth it but got it mainly for my dad as the trip was his bday thing and he is really into the entire space program ( pre-shuttle).

well it was totally worht it.. walking into the hall where Saturn rocket ( I htink that is what it was) was hung was just awesome and the launch control room... glad we did that part.

 

[EMode]

We were there in 2011 and loved it, but we are space fans. For a 2 year old its not worth it, then again what really is for a 2 year old . IMO they are happiest at bouncy places.

We also did the extra tour on the bus which I first thought would not be worth it but got it mainly for my dad as the trip was his bday thing and he is really into the entire space program ( pre-shuttle).

well it was totally worht it.. walking into the hall where Saturn rocket ( I htink that is what it was) was hung was just awesome and the launch control room... glad we did that part.

Us too, my ds's were in such awe while we were there. That made it worth every penny. They were much older than 2 though!

 

[momof2n2]

If you know your dates six months in advance you can request that your congressperson get you free tickets.

 

[nancipants]

Agreed with the PP. I almost burst into tears the first time I walked into the Apollo Saturn V Center and saw the rocket. It was incredible. Little did I know that a few years later I'd work at KSC and sleep under that rocket many, many times.

I think KSC is wonderful. It's probably not the best place to take toddlers, but it's great for elementary school kids and older. (I'll never forget having to miss a field trip there during third grade because I was sick. I cried all day long.)

 

[Moonwolf]

I was taken to the KSC when I was 2 (a few months shy of being 3). I don't remember it but then again I don't remember anything from that trip. If they are interested in visual things I'm sure there are many "shiny" things for them to look at (and possibly a few interactive things... many museums have something for the kids to do... buttons to press... ect). And while I don't remember my own trip to KSC we did take my younger brother on several trips to various museums around that age and he enjoyed them reasonable well (read he doesn't remember them either but at the time he was occupied and wasn't throwing a fit out of boredom).

I think it depends of how interested you are in the Space Center to determine if it's worth the price and bringing a 2 year old. If you're into that kind of thing and/or need a break from the rush of the parks that's always an interesting thing to do.

 

[alicemouse]

I remember going to Kennedy Space Center as a child and loving it--that was 1990. We went back as a cruise excursion in 2011 and I was fairly disappointed. We live in the mid-Atlantic states. We previously lived in Northern VA and I worked in Washington DC for 3 years. I used to go to the Air and Space museum on my lunch break and on the weekends, we would pop over to the (then) new Udvar-Hazy Center near the Dulles airport. I prefer both of those experiences to our experience at Kennedy in 2011. I'm glad that we went back to Kennedy, but if you plan to do a trip to the Washington DC area, you can pick up some similar experiences on that trip for the cost of parking. The museums themselves are free (charge for IMAX) because they are national museums. (Ok, they're not ACTUALLY free, but you're already paying for them by paying your taxes.)

 

[alh2011]

Thanks everybody for the info!!

 

[alh2011]

Thanks everybody for all the info!!!

 

[RabFlmom]

It is worth the money......history in the making. BTW to the person who said no rockets launching. The shuttle program ended but not other rockets. There are no manned flights but we still are launching rockets . There was supposed to be one today but there is a delay. Maybe in 4 days it will launch.

Is there anything for a 2 year old to do? Yes there is. Definitely bring a stroller but let her/him walk and run and explore outside The center is huge. They will get to ride a bus, maybe see gators, eagles, deer, and big turtles and fish (in the water by the Astronaut monument-we always fed them popcorn). There is a covered playground and a water play area out by the rocket garden. There are even a couple capsules with stairs to them that she /he can sit in for picture opts.

As for the price since you wonder if it is worth it, contact your US representative from your state and see if you can get some free tickets for KSC. Some states require 6 months in advance so get them early if you can. They will want to know the day you will be there for the tour .

Living here on the Space Coast we took our sons almost every weekend to the space center when it used to be free. They loved it then and now there is so much more to do and see. Last time we went they had Star Wars display and now they have Angry Birds Space encounter.

copied this from their site:

Sample Itineraries
One-Day Visit: Family and Children
Space Shuttle Atlantis℠ with Shuttle Launch Experience®
2 hours
General Bus Tour and exploring Apollo/Saturn V Center 2 hours
IMAX® 3D Space Film 1 hour
Angry Birds™ Space Encounter
45 minutes
Lunch
1 hour
Other Park Activities:
Exploration Space®: Explorers Wanted, Shopping,
Rocket Garden, Children's Play Dome, etc.
1 hour
Total time in park

 

[aleksandr]

KSC is interesting as a once every 8-10 years or so type of visit.

I've been 3 times now. The first was back in 2002 or thereabouts. We had a good trip with an 8 and 10 year old. It was fascinating as it was ALL new to us.

We went again 2 years ago with an 8 year old who had never been and that was a good experience too as he had never been and it was long enough since the last time that the memories had mostly faded. We made the mistake of going AGAIN the next year and found it to be a total waste. Obviously nothing changed in a year's time-frame and unless you're really into space exploration, the material gets boring a second time around with so little time between visits.

If you have a 2 year old, my suggestion would be to wait 6-8 years and then judge his/her interest in space. It's definitely worth a one-time visit at that point though.

As others have already said, if you contact your congress-critter six months prior to your visit you can net a free set of tickets.

And, the Saturn V museum is the absolute highlight of the visit.

 

[alh2011]

Great info!!! Thanks!!! May wait go when we go back in 2015. That way I have time to get tix from congressman and my nieces will be with us too. And I know they will love it!!!! Thanks again!!