Kennedy Space Center - After Cruise

[missycourteau]

Looking at visiting KCS after we get off the ship. Our flight leaves MCO at 8:00pm. We will be going to get our car rental once we leave the ship then heading over to KCS. If we leave there around 5, will this give us enough time to visit the Space Center? My boys are 9 and 11.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Looking at visiting KCS after we get off the ship. Our flight leaves MCO at 8:00pm. We will be going to get our car rental once we leave the ship then heading over to KCS. If we leave there around 5, will this give us enough time to visit the Space Center? My boys are 9 and 11.

While I think that gives you enough time at KSC, I don't think you are leaving yourselves enough time to get to the airport. I'd leave KSC no later than 4:00 with an 8:00pm flight.

 

[missycourteau]

While I think that gives you enough time at KSC, I don't think you are leaving yourselves enough time to get to the airport. I'd leave KSC no later than 4:00 with an 8:00pm flight.

Thank you!!

 

[princesserin1350]

We did KSC this past Saturday after our cruise! Arrived around 10:30 am and had a blast. We left around 4 pm for 9:30 pm flights. Keep in mind that the bus tour is LONG, so plan for that! We took around 3 hours roundtrip wtih that.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

We have done KSC after one of our cruises and had plenty of time to make our flight. In fact, our flight home was delayed. Watch your flight status during the day. KSC was very interesting. Enjoy!

 

[scgustafson]

We have done the Kennedy Space Center twice after cruise and have managed to see everything we wanted, but did leave when they closed at 6. I do agree with everyone about leave no later than 4 for an 8 pm flight, as traffic to Orlando can get a bit heavy.

 

[Sytrace]

I would suggest basing this decision on day of the week you are planning to go to KSC in regards to travel time to the port as well as route. You would want to take the 528 (toll road) and avoid the slow moving (and construction heavy) SR 50/Colonial Drive.

If it is a Friday, then leave by 4 PM and no later. This will allow you plenty of time to get thru Friday night traffic to Orlando as well as TSA.
If it is a Saturday, you would be okay leaving by 4:30 PM as Saturday traffic is not nearly as bad coming from the Cape. Still going to have some beachgoers coming back to town, but not at the volume of weekday (especially Friday) traffic.
If it is Monday, I would suggest leaving by 4 PM.

 

[missycourteau]

I would suggest basing this decision on day of the week you are planning to go to KSC in regards to travel time to the port as well as route. You would want to take the 528 (toll road) and avoid the slow moving (and construction heavy) SR 50/Colonial Drive.

If it is a Friday, then leave by 4 PM and no later. This will allow you plenty of time to get thru Friday night traffic to Orlando as well as TSA.
If it is a Saturday, you would be okay leaving by 4:30 PM as Saturday traffic is not nearly as bad coming from the Cape. Still going to have some beachgoers coming back to town, but not at the volume of weekday (especially Friday) traffic.
If it is Monday, I would suggest leaving by 4 PM.

Thanks, I hadn't even factored in traffic. We will be coming home on a Friday. It's a holiday weekend that we will be flying home on, so I'm guessing we will need even a little more time.

 

[Sytrace]

Thanks, I hadn't even factored in traffic. We will be coming home on a Friday. It's a holiday weekend that we will be flying home on, so I'm guessing we will need even a little more time.

Yes, definitely on a Friday on a holiday weekend a bit more time than you had originally planned. You will still get to see a lot of KSC and the kids will have a great time.

 

[missycourteau]

Yes, definitely on a Friday on a holiday weekend a bit more time than you had originally planned. You will still get to see a lot of KSC and the kids will have a great time.

Do you think if we left by 3 that would give us enough time to see KSC and to make it to the airport (will need to drop off car rental at airport and get boarding passes etc.). We are coming home the Friday before Easter weekend (I know it's very far out, I'm a planner). Thanks for your help!!!

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

The KSC is well worth the time and money.....I also vote for being n the road toward MCO by 1600.

AKK

 

[Sytrace]

Do you think if we left by 3 that would give us enough time to see KSC and to make it to the airport (will need to drop off car rental at airport and get boarding passes etc.). We are coming home the Friday before Easter weekend (I know it's very far out, I'm a planner). Thanks for your help!!!

3 PM to even 3:30 would be better and give you some wiggle room for to get lunch and/or fill up the gas tank before returning the car. There are quite a few restaraunts around the airport and a few gas stations as well. (Semoran Blvd /SR 436 is where the airport is located) I would definitely build in some buffer time for things like that.
I really think if you do the tour first thing available that you would still have plenty of time left to see the rest of the Center.

 

[scgustafson]

3 PM to even 3:30 would be better and give you some wiggle room for to get lunch and/or fill up the gas tank before returning the car. There are quite a few restaraunts around the airport and a few gas stations as well. (Semoran Blvd /SR 436 is where the airport is located) I would definitely build in some buffer time for things like that.
I really think if you do the tour first thing available that you would still have plenty of time left to see the rest of the Center.

If you decide to get gas by the airport, just be sure to look around for better prices. On Semoran Blvd by the airport, there are few stations that are charging $1-$2 more per gallon than the rest of town. Usually, if you drive past those stations less than a half-mile, you will find a WaWa with reasonable gas prices.

 

[missycourteau]

Thank you all so much for your help!!! We've never done the Disney Cruise before and figuring out all of the details is challenging, but with all of the help you have given makes it easier!!

If you decide to get gas by the airport, just be sure to look around for better prices. On Semoran Blvd by the airport, there are few stations that are charging $1-$2 more per gallon than the rest of town. Usually, if you drive past those stations less than a half-mile, you will find a WaWa with reasonable gas prices.[/QUOT