Kennedy Space Center - Questions

[otottmom]

Our family of four will be visiting WDW from 9/2/10 - 9/11/10. My DD is 10 and DS will be turning 8 on this trip. DH REALLY wants to go to KSC, but we're wondering the following:

Must we rent a car in order to get to KSC or is there an organization that runs a tour to KSC which includes shuttling folks from WDW to KSC and back?

The reason I'm asking is that we did not plan on renting a car at all for this trip as we are staying at Disney's Beach Club Resort. KSC's admission and extras are quite pricey already without having the additional expense of renting a car to get there or taking a one hour cab ride. Any suggestions???

If we have to rent a car for the day, is KSC worth the hassle and expense? It will probably run us well over $200.00.

The two things we really wanted to do on this trip outside of Disney is an airboat ride and KSC.

Thanks for your advice and suggestions.

Julie

 

[Sadie22]

DH and I spent a day and a half at KSC on our recent trip and never made it to the Astronaut Hall of Fame included in the passes but sounded very interesting. We so wished we had more time. We could have spent another whole day at the Hall of Fame from the descriptions. There is a lot for adults who like to read all the plaques, attend walking tours, see all IMAX shows, etc. KSC is really worth a visit. Plan to arrive at opening and stay until close if you go. Your one day ticket is good for two full days. We went down by AutoTrain, went straight to KSC, spent the night nearby, went back for the second full day, and then spent the night at DTD before checking in at our Disney hotel the next day.

 

[pookersmom]

KSC is really interesting and fun in its own way; we did it at the end several days in the parks, and it's a nice way to decompress. Your admission includes a bus tour of the area; they drop you off at all the different places to explore at your leisure and you can just grab whichever bus comes along to move on to the next thing. We did the less expensive basic tour (included in the cost of admission), but next time we're going to spring for the extended tour that takes you right up close to the launch platforms; we didn't need to do any of the extras that first time because we weren't sure how much we were going to enjoy it (I knew I would, but I wasn't sure about my husband or my son). Our son was 7 at the time, and at first he was bored by the idea of KSC, but once we got there he was fascinated and learning a lot. If your husband is the one who's excited to go, just make sure he passes his enthusiasm along to the kids before you go so they're intrigued too.

We had our car with us because we'd driven down to Florida, but when I researched it a couple of years before for an earlier Orlando trip when we'd be flying and staying onsite at Disney, I seem to recall that there are some bus trips out to KSC from the I-Drive area. Sorry I don't know more than that, but I bet if you made some calls you could find something cheaper than a cab or a car rental for a day.

 

[Frothy]

We did this on our last trip and we really didn't have feelings either way about it before we went. As we immersed ourselves in it we all felt humbled what this great country of ours actually did. Hire the car and go. You won't regret it.

 

[KLAIT]

Last trip we did this and I was pleasantly surprised. My family really wanted to do it and I felt like I was being lead to the gallows as I was dreading that day so much. Turned out we all really enjoyed the day. As a previous poster said, it is a good day to decompress. There is actually a lot to do and it does make you feel sort of humble. The tour that is included with admission is worth the time. Since you can catch any bus at any time, a lot of people were skipping the 3rd stop..we thought that was one of the best. I also do not think you will be disappointed.

 

[otottmom]

Thanks everyone! Well, we decided to add it to the itinerary. We are also planning on checking out Cocoa Beach while there. : ) I'm looking forward to this diversion from Disney. I appreciate your feedback!

 

[lschism]

OK Here is a BIG TIP for you for Kennedy Space Center.
Tropicana orange juice has something called juicy rewards (it expires in November I think.) You buy orange juice and each carton is worth x number of points) you redeem these points for rewards.

One of the rewards is a Buy one get one free offer on a Space Adventure Package that includes admission, a GUIDED tour and LUNCH WITH AN ASTRONAUT!!! plus a $20 certificate good in the gift shop!!!!! The total cost for two people is $90 (which is the same as just general admission for 2 adults with no tour, lunch or $20 gift shop money)

I used two of these packages for my family of four back in June. It costs 9 points for one coupon. I needed two coupons (total 18 points). I was able to get 18 points by buying 3 cartons of Pineapple Mango juice which cost me $6. Lunch with astronaut was the coolest. Great food and very intimate with only about 50 people at the lunch. Q and A session during lunch (yes, your child can ask how do you go to the bathroom , plus both kids got a nice gift from the gift shop. So in a nutshell, admission, guided tour, lunch and souveniers for $180 family of four...

HAPPY ORANGE JUICE DRINKING

 

[Disney_Freak56]

Thanks for sharing the Tropicana offer.

We're a little more than 4 weeks away from our trip and hubby has finally told me he was approved for the time off. I would have gone without him if he hadn't gotten the time off, but don't tell him that.

Anyhow, looks like I need to buy some Tropicana tomorrow as he has always wanted to visit KSC and this seems like a pretty sweet deal for a little bit of extra money.