Kennedy Space Center questions?

ganggreen4jc

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Nov 29, 2004
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Staying at POFQ in early July for 7 days. Mrs. GG has heard from several people that the KSC is a "must" see while in central Florida. Is this the case? Some questions:

1) How far is it (miles & minutes) to KSC from WDW?
2) Rent a car for the day or does Mears offer shuttle service from WDW to KSC and back?
3) Doesn't National Car Rental have a service where they will deliver your rental car to your resort AND pick it up?
4) Shuttle cost from Mears?

Thanks for your help!
 
I would like to know as well. I have checked and found an excursion company will pick you up, take you there for 6 1/2 hours and return you for $72 pp. Is this a good deal? If you do not have a car, I would think it is ok? Is Mears more round trip when added to the KSC admission fee? Please advise all you experts - thanks! :flower:
 

It depends on what is included in the Mears quote if it is a good deal or not. If it is just transportation, NO, it is not a good deal. If it includes tickets for the shows, bus tour, etc, then yes, it is a good deal, but it would probably still be less expensive to rent a car depending on your family size. There are sites that sell tickets for KSC-same sites where you can buy Disney tickets (I don't know where they are though-I found them through Mousesavers or this site I think) where you can price out tickets and see if the shuttle is a good deal.

KSC is worth the trip. It is about an hour from WDW, easy drive, freeway all the way. There is more to do there then one would think. They have several IMAX shows, a guided bus tour that takes you right out to the launch pad (unless there is a shuttle on the pad, then they take you to a road where you can see the shuttle and take pictures). You also tour some buildings and there is a museum to walk through. We were there one day a few years ago and did the IMAX show and the bus tour and didn't have time for the museum (we were there for about 6 hours). There was an night (well very early morning-like 3 am) shuttle launch the day after we were there. We could see it from our hotel in Downtown Disney.

We have 3 days on the coast planned after we go to Disney so we can go to KSC and relax. I think I am more excited about going back to KSC then Disney.
 
Do you think a 6 year old would like going here?
Thanks-Melanie princess:
 
We were just there this past Thursday. The standard admission cost is $30.00 which includes the bus tour and admission to all the attractions. The other admission includes the Astronaut Hall of Fame and a simulator ride. We spent the whole day and while we all enjoyed it, once was enough for us. Not sure if a 6 year old would find it enjoyable. There were some cute attractions, but it is mostly educational.
 
msfredna said:
Do you think a 6 year old would like going here?
Thanks-Melanie princess:
I was there in October, thats what I did on my only day off during the disaster relife operation with the Red Cross. I belive that a six year wouls love it there is a show there that helps the kids understand space and is compleatly set on there age group.They pull kids and some adults from the crowed and let them interact and they have special effects like a mild mist of water that falls and comfetti, there is also a place where the kids can walk across a real launch walk like the astronuts use, and they can sit inside of a space ship. They have a Lunch with an astrounut, I didnt do this one but it sounded really fun.

To answere your question short and sweet, I think they would love it, yes.
:Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce:
27 days lefts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I intend to visit Kennedy Space Center when I am in FL in September. Thanks to advice from the DIS, I found the following company that offers bus tours to the Space Center:

http://www.orlando-tours.com/

They offer a lot of other neat tours, too.
 
We love KSC and don't get there often enough. My DD even went to Space Camp last summer (while DH and I enjoyed relaxing days at the beach) and she can't wait to go again! I think that the general admission pass, which includes the bus trip, the visitor center, and the Saturn V center, takes the whole day, especially if it includes the IMAX theatre show. The visitor center has a bunch of exhibits including the opportunity to walk through a shuttle and visit the memorial garden, a tribute to those lost in the efforts to explore our universe. It also includes the rocket garden, which has an impressive display of rockets and offers the opportunity to walk across the walkway into a *white room* (the last place an astronaut has contact with humans prior to launch) and to squeeze yourself into the mercury and gemini capsules...and I do mean squeeze! The bus trip takes you past the vehicle assembly building, which is unbelievably huge and out to an observation gantry from which you can see the shuttle launch pads and the "historical" launch sites...those from the mercury, appollo, and gemini missions, as well as the rocket launch sites in use today. You'll also see the shuttle landing area (keep your eyes open for armadillo and gators!). The best is the Saturn V exhibit, which includes several shows and the most amazing thing I've ever seen- a real, full size Saturn V rocket (it was scheduled to go to the moon before the program was scrapped). I don't think a 6yo would be bored at all! We always spend the whole day when we come here. The Astronaut Hall of Fame is also very cool, but you won't have time for KSC and AHoF on the same day. AHF has alot of history to it, with walk-thru exhibits demonstrating different astronauts, the different programs, lots of memoriabilia and souvenirs from different launches and places (like the moon! although at the Saturn V exhibit at KSC you can touch a real moon rock!), as well as a room full of interactive exhibits where you have the opportunity to ride in the centrifuge that is part of astronaut training!

Logistics: About an hour easy drive from WDW area, on highway, can't miss it. There is a pretty decent cafeteria in the Saturn V complex, also food stands at KSC visitors center, all with theme-park type and priced food! There is really noplace to get dinner on the way back to the Orlando area until you get into Orlando. Cocoa/Cocoa Beach have some decent places to eat, also some chain restaurants, but it is about 30 min drive EAST of KSC, not on your way back to the theme park area. Admission is about $30 to KSC, depending on add-ons (like IMAX shows at visitors complex, and they ARE worth it). Call before going (or check online)- security is high if there is a launch going on, even for rockets, and hours or access may be limited/restricted. KSC is our favorite, AHoF was very cool and interesting, and I really don't think you'll have time to do them both in one day.
 












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