Kennedy Space Center review

[disneysteve]

We visited KSC on August 15 for the very first time. It was me, DW and DD-15. We got our tickets online from Undercover Tourist for $38.95 which was the best price we found.

I've always been a big fan of the space program having grown up in the 60s and 70s. And DD learned a lot about the space program in school this past year so she was also excited to see stuff for real.

We were all impressed by the facility and the experience. I think they do a great job of educating guests of all interest levels. They make the displays and presentations entertaining without dumbing them down. A couple of things got a bit hokey but overall, it was all very well done.

For the SciFi summer exhibit, they has a bunch of StarTrek memorabilia, displays and a live show. That was a little disappointing for us though it was neat to see some of that stuff. We've seen more of it previously at the StarTrek Experience in Vegas which was a much more involved display. But this was included in your KSC admission, not a separate ticket, so it was a nice little bonus. The live show was a joke, though. It was really aimed at little kids (which they didn't really tell you anywhere). It was cute but really had little to do with StarTrek and was filled with technical inaccuracies for those who are actually fans of the show.

So overall, I'd highly recommend the experience. It is about a 45 minute drive from the Disney area so you do need a car to get there but it is well worth the trip.

Of course, the shuttle program has ended but they will be keeping one of the shuttles onsite for display so that will be one more thing to see in the future.

 

[IHaveAFatCat]

I'm brand new to all this Disney planning, as we just booked a flight and hotel for our first, and probably only, trip to Orlando this coming October.

We definitely want to see KSC. The guide book I'm reading says to plan an entire day for it. Would you say that is accurate?

Were you back or Orlando for dinner, or should I look for options there or en route back?

Also, we really kind of wanted to see a beach, even if it's just for a walk. Would you, or anyone reading, guess that's reasonable to do on the same day as KSC?

Or are some of the nearest beaches worth and entire day trip on their own?

thanks in advance!

 

[disneysteve]

We definitely want to see KSC. The guide book I'm reading says to plan an entire day for it. Would you say that is accurate?

Were you back or Orlando for dinner, or should I look for options there or en route back?

I think you should plan a day. It takes 45-60 minutes each way, so that's 2 hours right there. We got there soon after opening at 9am and left about 5pm (they close at 6pm).

As for food, there is nothing anywhere in the vicinity, not that we found at least. We were going to eat onsite before we left but their food places close at 4pm which made zero sense to us. We ended up stopping at Florida Mall on the way back and had dinner there but we could just as well have waited until we were back in the Disney area.

Can't help on the beach questions. I'll let someone else answer that one.

 

[WJD2011]

We went to KSC three years ago and my DS7 (4 at the time of the visit) really enjoyed the visit. We had arranged for the Lunch with an Astronaut which I would highly recommend as you get a lot more color and insight from someone who experienced outer space.

 

[XJohnX]

Thanks for the review! Will definitely be checking this out on my next trip

 

[eduk8r26]

There's also the Astronaut Hall of Fame, which we didn't get a chance to visit. It's on the way to the Space Center, but not on the grounds.

 

[kathy884]

We went last March with DS (15) at the time. We were only there from noon to five -- Did the bus tour included with general admission that stops two places (structure you can climb to see some of the launch pads) and at the Vehicle Assembly plant (some great films about the history of the space program, chance to see old control station, big shuttle on it's side, and some other things) // Then we just had time to do the shuttle launch experience and see the rocket garden.

We were all really impressed. I hated the tour nine years ago -- found it so dull -- remember talking to DH saying, boy they could do so much more with this. They could really learn a lot from Disney. And now nine years late (finally giving it another chance -- layman non space enthusiast would be how I'd describe myself) and all I can say is WOW -- What a trememdous improvement! -- This was really fun and educational. DS is who picked the itinary, and that's why this was on the agenda.

We were staying at Orange Lake (offsite condo -- maybe about 20 minutes from the MK or SeaWorld -- closer to AK). Anyway, I timed our drive, and for us it was an hour drive each way, almost on the nose.

 

[cjstarr]

IHAVEAFATCAT

Playlinda beach is located a short drive from the KSC.
It is a natural beach that has 13 parking lots. The information below will give you more information about staying away from the last parking lot.(#13)

http://www.yelp.com/biz/playalinda-beach-titusville

Playlinda beach sea turtle watch program information.

http://nbbd.com/godo/cns/

A good place to eat and one that we never miss on a trip down that way is,
Corky Bell's.
This resturant is a MUST, for anyone going even close to that part of Florida.
It is located on Hwy. US 1 South of Titusville near Cocoa Beach.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura..._Bell_s_Seafood_Restaurant-Cocoa_Florida.html


Now if you go to Corky Bell's then you're not far from Ron-Jon surf shop located in Cocoa Beach. You can almost bet that you will spend a couple of hours just looking around while there.
More information about Ron-Jon Surf Shop.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/ron-jon-surf-shop-cocoa-beach-2

While there you will be at one of the most popular beaches, Cocoa Beach.
It is a nice beach but we have always found it to crowded for our liking
even though Trip Advisory states diferently.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g34145-r33400689-Cocoa_Beach_Florida.htmll

Charles

 

[disneysteve]

There's also the Astronaut Hall of Fame, which we didn't get a chance to visit. It's on the way to the Space Center, but not on the grounds.

We also didn't get a chance to go there. Admission to the Hall of Fame is included with your KSC ticket but the hours are the same 9-6. By the time we left KSC, it was close to closing time and we were pretty tired. KSC tickets are good for 2 days but we didn't have the time or desire to drive back there just to do the Hall of Fame.

 

[disneysteve]

One other little thing to keep in mind is that if you take the Bee Line, there are tolls. I don't have the exact numbers with me but I think it was about $3 each way.

 

[wolf29]

I'm seriously considering doing KSC next August. Kids will be 10 & 12 then, so old enough to appreciate the place. Ive been a bit reluctant to do this, as I'm not sure that the kids will get a big kick out of it. I grew up at a time where space travel was a big deal, so I'm sure to love it ( I remember watching Armstrong set foot on the moon, days when every launch was a huge deal) Today's kids seem to take space travel for granted. Anymore feedback from parents with kids in this age group?

 

[disneysteve]

I'm seriously considering doing KSC next August. Kids will be 10 & 12 then, so old enough to appreciate the place. Ive been a bit reluctant to do this, as I'm not sure that the kids will get a big kick out of it. I grew up at a time where space travel was a big deal, so I'm sure to love it ( I remember watching Armstrong set foot on the moon, days when every launch was a huge deal) Today's kids seem to take space travel for granted. Anymore feedback from parents with kids in this age group?

I'd say it depends a bit on the kid. My DD is 15 and has studied the space program some in school, plus she is into science in general. She's always liked going to science museums and just has that natural curiosity about stuff like that. If your kids are like that, they'd enjoy it. If they couldn't care less about science and history, not so much. It would still be fun but you'd probably get a lot more out of it than them.

KSC does have things geared to all levels but I do think it helps if there is at least some level of interest in the overall topic.

 

[crazelion]

The food at KSC is horrible. I mean it really bad. I did not think actually mess up a salad. By time I got WDW grounds me and the kids was starving.

 

[MadysonsMom]

I went a few years back and it was great! A nice change from the Disney scene, if you need one.

 

[disneysteve]

The food at KSC is horrible. I mean it really bad. I did not think actually mess up a salad. By time I got WDW grounds me and the kids was starving.

True. The chicken strips were decent but overall, very low quality food service. Also, as I mentioned, they closed at 4 even though the place is open until 6. Had we known that, we would have grabbed a snack before they closed. They at least had some prepackaged stuff that couldn't be screwed up like yogurt and Naked juice.

 

[leebee]

If you only have one day, definitely go to KSC. It's interesting, amazing, informative, fun... pretty much what everyone here has already said, and the counter service food is on par with most theme park food, I think (I do think Disney's is better). We go to KSC on a "down" or "non-park" day, as it's not as intense or as tiring as going to a theme park. KSC is DEFINITELY worth the 60 min drive from Kissimmee, and if you are at all curious you should check it out. However, with the 60 min drive each way and all the stuff there is to see, it's a full-day trip for sure.

The Astronaut Hall of Fame is full of memorabilia and artifacts... so-and-so's coffee mug from Apollo whatever, mission patches and spacesuits, newspaper/media clips, etc. Not boring stuff, but definitely more museum-ish than KSC. There is also a great interactive area that the kids really enjoy- science-space stuff to try out, hands-on stuff to do.

KSC is definitely worth the trip. If you are going just for Hall of Fame, maybe not as much, and there's enough to see/do at KSC that you really can't do both in one day (OK, if you are there the second they open at KSC and really rush through, and/or skip stuff, maybe... but who wants to skip getting into a Mercury capsule?). We went when we were in FL on a two week vacation, one week of which DD spent at Astronaut Day Camp at KSC while we lived in a suite on Cocoa Beach. Great trip...5 days of Disney, 5 days at Cocoa Beach, 4 days at Disney!

 

[JayhawkFans]

We ate lunch at KSC last week & found the
burgers to be good. Loved their cheese fries.

We arrived at 11 & left about 4:30. Made it
back for our 6:45 ADR at 'Ohana

 

[luvthemouse71]

For anyone who is staying on Disney property and doesn't want to rent a car, there are shuttles that will take you to KSC and back. They picked us up at ASMusic. They also pick up at the Swan and Dolphin. The price of the ticket also included admission.

Very easy and convenient.

 

[gavinsmom17]

We just visited ksc in August and we loved it. I agree you need a whole day to see everything..

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We went a few yrs ago and loved it. I went reluctantly but was so glad I did. We did the 'up close' tour and enjoyed how they took us around to see/hear explanation of the launch pads, vehicle assembly building, etc by bus with narration. It's such a huge place we felt better than trying to wander around. Since 9/11 the public can't get really close to the launch pads but we did get to the spot where one of the cameras are attached during take off. This is as close as any public visitor is allowed.

They also showed us the runway where the shuttle lands upon return, where the VIPs/astronauts' families sit to view the landing and the area that they take the parachute to after its retrieved from the ocean.
For us, the narration was better than just seeing things. Well worth the extra $.

We also enjoyed the IMAX show, esp speeches from JFK. I even got a little teary-eyed. Maybe I was just hormonal that day but I really liked it.

I'd like to visit again since our 1st/last visit our boys were only 6 & 9. Now they're 11 & almost 15 so they'd appreciate it more.

I work in Philly with a wide variety of backgrounds & have coworkers that honestly think the whole landing on the moon shown on TV was just a movie/conspiracy by the US government. It must suck to go through life so utterly ignorant. They have no clue of the grand scale of this place and never will since they only ever see what's in their own backyard.