Kennedy Space Center tips?

[CJK]

I'm not sure if this is the best forum for this question?? Heading to the Kennedy Space Center for 1 day in late February. Any tips?? Are some days better than others, and do you have to be there right when it opens or is any time okay? I've never been before!

 

[kathy884]

We went last year during a busy spring break week (Unofficial Guide had Disney parks rated at 8-10 for crowd levels all week). We slept in, got on the road at 11, and got to Kennedy Space center about 12:10. I didn't think crowds were bad at all. We got in line for the bus tour with stop offs that is included with admission (really an excellent tour) // very educational and enjoyable. The line was maybe 20 minutes long (I didn't think that was bad at all). We didn't have that much extra time as we enjoyed the tour a lot and spent quite a bit of time at each of the stops. When we got back, some in our party went on the similator ride and others just checked out the rocket garden and gift shop. Many might want to see more, but this mini half day trip for us was perfect. We were ready to head back and skipped the astronat hall of fame which is open late, and we could have visited.

Boy have they improved this place. 10 year ago based on my experience I would say skip it. I would though now if you have even a slight interest in seeing this facility definately recommend going.

Here's a description of the basic tour. This in itself makes for a great visit:

Short of becoming an astronaut, there’s no better way to get a glimpse of Kennedy Space Center than on the Kennedy Space Center Tour (KSC Tour). Take a NASA bus for a panoramic view of space shuttle launch pads at the LC-39 Observation Gantry, and then experience the historic Apollo 8 launch and marvel at a massive 363-foot-long Saturn V moon rocket at the Apollo/Saturn V Center.

The KSC Tour is included with admission and departs every 15 minutes from the Visitor Complex. The tour is self-guided, allowing guests to get off the bus and spend as much time as desired at each location.

Price: Included with Admission

 

[Belle83]

My biggest tip is to do the bus tour first! They stop in the afternoon around 3:30 pm or so (check before you get there). We missed the bus tour the first day because we were spending too much time with the shuttle launch simulator and in the gift shop, and had to come back the next day.

Also, don't worry about sitting next to people in your group on the bus tour. The bus just takes you from site to site, it's not a true 'bus tour' where you stay on the bus the whole time. We saw adults basically throwing a fit about not being able to sit by each other, it was so silly.

My other tip is to buy your tickets ahead of time. There was a long line for tickets when we got there.

We did the basic tour last trip, but are doing one of the extended tours next time.

I have pictures from KSC in my trip report in my signature.
Day 1 @ Kennedy: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=41612442
Day 2 @ Kennedy: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=41781003

 

[CJK]

Wonderful info, thanks so much!

 

[MHSweb79]

We love the Kennedy Space Center, but on our last trip the food at the food court was TERRIBLE. This was a couple of years ago so hopefully it's changed, but you may want to bring some sandwiches with you just in case.

 

[mikkiwikki]

We love the Kennedy Space Center, but on our last trip the food at the food court was TERRIBLE. This was a couple of years ago so hopefully it's changed, but you may want to bring some sandwiches with you just in case.

Weird We were there in December 2011 and the food was very good! And super fast. Guess it all depends on timing?
I actually have pics...I haven't gotten to that date in my 2012 TR..but look at my siggie for updates

 

[Sadie22]

We got off the AutoTrain and drove over there and stayed until closing, and then the next day we were there all day and wished we had another day to spend there. But we were two adults and read every single sign, took a bus tour and a walking tour of what i think is called the rocket garden. We asked a lot of questions of the tour guide. We never made it to the Astronaut Hall of Fame where they have astronaut training, which I think DH would have loved. This was in summer and there were crowds but it was not unmanageable.