Kennedy Space Center tips

[CalvaryMike]

Where can I find or does anyone have any advice for Kennedy Space Center?

They have a couple of different options and tours.

• Standard Admission
• Maximum Admission

• NASA Up Close
• Cape Canaveral Then and Now
• Lunch with an Astronaut

As with all the options at WDW, I can find enough info or advice from people. But, I can't find very much info on KSC.

Thanks!

 

[FigmentGuy]

We too will prolly be going to the KSC in Nov. We are still debating which ticket options will work best for us. There is two of us in our early 20's. I think we will do the tour of "NASA up close". This tour price comes with the "maximum admission" to the hall of fame, exhibits, Imax, etc... The NASA up close tour sounded like you get to see all the interesting finer points. Not sure if it would be boring for any children. I guess that depends on a childs interests. Im debating on this "lunch w/an astronaut". At first I thought it was oriented for the kids. (did wanna be the only adults w/out children) But the more I read around and about, it sounds like the adults actually enjoy the lunch w/the astronaut. So, I figure I might not ever make it back to this place, I will do it all. Anyone been, experienced, and can help answer our questions??? haha, please, I think we need some advise!

 

[musicmama]

Waaay back in May 2000, we took our first family trip to Orlando (DH, me, DD-then 7). DH is a space nut (born in '52, so lived through the whole space race, to the moon, etc.) so we scheduled a day for KSC. I signed up for every tour we could get except for meal with an astronaut - they didn't start that til 2001. To do all of the tours, you have to be a real space enthusiast - and really want to give up a whole day, with a LOT of walking.

The "Then and Now" tour was only interesting in places for me and DD, but totally fascinating for DH. I will admit, some of it was a great later memory for all of us when Space Cowboys was released - "remember when we were there..." Sadly, some of the places we visited in 2000 have since been demolished (one of the launch pads and I forget what else, DH has made comments).

The "Up Close" tour was GREAT!!! Especially since the shuttle (Columbia) was on the launch pad - although the launch was a couple days after we left for home. We have terrific video from the viewing area of the shuttle. Then to tour the space station "parts assembly" and be able to go through mockups of the various pieces ... very very cool. The only disappointment is that you don't get to see the inside of the Vehicle Assembly Building.

The Saturn V center is pretty neat, too - and it's available outside of a tour with the Max Adm (totally worth it). By the time we hit that, DD and I were exhausted and DH was just hitting his stride.

It was a long - but really good - day. Well worth the cost - I think I was able to get a slight discount because I was purchasing both tours and had AAA, but since it was 5 years ago, I don't really remember (sorry).

 

[Debbie Jean]

I think a lot depends on the ages involved. MY DD, now 18, and I have been several times and loved all the tours.

For a first trip, the NASA up close is great. Last time we did the Then & now which takes you out to all the old Mercury, Gemini, Apollo launch sites... absolutely sensational!

Between touring, IMAX presentations, lunch and the great gift shops, this is easily an entire day.

We haven't done the Astronaut lunch, yet... planning that for our next visit. This is our favorite non-Disney side trip when we visit Orlando.

 

[umaangel00]

We are going in March of 06 to KSC. Are you sure it was Columbia on the shuttle launch pad? Columbia went up in 2003. Just wondering.

 

[DisneyDotty]

We visited the Space Center in June and enjoyed the Lunch with the Astronaut--very interesting stories, good intro film, decent food. We purchased the Maximum pass, intending to spend a day and a half at the Space Center, but my ds became ill and we had to limit ourselves to about 3/4 of a day there. Nice change of pace from WDW--no crowds--and there were lots for our kids to see (although the bus tour wasn't terribly interesting for our dd11. I think my dh and I were more into the whole space idea--remember watching moon landings on TV at school--than our kids were.) I'm glad we went and would love to go back to finish touring there someday.

 

[we3disneygo]

we were there in Dec.2003 and just did the basic tour, which includes a bus ride out to some stuff and this keep us busy all day--they have meet an astro. program which was cool and you get to ask questions-look for lots of wildlife on your drive there. a very nice time and we would go back agian. hope this helps.

 

[Margie J]

I just bought my tickets on-line today for next Tuesday. It will include the "Lunch with an Astronaut" and the Maximum ticket.

I will report back on what the day was like.

 

[jdm]

We did Lunch with the Astronaut and loved it. If you do a search, you'll read about it as I've posted about our experience several times. Although not a space buff, this surprisingly turned out to be one of our favorite days of the trip. I attribute this to our choice to do the lunch with the astronaut. It was a great day!

Jenn

 

[jdybnsn]

Could someone tell me approx. how many people attend the astronaut lunch and does everyone get to speak to them personally ?

 

[DisneyDotty]

Could someone tell me approx. how many people attend the astronaut lunch and does everyone get to speak to them personally ?

It's in a banquet hall--probably 10 or more tables of 8 people. There is a lot of time to ask a question of the astronaut, and the coordinator was giving priority to kids with questions--so chances are good that you could personally ask a question...
Have a great time!

 

[Margie J]

Lunch with an Astronaut Report

Astronaut Sam Gemar

Sam has flown on Shuttle missions before retiring. Prior to and after the lunch he also appeared at an Astronaut Encounter held outside where the audience could ask questions.

The lunch was held in a large banquet hall. Looked a bit like a wedding reception. The meal was served buffet style and featured salad, rolls, mixed vegetables, chicken in a cream sauce, mac & cheese, mini corn dogs, etc. Soda, iced tea, juice, milk, water, coffee and tea were available. For dessert you had your selection of excellent cakes, cheesecake, pies, cookies, etc. It was all you could eat too.

During lunch they played a video of some scenes of daily life within the space shuttle. Sam was one of the astronauts in the video.

Sam entered the room and visited each table briefly. He was so much fun, had a bright and cheerful personality.

As we finished lunch he approached the stage to greet the room and talk a bit about his experiences as an Astronaut. He told some funny stories about "potty training" for the Crew! He also gave us the sad statistic that 1 in 15 astronauts have died either during training or a mission. Then he opened it up for questions from the quests. An assistant went around the room to help with that.

Once lunch was over everyone had the opportunity to have their picture taken with Sam. A professional photographer was there and a backdrop was set up. An assistant would also snap a quick picture using your camera if desired. We also got an autographed photo and bio of Sam.

It was so much fun, well worth the price and a piece of history and an event not to be forgotten.



I might add - I had a Maximum pass and was given 2 days of use with it. It was a great value with the Hall of Fame included.

 

[CalvaryMike]

Marjie, thank you very much for that great and informative update. Much appreciated!

 

[golfgal]

I have done the basic bus tour and the NASA Up Close tour and you see a LOT more on the up close tour. I would really recommend that one. There is another behind the scenes tour that you can take but everyone over 12 needed a photo ID and our 12 year old didn't have one so we couldn't do that. It sounded like a blast.

 

[ikarei]

I've done the standard & up-close tours.

The standard admission will take you around the Vehicle Assembly Building and then to the observation gantry and the Saturn V center.

The up close tour will take you to those places, the ISS processing facility where you can actually see people working on the ISS modules and also to an defunct obvservation point that will give you the closest view to the launch pads. I highly recommend it.

Also, I think you can come back the next day for free if you get your ticket validated when you leave, so you don't have to skip certain things becase you didn't have time, just go back and cover it the next day. They have done that the last few times I was there.

Oh and the food, in the cafeteria at least, is not that good and is VERY expensive. I would suggest bringing some munchies if you are going to be there all day long.

 

[ely3857]

Me & DF went to KSC in Aug this year. We got the Maximum access pass and did the Nasa up close tour. We loved it but we didnt have time to fit it all in. We will be returning next year. BTW I am 26 & DF is 30.



Jodie

 

[sln88]

we are going to Disney the end of Oct, then on a 3 day cruise, then we have an extra day before we fly out. I have an 8, 11 and 17 yr old.
I am thinking about taking the family to the KSC that last day. We would just be getting off the ship, so I don't know how tired we will be. I don't think we want to make a long day of it. OTOH, I don't want to get there and regret not being able to do certain things. If we really like it, we can always go back again a different year. Our flight is not until about 4 the next day, so we could maybe even go back for a couple of hours the 2nd day.
soooooo
should I prebuy tickets? if yes, which ones? does it save $ to prebuy, or should I just wing it and see how we feel? Does the lunch with an astronaut fill up fast? Is the KSC website the best place to get tickets, or do others offer discounts?
thanks

 

[leebee]

We love KSC! The "basic" type ticket gives you the bus tour around the Space Center; you'll see the Assembly Building, Shuttle Landing Site, get out at the observation gantry (there is a movie here) and the Saturn V center, which is the BEST and has 2 movies, lots of things to see (lunar module, space suit, etc) and you can touch a moon rock. At the visitor center, make sure you see the Rocket Garden, walk thru the Shuttle, and go to the Astronaut Memorial. The IMAX movies are terrific, but that is an add-on, as is lunch with an astronaut. I think the "up close" tour could be good, but when we were there security was fairly high so we couldn't go out to the "historic" launch pads, and there was nothing going on at the International Space Station site, so although we could walk through some modules, it wasn't thrilling. I honestly think you could spend an entire day with just the basic ticket; if I was adding anything on, it'd be the IMAX movies at the Visitor Center. DD went to Space Camp at KSC one year (she was almost 11); she loved camp but found "lunch with an astronaut" boring. We also enjoyed the Astronaut Hall of Fame but there is NOT time to do both AHoF and KSC on the same day...and KSC is not to be missed! It isn't anywhere as tiring as the major theme parks or Sea World; it's smaller, there are far fewer people, and the bus tour and movies mean alot of fanny-time! Remember that security is tight at KSC; they don't allow coolers, and they even discourage backpacks, as well as all the usual sharp objects, etc. We haven't been to KSC recently, not since June '04, even though we've been to WDW twice since then; I'm sure we'll go on our next trip!