Kennedy Space Center with Teens

[TheSouthernBelle]

We're going to KSC for a quick visit before our WDW trip this month. I have not been there since my 4th grade field trip and I'm north of 35 so it's been quite a while. I have two teenage girls that are excited but what are the must do's with teens for a short/half day visit? We've perused the site and asked friends who've been but they all have conflicting recommendations on what you can't miss. I know it's likely a lot more to see now than there was 20+ years ago but what are some of your favorite attractions? TIA

 

[JaxDad]

If not buying add-on experiences, I would say Atlantis, including the space shuttle experience “ride,” and the Saturn V.

 

[ChanaC]

I went a few years ago. The Atlantis experience is fantastic. Not only is it cool to see Atlantis but the building it is in has a lot of cool features and exhibits as well. Not to give anything away (and don't spoil it in advance!) but the revel of the shuttle is breathtaking. The free bus tour is great too, the drivers will usually point out a lot of cool stuff, and you get as close to the Vehicle Assembly Building as a non-employee can. Depending on the schedule you may be able to see some SpaceX rockets on their launch platforms. The tour takes you to the Saturn exhibit which also has a lot to do and see. There is a room set up like the control room and you can see and feel like what it would have been like to be in it during a launch. I would just remember going in that KSC is less like an amusement park and more like an interactive museum, but a really really cool one.

 

[Woodview]

It is really More than a half day visit

Get there at opening time See the Movie Then take the Bus Tour & on

Well worth the visit & Lots to do

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

It is really More than a half day visit

Get there at opening time See the Movie Then take the Bus Tour & on

Well worth the visit & Lots to do

We’re on a limited schedule and we’ll be driving up the day of from south Florida so we unfortunately can’t make it at opening. Thank you!

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

I went a few years ago. The Atlantis experience is fantastic. Not only is it cool to see Atlantis but the building it is in has a lot of cool features and exhibits as well. Not to give anything away (and don't spoil it in advance!) but the revel of the shuttle is breathtaking. The free bus tour is great too, the drivers will usually point out a lot of cool stuff, and you get as close to the Vehicle Assembly Building as a non-employee can. Depending on the schedule you may be able to see some SpaceX rockets on their launch platforms. The tour takes you to the Saturn exhibit which also has a lot to do and see. There is a room set up like the control room and you can see and feel like what it would have been like to be in it during a launch. I would just remember going in that KSC is less like an amusement park and more like an interactive museum, but a really really cool one.

Thank you!

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

If not buying add-on experiences, I would say Atlantis, including the space shuttle experience “ride,” and the Saturn V.

Thank you

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

If not buying add-on experiences, I would say Atlantis, including the space shuttle experience “ride,” and the Saturn V.

Jaxdad can you share what the "ride" is like? The website says it's an 8 minute simulator and you have to put any items you have in lockers. Why would you not be able to have a purse with you for a simulator ride?

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

Also, does it cause motion sickness?

 

[JaxDad]

Jaxdad can you share what the "ride" is like? The website says it's an 8 minute simulator and you have to put any items you have in lockers. Why would you not be able to have a purse with you for a simulator ride?

It’s been a few years, but I would describe it as having only mild motion, maybe just front-to-back tilting. I think it also has some vibration and definitely sound. It’s more to understand the procedures involved with a shuttle launch, with just a bit of the sensation thrown in. Hopefully someone else will add more to my description.

I’m not sure why you can’t have your purse. I’m guessing the tilting I remember may be the entire floor, not the individual seats, so they want to avoid items rolling around.

 

[ChanaC]

I went on a few years ago, I think it just shakes you around a little. Definitely not a launch experience like Mission Space.

 

[Alottasky]

We were just there in February. I was a little worried about how intense the shuttle launch experience would be when I had to put my crossbody purse in a locker but it was fine. It would say it has much less movement than Star Tours. We enjoyed it. I do get motion sickness on boats but had no problem at all with this experience.
We got to KSC when they opened and immediately took the bus out to the Saturn V exhibit. Many school groups so we did not spend any time doing any of the hands on stuff. After the bus ride back we went to the shuttle experience again skipping crowded hands on stuff. We ate lunch. We then saw a 3D movie and finished up with walking around the static rocket display. We left about an hour before closing. As far as the school groups go if you’re not getting there until later you may not have to deal with them as much.
We had a nice day there the Friday before our cruise but probably wouldn’t go back for a while unless we were going to a launch.

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

Thanks for the info!

Does anyone know if you can go back to your car to get lunch and then go back in? I would assume but I cannot find the info anywhere.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

So we're back and we enjoyed KSC.

This ride does ask you lock up anything in free lockers that won't secure safely in pockets or a small fanny pack that you can wear. The ride tilts you back and there is no where on the ride to safely stow anything. The ride was fine for my husband who's prone to motion sickness and the visuals are not typical simulator visuals so I don't really think there are any issues.

If anyone is considering going, it's a nice but it's definitely geared towards younger kids or adults/teens who are really into space exploration. We enjoyed a lot of the new stuff as it's a ton bigger than when I was there last but it's $250 for a family of 4 and it was no where near a full day or even a half day's experience for us. I know everyone is different and into different things but my girls ages 13 & 15 were not really into it and tbh, me and my husband didn't think it was worth the cost either even for adults.

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

We went the week before Easter and loved it! My girls, 17 and 15, are not really into space but they really enjoyed it and have been keeping up with the launches since we were there. For us, a half day was good. We were there from about 9:30- 1:30 and saw everything we wanted. The girls were hungry (we brought lunch in cooler and left in car) so we ate and left. We could have went back in after lunch but they were satisfied and ready to leave. It cost $208 for the 4 of us through UnderCover Tourist.