Kennedy Space Center??

[cruisnfamily]

I know this is slightly off topic but figured lots of you on this board would have helpful info. Our 4 day cruise leaves on a Sunday so we thought we would drive over Sat morning, go to Kennedy Space Center and then overnight somewhere and head to the port in the morning.
My Questions are the following:
1)How far is KSC from the port?
2)Where should we stay near the port? We are planning on driving to the port in the morning so won't need transfers/shuttles etc.
3)How long to allow at Kennedy Space Center?
4)Are the kids gonna see anything interesting to them at KSC? They are 6 & 9.
5)Husband wants to see the space shuttle-not taking off, just the on the ground there. He thinks that it was a seperate thing the last time we went and we somehow skipped it.
6)What is the astronaut hall of fame and should we go?
7)Are there guided tours of the space center or are we wandering around on our own?

Thanks to those who can assist. Sorry to be so long winded but possibly this is an idea for others who come down early and don't do Disney.

Any and all info regarding KSC would be helpful.

 

[Dodie]

You need to check out Dave's site. Especially the section on NASA on his URL=http://www.dcltribute.com/links/]links page[/URL] and the section on Space Coast Lodging

 

[NCRedding]

We did KSC on a Saturday in Jan. after we got back from our cruise. KSC is about 20 minutes from port, although you can see the center from the ship. Our DD was 9 and found lots of interesting things: she loved the Saturn (?) exhibit--which is a whole building dedicated to the Saturn program--it even includes a rocket suspended from the ceiling (forigve me if this is not the correct name--I never learned much about the space program--even though I remember getting the badges in my cereal as a kid). There are IMAX movies that run all day (hint: LINE UP EARLY). We took about 5 hours, but could have stayed longer--it was boy scout Saturday, and the place was seriously understaffed. We didn't get to see any of the Imax movies because of lines. We got to walk through a space shuttle which was adjacent to the main visitor area. There are bus tours that take you to individual stops--you get off, see what you want to see and then get onto the next bus to go to the next stop. There is an additional tour ($20 per adult, not sure about child) which goes into more detail, and allows you to see the inside of the huge assembly building. I enjoyed KSC but didn't love it. We didn't do the astronaut Hall of Fame. Just remember that KSC is not Disney--they don't move people well at all--long lines to get in, long lines for buses, long lines for snacks--you get the picture.

 

[ruvidu]

http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/
You can see all the scheduled flights into next year, purchase tickets and even purchase some souvineirs.
We have used this site to plan our trip this week. We have tickets to see Atlantis blast off Thursday afternoon.

 

[ErinC]

We are planning to do the same thing that you are. We are planning to spend a few hours of the Saturday before at the Space Center. I would love to know if one section or tour is prefered by someone else that has been there before. We won't have time or the inclination with a 5 and 2 year old to see the whole thing, so any opinions on what would be best for our family would be appreciated.

Sonya: We got a room through priceline for the Doubletree Hotel in Cocoa Beach for around $50($42 bid + fees). Look for Dave from Marietta's posts. He has a website www.dcltibute.com that has a listing of space coast lodging. That might help you out.
And by the way, on a personal note, I grew up in Bradenton. Have you lived in Sarasota long? Erin

 

[cruisnfamily]

I agree with Erin C...probably won't do every single thing so I need to know what are the things to definitely hit.

I am big on tours and people telling me what I am looking at as opposed to just wandering around. Is there much guided stuff? Also, anyone have more info on the additional tour (@$20) that NCredding mentions? I know we will do the bus around the place one as well(at least I think so).

I was thinking of staying at that Raddison by the port that everybody mentions if it is decent. We don't need to be beachfront for one night, we will get our sun and fun on the ship.

ErinC, I have lived in Sarasota for 13 years. My husband works in Bradenton at a hearing aid place behind the Westgate Publix. When are you cruising? Ours is September 22nd.

Again, thanks to everyone for helping us plan a great vacation. I am also planning a family trip to Washington DC this summer, wish there was an equivalent to the disboards for DC. I'm not having as much fun planning that one as I am this one.

 

[ErinC]

Sonya, My parents moved from Bradenton about 11 years ago. I know exactly where Publix is, I grew up in a house in Bayshore Gardens, went to Bayshore Schools and graduated from Bayshore High. I have spent many an hour in that Publix. We are cruising 5/19 (4 day). If we don't get enough response, I will be glad to fill you in on our experience when we get back. I will try to remember to email you when we return, if you want me to. Kind of a shame that I grew up there and we never made it to the Space Center. I guess our car didn't know how to drive past WDW without stopping! Erin

 

[Lyneigh P]

When my family and I went to the KSC in Dec 01, we spent about 4 hours there. Our day there was very slow paced. The buses are very slow and everything is spread out. My kids were 9 and 4 when we went. They had a nice time, but most of the stuff we saw was over my 4 year old daughter's head. My 9 year old son thought it was neat. When we were staying at the WL early in the week, we got to see one of the space shuttle in the sky from our hotel. It would have been great to see it closer to the KSC. When you drive on the bus, look out your window for baby alligators and for the eagle nest. My kids thought that we great.

 

[cruisnfamily]

One more try for some more info.....Anybody got any info for me?

 

[ruvidu]

1)How far is KSC from the port?
Just about 30 minutes. You can leave the Center, turn left hit 3 to A1A.

2)Where should we stay near the port? We are planning on driving to the port in the morning so won't need transfers/shuttles etc.
We stay at the Hampton Inn. I am a member of the Hilton Honnors Club and we earn points when we stay there. They gave me a free nights lodging last year because there were Fruit Loops around the bed.

3)How long to allow at Kennedy Space Center?
We were just there Thursday and it took us about 6 hours to see everything. It was really crowded with long lines everywhere. It was supposed to be launch day but it didn't happen.

4)Are the kids gonna see anything interesting to them at KSC? They are 6 & 9.
Thats hard to answer. There is a lot of history and not much interactive stuff that keeps kids occupied. There were a lot of kids there Thursday and they seemed to be having a ball.

5)Husband wants to see the space shuttle-not taking off, just the on the ground there. He thinks that it was a seperate thing the last time we went and we somehow skipped it.
Someone told us that if one of the shuttles is in the assembly building you can see them but I find that hard to believe. There is a replica at the center that allows you to see the cockpit and cargo bay.

6)What is the astronaut hall of fame and should we go?
It is down the road from the center and we did not go there. Sorry.

7)Are there guided tours of the space center or are we wandering around on our own?
You can get audio cassestes that explain parts of the center. The bus tour is guided. The Apollo/Saturn Center was on the bus route and it was a guided plus go your own way thing.

There are two Imax movies you can see plus one other. There is the children's play dome where they can play. I wish I had taken time to look at the place from a child's perspective.
We did see aligators and a eagle's nets that was the size of a queen size bed.
I hope this helps some.
Russ and Viv

 

[cruisnfamily]

Your replies are great. I really appreciate it. was it one price for everything? I know the Imax movies are probably extra. NCRedding..earlier post...mentioned an additional tour for an additional $20 to see the inside of the assembly building etc..Is anyone familiar with this as this may be what my husband was talking about.

The one and only other time we were there was about 12 years ago so I am sure it is very different now.

At my daughter's school, the 3rd graders go every year to the space center as an overnight field trip and sleep under a rocket. My daughter is in 3rd grade this year and was sooo looking forward to it. After 9/11, the school decided not to do it this year. What a bummer! Anyway, this is why we want to include it in our cruise plans...the kid wants to see the space center now!

Thanks for your help!

 

[ruvidu]

All the movies (3) were included. Food and snacks were a little on the pricey side $4 for a beer and $5 for ice cream. T-shirts and other souvineirs were very reasonable.

 

[NCRedding]

I'm using as my resource the Kelly Monaghan book The other Orlando. In the book, Kelly says there are 2 tours: The Cape Canaveral:then and Now and NASA UpClose. Both of these tours cost $20 per person, adult or child,(in addition to regular admission) and take in between 90 minutes to 2 hours. These are guided tours limited to about 20-25 people. It would be difficult to do both the same day. The Then & Now Tour goes to the original mission control, and go out to an early launch pad. This one was not running the day that we were at KSC. NASA up close was running, although we didn't do it. Again according to Kelly, you may get to visit Launch Pad 39A & B and see the launch countdown clock. You may get to see the Vehicle Assembly Station, the crawler transporter, and the Shuttle Landing facility. It may change due to security risks, etc.

 

[cruisnfamily]

I did go to their website and got a brochure from AAA but was not able to find this specific info. Either I missed it or maybe it just isn't on the website. Anyway, this is the info I was looking for. But, just to make sure, these are two extra tours in addition to the regular thing you do where you get on the bus and get driven around the place getting on and off?

Thanks!

 

[ruvidu]

Here is the Kennedy Space Center Tour List site. It should answer all questions. As you can see, several tours are not being conducted at this time.
http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/html/exhibits.html

 

[NCRedding]

The way I understand these tours--they are in addition to the regular bus tour that you can get off at stops on, and then get back on the bus (regular tour). These tours are still on buses, but you stay with the same bus and the same group the whole tour. You stop together, look around together, then leave together. I also searched the web site and found a little info, such as the Then and Now tour isn't currently being offered. If you search further into the "ticket Price" area, under special tours, it shows the purchase price of the other tour, but doesn't give any information about the tour, other than "see areas other people can't"

 

[cruisnfamily]

I was all over the website looking for specifics...How much $, how long, what is included, where does it go. I am a big planner although I am trying not to over plan either. I just want to know what our options are. I was thinking of emailing them and asking if they have a list of just tours and what's included rather than a list of attractions/exhibits which is what I find on the website. If I can get this info I will be happy to post it here so that others can benefit. Thanks for all of your help guys, I will try not to beat this topic to death ....just looking for info.

 

[cruisnfamily]

thought I would bump this up in hopes of getting some specific tour info. Maybe one of our more recent cruisers has gone to KSC.

 

[prymsu]

we did this on embarkation day. We didn't get to see everything because it is a slow process taking the buses between complexes. If you really want to do this to get the most benefit, I would do it either the day before, or the day after.

 

[goofysgal]

We were there on Friday and saw the shuttle coming in for landing (didn't see the actual touchdown - just reentry). Really enjoyed it. Extremely busy!!! Lots of schools on field trips.

Did the bus tour of sites - takes way to long --- spent about 2 1/2 hours and had to stand in line to board the bus between each site. Sorry we didn't have time to visit the I-Max movies.

Be sure to pick up a discount coupon from one of the visitor centers or hotels in the area. We saved $7.50 on admission - $2.50 per person.