Kennedy space center

[susquehannaretriever]

Ok, called my congressman's office and sign up for free passes for our 05/2014 trip. Anyone been here and what was your impression? Enough to do for an entire day? Also is there any certain day that might be better to visit, like there is the theme parks?
Any nearby public beaches that we can go to for a couple of hours? "Kids" are 18 & 17 so will this be something that they might enjoy? (I know hard to say not knowing them but the average person of that age).

 

[mm1971]

Ok, called my congressman's office and sign up for free passes for our 05/2014 trip. Anyone been here and what was your impression? Enough to do for an entire day? Also is there any certain day that might be better to visit, like there is the theme parks?
Any nearby public beaches that we can go to for a couple of hours? "Kids" are 18 & 17 so will this be something that they might enjoy? (I know hard to say not knowing them but the average person of that age).

It used to be a full day, but we haven't been there since they shut down the program. I know it is basically a museum now. I would thin there would be at least a half day. Hopefully others have been and can give more info.

 

[GS for life]

We went 2 years ago or so, right after the end of the shuttle program. We only had half a day, but really could have used a whole one. You can meet astronauts, see an IMAX film. You take a bus to the viewing station for the launches and then to the Apollo building. That was great!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[angierae]

We went in 2010 and it definitely took up most of a day - I remember we got back to WDW and had a late dinner at Kona. We took a tour that left from the Swan - they put us on a coach bus, took us to all the buildings and then set us loose in the bigger area. Lots of exhibits, we had lunch inside the one building, there was the memorial for the astronauts that have been lost ... it was definitely a full day for us but I don't know if anything has changed since we went.

 

[ZiPaD3doDAH]

Went about two weeks ago & it was amazing!

Definitely plan for a whole day. There is a bunch of stuff to do. You can go to a small theater and hear an astronaut speak about his experience, and then meet him/her.

There are 2 3-D IMAX movies you can watch, each are about 60 minutes I believe.

There is an amazing presentation of the Atlantis Shuttle and you get to check it out since it's on display (!!!)

There is a shuttle launch simulator (think mission space) as well.

Then you can take a bus to another area of the complex and it has two huge buildings to check out. the bus tour also takes you up close to the building where they hold the shuttles and work on them. You cannot drive to this area by yourself.

I went on a Sunday and it was a low crowd. The location of the center is on an island so i'm sure there are some beaches or relaxing places around.

Have fun, it took the whole day for me and once your there your gonna thank me for telling you this

 

[grimley1968]

I agree that KSC is at least a half day, or full day, depending on how much you decide to see.

As for nearby public beaches: probably the closest nice public beach would be Cocoa Beach. Just get on A1A from KSC and head south a few miles. We like to park at the S. 4th Street dead end. It has parking meters, has a walkway down to the beach, and normally has plenty of unused spaces. Also it's slightly further away from the heavily crowded areas a few blocks north.

 

[ParrotBill]

Nearby beach - yes - work your way south a bit to FL 528 / A1A and east past Port Canaveral to Cocoa Beach. Not far at all. There is a county beach at the point and many beach access spots as you drive south.

 

[starrysky]

We went for a whole day and we did the behind the scenes tour and the lunch with an astronaut.

That plus seeing the IMAX and all the other exhibits took a full day.

 

[Tinkermommy]

We we are science geeks so we got an annual pass last time we went (July).

The Atlantis Shuttle exhibit is AMAZING! I could have spent all day there.

Be sure to do the simulator.

We love it but we like science/space (so do the kids) so we really check out the exhibits and such.

To me it is a must do for families.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Orlando Hotels and Attractions board.

 

[kathy884]

It's a great place, really interesting. We wanted to sleep in after closing out the MK the night before and just got there about noon and stayed till about 5 p.m. With our short time, we just did the general admission, so took the tour included with that (great tour with some stops). After that we looked at the rocket garden and some did the simulator. That's all we had time to do, but it was a great half day (perfect for us).

Boy have they improved their act. I went about 15 years ago and it was SOOO BORING (awful really), and DH and I both said they really need to take lessons from Disney and SeaWorld about educating and entertaining at the same time / how much better it could be. I have to say that there was such a night and day difference between that and my last visit. They really have their act together now. I have to give the place a big thumbs up. Both space enthusiasts and non space enthusiasts I think would find it really interesting. We went with our 15 year old. He liked it even more than I did, and that's saying a lot.

 

[RabFlmom]

Nearby beach - yes - work your way south a bit to FL 528 / A1A and east past Port Canaveral to Cocoa Beach. Not far at all. There is a county beach at the point and many beach access spots as you drive south.

Or you can go into Titusville check out Spaceport park where they always showed the crowds during launches. There are memorials to the astronauts and their hand prints etc. The bridge you see from that park takes you back out to the beautiful National Beach. There is a carload charge to get in. There is a nature drive, trails, and a beautiful beach. If you park at the first lot, you can see some of the launch pads when you walk south on the beach. Usually surfers will be surfing down at 4-7 parking lots, but probably do not want to take kids down to the last access because that is known as the nude beach.

There are port-a-potties(inside block buildings) at each parking lot; but there is no water or food located on these beaches.

 

[Badamon]

We're planning to visit KSC in February and have planned a full day. Is there anywhere to eat a picnic lunch (do they allow it carried in?) or perhaps we should wait and eat at the beach?

 

[RabFlmom]

Just an FYI for anyone planning a trip this month. Bus tours do not have access to some areas because of the shut down of the government, but the Visitors Center is open. It just is hampering the up close tours and the general bus tours.