Kennedy Space Center

[TripletDad]

We will be going to WDW in July. Prior to our stay at WDW we will be at the triplet connection convention in Orlando. We are going to have couple of free days. I was wondering would our 7 year old triplet daughters enjoy the Kennedy Space Center? This is my first trip to Florida and would realy like to go there. BTW how long of a drive is it from Orlando to the Space Center?

Thanks TripletDad.

 

[sillyminny]

I will be honest:

We just took our three boys, 10, 10 and 6 and they were bored silly I am so sorry to say. It was tedious and frustrating.

It was also a lot of money. We missed something. I really believe it is for adults or for kids that really, really are into this sort of thing. I am sure some kids can't be dragged away from it all!

The drive is darn easy if you follow the directions on the brochure.You can also get 2.50 off if you have the coupon and buy the max pass for the day. It takes about fifty mins with no heavy traffic.

I was told our kids would love it and they didn't. Maybe it is because we are Canadian and just don't get into this subject. It was interesting for my dh and I as we knew about the famous space ships and astronauts. But with three kids along you don't daddle to read the fine print. The 3D film is very good but that is about 35 mins long.

We went to Gatorland and had a blast. For some Floridians and such this may seem to be as exciting as seeing cows but we loved it. We also loved the shows which were conducted by Nate and Brett, two guys who easily rival Steve Irwin the croc hunter. We found it entertaining and educational. Clean and a good 3 hour event.

We also enjoy just driving to the beach, like Daytona where you can drive on the beach! Neat.

 

[pnelson]

Wow, I am also not convinced my son (who will be 10 when we go) will love the KSC. He has shown no interest in space at all. I want to take him to the Titanic exhibit because he loves the Titanic-Gatorland would also be fun!

 

[sillyminny]

We also have heard the Titanic exhibit is iffy for that age. It is actually advised as being for teens and older. I believe my boys would have liked it but dh was fed up with high prices of exhibits compared to the WDW value.

 

[barbeml]

We did Space Center in October 2002 and loved it. I am remembering it as I watch the Columbia Shuttle explosion on CNN and feeling very sad.

Anyway, it took about an hour and we had a ball. We have no kids, but there were lots of them there and all seemed to be enjoying. Only you know if your kids are into space.

However, I can't imagine anyone not being enthralled by the 3D IMAX "Space Station." You feel as if you are in orbit. Beautiful. Admission is not cheap but includes 2 IMAX films. They had several attractions just for kids, and a clean, tasty, and reasonable food court, plus those ice cream Dip N Dots (very fun).

If your kids are not interested in space program, you may not want to spend the time and money.

 

[DMRick]

I went a couple of years ago with hubby and 9 year grandson (much into space travel). They loved it.. I don't think the Imax was there at that time.
Hybby took grandson 7 last May, and he (until then, wasn't interested in space travel) hasn't stopped talking about it. They loved the Imax. They stayed til it closed. They had hoped to go to the place that was more hands on nearby, but had no time, they spent so much time at the KSC. We found discount coupons on line.
We went to the Titanic Display in August. Although it wasn't very expensive, I think it was more than it should have been, for what was there. It was OK..but not something we would do again.

 

[Luv2trav]

Due to today's events I am not sure if this will be an option...

 

[DMRick]

I would ask, since the part you tour is not the actual part where the shuttles go up. The security getting in is very high. Be sure your cell phone batteries are charged, since you have to prove your phone works..as well as any other electronics. No backpacks allowed.

 

[DMRick]

They just announced that KSC attraction is still open.

 

[sillyminny]

Very sad event today, indeed. IT is a dangerous job and our thoughts and prayers are with the families.

At the KSC, the IMAX film is indeed excellent. I will echo what one poster said: Some kids may love love love it, but prepare your kids cause we didn't and it was very expensive for what they got out of it. Worked out to $200 cdn.

I know my dh and I would've loved it on our own.

 

[snookhams]

I have to agree with SillyMinny that unless your children are really into the whole space thing they may not enjoy it. We have been with kids and without and I have to say that although DH had a blast it wasn't really my cup of tea, and the kids got really bored. We are thinking however, of taking the boys during our visit next year as they will be that much older and maybe more interested, on our last visit my Dad went all by himself as out of the 10 of us he was the only one who wanted to go and that was only because he's really into photography and wanted some pics for competitions.