Kennedy Space Center

[mshanson3121]

Would it be possible to go there for say just an afternoon? Would 4-5 hours there be worth the cost? Our children would be 10 & 7.

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

It depends on how much you want to do and how "into" the subject matter your family is. If you're interested in doing all the 'timed' events - the IMAX films, the Astronaut Encounter, etc, fitting everything into one whole day (open to close) ranges from difficult to impossible.

The bus tour to the Apollo/Saturn V center takes a chunk of time, and the Atlantis exhibit (which is super cool) also does.

 

[samsteele]

I think so if you plan carefully where you want to spend your time. I went approx 3 yrs ago and found the Saturn V centre/bus tour to be the main highlight for me. It does take time but time very well spent. The bus tour & Saturn was the heart of KSC IMO and its not to be missed. I'd make that the priority when you first arrive. I went to KSC specifically to see the historic rocket sites and memorabilia and so this was the core of the visit for me. Plus, saw some huge gators in the ditches along the roads on the tour and some bald eagles circling their nests so a nice perk. The IMAX film is good but most of us can view some form of IMAX anywhere in North America. The childrens' interactive play area was OK but not up to the same standard as most science centres. There was also a meet and great with an employee dressed as an astronaut. I was there for no more than 5 hrs (with my sister-in-law and 7 yr old niece) and we saw everything we wished to see in that time. I'd rank the attractions as: 1)the tour/Saturn centre 2) IMAX 3) interactive games/activities bldgs. Def go if you get the chance.

 

[writerguyfl]

Personally, I think a 4-5 hour first visit will just leave you frustrated. The bus tour is 2-3 hours. And, the Atlantis building has a number of exhibits, including a Disney-quality pre-show that shouldn't be missed. Plus, there is the Shuttle Launch Experience. Remember, you will probably have to wait in lines just like at a theme park.

I think so if you plan carefully where you want to spend your time. I went approx 3 yrs ago and found the Saturn V centre/bus tour to be the main highlight for me. It does take time but time very well spent. The bus tour & Saturn was the heart of KSC IMO and its not to be missed. I'd make that the priority when you first arrive. I went to KSC specifically to see the historic rocket sites and memorabilia and so this was the core of the visit for me. Plus, saw some huge gators in the ditches along the roads on the tour and some bald eagles circling their nests so a nice perk. The IMAX film is good but most of us can view some form of IMAX anywhere in North America. The childrens' interactive play area was OK but not up to the same standard as most science centres. There was also a meet and great with an employee dressed as an astronaut. I was there for no more than 5 hrs (with my sister-in-law and 7 yr old niece) and we saw everything we wished to see in that time. I'd rank the attractions as: 1)the tour/Saturn centre 2) IMAX 3) interactive games/activities bldgs. Def go if you get the chance.

Sounds like you went before the Atlantis building opened, which was in June of 2013. If you ever have a chance, I highly recommend re-visiting KSC to see Atlantis. The way the Shuttle is presented is fairly awe-inspiring. Every time I've visited, they've had docents who worked on the Shuttle program there to answer questions. I once had a fascinating conversation with a gentleman who spent over a decade working on the solid rocket boosters.

Also, if you're interested in the history of the space program, I highly recommend the "Cape Canaveral: Then & Now" tour. It's worth every penny of the additional $25 they charge. You get to go into the control room for Alan Shepard's historic first space flight. The lack of technology (when compared to today) is astounding. It's amazing what was accomplished.

(Side Note: I wouldn't recommend the "Launch Control Center" tour. That tour visits the Firing Room were most of the Shuttle missions were launched. Although plenty of history happened there, it was really just a big room with desks that looks like the set you see in the first show at the Saturn V Center.)

 

[samsteele]

Sounds like you went before the Atlantis building opened, which was in June of 2013.

That's probably what happened as I don't remember seeing this. Sounds like an incredible new addition & I'll def have to get back to see it. Thanks for the updated information!

 

[Chucky!]

Nope, thats a long way to go for a few hours, it is a whole day event (if you are a casual, curious visitor). If you have a special interest in space/space exploration history, one full day will not be enough.

 

[Sadie22]

Nope, thats a long way to go for a few hours, it is a whole day event (if you are a casual, curious visitor). If you have a special interest in space/space exploration history, one full day will not be enough.

We had one and a half days and wished we had two or more.

 

[poosiegirl]

We were there from open to close this January with my 7 year old space crazy boy and his very patient 5 year old sister. My son is a serious space nerd (he can name all the Mercury astronauts and most of the Gemini program astronauts as well as tell you details about the all the pre-shuttle programs/missions). He could have easily spent two more days there. The top highlights for us were the Apollo/Saturn V Center (for my son seeing the Saturn V was liking seeing Cinderella's castle for my daughter), the Space Shuttle Atlantis (and we had previously seen Discovery but this presentation was amazing) and the Astronaut Encounter.

We didn't do the Lunch with an Astronaut (although we might on a future trip) but my son loved getting to talk to a real astronaut. When we came home from our 10 trip people would ask who his favorite character was, he got a lot of confused looks when he replied "Wendy Lawrence", Mickey couldn't compete with someone who'd been to space!

Part of the fun that day for us was seeing the pure joy and enthusiasm in him but it was also a really cool way to spend the day. It rained and was windy but since most everything is indoors it didn't bother us. We explored the rocket garden in the afternoon when the sun finally peeked out. That's a great place for the kids to move around a little, plus there are replica Mercury and Gemini capsules for the kids to climb in, which were a big hit with both kids. It's a pretty awesome place to spend a day!

 

[FigmentSpark]

My 12 year old is space crazy, but it's the planets and the stars that grab his attention. He really knows nothing about space exploration, other than what we've learned of the celestial bodies from them. Will there be enough at Kennedy to keep his attention? I'd hate to pay all those prices (and bore his sporty brother), only to find out that it's more about rockets, history and astronauts than space itself.

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

My 12 year old is space crazy, but it's the planets and the stars that grab his attention. He really knows nothing about space exploration, other than what we've learned of the celestial bodies from them. Will there be enough at Kennedy to keep his attention? I'd hate to pay all those prices (and bore his sporty brother), only to find out that it's more about rockets, history and astronauts than space itself.

It's definitely more about the history (and future) of space exploration than anything else, but there's some content about space itself. The "Eyes on the Universe" presentation is about what can be seen from space telescopes. There's also display in the Atlantis exhibit about the Hubble telescope and what we've been able to see with it. The "Science on a Sphere" presentation is more about Earth but it's still pretty cool. There's a spot in the Saturn V center where you can touch a moon rock.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Thanks. I asked him and he seems to still be interested.

 

[KristinU]

Do you all know if you can add on a second day admission during your visit? Or do you have to decide at the ticket booth whether you want a single day or the multi day?

 

[writerguyfl]

Do you all know if you can add on a second day admission during your visit? Or do you have to decide at the ticket booth whether you want a single day or the multi day?

If you don't get an answer here, you can contact Kennedy Space Center (KSC) at 866-737-5235. If you prefer email, you can send a message via the form at the bottom of the Contact page of the KSC website: https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/information/contact-us.aspx

Note: There is a rocket launch (hopefully) happening about 3 hours from now and another set for Saturday, June 4, 2016. Whenever launches happen, KSC Guest Service gets swamped with calls/emails. If either launch gets scrubbed/rescheduled, they get even more calls/emails. So, don't be surprised if wait times are long and/or you don't get an immediate response to a question sent via the form.

 

[KristinU]

Many thanks Writerguyfl!