Kennedy Space Center

[tross]

Since our cruise leaves on Sunday we can come in on Friday night and have Saturday to spend somewhere. We have 3 DS 7,10,12. They haven't asked but I thought they might enjoy the space center. I'm trying to decide between a day at Universal, extra day at Disney (we're going for 3 days after) or the space center. Any opinions out there on the space center. You can never get enough disney but this won't be their first trip and hopefully not our last. We've also done Universal and loved as well.

 

[MarkLem]

We had 3 hours to kill this past Saturday so we drove to the Space Center. You need a full day to do this, and it will cost $30+ for adults, and I think around $19 for kids. Your kids may be old enough for it (mine were 8, 6, 3 and were just happy to see the lifesize model of the shuttle on the drive in).

If I had a whole day I myself would go to Uniersal, especially since it's the off season and crowds are down.

 

[rae519]

We went there on the Friday before our cruise in October. It was interesting and both my Mom (74) and my son (8) thoroughly enjoyed it. Lots to see and do - much more than you realize! Definitely worth the price and time!

Rae

 

[d'Isigny]

KSC is a very interesting place...your DS's are prob at the perfect age to go. It is a little pricey...and is recommended to 'set aside' a FULL day to fully explore.

 

[DoomBuggieDriver]

Dear Tross,
I am also looking into visiting the Space Center with my family. Here are some links to help you decide:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=486430
http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/
http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/

Funny, but until you mentioned Universal, it hadn't occured to me to try to jam in a day there. My DDs are very wimpy when it comes to wild rides, so we've stuck to the Disney theme parks because there are lots of options. But maybe just a little time would be ok...... Have fun planning and let us know what you decide to do.
Buggie

 

[snelsonbrown]

I love KSC - my children loved going there when they were growing up and have seen it expand to what it is today - I have some coupons that $2.50 off and I believe I still have some with $5.00 off if you are interested - be aware that Seaworld and Universal just went up on their prices this past week - adults is $53.95 children 3 to 9, I believe was either $51.00 or 52.00, but there is still lots of entertainment -
Anyhow if I can help, just drop me a note.
always
Shirley

 

[CACruiser]

KSC tips...

Plan a whole day for the basic tour. The place is HUGE.
My kids were 8 and 3 at the time. It was perfect for the 8 yo, who is a "scientific" male. My daughter was bored to tears.

It is pricey, so I would look for discount coupons. We qualified for military discounts.

DO bring snacks, water bottles, SUNSCREEN AND BUG REPELLENT!!! Everything is surrounded by the Flordia marshes and there are bugs everywhere!

Oh, and if I had a telescoping lens on my camera, I would have brought that too. You can get some great pics from the observation towers.

My family and I had two extra days on our trip. We did KSC on one day and just beached it in Coco the next.

KSC was "okay" for me. I did LOVE the movie in the theatre on space....but, I would have rather spent the day hanging by the pool or beach.

LisaCA

 

[Pete W.]

When you take the KSC bus tour, how much time is spent outdoors and how much in air conditioning? Is there a lot of walking outside? We'll be there in June and I'm not sure how much my young kids will enjoy it (when the alternative is 'hanging by the pool').

Do you really need a whole day or can you take a KSC 'lite' tour in 4-6 hours?

 

[dclwdwlover]

We did it in October in 6-7 hrs & did the tour that included the Astronaut Hall of Fame. We had 2 kids (18 & almost 13). They liked it, but were a little bored. However, afterwards I would see them saying "we were there" when they would see an advertisement on tv. Also, they now know things about the space program that they had no clue about before. They really enjoyed the movie & the AHof Fame. We could've spent a lot more time at the AHF than at the Space Center. My husb. & I would love to go back & spend more time, but for the kids it was more than sufficient.
The tour that we took is mostly indoors & air conditioned, although you travel on a bus to each place. Basically, you can be there as long as you want to. Four hours could work if you want it to, but as was said, it is fairly expensive, so you might opt to stay longer just to get the 'most of your money'.
My husb. & I really enjoyed KSC & I would recommend going there as opposed to a park before the cruise (since you'll be in one afterwards anyway) because it will be much more relaxed & not as hectic as pace.
Universal is nice, but a lot of walking, rushing & also an expensive day. Personal preference, I guess.
I like the idea of 'hanging by the pool'. You could go to Downtown Disney & sight see, also if you wanted to venture to Orlando. Also, there's Sea World, Busch Gdns, etc.
Have a great time.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

has anyone done this as a post cruise tour?? We were just on a carnival cruise and they offered it as a post cruise, wish I had known, you get off first and then after KSC they take to you the airport.

 

[hayesktrm]

We were also thinking of going to KSC after the cruise. Our flight doesn't leave until 4 pm, so if we got off the ship around 9 am, we would have about 4 hours to spend there. My 11 yr. old son would love it and my 6 yr. old daughter would probably think it was interesting. I know that isn't a lot of time, so could someone recommend the must-see things there?

Karen