Kennedy Space Cetnre

[snookhams]

We have not been to KSC since our May 1994 visit and we only went then (our 2nd visit) because there was a shuttle on the launchpad. As we have absolutly no intention of ever going to Busch Gardens again after our horrible day in Aug 2002 we thought that we might take the children (DS's aged 12 & 8) to KSC as a complete break to our 3 weeks in Orlando. My question is two fold - has it changed alot in 10 years, as I did not personally find it that interesting although DH did and has anyone done the lunch with an Astraunaut as I thought that maybe the children my eldest son who willb e almost 13 would find this particularly interesting!

 

[sue Z]

Basically the whole aspect hasn't changed but to get into the complex you have to pay an addmission fee. You just can;t go in and roam around anymore like you were once able to. and just pay for the tour.
we went last yr and just wanted to go to the gift shop etc and was surprised about the fee as we figured every thing was still free.http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/visitKSC/tickets.asp
they also have security checks now

 

[jdm]

We went last year and it was the highlight of our trip. We almost didn't go as I was dreading it, BORING!! Having no interest whatsoever, I expected it to be a long, miserable day. But! To my surprise, it was my most favorite thing we did! I believe it was because we DID do the lunch with the astronaut admission, that it was such a postive experience for us.

When we arrived, it was very confusing with all these different admissions. The lady helping took pity on us and helped us to select. Although it cost more, we got this really nice lunch and the added bonus of a real astronaut to share his experience, have photo taken and answer the kids questions. He also gave the kids some literature to take back to school with them. I think if we had gone in and paid for lunch etc at the snack bars, it would have been about the same. The lunch was good too. Dessert in the shape of space shuttles, chicken, salad, etc-- buffet. Tables with white tablecloths decorated red, white, and blue. Very nice.

We expected to stay a few hours and then spend some of the afternoon at Cocoa beach. Well, we arrived at 11am and stayed until closing at 7. Great day!

Our kids were both girls ages 10 & 12 and they loved it.

If I can answer any more ??, let me know.

Jenn

 

[jdm]

We are going next month for our annual trip to Orlando and were planning on heading to Busch Gardens for the day as it's the one thing we haven't yet done.

I have to ask, why was it a bad experience for you?

Excuse the second post, I meant to add this on to my first one :~)

Jenn (again)

 

[snookhams]

We have visited Busch 4 times before and had a great day each time, but last August we found that more than half a dozen of the rides closed, they let our children on to the carosel only to tell them to leave the ride because they hadn't even started the safety checks - well why allow them on then - and this was a good 45 mins. after the park opened. Rhino rally was not worth the wait, when we joined the line (we were in the first range rover) there was no wait 30 mins + we were still waiting for our vehicle to arrive, when it did arrive and only after we sat down and it was moving were we told that the best part of the ride was closed! But what really did it was the rude staff - that on more than one occassion took the mickey out of our English accents ( which I must also add happened at Seaworld as well although there I lost my cool and complained to the supervisor - funny that it should happen at 2 parks run by the same company) and the food was the worst that I have ever tasted in all my holidays in the US, our youngest sons bread roll was so stale that had I thrown it at one of the many birds in the area we were eating at I would have killed it, but the worst experience was when the staff stood and laughed at my 6 year old when he knocked over is drink, and stood there with mops and cloth's in hand watching us clear it up with napkins (serviettes) - it really spoilt our day and we left early to return to Orlando for a decent meala nd a swim - It will be some time before we return if ever!

 

[c&m]

Hi JDM: A question for you...How much did it cost to do the lunch with the astronaut? Our 2 girls (ages 6 and 9) would enjoy that very much.

We are planning a day trip to the Kennedy Space Center for our trip to WDW and a Carribean cruise that departs from Port Canaveral.

Also, you mentioned Cocoa Beach as a place to hang out. Is that a nice beach to relax?

Thanks in advance!

 

[jdm]

It was about $150 for the 4 of us including the lunch. I'm not sure of the breakdown but I remember thinking it averaged less than $40 a piece and included a very generous meal.

Also, the fact that it is a wildlife refuge was very cool for the kids. They saw all kinds of interesting wildlife from the bus windows.

We spent some time at Cocoa Beach the year before and honestly, I didn't find it that great. The kids had fun playing in the waves and did do some swimming although it was Feb. and the water was cold! Crazy kids!! It was close to where we were staying (also, were going on a cruise) so that is the beach we chose. We decided to go back because we were going to be in the area seeing KSC and the kids wanted to go to a beach. This year I think we are going to make a day trip to the gulf coast or Daytona. What I did like about Cocoa was Ron Jon's surf shop. We could've spent a couple of hours there. If you're not familiar with it, it's a HUGE surf shop where you can pick up some great souviners. We did end up going there after KSC for a little bit, but too dark to go to the beach.

Snookhams-
Thanks for the reply on Busch. Maybe we'll rethink that.

Jenn

 

[DoomBuggieDriver]

Dear Jenn,
Thanks for the information. I am trying to decide which ticket to buy for our trip to KSC, and now I am definately going to do the lunch with the astronaut. However there are two different tickets you can buy with that option; standard and deluxe. I think the standard ticket lets you into the tours and theatres, and the deluxe ticket adds a trip through the Astonaut Hall of Fame area and unlimited passes to all the theatre type exhibits. Do you remember which you may have purchased? I wasn't really looking forward to this visit, but figured my husband and daughters would like it. After reading your post I am most encouraged!
Thanks
Buggie

 

[jdm]

You know I don't remember if it was standard or deluxe. We were admitted and then went to our lunch (which was great). When we exited we did the bus tour. It was a pretty full day. We got off on the tours and did all the attractions. I remember the first man on the moon one, the imax, etc. I don't remember the astronaut hall of fame, so we must have standard. We sure had plenty to do though. I remember we skipped a couple of things as we wanted to go up to the memorial and pay our respects (Coumbia tragedy had just happened a short time prior).

They also have the greatest (gift) shop. You're kids could spend hours in there alone. My daughter got freeze dried ice cream and various interesting things she could take back to school. I told them we had the "lunch" admission and they gave us 10% off.

As a side note, we are heading back to Orlando in a few weeks and when I asked the kids what they wanted to do this year, they asked to go back to KSC again. I was pretty surprised. As I said, we don't have a lot of space emphasis at our house. I think that was part of the attraction, something completely new and different.

Hope this helps
Jenn

 

[DoomBuggieDriver]

Thanks Jenn!
That really does help a lot. I have heard there's enough there to do in two days, so I think the standard admission will be plenty for us, along with that lunch of course!! I thank you, and I know my daughters will thank you.
Buggie

 

[jdm]

Your very welcome!

By the way, you're from my favorite part of the country, (my husband is from Somerville). We go back every chance we get!

Have fun at the Space Center...

Jenn

 

[SUZENW]

Just did the kennedy space center. It was well worth it. We did the up and close tour. You get the drive up father then the other people. You see the lunch pads close up. That was great. You see where the shuttle lands. You go and stand where the media used to cover the launches. We have great pictures and I'll never forget it. Its a great break from the parks.