Kennedy Space "touring plan"?

[Lisa0620]

Anyone have a good strategy for planning a day at KSC to minimize crowds/waits? We will rope drop for sure and will have physical tix, so no dealing with Will Call or anything. We'll only have the general entry, not any special tours.

Do the bus tour first??

TIA

 

[Peaseblossom]

When are you planning to visit? We were there recently on a Monday, and there was virtually no one there. I think as long as you don't go right before a big event (like a shuttle launch...) you'll be Ok. It's not Disney.

Maybe do the Shuttle Launch Experience as soon as you get there, it's pretty popular, and worth it. The IMAX movies are nice, but if you live near an IMAX theatre, you can probably see the space-related movies there.

The Astronaut Hall of Fame is worth a stop as well at the end of the day. Lot of original gear there. The Kennedy Up Close tour (extra) was well worth it for us - you can go inside the VAB and get closer to a shuttle than most people ever have (limited time).

Like Disney, if there's a tour group, go wherever they don't!

 

[Lisa0620]

Thanks so much!

We are going Easter week, so I'm worried it will be pretty busy. I am tempted by the Up Close Tour, glad to hear you thought it was worth it. I already bought UT tix, though, so it might be a hassle to add just the tour (can't do it online.) Would you recommend a certain time for the tour? It looks like you can schedule anywhere from 10 am to 2 pm....?

 

[Dallas_Lady]

I'm interested in this thread also. We are going to be going on a Saturday in June, so I'm anticipating some crowds. We went to the Space Center in Houston years ago and DH has been dying to go to this one as well. I'm worried that it'll be over the heads of my 3 and 5 year old and there won't be much to keep their attention.

 

[disneysteve]

We were there in August. The crowd was really a non-issue even though the theme parks were quite crowded at that time. It is a huge facility so I think it can handle a large number of guests at once without it feeling crowded.

 

[Peaseblossom]

I already bought UT tix, though, so it might be a hassle to add just the tour (can't do it online.) Would you recommend a certain time for the tour? It looks like you can schedule anywhere from 10 am to 2 pm....?

I think you can add the tour by calling. It might be an idea to do this tour, or the free one included in admission, later in the day - the bus has AC (of course!) and it's a nice break from the heat. If the kids are burnt out by that point, they can relax on the bus. I've done the tour twice, and the tour guides have made it very interesting both times. You learn a lot of cool space stuff, plus a lot about the flora and fauna of KSC - stopping for gators, etc.

After that, you'd have time to hit the gift shop - if you're a space geek, you HAVE to hit the KSC gift shop!! - and head back.

Also, if you do the KSC close up tour, it looks like you may see Discovery in the VAB over Easter:

"In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Fla., technicians are performing main and nose landing gear tire pressure checks in preparation for Discovery’s move to the Vehicle Assembly Building transfer aisle currently targeted for Friday, March 9.

Discovery is set to be transported atop a NASA Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) modified 747 jet to Dulles International Airport in Virginia on April 17, and then moved to the Smithsonian’s Udvar-Hazy Center for permanent public display on April 19." (from http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=24479.375)

You have to keep an eye on that though, it's subject to change.

 

[Lisa0620]

Thanks so much for all your help! You totally talked me into the up close tour, it will be a really fun surprise for my DH!