NASA (Kennedy Space Center)

[TigerlilyAJ]

First, @ravenclawtrekkie , love the name.
Second, I wanted to warn those of you planning to go in December, especially the second half, to call and book any part of your visit that needs a reservation. We changed our vacation from Nov to Dec, and on the website, we could NOT book that far ahead for our Lunch With an Astronaut. It looked like you had to wait for 180 days or closer. I called to confirm this idea, and the CSR at the toll-free number was able to book further into the future than you can on the website. The issue? I could not get my first-choice dates near the end of our trip when I fear WDW will start filling up (the week of Dec 18 on) because the KSC astronaut lunches were all booked up! (We took a date in the week before instead.) So if you want some reserved offering, get on the phone, even if the website won't let you book!

 

[dsdeleon]

We had an amazing day @ KSC after a DCL cruise 2 weeks ago. I got discounted tix through "Tickets at Work" so if your employer participates, check that out. I do want to mention one thing. SOme "touring plans" say go right to the IMAX once you arrive. We arrived at 9AM opening and the first IMAX was not until 11 AM so keep that in mind. We ended up doing Atlantis (the simulator was awesome I did it twice), IMAX, lunch then the bus tour to Apollo. We did not do any of the add-ons and had a great day.

 

[mshanson3121]

There are 2 plans of attack. Visit the "visitors center" which has a museum and some exhibits. You could spend 2 hours maybe 3 doing that. That was free if not very inexpensive.

NASA pushes for you to do "the tour" which then takes you deeper into the facility, but it is pricey and costs a great deal more.

We spent the morning at the visitors center and the afternoon at the beach (coa coa)

How far is the beach from KSC?

 

[figmentfan423]

How far is the beach from KSC?

About 10 to 15 minutes from Cocoa Beach depending on traffic

 

[Elizabethxoxo]

Sorry to jump in...

We are from Australia so not use to driving on the opposite side of the road..
We hired a car once on our last holiday and it was a laugh and a little nerve racking until we got use to it..

But

Is it better to drive and do our own thing (we are a party of seven 4 adults and 3 children)
or
should we just do a organized day trip... (If going by a organized bus trip suggestion on which company we should book)

We are fine with both options but what is more beneficial... (We love wondering and most likely do the whole day there, as it seems like it won't be enough)

We will be staying in either Disney hotel or a universal hotel depending on which part of the holiday we will visit the Kennedy space center...

Love opinions and suggestion...

Thank you in advance...

 

[mom2rose&john]

We had an amazing day @ KSC after a DCL cruise 2 weeks ago. I got discounted tix through "Tickets at Work" so if your employer participates, check that out. I do want to mention one thing. SOme "touring plans" say go right to the IMAX once you arrive. We arrived at 9AM opening and the first IMAX was not until 11 AM so keep that in mind. We ended up doing Atlantis (the simulator was awesome I did it twice), IMAX, lunch then the bus tour to Apollo. We did not do any of the add-ons and had a great day.

It took a little over 30 minutes to get to Lori Wilson Park from the visitor center.

 

[writerguyfl]

Is it better to drive and do our own thing (we are a party of seven 4 adults and 3 children)
or
should we just do a organized day trip... (If going by a organized bus trip suggestion on which company we should book)

I picked a few random dates and priced out cars from Alamo. There are several Alamo locations at Walt Disney World, including the Car Care Center by Magic Kingdom, the Dolphin Hotel near Epcot, and the Buena Vista Palace across the street from Disney Springs. Rates plus required taxes for a 7 or 8 person minivan range between $115 and $150. The price does not include insurance, gas, tolls, or the parking fee ($10) at Kennedy Space Center (KSC).

There are other car rental locations within walking distance of Disney Springs, but I believe Alamo is the only one that allows after-hours returns. That's very helpful with a KSC trip because you wouldn't need to worry about getting back to the rental office by 5 or 6pm (or having to get up early the next morning to return it by 8am).

That said, I'd also look into having someone else do the driving. Even if it's more expensive, it might be worth it so that one of you doesn't have to stress out driving on the "wrong" side of the road.

I'm sure other folks will be able to provide some suggestions for companies to check. But, you might want to contact KSC and see if they have a list of authorized companies. I've contacted KSC on several occasions and the guest service they've provided has been great. You can contact them online by using the form found on this page: https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/information/contact-us.aspx

 

[FigmentSpark]

First, @ravenclawtrekkie , love the name.
Second, I wanted to warn those of you planning to go in December, especially the second half, to call and book any part of your visit that needs a reservation. We changed our vacation from Nov to Dec, and on the website, we could NOT book that far ahead for our Lunch With an Astronaut. It looked like you had to wait for 180 days or closer. I called to confirm this idea, and the CSR at the toll-free number was able to book further into the future than you can on the website. The issue? I could not get my first-choice dates near the end of our trip when I fear WDW will start filling up (the week of Dec 18 on) because the KSC astronaut lunches were all booked up! (We took a date in the week before instead.) So if you want some reserved offering, get on the phone, even if the website won't let you book!

What is this lunch all about? Is it just lunch and then an astronaut does a speech or does someone come around to the tables? Also, what type of food do you get for your meal? Is there a choice or a preset menu?

 

[nari]

Im thinking to do one of the tours, just not sure which and whether we'll have time, my partner is quite into all the NASA topic so i think he'd love it.

Im having a look at i.e. Then&Now and it says
https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/things-to-do/ksc-up-close-then-and-now-tour/know-before-go.aspx

When choosing a KSC Up-Close tour, there is no need to take the KSC Bus Tour included with daily admission.

Does it mean the tour does as well the bus tour?

 

[nari]

also can you introduce food from outside or if i want to have lunch do i need to have it from their restaurant?

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

Im thinking to do one of the tours, just not sure which and whether we'll have time, my partner is quite into all the NASA topic so i think he'd love it.

Im having a look at i.e. Then&Now and it says
https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/things-to-do/ksc-up-close-then-and-now-tour/know-before-go.aspx

When choosing a KSC Up-Close tour, there is no need to take the KSC Bus Tour included with daily admission.

Does it mean the tour does as well the bus tour?

Yes, the paid tours cover everything the regular included bus tour does, plus some extra things. I personally don't think they're worth the cost, but your mileage may vary.

also can you introduce food from outside or if i want to have lunch do i need to have it from their restaurant?

I don't believe you can bring outside food in, but there are picnic tables near the entrance. You can exit (get your hand stamped for re-entry), go to your car, get your food, eat, and then go back in.

 

[Chucky!]

Sorry to jump in...

We are from Australia so not use to driving on the opposite side of the road..
We hired a car once on our last holiday and it was a laugh and a little nerve racking until we got use to it..

But

Is it better to drive and do our own thing (we are a party of seven 4 adults and 3 children)
or
should we just do a organized day trip... (If going by a organized bus trip suggestion on which company we should book)

We are fine with both options but what is more beneficial... (We love wondering and most likely do the whole day there, as it seems like it won't be enough)

We will be staying in either Disney hotel or a universal hotel depending on which part of the holiday we will visit the Kennedy space center...

Love opinions and suggestion...

Thank you in advance...

We are also Australian, we found the organised tours to be very expensive, it was much cheaper for our family of 4 to hire a car. Honestly we found the driving in Florida to be pretty easy, it also gave us the opportunity to have dinner off-site and check out some shops in the evening.

For our trip next year we won't have a car the whole time, but we will pick up a car for a few days, to get out and about including a trip out to Kennedy.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

We were there in April. The KSC and tour are well worth every penny! The Center and tour is amazing.

AKK

 

[writerguyfl]

Im thinking to do one of the tours, just not sure which and whether we'll have time, my partner is quite into all the NASA topic so i think he'd love it.

Im having a look at i.e. Then&Now and it says
https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/things-to-do/ksc-up-close-then-and-now-tour/know-before-go.aspx

When choosing a KSC Up-Close tour, there is no need to take the KSC Bus Tour included with daily admission.

Does it mean the tour does as well the bus tour?

Nari: I see you "liked" my post about the additional-cost tours on another KSC thread, so I know you read it. If you and/or your partner are interested in NASA history, I highly recommend the "Then & Now" tour. It is a bargain for the extra $25 per person. The tour guide I had was a wealth of information. He actually was a retired NASA employee. Plus, you get to walk through the very rooms were they space program history was made.

Both the standard bus tour and the specialty tours end at the Saturn V Center. After touring that facility, you can get on any bus to return to the main visitor complex. As I recall, the only part of the regular bus tour you miss is a stop at the Launch Complex 39 Observation Gantry. That's not a big deal, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[nari]

Yeah found it quite useful the other info asked here as thought the tour was 4 hours and then 3 hours the General admission one.
Just wanted to make sure that in both scenarios I'd still see Space Shuttle Atlantis, the Shuttle Launch Experience, IMAX movies, Meet an Astronaut as def. my partner wants to watch the Atlantis bit.


Thanks again

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

What is this lunch all about? Is it just lunch and then an astronaut does a speech or does someone come around to the tables? Also, what type of food do you get for your meal? Is there a choice or a preset menu?

It's a buffet. You don't have to do this add-on to meet an astronaut. The site says the astronauts are available in the center in other ways. But I figure, we need lunch anyway, and it sounds like a more-intimate, less rushed way to be in a group (it's not one-on-one) listening and getting to ask questions. Plus, I amuse myself by calling it "Daddy's character meal" to the kids to contrast it with, say, Hollywood & Vine's Disney Jr. meal, which is our toddler's character meal.

https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/things-to-do/lunch-with-an-astronaut.aspx
"Join us daily for Lunch with an Astronaut, where you’ll sit down to a delicious buffet meal, featuring salads, hot entrées and desserts, and hear from a veteran NASA astronaut about what it’s really like to launch, live and work in space. He or she speaks and shows a personalized presentation, then takes individual questions from you and other guests. Now is the time to ask everything you’ve ever wanted to know about being a part of NASA’s elite astronaut corps. Be sure to bring your camera or smart phone – part of your experience includes the chance to snap a photo with your new astronaut friend."

Here's the current spring menu:
https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/~/media/files/dining/lunch-with-astronaut-winter-spring-2016.pdf