OT-Has anyone gone to the Kennedy Space Center on a day trip?

[traces7]

We're thinking of going to the Cocoa Beach area to see the ocean. I was wondering if it's worth while to go see Kennedy Space Center. It would just be me and my 7 year old DD. (would she be bored?) Anything else neat to see or do in the Cocoa Beach area? Thanks. Sorry if this is the wrong board to ask this question on.

 

[grimley1968]

KSC is fun for a couple of hours, for space buffs. If you're not a space buff, you might reconsider KSC. Personally, I love it.

My MIL lives in Cocoa Beach (getting ready to move up to Ohio). The beaches there are terrific. Try to go to one slightly south (2 or 3 blocks maybe) of the city hall, etc. Quieter beaches there. Of course, Cocoa Beach is just south of Cape Canaveral, where you can see the Disney boats, and other cruise ships certain days of the week.

For shopping go to Merritt Island. There's an ok mall there, and a bunch of strip mall types of places. Next to Merritt Island is a little place called Kiwanis Park, where there's a lot of outdoor activities, such as basketball, racquetball courts, etc. I'm a Kiwanian so I need to promote Kiwanis park! There's also the Pier in Cocoa Beach, on the north end of the town, with a few restaurants, bars, etc. and Jetty Park a little further north.

It's not WDW, but Cocoa Beach is definitely a nice quiet day at the beach if you're looking for that.

 

[safetymom]

I agree that KSC is worth going to.

 

[JillL.]

we took our then 2 children to ksc when my daughter was 5 and son an infant.. there is lots of neat stuff...actual space capsels, models of everything nasa and a moon rock the kids can touch just to name a few. My DH is A HUGE SPACE BUFF so we did the whole thing front to back neat to see the launch pad..ext... but the kids were very done after 2-3 hours not really geared towards little ones at all. and it was HOT hardley no shade! to my DH on the other hand this was his DISNEY! so we lumped! ! with just you and DD you could leave when its not fun anymore!

 

[seashoreCM]

I did a day trip to Cape Canaveral but spent so much time at the Kennedy Space Center that it was not worthwhile to pay admission to some other place in the vicinity before returning to WDW.

I would recommend getting an early morning start, aiming to get to KSC when it opens. This way, if you decide at the last minute to make KSC just a half day visit, you will have time for something else.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[missminniemouse]

We were just to the KSC in January with our DD(age 10) and DS (age 6). They both had a fun time and would go back again. There is plenty for the kids to do. Touching a moon rock was fun for them. They were a little bored with some of the things, but fascinated with other things...but that happens almost anywhere, so I guess we can say it was a good day! We were actually rushed for time as we went when we came back from our cruise on the Disney Magic and had to get a friend back to the airport mid-afternoon. We'll likely go again in the next few years to do a more thorough covering of all there is to do there.

 

[missminniemouse]

Oh, forgot to mention this...we booked "lunch with an astronaut" before we left home. The kids thought that was a fun thing. They got to see pictures our astronaut took while he was in space, plus had the chance to ask questions and have their picture taken with him. We didn't think the price was too bad since we had to have lunch anyway and it provided a nice activity and chance to sit down while we had our lunch.

 

[TSRE]

I don't mean to get to off the original topic but where did you go to book the "lunch with an astronaut"? We are planning a WDW vacation and that sounds like a pretty cool idea for our 6 and 3 year old boys,

 

[missminniemouse]

I don't mean to get to off the original topic but where did you go to book the "lunch with an astronaut"? We are planning a WDW vacation and that sounds like a pretty cool idea for our 6 and 3 year old boys,

I booked it at online at www.kennedyspacecenter.com, but you can also call them at 321-449-4400 as well.

 

[isyt]

I booked the Lunch with the Astronaut last year as a surprise for my hubby for fathers day. It was a great surprise and he loved !!! I am trying to come up with something else unusual for this June!!! You will have a great time!!

 

[aunt kelly]

I took my kids when they were 5 and 7, and I think they were a little young to appreciate KSC. (Later I found out my 7 year old son was disappointed because he thought there was going to be rides, like at Disney). They really enjoyed swimming at Cocoa Beach. Be sure to check out Ron Jon's surf shop. (I think they still claim to be the world's largest surf shop).

 

[tiki23]

I booked the Lunch with the Astronaut last year as a surprise for my hubby for fathers day. It was a great surprise and he loved !!! I am trying to come up with something else unusual for this June!!! You will have a great time!!

Thanks for the fabulous idea!! My husband is more excited about KSC right now then he is any other part of our trip - he's a total space buff - he'll love Lunch With An Astronaut!

 

[grumpymakesmehappy]

KSC is a wonderful experience to offer your children. There is so much to see and do. Even non-space buffs won't get too bored!

 

[ashmufc]

Sorry but I'm not space buff.
How many astonauts can there be you can have lunch with? Most of them must be trainee/never been to space.

Also how long does it take to get to KSC from WDW if you leave like at 8.00am?

 

[mygr8kdz]

i know the ksc site lists who the astronauts are for the lunch program on any given date. only a few names circulating, so i'm sure they are the real thing.

how crowded is lunch with an astronaut? do the limit the number of people there? does everyone actually get to talk to the astronaut?

 

[isyt]

i know the ksc site lists who the astronauts are for the lunch program on any given date. only a few names circulating, so i'm sure they are the real thing.

how crowded is lunch with an astronaut? do the limit the number of people there? does everyone actually get to talk to the astronaut?

There is a list on their website that lists what day what astronauts will be there. They are real!! The astronaut did a little talk and we were able to ask as many questions as we wanted. My kids and hubby loved it ( even my 4 yr old). It was a buffet lunch, not great but ok. Maybe about 35-40 people, but there was a maxium. It was a great day about 45-50 minutes from Disney. We were in Vero Beach and spent the day in KSC. We left about 7p and were in POR by 8p. There was also the Astronauts hall of fame which had some experiments for kids. I am sure we will go back this summer.

 

[missminniemouse]

i know the ksc site lists who the astronauts are for the lunch program on any given date. only a few names circulating, so i'm sure they are the real thing.

how crowded is lunch with an astronaut? do the limit the number of people there? does everyone actually get to talk to the astronaut?

Yes, they limit the number. I would say there were maybe 10 or 12 tables that seat 8 each and the day we attended not all tables were completely full. The day we went, they had a question and answer session where anyone could raise their hand and someone came over to them with a microphone so everyone in the room could hear the question they were asking. It was very well done. After that, the astronaut went into the area outside the room and each group got to have their picture taken with him. The KSC photographers took pictures and you could take them with your own camera as well.

 

[MickeyP]

Sounds like a plan. How much was the lunch or did you order off the menu?

 

[missminniemouse]

All of the information about pricing, etc. is on the kennedy space center web site. It is a buffet, not off a menu.

 

[bubba73]

We did it 2 years ago and I am planning another trip in June. During the time frame that we are supposed to be there, there is scheduled to be a rocket launch. If that stays scheduled, I am not going to miss it. I love KSC and can't wait to get back there. Hopefully, I will have enough money left over to be able to get the video series, "From the Earth to the Moon".