Please give me your two cents on decision: Seaworld or kennedy space?!

[tamaraten]

HAS ANYONE BEEN TO KSC RECENTLY?


After much help from the wonderful people on these threads, I finally decided to to Universal Orlando for 3 days, with one extra day left for something else.

I'm traveling with DH and four kids, ages 6, 8, 10, 12.

My dates are Sunday December 5th to Wednesday December 8th.

That gives me four full days (have to leave Wednesday night which will be tiring after an entire day at whichever park, for a long drive, but that's besides the point..)

After all the great advice here, I decided on 3 days between Universal and IOA so as not to have to rush through. The fourth day I was debating between Seaworld and Kennedy.

My kids LOVE space stuff, but I know they would also love Seaworld with their amazing shows and sharks, etc.

Now, I'm revisiting the whole idea, and I'm thinking since I'm having an impossible time deciding between Seaworld and Kennedy, maybe I should do Universal in 2 days, and then one day each for Seaworld and KSC.

Or is that way too rushed and exhausting (especially with having to drive back on 4rth night)?

Should I go back to my original debate of staying at Universal for 3 days, and just deciding on what to do on the 4rth day, SW or KSC? And if so, which would you choose for that last day and why?

I've spent a ton of time reading on these boards, and there doesn't seem to be much current info on people who have visited KSC recently.

PLEASE HELP ME DECIDE AND TELL ME YOUR VOTE!!

So to sum up, the choice is:

3 days universal and on the 4rth day SW or KSC - please give me your vote on which.

OR:

2 days Universal and 1 day each SW and KSC.

I'm a real novice here, and so appreciate all of the help I'm receiving.

(ps. I've mentioned this in previous threads, but half the reason I think it's so hard to decide is because we live abroad and won't be coming often like US residents).



Thanks a million.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

HAS ANYONE BEEN TO KSC RECENTLY?


After much help from the wonderful people on these threads, I finally decided to to Universal Orlando for 3 days, with one extra day left for something else.

I'm traveling with DH and four kids, ages 6, 8, 10, 12.

My dates are Sunday December 5th to Wednesday December 8th.

That gives me four full days (have to leave Wednesday night which will be tiring after an entire day at whichever park, for a long drive, but that's besides the point..)

After all the great advice here, I decided on 3 days between Universal and IOA so as not to have to rush through. The fourth day I was debating between Seaworld and Kennedy.

My kids LOVE space stuff, but I know they would also love Seaworld with their amazing shows and sharks, etc.

Now, I'm revisiting the whole idea, and I'm thinking since I'm having an impossible time deciding between Seaworld and Kennedy, maybe I should do Universal in 2 days, and then one day each for Seaworld and KSC.

Or is that way too rushed and exhausting (especially with having to drive back on 4rth night)?

Should I go back to my original debate of staying at Universal for 3 days, and just deciding on what to do on the 4rth day, SW or KSC? And if so, which would you choose for that last day and why?

I've spent a ton of time reading on these boards, and there doesn't seem to be much current info on people who have visited KSC recently.

PLEASE HELP ME DECIDE AND TELL ME YOUR VOTE!!

So to sum up, the choice is:

3 days universal and on the 4rth day SW or KSC - please give me your vote on which.

OR:

2 days Universal and 1 day each SW and KSC.

I'm a real novice here, and so appreciate all of the help I'm receiving.

(ps. I've mentioned this in previous threads, but half the reason I think it's so hard to decide is because we live abroad and won't be coming often like US residents).



Thanks a million.

Since you live abroad, I would try to include the Kennedy Space Center as a visit. It is an outstanding tour and educational for everyone.

 

[C.Ann]

Have you asked the kids what they prefer? Since they would love both, it's hard to suggest which option you should choose..

Are you comfortable seeing if they would all be agreeable to the same choice?

If I were going alone - it would be Sea World - but with children, it does make the choice a little more difficult..

Good luck with whatever you decide - and have a great time!!

 

[Tinkermommy]

I would hands down go to Kennedy Space Center.

We went for 1 and 1/2 days in May and my kids (especially my 4 year old) still talks about it.

We saw both Imax movies and they were wonderful. I especially loved the Hubble one.

I think your kids ages are perfect for KSC.

 

[Wishing on a star]

We had fee admission passes to Kennedy. (the tour was extra - and you want to schedule this first, as the tours are lengthy, and the last one leaves early afternoon.)

Took my son who was 10-11.
Saw the one Imax Movie.
(the very beginning was good(fun for kids), but then 45 minutes of people floating around with old-science/educational/movie boring narration. And, I think the people at the movie theater said that we saw the one that was most kid-friendly.

You will need to get there early, and it takes scheduling to fit both a tour ( 2 hours???) and the IMAX in.
If you want to spend a big portion of the day on the bus tour and you have to eat lunch, etc..., you might not be able to fit all the other stuff in.

We were not that impressed.
I was glad we didn't have to pay the admission.

IMHO, one would have to be a huge Space Buff.

PS: Two days at Universal was enough for us. But, if you are into all the big roller-coaster type rides, a third day would probably be good.

We really like Sea World!!!! Beautiful Park...
But, right now, I am just sensitive to the whole Marine Mammals in Captivity thing.

Hope this helps!

 

[RadioNate]

Hands down without a doubt KSC.

I personally find Sea World tedious and boring. There is nothing to do but be herded from show to show. I think the Believe (Shamu) show is still limited and the trainers aren't allowed in the water. The Clyde and what ever the seal's name is show is horrible. I don't think the sharks are anything more than a walk through. Manta is very very cool. I like feeding the dolphins but that costs extra. Um yeah. I'm not big on Sea World.

KSC was great and since the shuttle missions are ending there is a lot to see. I haven't look at your dates to see if a shuttle will be out at that time but it is pretty neat to see. You HAVE to take the included bus tour. Staying at the visitors center isn't much fun. Going out to the launch center, the Apollo center and we went to the area where they were preping the payload for the next shuttle mission.

Everyone in our group really enjoyed the Hubble Imax movie.

KSC is definitely a full day thing IMO while SeaWorld is a few hours. YMMV.

 

[tamaraten]

THANK YOU all so much for replying. It helps a lot to hear from those of you who have been to these places.

Regarding the bus tour, is it enough to go on the bus tour that is included in the admission, or would you advise getting one of the extra ones offered for additional price? I don't at all mind the additional price if it's worth it - ie. if you do actually get to see more than you would on the regular trip.

Also, has anyone seen the Star Wars show at KSC? This is one of the things I'm hoping my 6 year old will love since he's crazy about Star Wars. Otherwise, I've heard such mixed things about whether KSC is a little boring for children (he loves space stuff so I imagine he might not be in that category, I'm hoping!). I'd love to hear from anyone who has seen the show and can tell me about it.

Also, I understand the bus tour can be 2-3 hours and the IMAX movie one hour (and that's only seeing one of them) - what are the other "must-sees" so we can make use of our only one day there and not get to closing and realize we missed something super interesting.

thanks again.

 

[4nana]

Tough choice, so I'd allow plenty time to do both!!!

DH and I would choose KSC hands down . Our grands really enjoyed also, we got some really cute pix of them in rockets, the play ground dome, etc.

This video gives a wonderful intro:
http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/

 

[tamaraten]

C.Ann, I forgot to mention, I haven't asked the kids what they want because this whole thing is a surprise! I imagine, though, that if I did ask them, they'd also have an incredibly difficult time deciding, just like their mom. I really do believe they'd want to see both places. They're all into space stuff and they all love sea animals.

My big concern is how it will be for my 6 yr. old (whose just going to be turning 6 in Dec.) and whether he'll enjoy Seaworld more just because it sounds as though there are more kid-friendly things there (even though he does love space stuff- is a Star Wars freak - but maybe not at the KSC level) and also how we'll manage it from a time-perspective with having only 4 days in total and having to drive to Miami on the 4rth day after a park. On the other hand, I'm sure the older ones will really get something out of it.

 

[tamaraten]

Tough choice, so I'd allow plenty time to do both!!!

DH and I would choose KSC hands down . Our grands really enjoyed also, we got some really cute pix of them in rockets, the play ground dome, etc.

This video gives a wonderful intro:
http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/

Thanks 4nana for replying. Unfortunately we have only 4 days total!!! I should be grateful for that but it's actually really stressing me out!

I'm interested to know why you'd choose KSC over SW? How old are you grands and were they at all bored (that's my concern for the 6 year old)?.

Did you do the bus trip and can you tell me about it? Did you do Star Wars?

thanks!

 

[tamaraten]

Hands down without a doubt KSC.

I personally find Sea World tedious and boring. There is nothing to do but be herded from show to show. I think the Believe (Shamu) show is still limited and the trainers aren't allowed in the water. The Clyde and what ever the seal's name is show is horrible. I don't think the sharks are anything more than a walk through. Manta is very very cool. I like feeding the dolphins but that costs extra. Um yeah. I'm not big on Sea World.

KSC was great and since the shuttle missions are ending there is a lot to see. I haven't look at your dates to see if a shuttle will be out at that time but it is pretty neat to see. You HAVE to take the included bus tour. Staying at the visitors center isn't much fun. Going out to the launch center, the Apollo center and we went to the area where they were preping the payload for the next shuttle mission.

Everyone in our group really enjoyed the Hubble Imax movie.

KSC is definitely a full day thing IMO while SeaWorld is a few hours. YMMV.

Thanks for reply RadioNate. There was a shuttle postponed until November 30th from what I just read on the KSC website, and we're the week after.

Is the included bus tour enough, or should I go for the added one which I understand gets you closer to launch pads? (if I understood correctly).

Did you happen to see the Star Wars Live?

And which must-sees would you suggest besides bus tour and movie?

thanks very much!

 

[tamaraten]

I would hands down go to Kennedy Space Center.

We went for 1 and 1/2 days in May and my kids (especially my 4 year old) still talks about it.

We saw both Imax movies and they were wonderful. I especially loved the Hubble one.

I think your kids ages are perfect for KSC.

Thanks for response. It sounds like you really do need 1 1/2 days there from everything I've read. I only have 1 day, though - could you recommend which things are must-sees? How do I fit it all in??

I'm so relieved to hear your 4 year old enjoyed it because I'm worried about my 6 year old being bored (a lot of people say it's not so young-kid-friendly) even though he does like space-stuff. Did your 4yr old get bored at all?

thank you!

 

[klacey1]

I'd pick SeaWorld, hands down, ESPECIALLY with kids your children's ages. I think they (especially the younger two) would get pretty bored-- SeaWorld is a fun day for the entire family. The shows are phenomenal and so are the exhibits.

 

[tamaraten]

We had fee admission passes to Kennedy. (the tour was extra - and you want to schedule this first, as the tours are lengthy, and the last one leaves early afternoon.)

Took my son who was 10-11.
Saw the one Imax Movie.
(the very beginning was good(fun for kids), but then 45 minutes of people floating around with old-science/educational/movie boring narration. And, I think the people at the movie theater said that we saw the one that was most kid-friendly.

You will need to get there early, and it takes scheduling to fit both a tour ( 2 hours???) and the IMAX in.
If you want to spend a big portion of the day on the bus tour and you have to eat lunch, etc..., you might not be able to fit all the other stuff in.

We were not that impressed.
I was glad we didn't have to pay the admission.

IMHO, one would have to be a huge Space Buff.

PS: Two days at Universal was enough for us. But, if you are into all the big roller-coaster type rides, a third day would probably be good.

We really like Sea World!!!! Beautiful Park...
But, right now, I am just sensitive to the whole Marine Mammals in Captivity thing.

Hope this helps!

Thanks for responding - it does help to hear from people who have been to both places. I'm sorry you were bored - I'm surprised about the movie because the general consensus on that topic is that it's pretty interesting. Which bus tour did you go on? What was that like?

 

[tamaraten]

I'd pick SeaWorld, hands down, ESPECIALLY with kids your children's ages. I think they (especially the younger two) would get pretty bored-- SeaWorld is a fun day for the entire family. The shows are phenomenal and so are the exhibits.

Uh-oh, I'm so in trouble. It sounds like people are pretty evenly divided.

Would you think doing 2 days at Universal (one for each park), one day at KSC, and one day at SW (and leaving that night) would be ridiculous from an exhaustion point of view (and also maybe from not having enough time at Universal standpoint)?

thanks Klacey, for responding.

 

[tamaraten]

Since you live abroad, I would try to include the Kennedy Space Center as a visit. It is an outstanding tour and educational for everyone.

But why KSC over SW in your opinion?

thanks for the help!

 

[mjkacmom]

I'd say Seaworld - my kids went when they were younger, and LOVED it. I remember taking my 2 and 4 year olds to WDW, then Seaworld, and given the choice, wanted to go back to Seaworld. My parents and ds12 just went to the Space Center (the other kids refused), and had a good time, but didn't seem wowed.

 

[golfgal]

As much as I love KSC, I think given the ages of your kids they would probably have more fun at Seaworld. Kennedy is a lot of bus time, theater time, tour time and for little kids unless they are totally taken with the space program, won't really be up for an entire day of that.

Honestly, I would probably skip BOTH and just spend the day at the ocean (given that the weather allows for such).

 

[Sorsha]

W were just at Sea World at the beginning of October, and it was WONDERFUL! I would SO recommend it! We were there the whole day - open to close - and never got bored. My kids loved all the shows - they didn't think Clyde and Seymore was "dumb" at all, and yes, trainers still can't get into the water with the killer whales but they are still impressive to see, and the Blue Horizons show is fantastic!! We spent a lot of time in all the exhibits; manatees, sharks, penguins, etc. They also really enjoyed the Wild Arctic area. The older ones enjoyed the rides, and everyone still speaks of Sea World as one of their favorite parts of the trip!!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Sorry that you are not getting any more specific input about the bus tours at KSC. I don't feel qualified enough to make a recommendation on that. You may have to go by their web site.