Random Ninja
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2012
- Messages
- 1,129
I was checking the DISabilities sticky and noticed there wasnt anything for the Kennedy Space Center. So, on my last trip I made a special effort to check as much as I could for special needs. I cant watch IMAX movies so I didnt check into that area. SueM, feel free to take any of this. 
Wheelchairs
The HA parking spaces are located at the front of the parking lot. The lots are not big here and there is no tram; you have to walk. If someone in your party cant walk far, drop them off at the front and then park the car. Wheelchairs are available to borrow with a photo id at the main center and a first come/first served basis at the included bus tour stops. There are special seating areas for wheelchairs at all the shows. Each tour bus can accommodate 1 wheelchair and there is a separate waiting area. Wheelchair guests and their party board first and then the bus drives around to the regular pick up line.
Strollers
Free strollers are available in the park on a first come/first served basis. The strollers are hard blue plastic and come in baby and kids sizes. If you get one at the main park, you will need to show a picture id. These strollers are not allowed on the bus tours. You will have to leave the stroller at the bus stop and get a new stroller at the next stop. Personal strollers will need to be folded up to ride on the bus.
Kid's strollers
Baby strollers
Dining
The visitors center has 3 counter service restaurants, 2 food carts, an ice cream stand, and 1 table service restaurant. The table service restaurant is only used for the Lunch with an Astronaut. Make a note of any allergies when you schedule the Lunch with an Astronaut experience. Schedule this as far in advance as you can so the chefs have time to prepare an alternate meal for you. The bus tour also has a CS at each stop in case you get hungry along the tour.
All the CS and a few of the carts have Shuttle Sipper Souvenir Cups that include free soda refills all day. You may be allowed to get frozen ICEE in your sipper too but free refills are not guaranteed.
Shuttle Sippers
The Orbit Cafe is located next to the IMAX theater. It will usually close a couple hours before the park does. There is the typical fast food and salads found here. Those with allergies should ask for the allergy binder. They do not a dedicated kitchen area for allergies so be careful if cross-contamination is an issue. Kids meals come with a choice of french fries or apple slices. You should try to eat at non-standard meal times to avoid extra-long wait times.
Bus Tour
The Bus Tour begins and ends at the main visitor center. I recommend starting with the tour and visiting the main area after lunch. There are backdrops and photographers right before the queue to the buses. They will take a family picture, if there is no line, they will take some with your camera too. Pictures will be available for purchase at the end of the tour.
Each stop is approximately 10 minutes apart and buses are constantly moving. If you miss a bus, the next one should be along in 5-10 minutes. The website says 15 minutes but my experience has always been quicker then that. All buses are air conditioned. Short films will be played on the bus between stops. The driver will pause the film several times during the ride to point out different buildings or animals. Its rare to not find a manatee/turtle/bald eagle/crane/ or engineer out and about during the bus ride. Drivers will slow down or stop to let you see the wildlife or even to move a turtle out of the road. Take all your belongings with you when you exit the bus as you will be getting on a different bus to the next stop.
The first stop on the tour is the Launch Complex 39 Observation Gantry. This is a small stop but definitely worth it just for the views. If you need a stroller or wheelchair, inform the cm greeting you as you get off the bus and he/she will direct you to the nearest one. There is an elevator to take you to the top of the gantry.
The elevator stops at both floors but the roof has an enclosed, air conditioned area.
Bring quarters for the view machines.
There is an engine placed in the middle of the gantry that is placed well for photos.
On the right before the gantry is a small museum with displays, a short presentation, and a movie room that I have never seen open.
The bathrooms, CS restaurant, and gift shop are on the left. Seating for the CS is all outside. Unless someone is starving, Id wait to eat at the next stop on the tour. The LC39 CS just has hot dog, pretzels, and snack foods.
LC 39 Snack Pad Menu
The Saturn V Center is the last stop on the tour now that the ISS building is closed to the public. Strollers and wheelchairs are available immediately to the left after you exit the bus. If you have anyone in your party who does not do well with dark rooms, loud noises, or flashing lights, Id recommend skipping the pre-show movie and show at the Center. You can skip these by using the walkway to the left and entering through the gift shop.
There is a short 15 minute pre-show film first when you arrive at the center. You may have to wait for another bus to come before they let you into the room. It does back up quickly here. There is seating along the back wall but it is very limited. Most of the room is standing only. There are three screens and it does get very dark and crowded.
The doors open at the end of the pre-show to let you into the command center soundstage. Seating here is theater style with long benches. Wheelchair and companion seating is on the first row. If you have someone who may not like loud noises or vibrations, sit at the end of a row so you can take them out easily. There will be a 15 presentation of a Saturn launch, there are no actors here and hearing assistance is available. The windows to the back of the theatre will glow red and shake loudly. Once the show is over, the doors to the main building open.
Saturn V soundstage show seating
Windows in theatre. They glow orange and rattle horribly during the show.
Saturn V Center Exibits
Astronaut Snoopy
Early Space Exploration Vault
Apollo Command Module
Banner and Moon Lander on ceiling
Green Screen pictures
The Moon Rock Cafe is located around section 2 and the seating has a great view of the rocket. Food is served cafetria style similar to the resort CS at the Disney resorts. Everyone gets their food and meets up to pay at the end. Outside seating is available; its enclosed so kids dont end up in the Intercoastal. Let the little ones run around out here. The Moon Rock Cafe does have an allergy binder with the labels from their products. Theyll let you look at if you have any allergies.
Moon Rock Cafe Menu
Cafeteria style food
Yes, beer is available
The exit to the Saturn V Center is through the gift shop. Wheelchair parties will be directed to the left and able-bodied parties line up to the left. The buses stop at the wheelchair line to load those parties first.
Sign to the wheelchair accessible bus line
It's really pretty over there.
Rocket Garden
This is basically a garden with rockets instead of plants, though you will find tons of plants and mosquitos. Bug spray is a necessity in the summer. Best time for the rocket garden is at dusk when its not so hot or during one of the two guided tours. The guides are happy to answer questions and usually show up a good half hour before the tour to talk to guests. The whole area is wheelchair accessible. There is one display that is raised up for people to see inside; its ramped for wheelchairs.
Shuttle Launch Experience
Finally the KSC listened and they have an actual ride now. This is a simulator designed to take you into orbit, figuratively speaking of course. You must be over 44 tall to ride. You will need to leave your belongings in lockers outside the ride building. It costs a quarter for a locker and you do get the quarter back. Any and all loose items should be left in the locker. There are no places for you to store items on the ride. You can as a CM to hold medically necessary items while you ride if you must bring something in line with you.
"Free" Lockers-Don't forget your quarterback!
All guests using wheelchairs must transfer to the ride simulator. The original line was mainstreamed but the interim line during the Atlantis construction is not. Wheelchair uses will be directed to use an elevator next to the main line.
You must transfer to ride but not if you want to watch.
It does not use spinning like Mission Space in Epcot. Instead it will lift you a full 90 degrees flat on your back and shake you. This is a very intense ride and not for the faint of heart. The seats in the simulator are very short with little elbow room. I am little, only 52, and I find my bottom barely fitting on the seat so definitely not pooh friendly. You will get to experience about 1-2 seconds of weightlessness as the simulator suddenly rotates from flat on your back to glad Im strapped in or Id fall out as if dips past the outside floor level. Anyone bothered by loud noise, vibrations, sudden movement, motion sickness, claustrophobia, or bright lights should probably not ride.
There is a viewing area to watch everyone in the simulator for those who wont/cant ride. Shuttle Launch does have a rider switch option for those with kids too short to ride.The actual logistics of this change depending on wait times/ride operators.
There is a 10 minute pre-show movie. The room has no seating. Kids not tall enough to ride can watch the pre-show and then pass through to the ride viewing area to watch everyone in the simulator. For those with hearing issues, a reflective captioning panel is available in the back of the show area.
Pre-show movie area
The other exhibits at the main visitor's center are all wheelchair accessible. Let me know if there are any other questions I can look up answers to. I tried to put as much as possible in this. I'll add more after future trips.
Wheelchairs
The HA parking spaces are located at the front of the parking lot. The lots are not big here and there is no tram; you have to walk. If someone in your party cant walk far, drop them off at the front and then park the car. Wheelchairs are available to borrow with a photo id at the main center and a first come/first served basis at the included bus tour stops. There are special seating areas for wheelchairs at all the shows. Each tour bus can accommodate 1 wheelchair and there is a separate waiting area. Wheelchair guests and their party board first and then the bus drives around to the regular pick up line.
Strollers
Free strollers are available in the park on a first come/first served basis. The strollers are hard blue plastic and come in baby and kids sizes. If you get one at the main park, you will need to show a picture id. These strollers are not allowed on the bus tours. You will have to leave the stroller at the bus stop and get a new stroller at the next stop. Personal strollers will need to be folded up to ride on the bus.
Kid's strollers
Baby strollers
Dining
The visitors center has 3 counter service restaurants, 2 food carts, an ice cream stand, and 1 table service restaurant. The table service restaurant is only used for the Lunch with an Astronaut. Make a note of any allergies when you schedule the Lunch with an Astronaut experience. Schedule this as far in advance as you can so the chefs have time to prepare an alternate meal for you. The bus tour also has a CS at each stop in case you get hungry along the tour.
All the CS and a few of the carts have Shuttle Sipper Souvenir Cups that include free soda refills all day. You may be allowed to get frozen ICEE in your sipper too but free refills are not guaranteed.
Shuttle Sippers
The Orbit Cafe is located next to the IMAX theater. It will usually close a couple hours before the park does. There is the typical fast food and salads found here. Those with allergies should ask for the allergy binder. They do not a dedicated kitchen area for allergies so be careful if cross-contamination is an issue. Kids meals come with a choice of french fries or apple slices. You should try to eat at non-standard meal times to avoid extra-long wait times.
Bus Tour
The Bus Tour begins and ends at the main visitor center. I recommend starting with the tour and visiting the main area after lunch. There are backdrops and photographers right before the queue to the buses. They will take a family picture, if there is no line, they will take some with your camera too. Pictures will be available for purchase at the end of the tour.
Each stop is approximately 10 minutes apart and buses are constantly moving. If you miss a bus, the next one should be along in 5-10 minutes. The website says 15 minutes but my experience has always been quicker then that. All buses are air conditioned. Short films will be played on the bus between stops. The driver will pause the film several times during the ride to point out different buildings or animals. Its rare to not find a manatee/turtle/bald eagle/crane/ or engineer out and about during the bus ride. Drivers will slow down or stop to let you see the wildlife or even to move a turtle out of the road. Take all your belongings with you when you exit the bus as you will be getting on a different bus to the next stop.
The first stop on the tour is the Launch Complex 39 Observation Gantry. This is a small stop but definitely worth it just for the views. If you need a stroller or wheelchair, inform the cm greeting you as you get off the bus and he/she will direct you to the nearest one. There is an elevator to take you to the top of the gantry.
The elevator stops at both floors but the roof has an enclosed, air conditioned area.
Bring quarters for the view machines.
There is an engine placed in the middle of the gantry that is placed well for photos.
On the right before the gantry is a small museum with displays, a short presentation, and a movie room that I have never seen open.
The bathrooms, CS restaurant, and gift shop are on the left. Seating for the CS is all outside. Unless someone is starving, Id wait to eat at the next stop on the tour. The LC39 CS just has hot dog, pretzels, and snack foods.
LC 39 Snack Pad Menu
The Saturn V Center is the last stop on the tour now that the ISS building is closed to the public. Strollers and wheelchairs are available immediately to the left after you exit the bus. If you have anyone in your party who does not do well with dark rooms, loud noises, or flashing lights, Id recommend skipping the pre-show movie and show at the Center. You can skip these by using the walkway to the left and entering through the gift shop.
There is a short 15 minute pre-show film first when you arrive at the center. You may have to wait for another bus to come before they let you into the room. It does back up quickly here. There is seating along the back wall but it is very limited. Most of the room is standing only. There are three screens and it does get very dark and crowded.
The doors open at the end of the pre-show to let you into the command center soundstage. Seating here is theater style with long benches. Wheelchair and companion seating is on the first row. If you have someone who may not like loud noises or vibrations, sit at the end of a row so you can take them out easily. There will be a 15 presentation of a Saturn launch, there are no actors here and hearing assistance is available. The windows to the back of the theatre will glow red and shake loudly. Once the show is over, the doors to the main building open.
Saturn V soundstage show seating
Windows in theatre. They glow orange and rattle horribly during the show.
Saturn V Center Exibits
Astronaut Snoopy
Early Space Exploration Vault
Apollo Command Module
Banner and Moon Lander on ceiling
Green Screen pictures
The Moon Rock Cafe is located around section 2 and the seating has a great view of the rocket. Food is served cafetria style similar to the resort CS at the Disney resorts. Everyone gets their food and meets up to pay at the end. Outside seating is available; its enclosed so kids dont end up in the Intercoastal. Let the little ones run around out here. The Moon Rock Cafe does have an allergy binder with the labels from their products. Theyll let you look at if you have any allergies.
Moon Rock Cafe Menu
Cafeteria style food
Yes, beer is available
The exit to the Saturn V Center is through the gift shop. Wheelchair parties will be directed to the left and able-bodied parties line up to the left. The buses stop at the wheelchair line to load those parties first.
Sign to the wheelchair accessible bus line
It's really pretty over there.
Rocket Garden
This is basically a garden with rockets instead of plants, though you will find tons of plants and mosquitos. Bug spray is a necessity in the summer. Best time for the rocket garden is at dusk when its not so hot or during one of the two guided tours. The guides are happy to answer questions and usually show up a good half hour before the tour to talk to guests. The whole area is wheelchair accessible. There is one display that is raised up for people to see inside; its ramped for wheelchairs.
Shuttle Launch Experience
Finally the KSC listened and they have an actual ride now. This is a simulator designed to take you into orbit, figuratively speaking of course. You must be over 44 tall to ride. You will need to leave your belongings in lockers outside the ride building. It costs a quarter for a locker and you do get the quarter back. Any and all loose items should be left in the locker. There are no places for you to store items on the ride. You can as a CM to hold medically necessary items while you ride if you must bring something in line with you.
"Free" Lockers-Don't forget your quarterback!
All guests using wheelchairs must transfer to the ride simulator. The original line was mainstreamed but the interim line during the Atlantis construction is not. Wheelchair uses will be directed to use an elevator next to the main line.
You must transfer to ride but not if you want to watch.
It does not use spinning like Mission Space in Epcot. Instead it will lift you a full 90 degrees flat on your back and shake you. This is a very intense ride and not for the faint of heart. The seats in the simulator are very short with little elbow room. I am little, only 52, and I find my bottom barely fitting on the seat so definitely not pooh friendly. You will get to experience about 1-2 seconds of weightlessness as the simulator suddenly rotates from flat on your back to glad Im strapped in or Id fall out as if dips past the outside floor level. Anyone bothered by loud noise, vibrations, sudden movement, motion sickness, claustrophobia, or bright lights should probably not ride.
There is a viewing area to watch everyone in the simulator for those who wont/cant ride. Shuttle Launch does have a rider switch option for those with kids too short to ride.The actual logistics of this change depending on wait times/ride operators.
There is a 10 minute pre-show movie. The room has no seating. Kids not tall enough to ride can watch the pre-show and then pass through to the ride viewing area to watch everyone in the simulator. For those with hearing issues, a reflective captioning panel is available in the back of the show area.
Pre-show movie area
The other exhibits at the main visitor's center are all wheelchair accessible. Let me know if there are any other questions I can look up answers to. I tried to put as much as possible in this. I'll add more after future trips.
