Space Coast - Is a trip to the Kennedy Space Center worth it this summer if the bus tours aren't running?

[wideeyedwonder]

We will be in the area at the end of May (in 2 weeks)...with all of the COVID-19 restrictions still in effect, including the stoppage of most of the bus tours, is it worth it to make the trip to the Kennedy Space Center? We will be back in the area in early January, so this isn't a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Should we just wait until then? (I so would love to see SLS and/or the vehicle assembly building at some point).

 

[100AcreWood]

I would wait.

 

[Pooh's World]

We will be in the area at the end of May (in 2 weeks)...with all of the COVID-19 restrictions still in effect, including the stoppage of most of the bus tours, is it worth it to make the trip to the Kennedy Space Center? We will be back in the area in early January, so this isn't a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Should we just wait until then? (I so would love to see SLS and/or the vehicle assembly building at some point).

I would wait. Why waste time and money on something that isn't fully open.

 

[DisTravels]

We will be in the area at the end of May (in 2 weeks)...with all of the COVID-19 restrictions still in effect, including the stoppage of most of the bus tours, is it worth it to make the trip to the Kennedy Space Center? We will be back in the area in early January, so this isn't a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Should we just wait until then? (I so would love to see SLS and/or the vehicle assembly building at some point).

Two sides. Less open, but probably less crowded in May 2021 than Jan 2022.

 

[Disneyfan754321]

May 26th (14:59) there is a space x launch, they are pretty awesome to watch

 

[Suzanne74]

I just saw on their facebook page that bus tours opened up over 5 days ago. You need to make a reservation when you arrive! We are going May 28th to June 5th and there is a rocket launch on June 4th. FINGERS CROSSED. We leave June 5th at 8pm so we have very little wiggle room.

 

[WNYDisneyDad]

May 26th (14:59) there is a space x launch, they are pretty awesome to watch

If I may, I'll add the word "scheduled" to this comment, as they do frequently need to scrap due to weather.

Also, you do not need to be on the coast to "see" the launch. We were in Sebring (which is quite a bit south of Orlando) in January and were able to see the launch. Granted it was night, but I we still saw from about 15 seconds after liftoff till MECO (main engine cut off). So even if you don't go to KSC for the launch, you may still see one from where you are.

As for the original question. We visited KSC on this last trip (January 2021), so no bus tours and no Saturn 5 building, and did so in January 2020 as well, so full tour. Even without the tour, I'd still do it 100% of the time.

 

[Suzanne74]

May 26th (14:59) there is a space x launch, they are pretty awesome to watch

I don't see that launch. I only see one on June 4th on their website. How can you check?

 

[wideeyedwonder]

I just saw on their facebook page that bus tours opened up over 5 days ago. You need to make a reservation when you arrive! We are going May 28th to June 5th and there is a rocket launch on June 4th. FINGERS CROSSED. We leave June 5th at 8pm so we have very little wiggle room.

That would be interesting. What I'm seeing on their web page is this:

"The KSC Bus Tour is currently unavailable for guest's health and safety. Direct bus transportation reservations are available to the Apollo/Saturn V Center on a limited basis."

They used to have several actual "tours" of the complex, and that's what I want to wait for, especially if they can go to or around the vehicle assembly building (where SLS is being stacked).

 

[Disneyfan754321]

I don't see that launch. I only see one on June 4th on their website. How can you check?

https://www.space.com/32286-space-calendar.html

 

[wilbret]

Another option is to go, and upgrade to a season pass. I do think there is enough to fill a half day without the bus tours, we went back in March.

 

[wideeyedwonder]

Another option is to go, and upgrade to a season pass. I do think there is enough to fill a half day without the bus tours, we went back in March.

That's a great idea!

 

[Disneyfan754321]

We had a go Orlando go pass where you pick what you want to do.

 

[Suzanne74]

That would be interesting. What I'm seeing on their web page is this:

"The KSC Bus Tour is currently unavailable for guest's health and safety. Direct bus transportation reservations are available to the Apollo/Saturn V Center on a limited basis."

They used to have several actual "tours" of the complex, and that's what I want to wait for, especially if they can go to or around the vehicle assembly building (where SLS is being stacked).

Okay I was wrong. They said the buses tours were running and then retracted that. So it is only for the Apollo/Saturn V area. No tours. I don't think we are going either now.

 

[fla4fun]

I have done the bus tours and they eat up a lot of time. I did what a previous poster suggested. I upgraded to an annual pass. I dedicated a couple visits to bus tours and a separate day to explore the visitor center. I did the Saturn V building after one of the bus tours. If you have the time for multiple visits during a 12 month timeframe, I definitely recommend the annual pass. It gets you free parking and discounts on food and merchandise as well.

 

[Frederic Civish]

On one of my trips to Disney World, I took my family to Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center for the day and we did everything we could. It is funny, because I don't remember a thing about that trip to Disney World EXCEPT for all the amazing stuff we saw at Cape Canaveral. The rockets, the buildings, the launch pads, everything was amazing. And I even remember the dolphins we saw playing in the bay on the road to the peninsula.

 

[bookgirl]

I am a space nut and I've done a few NASA/Museum visits around the country (including boring ones like visiting the Library at the DC Admin building LOL) and the non tour part of Kennedy was...pretty good on it's own. If I was close to it I would go for that alone, but without the tours.... well I wouldn't spend the time, gas, or money from Orlando to do it as a stand alone day trip.

I would wait.

For the sake of comparison, my favorite is the Johnson Space Center so I judge all others by it.

 

[GreatLakes]

We visited KSC in June and I highly recommend it. It had more to do than I thought it would though some of it didn't appeal much to our 4 year old. The new indoor play area is a really nice on a hot day.

We were over in that area visiting family though and it wasn't a trip just for KSC. I'm not sure we would make the trip just for the space center unless there was a launch happening but that is just us.