TRAPPED-PARENT
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2002
- Messages
- 550
Day Six (Mon, March 31) Kennedy Space Center
We last visited KSC 3 or 4 years ago, but since my DS wants to be an aerospace engineer we decide to make another visit. We are up and on the road in good time and after several tolls, arrive at KSC by 9:50 am. Just a gripe here when we visited before, you could just buy a ticket to the bus tour now the bus tour is paired with the Imax movies so you have to pay a bunch even though you dont want to go to all of it. I had access to several coupons for $2.50 off admission but knew that I could get a AAA discount by showing my card at the gate so I didnt bring any coupons. WRONG you have to get your discounted tickets before you leave home What? Thats not right!!! Okay, that will be $118 for the 4 of you. Gulp!
Well, we did get plastic ticket holders so that we would look official, but they were kind of cheap and didnt hang straight around our necks. Okay, lets not stop to look at the rocket garden, but get right in line for the bus tour! The buses are newer than last time and are quite nice with television monitors to tell the story of what we are seeing from the windows. Hey, I think that guy up there works at my company but I dont know him that well so dont say anything. We go by the assembly building (which you could go in 30 years ago see its not just Disney that changes things!) and then head for the first stop which is an observation tower. We got off and saw the movie and then proceeded up the tower which overlooks the NASA launch pads. Apparently NASA only launches the shuttles now and the military which has launch pads nearby does rockets and other stuff. In fact, we found out that around 5:00 the same day a Delta V Rocket will be launched so we are hoping to see it. We found out later that you have a better view from Cocoa Beach so we decided to drive there and visit Ron Jons (largest surf shop in the world) later.
Anyway, back to the tour. Obviously there are no shuttles on the launch pads like last time, but it is still interesting. Back in line for the bus where we freeze since the temperature is still in the 60s with a stiff wind. Finally the bus comes and we load up for our trip to the Saturn V museum. Again, we see an introductory movie and then are admitted into the main building. This museum was just new on our last visit but was still just as impressive as the first time we had seen it. For my DH and myself, we can remember seeing these missions on TV when we were growing up. They have an actual Saturn V rocket on exhibit which actually takes up most of the building. We spent a lot of time looking and reading the exhibits before heading for the cafeteria for lunch the prices are similar to Disney and ran us about $30. After touching an actual moon rock and seeing the control center that was used for the Apollo missions, its back on the bus to the visitor center. Once there, we are able to go up into a tower and then into a full-size space shuttle replica - hey, theres that guy again and he is wearing a company-logo shirt. I go up and chat with him about where he is staying, etc and get introduced to his family. After that, its the gift shop for a book and shirt ($22). Next up is the 3-D Imax movie about the International Space Station. The last time we were able to go into a building to observe the building of our section of space station so this was really neat to see the follow-up on the big screen. No movie is complete without popcorn (2) and candy (1) at a cost of $9.40.
After that it was a visit to the rocket garden (very impressive) and then off to Cocoa Beach for the rocket launch. As we were crossing over the waterways in Cape Canaveral we noticed some parking areas where people were fishing and what looked like gathering to see the launch. We turn around and join the group. By the time of the launch there are probably 35 cars with visitors from all over the place. You could see the NASA Assembly Building way off in the distance, however, we were all uncertain as to where we should be looking for the rocket launch. At the last possible minute in the window-of-opportunity, we see it clear off to the right. It was really cool but I must say, it looked just like the launches you see on TV.
Off to Ron Jons and we drop $82 on shirts, etc but I did have a 15% off coupon that I picked up at KSC. Oh wait, here is a brochure on the counter for $2.50 off at KSC a little late now!!!
We have really noticed that once it gets dark, it gets BLACK!! We decide wed better get going if we want to be back on WDW property before dark. Our visit was prior to the time change so it got pretty black by 7:15. Once back in Lake Buena Vista we stop at a 7-Eleven for gas, milk and ice. After arrival at our campsite we head off to Crocketts Tavern at Pioneer Hall which has always been a favorite of ours. Beer, soda, Pizza, Quesadilla, Spinach Dip = $45.
Another good day. Were in bed by 10:00 again.
We last visited KSC 3 or 4 years ago, but since my DS wants to be an aerospace engineer we decide to make another visit. We are up and on the road in good time and after several tolls, arrive at KSC by 9:50 am. Just a gripe here when we visited before, you could just buy a ticket to the bus tour now the bus tour is paired with the Imax movies so you have to pay a bunch even though you dont want to go to all of it. I had access to several coupons for $2.50 off admission but knew that I could get a AAA discount by showing my card at the gate so I didnt bring any coupons. WRONG you have to get your discounted tickets before you leave home What? Thats not right!!! Okay, that will be $118 for the 4 of you. Gulp!
Well, we did get plastic ticket holders so that we would look official, but they were kind of cheap and didnt hang straight around our necks. Okay, lets not stop to look at the rocket garden, but get right in line for the bus tour! The buses are newer than last time and are quite nice with television monitors to tell the story of what we are seeing from the windows. Hey, I think that guy up there works at my company but I dont know him that well so dont say anything. We go by the assembly building (which you could go in 30 years ago see its not just Disney that changes things!) and then head for the first stop which is an observation tower. We got off and saw the movie and then proceeded up the tower which overlooks the NASA launch pads. Apparently NASA only launches the shuttles now and the military which has launch pads nearby does rockets and other stuff. In fact, we found out that around 5:00 the same day a Delta V Rocket will be launched so we are hoping to see it. We found out later that you have a better view from Cocoa Beach so we decided to drive there and visit Ron Jons (largest surf shop in the world) later.
Anyway, back to the tour. Obviously there are no shuttles on the launch pads like last time, but it is still interesting. Back in line for the bus where we freeze since the temperature is still in the 60s with a stiff wind. Finally the bus comes and we load up for our trip to the Saturn V museum. Again, we see an introductory movie and then are admitted into the main building. This museum was just new on our last visit but was still just as impressive as the first time we had seen it. For my DH and myself, we can remember seeing these missions on TV when we were growing up. They have an actual Saturn V rocket on exhibit which actually takes up most of the building. We spent a lot of time looking and reading the exhibits before heading for the cafeteria for lunch the prices are similar to Disney and ran us about $30. After touching an actual moon rock and seeing the control center that was used for the Apollo missions, its back on the bus to the visitor center. Once there, we are able to go up into a tower and then into a full-size space shuttle replica - hey, theres that guy again and he is wearing a company-logo shirt. I go up and chat with him about where he is staying, etc and get introduced to his family. After that, its the gift shop for a book and shirt ($22). Next up is the 3-D Imax movie about the International Space Station. The last time we were able to go into a building to observe the building of our section of space station so this was really neat to see the follow-up on the big screen. No movie is complete without popcorn (2) and candy (1) at a cost of $9.40.
After that it was a visit to the rocket garden (very impressive) and then off to Cocoa Beach for the rocket launch. As we were crossing over the waterways in Cape Canaveral we noticed some parking areas where people were fishing and what looked like gathering to see the launch. We turn around and join the group. By the time of the launch there are probably 35 cars with visitors from all over the place. You could see the NASA Assembly Building way off in the distance, however, we were all uncertain as to where we should be looking for the rocket launch. At the last possible minute in the window-of-opportunity, we see it clear off to the right. It was really cool but I must say, it looked just like the launches you see on TV.
Off to Ron Jons and we drop $82 on shirts, etc but I did have a 15% off coupon that I picked up at KSC. Oh wait, here is a brochure on the counter for $2.50 off at KSC a little late now!!!
We have really noticed that once it gets dark, it gets BLACK!! We decide wed better get going if we want to be back on WDW property before dark. Our visit was prior to the time change so it got pretty black by 7:15. Once back in Lake Buena Vista we stop at a 7-Eleven for gas, milk and ice. After arrival at our campsite we head off to Crocketts Tavern at Pioneer Hall which has always been a favorite of ours. Beer, soda, Pizza, Quesadilla, Spinach Dip = $45.
Another good day. Were in bed by 10:00 again.
