Tips for visiting Kennedy Space Center

[LuvBulldogs]

We're planning to visit Kennedy Space Center; we're three adults who are interested but not space-crazy. I'm hoping someone here can answer a couple questions:

TICKETS & ENTRANCE
- I am a teacher, so I'm eligible for a free Educator Pass. Is it really as easy as walking up to "Will Call", showing my Teacher ID and getting a pass?
- I understand parking is $15. Do they take cash, or must it be credit card?

OUR PLAN -- one person in our party has a slight mobility issue /walks slowly and needs rest breaks

- 8:30 - Enter the parking lot /I'll get in line to pick up my Educator Pass
- 9:00 - Park opens
- Board the bus tour -- visit Apollo /Saturn V exhibit -- everyone seems to say this should be our first stop
- Bus back to the main campus
- Visit Space Shuttle Atlantis /includes simulation ride
- Visit Space Mirror Memorial
- Lunch - Will bring picnic lunch /leave it in the car in a cooler
- Visit Journey to Mars: Explorers Wanted /Mars Rover navigator
- Visit Gateway: Deep Space Launch (if we must cut something, this is it)
- Imax Movie - pick up cold Starbucks drinks before /rest in AC
- Walk through Rocket Garden
- Visit Heroes & Legends

I haven't been since I was in high school -- anyone who's been more recently, what would you do differently?

 

[White Cat]

Sounds reasonable. The only thing I would consider changing is lunch, I would eat in the park.

 

[Travel60]

Sounds good. Check to see if there are any special lectures/presentations the day you are visiting. Also any launches scheduled.

 

[LuvBulldogs]

Sounds reasonable. The only thing I would consider changing is lunch, I would eat in the park.

Eh, the lines, the prices, the mediocrity of food in other parks makes me wary.
Is KSC different?

Sounds good. Check to see if there are any special lectures/presentations the day you are visiting. Also any launches scheduled.

Good idea. I checked for launches, but it's too early. Will lectures /presentations be advertised on the phone app? We've already downloaded it.

 

[White Cat]

Eh, the lines, the prices, the mediocrity of food in other parks makes me wary.
Is KSC different?

Good idea. I checked for launches, but it's too early. Will lectures /presentations be advertised on the phone app? We've already downloaded it.

Actually the good is not too bad over at the place the bus guys too. It’s right under the Saturn rocket that is suspended horizontally above.

 

[Travel60]

Eh, the lines, the prices, the mediocrity of food in other parks makes me wary.
Is KSC different?

Good idea. I checked for launches, but it's too early. Will lectures /presentations be advertised on the phone app? We've already downloaded it.

Should be, I think. I just go to the website.

 

[_19disnA]

Their website likely has information on upcoming launches, special events, etc. and payment options. Even when scheduled, launches are often delayed for any number of technical reasons. I wouldn't arrange my visit around a scheduled launch and then be disappointed if it doesn't happen. Scheduled tours to launch areas are also likely modified/suspended when a launch is taking place for safety reasons.

How many tours and how much time you spend depends on what your group is interested in seeing/doing. I would review their website to see what choices of things interest your group. You don't need to spend the entire day there. We were there many years ago and enjoyed it, but some just aren't that interested in science/space flight and might find the various exhibits/tours boring.

As I recall, various tours depart on a set schedule and the order in which you do them doesn't matter. What matter more is making sure the timing for what you want to do matches with the available schedule. No one expects a 'fine dining' experience for lunch. However, if you are already staying at Disney, seems you would spend more time/money/effort getting your picnic lunch together then simply buying something at one of their restaurants.

 

[LuvBulldogs]

Should be, I think. I just go to the website.

I've written "Check for Launches" on my calendar for a month ahead of time. Thing is, it'll either happen or it won't -- our dates are set in stone. But, yes, I'll just check the website.

We were there many years ago and enjoyed it, but some just aren't that interested in science/space flight and might find the various exhibits/tours boring.

I'm thinking we'll be very interested /entertained for a whole day.

However, if you are already staying at Disney, seems you would spend more time/money/effort getting your picnic lunch together then simply buying something at one of their restaurants.

No Disney for us on this trip. We're boarding a cruise from Port Canaveral and are coming down a day early to visit KSC.
We'll bring a cooler from home with picnic items -- we always bring a really good charcuterie board for dinner after a long drive (we enjoy that more than going out after a full day's drive).