WDW to Kennedy Space Centre?

[Franrose]

I'm hoping I'm not doubling up on topics here, but wanted the Anzac perspective on the options to get to KSC from WDW? I know hiring a car is an option but DH doesn't seem to keen on that, I think he just wants to be in holiday mode and take the easier route of grabbing a shuttle or tour bus to get there. I can google options but was wondering if anyone had any personal recommendations? Thanks!

 

[Busy Busy]

Hi Franrose!

We met on the Pirates of the Caribbean in WDW - how hilarious - my family still laugh about the lady in front of us who said "are you Busy Busy?"!!

We went to KSC in 1997 - twice, once for the tour and once to see Columbia launch. We took the bus to do the tour and it was a looooooong day. We must have stopped at every hotel in town to pick up and drop off BUT we could doze off on the journey if we wanted, so that was a bonus.

To see the launch we hired a van (7 of us!!) It was great, although the traffic was disastrous (due to 50,000 people being out there to watch - it was also Spring Break - yikes!)

This time we are hiring a car to head out there again with our kids. We will be at POR for 13 days so we decided to get a car so that we could head out to shop and eat on International Drive (no free dining this time - boo!!) My DH is pretty OK with the driving and it means that we can leave KSC when we want to, and then head back to IDrive for shopping and dinner.

So that is our experience - but however you do it, make sure that you do it!! KSC is AMAZING!!!!

 

[Toy Story]

Hi,

We also drove out there - the drive was not too bad as a lot of it is through the national park. We did the trip before we checked into WDW, so it also provided an opportunity to stop at a Walmart and stock up on food etc before checking in to WDW.

 

[Travel Mum]

Sorry can't help with alternatives either because we drove too and it's quite a easy-peasy drive

 

[aussietravellers]

We went with Grayline. They pick up at one of the All Stars resorts (can't remember which). Along the way they drop some people at the airboat ride through the everglades (which we hadn't booked but ended up getting off and doing). They then take those not doing the airboat on to KSC, then the bus returns for the airboat people and takes them on to KSC.

It was a great day. I found the bus to be fabulous and would happily do it again. The airboat ride, although was a surprise, was awesome!

It was also a rocket launch day and the bus driver gave us lots of tips for the day along the journey.

 

[Minniemum]

I'm not much help either as we always hire a car for a few days for KSC, US and shopping.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Likewise. We hire a car. If you go the hire car route, take plenty of loose change for the tolls.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Sorry, I can't help as I was a teenager the last time I went to the Space Centre. However, I am reading your answers with interest.
We have one fairly plan-free day in our itinerary and if we feel like we need a break from Disney, we might try to get on a last minute tour to either KSC or Legoland.
I'm like your DH and aren't keen to hire a car during this trip. My husband has said he's happy to drive, but at the end of the day I really can't be bothered doing the research to ensure I've got the right insurances etc. I know it's a bit lazy, but car rental is one of the few parts of holiday planning I actually don't enjoy.

 

[jessiegirl84]

When we went in 2011, we booked a day tour through Viator. We had to make our way from Pop to Swan Hotel as that was the closest bus pickup. From there we met up with others from around the orlando area& transferred to a big bus. It was great!
Only thing was that we wanted to spend more time there, but we had to cut short because the bus was leaving, but we prob should have planned our day better there, im sure we would have had enough there.

 

[ky71]

We have visited KSC 4 times.

3 times we have driven ourselves in a hire car or van.

Last trip we used a limo service to take us to Tampa for a baseball game. We mentioned we were going to KSC and needed to hire a van. Driver offered to get quote and we ended up going in style! There were 15 of us including kids so it was still cheaper than doing a bus tour (yet more expensive than hiring our own vehicles). Meant that no one needed to drive or navigate! Just chat.

 

[Jadeey]

Mears Shuttle have a decent rate. I can't remember what it is though. They only go a few days a week and it does mean that you are stuck to their timetable but that's the way we'll be doing it when we are there in December.

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

We did the tour and it was excellent. Did it with Grayline and did the airboat ride on the everglades as well which was fantastic. Here is the link to the tour we did:-http://www.grayline.com/United_States_Orlando/Kennedy_Space_Center_and_Airboat_Safari.

It was such a great day, I highly recommend it and the tour guide was excellent and gave us fabulous advice about how to get the most out of our time at KSC.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

We arranged the tour along with the Mears bus included. They only pick up at a few resorts at WDW so we ended up getting a taxi to the Swan and Dolphin and got picked up from there