When to fit in Kennedy Space Center?

[pnelson]

We are planning on doing Kennedy Space Center this trip, but not sure when it would be best to fit it in. We are arriving early in the morning at Orlando airport and renting a car. We could do it then on the way to WDW-How far is it from the airport? Or we could do it the day we check out of WDW, before heading over to Universal for 3 days?

Do you have to have advance reservations? Is it far from Orlando?

 

[anniet]

Kennedy Space Center isn't on the Way to Disney. It is about an hour (maybe an hour and ten minutes, and bring lots of change for the tolls) from Orlando, in the other direction (west). We always like to do it early on in our vacation.

Let me warn you though that there is a LOT to do there. Lot's of bus tours that take you out to launch pads and other interesting sites, so it does take at least a full day. If you are going to check out of Disney and into another hotel that would be a good day to do it provided you have enough room in your rent-a-car for luggage.

Also, I don't know if you are traveling with any small children, but I probably would save it for another trip if you are, since most of the children I've seen touring with their parents aren't really all that impressed.

If you are traveling with older children or just adults definitely make the trip over there. It is well worth it. They have a website, it's www.ksc.nasa.gov

Hope that helps! Have a great trip!

 

[anniet]

OOps sorry, it's not West, it's EAST. I don't know what I was thinking!!!!!!!!!

 

[twinz]

Anniet...what ages do you suggest for kids? We are going to Orlando with a co-worker and her three kids (6,8, and 9 yr old-all boys). We were thinking of taking a day trip. This will be their first time to Florida, and the youngest one actually said he wanted to go there. Thanks
Leslie and Laura

 

[anniet]

Well I must confess I am not a parent, but I am a VERY INVOLVED Aunt of 3 nieces and a nephew. My oldest niece is 6 and has always had an interest in the planets and stars, so I would take her there this year if we were going down together, but I think anything under that might be pushing it. The others are 5 and under, and I wouldn't take them since they would be overwhelmed and probably not very interested.

I think your 6, 8 and 9 year old boys will love it. Depending on what Nasa is doing too, they can view the launch pads, maybe see a shuttle, depending on where it is at the time you visit. They have great I-max movies that aren't that long, a shuttle for the visitors to walk in and out of, a control room, you might be able to see some of the payloads that they will be sending up to the Space Station, there's a whole building with all sorts of Apollo rockets, banners, memorabilia, moon rocks. Very cool stuff. And if the kids have the slightest interest in this stuff, they will be even more interested by the end of the visit!

The one thing I'm disappointed in is that we never got over to KSC to see a launch. The one time we had tickets, they canceled the launch and the shuttle didn't go up until after we went home. Last I heard, since 9/11 they no longer let visitors on the property to view the launches, although I am told there are spots you can drive down to on Cocoa Beach and see it, and we DID see one from Kissimmee once, but it would have been cool to be closer.

Have a great time!