What is your not to miss at Kennedy Space Center? - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Hi.
We will be visiting KSC after a DCL and wanted to know what is a not to miss. We don't have the whole day as we have a flight in the evening. Thanks for your input!
The Saturn V Center. It's the last stop on the bus tour, but you can skip the earlier stops and go straight to it.
It has the Apollo 11 mission control center, moon rocks, and other artifacts of the space program that you can see up close.
If you do the Rocket Garden, try to get in on one of the free guided tours. They'll walk you through them in order and it makes more sense -- you can see the progression in the program. That's also where they have the orignial entry gantry for the moon launches, which is a great thing to say you've seen.
The Shuttle launch experience was fun.
We spent a full day at the Hall of Fame this year. We'd been at KSC for two days last year, so didn't mind. But I wouldn't do it if I were on a tight schedule.
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Carolyn
Last edited by Carousel96; 02-07-2011 at 09:33 AM..
I agree, the Saturn V center. It sounds like you may be there first thing in the morning and I would also recommend one of the special tours. They usually sell out as the day goes on but they are supposed to be great!
It sounds like you may be there first thing in the morning and I would also recommend one of the special tours. They usually sell out as the day goes on but they are supposed to be great!
We've done the tour they used to call "Up Close" It's now the "Today and Tomorrow" tour. (We did it in 2009 and again in 2010 and they changed the name in the interim.) It's really cool -- you get closer to the launch pads. But you do have a bit less control over your time. If you've got space buffs in your family, it is probably worth it. Especially if you can get there for the first one of the morning. The special tours drop you at Saturn V, so you can go on from there.
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Carolyn
Last edited by Carousel96; 02-07-2011 at 10:04 AM..
When we last did it in 2008 it was called 'Up close' maximum tour and was an extra cost. We had done this tour in 2005 and 2006 and really enjoyed it as the kids got more interested.
Thank you everyone! Is the bus tour included in the cost of admission? (the same tour with Saturn V) how many stops are in the tour and is it basically get off and on at your leisure? Sorry for all the questions but the last time I went I was in elementary school and thought it would be a great experience for my kids. So it seems it's best to get the bus tour first thing in the morning and then go to the rest of the exhibitions.
Thanks!!
The bus tour is included in the admission. I agree with the other about the Saturn V center. Last time we were there (2003?) we cut the tour short and missed it. We went back to KSC last November and spent more time there and went through the entire tour. We enjoyed the Saturn Center. Also liked the Shuttle experince, the rocket garden and the other building with the earlier things but I can't remember what they call that.
The basic bus tour is included in admission. You can do several other in depth tours for an additional fee. Definitely see the Saturn V center! Also, there is an AAA discount on admission available. You can also purchase your tickets in advance through AAA.
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Thank you everyone! Is the bus tour included in the cost of admission? (the same tour with Saturn V) how many stops are in the tour and is it basically get off and on at your leisure? Sorry for all the questions but the last time I went I was in elementary school and thought it would be a great experience for my kids. So it seems it's best to get the bus tour first thing in the morning and then go to the rest of the exhibitions.
Thanks!!
If you haven't been in a long time, you'll be impressed. I'd been as a kid in the 1970's when the museum was basically a big pole barn. We went back in 2002 and were amazed at how much there was to see and do.
Yes, the basic tour is included in the cost of admission. As I recall, it isn't even timed -- you just go to the loading area and they line you up for the next available bus. The themed special tours (extra fee) are timed and sell out. They sometimes have deals for the morning departures.
The basic tour stops at an observation tower where you can see the launch pads, a photo stop outside the Vehicle Assembly Building and the Saturn V center. There used to be a stop at the Space Station assembly building, but since they're done with that project I think they've dropped the stop. Usually you will get off the bus to see the stop and can reboard any bus when you're ready to leave. If you just want to go straight to Saturn V, talk to your driver.
we're trying to decide what to do after our cruise too and ksc is one option we are looking into... we have two girls aged 3 and 7.... would they enjoy ksc or are they too little?
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Personally I would take them, having said that I would also introduce them to space flight. Look for videos of the 60's and up flighst, so they can see the way things have grown and changed. I showed my daughter (19now) this along with our country's history and she now has a great interest in these things since she knows that what seems common place really isn't. KSC is great for all ages with some pre exposure.
(ok 3 might be too young to grasp but still....)
Best Wishes Keith º0º
we're trying to decide what to do after our cruise too and ksc is one option we are looking into... we have two girls aged 3 and 7.... would they enjoy ksc or are they too little?
It's llike other places we take our kids -- will they enjoy it? yes. Fully appreciate it? probably not.
There are a lot of good kids books about the space program. Buzz Aldrin has written a picture book; there's one called Floating Home that someone gave my DD about being an astronaut.
Younger ones will enjoy the rocket garden -- you can sit in mock up Mercury and Gemini capsules. There is an exhibit on the use of robots in space that my DD really enjoyed when she was 9.
In the Saturn 5 building they can touch a moon rock and see a return capsule and space suits up close.
I don't think the 3 year old is tall enough for the Shuttle Launch Experience, but there's an observation window where she can watch while her sister goes with mom or dad. (For what it's worth -- I get motion sickness easily and am a ride wimp but I rode SLE several times. Loved it!)
When is your trip? If it's before the last shuttle launches, you might see one on the pad.
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Carolyn
Last edited by Carousel96; 03-10-2011 at 09:46 AM..
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Also, there is an AAA discount on admission available. You can also purchase your tickets in advance through AAA.
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