The Spirited Seventh Heaven ...

[Nemo14]

I don't go every trip, but I have been numerous times over the years. The first in 83 and the last in 09. Even without the active space program that it once had, there is still so much awe inspiring things to see that it is hard to pick one. The Saturn Rocket that once sent people to the moon is so dynamically displayed in it's own building. Overhead yet. Unless you see it up-close and personal there is no way to comprehend it's size. It also has little shows that include a moon scape scene and the actual control room equipment set up like it was for the moon shot is there and reenacted to the point that it sends chills up your spine.

The Imax movie that puts you in a lot of the action is incredible and, of course, as @Nemo14 mentioned the Atlantis. All for one fee, it is a full day of discovery and history and displays of actual equipment used and worn by all the Astronauts that we have heard about for years. I love Disney, but, for sheer love of History, I feel that it is a must.

Not to mention the big ole Alligator that has, for some unexplainable reason, been sitting out in that same ditch by the side of the road for years now. (nudge, nudge, wink, wink)

and the eagle's nest the size of a king-size bed.

Actually we always see a few gators there, especially in the pond in front of the Astronaut's Memorial, and if you take a ride over to the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, you'll see a lot more there.

 

[michmousefan]

Since we seem to drift all over in this thread, I wanted to add that in the past year we've been including a visit to the Kennedy Space Center with our Florida vacations. In a lot of ways we experience that same "mind-blowing, inspirational, and incredibly enjoyable" feeling there that we've lost at EPCOT, the difference being that poor political decisions have turned what was once an active and expanding program into basically a museum reminding us of what mankind is capable of.
For those who long for that feeling again, I highly recommend spending a day there instead of waiting in long hot lines for an autograph from a college kid in a costume. Heck, bring the kids, you never know, they might even enjoy it!

The new Atlantis exhibit is what the Space pavilion should have been like. That alone is worth the price of admission, but if you can, take one of the "Up Close" tours -- they are well worth the up charge.

I'm definitely a space geek, so YMMV, but the combined experience of the Atlantis and VAB and Launch Pad up-close tours gave me as much spine-tingling chills as I used to get from a visit to Epcot circa 1990.

 

[PhotoDave219]

The most wonderful experience I think I've ever had in Florida was sleeping in my car outside the vehicle assembly building waiting for a launch… complete with sunshade in the rear windshield to block out the lights from CBS.

 

[Nemo14]

We saw several launches from my mom's backyard in Central FL, but the biggest thrill was watching one from the shore at Cocoa Beach. Awesome feeling!

 

[Cesar R M]

I don't go every trip, but I have been numerous times over the years. The first in 83 and the last in 09. Even without the active space program that it once had, there is still so much awe inspiring things to see that it is hard to pick one. The Saturn Rocket that once sent people to the moon is so dynamically displayed in it's own building. Overhead yet. Unless you see it up-close and personal there is no way to comprehend it's size. It also has little shows that include a moon scape scene and the actual control room equipment set up like it was for the moon shot is there and reenacted to the point that it sends chills up your spine.

The Imax movie that puts you in a lot of the action is incredible and, of course, as @Nemo14 mentioned the Atlantis. All for one fee, it is a full day of discovery and history and displays of actual equipment used and worn by all the Astronauts that we have heard about for years. I love Disney, but, for sheer love of History, I feel that it is a must.

Not to mention the big ole Alligator that has, for some unexplainable reason, been sitting out in that same ditch by the side of the road for years now. (nudge, nudge, wink, wink)

how far is this museum/launchpad/building from WDW?

might give it a shot when I go to the area.
I still need to visit Houston's space center too.

 

[Nemo14]

how far is this museum/launchpad/building from WDW?

might give it a shot when I go to the area.
I still need to visit Houston's space center too.

It's about an hour's drive - 50 or 60 miles, (and lots of tolls)

 

[Goofyernmost]

how far is this museum/launchpad/building from WDW?

might give it a shot when I go to the area.
I still need to visit Houston's space center too.

It's about an hour's drive - 50 or 60 miles, (and lots of tolls)

If you're even a little bit adventurous you don't have to take the toll roads. It's a few minutes quicker that way though, but, you miss all of what Central Florida really is like.

 

[Goofyernmost]

The new Atlantis exhibit is what the Space pavilion should have been like. That alone is worth the price of admission, but if you can, take one of the "Up Close" tours -- they are well worth the up charge.

I'm definitely a space geek, so YMMV, but the combined experience of the Atlantis and VAB and Launch Pad up-close tours gave me as much spine-tingling chills as I used to get from a visit to Epcot circa 1990.

Did they go back to an up charge? I know that they used to do that, but, then they went to a Disney style, one price covers all. That was what I remember from my last visit. Every time I was there in the past, they were getting ready for a launch, so you couldn't get any closer then a mile from a launch pad.

 

[BrerJon]

how far is this museum/launchpad/building from WDW?

might give it a shot when I go to the area.
I still need to visit Houston's space center too.

Oh wow if you've never been... it's not the kind of place you'd go to every year, but Kennedy Space Center is one of the best things (and best value) anyone can do in Florida. It truly is awe-inspiring, moving, and inspirational. I've been to Houston too, but that's just a small museum, this is a major park and NASA tour, it's unlike anything else.

Mears do a shared shuttle from Disney to KSC for about $35 return so even people without cars can check it out, but it really is a must-do.

 

[Cesar R M]

Oh wow if you've never been... it's not the kind of place you'd go to every year, but Kennedy Space Center is one of the best things (and best value) anyone can do in Florida. It truly is awe-inspiring, moving, and inspirational. I've been to Houston too, but that's just a small museum, this is a major park and NASA tour, it's unlike anything else.

Mears do a shared shuttle from Disney to KSC for about $35 return so even people without cars can check it out, but it really is a must-do.

Id have to check about that.
the full tour is 35$ or how much it is usually?

If you're even a little bit adventurous you don't have to take the toll roads. It's a few minutes quicker that way though, but, you miss all of what Central Florida really is like.

cant drive.

 

[dupac]

If you do both tram tours and the museum, Johnson Space Center would probably take 3-4 hours, just for reference.

I would love to go to KSC. Now if I can only talk the rest of my party into it!

 

[ABQ]

This portion of the thread is bringing back some olde memories. I haven't been to Kennedy since http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skylab Skylab was still in orbit and the first shuttle missions had yet to launch. Even then though, just walking past parts of the insanely massive Saturn V rocket was truly awe inspiring.

 

[flynnibus]

Did they go back to an up charge? I know that they used to do that, but, then they went to a Disney style, one price covers all. That was what I remember from my last visit. Every time I was there in the past, they were getting ready for a launch, so you couldn't get any closer then a mile from a launch pad.

There is the ticket+tour price... but there are additional tours that take you to closer locations or places the general bus tour does not go.

 

[raymusiccity]

This portion of the thread is bringing back some olde memories. I haven't been to Kennedy since http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skylab Skylab was still in orbit and the first shuttle missions had yet to launch. Even then though, just walking past parts of the insanely massive Saturn V rocket was truly awe inspiring.

There's a complete Saturn V displayed laying on its side at the NASA Space Museum in Huntsville. You're right about how massive it is when viewed up close!

 

[BrerJon]

Id have to check about that.
the full tour is 35$ or how much it is usually.

$35 is for the Mears bus to pick you up from your hotel and take you there and back. KSC admission is $50 on top of that but well worth it and includes the NASA tour, Atlantis exhibit, IMAX movies etc.

You can also get a Grey Line coach package tour that costs $99 but includes transport from the hotels, park admission, and a meet and greet with a real astronaut.

 

[Nemo14]

Nice to see so much love for KSC!

 

[MinnieM123]

Oh wow if you've never been... it's not the kind of place you'd go to every year, but Kennedy Space Center is one of the best things (and best value) anyone can do in Florida. It truly is awe-inspiring, moving, and inspirational. I've been to Houston too, but that's just a small museum, this is a major park and NASA tour, it's unlike anything else.

Mears do a shared shuttle from Disney to KSC for about $35 return so even people without cars can check it out, but it really is a must-do.

I went to the KSC years ago and really enjoyed it. I'm glad you shared that there is also transportation now for those who don't like to drive.

 

[Goofyernmost]

There is the ticket+tour price... but there are additional tours that take you to closer locations or places the general bus tour does not go.

Hmmmm! I'll have to check those out. Never paid much attention to it, I guess.

 

[NearTheEars]

I don't go every trip, but I have been numerous times over the years. The first in 83 and the last in 09. Even without the active space program that it once had, there is still so many awe inspiring things to see that it is hard to pick one. The Saturn Rocket that once sent people to the moon is so dynamically displayed in it's own building. Overhead yet. Unless you see it up-close and personal there is no way to comprehend it's size. It also has little shows that include a moon scape scene and the actual control room equipment set up like it was for the moon shot is there and reenacted to the point that it sends chills up your spine.

The Imax movie that puts you in a lot of the action is incredible and, of course, as @Nemo14 mentioned the Atlantis. All for one fee, it is a full day of discovery and history and displays of actual equipment used and worn by all the Astronauts that we have heard about for years. I love Disney, but, for sheer love of History, I feel that it is a must.

Not to mention the big ole Alligator that has, for some unexplainable reason, been sitting out in that same ditch by the side of the road for years now. (nudge, nudge, wink, wink)

It truly is amazing, and the Atlantis exhibit is the icing on the cake. They did an awesome job with it.

 

[tribbleorlfl]

KSC is definitely a "can't miss" attraction in Central Florida, though I will admit it's not been the same for me since the Shuttle program ended. Just doesn't have the same energy about it, and there don't seem to be as many visitors. My hope the new commercial launches, along with the future Orion program will bring the excitement back.