Whos been to the Kennedy Space center?

House · 16 Jul 2009 at 14:56

Im in the throws of organising a holiday, there are 2 main parts to it:
1) I need to go to a wedding in Pensecola florida
2) Pick up on the things I missed the lastime I went to florida back in 2003.

The main thrust of part 2 is The space center, I really wanted to go (have since I was a little kid) but last time I was in florida nobody else would go with me and I couldnt afford to go by myself (we didnt have a car).

This time Im driving and Im not at the mercy of my cheap ass brother so I'm going. Now looking at their website there is allot of diffrent tours and stuff to go on. Which ones are the "Must Dos" timing wise im most likely not going to get a launch (cant really ask my mate to change her wedding day based on nasa's schedule can I).
I always find the best bet with places you've never seen is to ask someone whos been before. So whos done the whole tour and what the best bits?

LukeTW · 16 Jul 2009 at 14:56

Ive been

Can't tell you much as it was about 5 years ago

Buffman · 16 Jul 2009 at 14:59

I went a few years ago as my dad wanted to go and it was alright, nothing to shout about (although I was ~13 at the time). Lots of info there about the appollo rocket that blew up, bits of other shuttles inside etc.

The Dread Pirate · 16 Jul 2009 at 15:02

I went.... when I was 5 so I can't really tell you about how the tours are organised or how much they cost because they've definitly changed, was an amazing trip though and I got to sit in the spaceships pew-pew!

antijoke · 16 Jul 2009 at 15:03

Was 5 years ago last month I went and it was awesome, should've seen a launch but a tropical storm stopped it dead in its tracks.

We did the NASA up close tour and it was epic, also had a look around Air Force Space and Missile Museum, which was crazy to see the size of some of the craft.

Will be taking my kids when they are old enough to appreciate it.

Bennie-Mac · 16 Jul 2009 at 15:04

I went about 6 or 7 years ago and it was rubbish. Most of the places were closed due to construction and improvements though, so im slightly biased

What was there was interesting enough though.

Viper² · 16 Jul 2009 at 15:04

I went in 1996 so it's probably changed since then but it's a bit of a trek to get to from Orlando and the tours are ok. We went around outisde in a bus type thing and they showed some sights which they had set out around the area.

sc(+)pe · 16 Jul 2009 at 15:05

Jeez I was thinking to myself when I read the OP that "hey i've been there" then I realised that was like 13 and half years ago!

Viper² · 16 Jul 2009 at 15:06

sc(+)pe said:
Jeez I was thinking to myself when I read the OP that "hey i've been there" then I realised that was like 13 and half years ago!

Haha. See my post above.

sc(+)pe · 16 Jul 2009 at 15:08

Lol it was early 96 when I was there, was over visiting family at the time.

Dolmio Chips · 16 Jul 2009 at 15:09

I was there last month. It was a couple of days after one of the cancelled launches so the Shuttle was sitting on the Launch Pad.

Overall I was really disappointed by the Space Centre. The tour was ok, they take you to a viewing platform a couple of miles from the Launch Pad but you can't really see much. You can also go to a bit where they do a mock countdown of the Apollo missions and then you get to see some of the old rockets which are quite impressive. Finally they take you to a building where you can walk through recreated bits of the International Space Station.

There are a couple of 3D shows in their cinema but half the people I was with fell asleep during this. There is also a shuttle simulator ride which is supposed to be almost exactly like taking off in a shuttle. However this was rubbish and nowhere near as good as the Space Ride at Epcot starring Gary Sinise.

Glad I went as I got to see the Shuttle but I won't be going back.

atpbx · 16 Jul 2009 at 15:11

My Dad watches the shuttle and rocket launches from his back garden, not a lot of relevance to this thread, but there you go.

He did however go to the space center when he first moved over there and he told me it was great, so its worth going to see.

Viper² · 16 Jul 2009 at 15:31

Just took a couple of screen grabs (awful quality, were originally taken on a camcorder..on a bus... lol)

Some big building

Launch pad

RSR · 16 Jul 2009 at 15:35

Ive been but it was a while ago now

Its on my list of things to do is go and watch a shuttle launch.

Dutch Guy · 16 Jul 2009 at 16:09

It was nice but as said the tour left a lot to be desired, some things were very far away.

Jeff Lynne · 16 Jul 2009 at 16:48

I went in 2000.

If I'm alive in the year 4000 then I won't have been back.

Don't waste your time OP, there are so many much better things to do in that part of the world, honestly.

It was like a bus ride around and industrial estate.

Strife212 · 16 Jul 2009 at 16:56

Capn' $qu!ff said:
I went.... when I was 5 so I can't really tell you about how the tours are organised or how much they cost because they've definitly changed, was an amazing trip though and I got to sit in the spaceships pew-pew!

Haha, same as me

Smit · 16 Jul 2009 at 16:59

I was there last September.

It was ok, really not my kind of thing though so maybe not the best person to ask. Some interesting things to see and a lot of information to learn. The tours were a bit slow paced for my liking which is probably why I didn't enjoy it that much.

Don't get your hopes up for the Space Simulator though, it is rubbish!!! Much worse than the one in one of the Disney Theme Parks (can't remember which)

Majago · 16 Jul 2009 at 17:00

I went last September and really enjoyed it. Found it fascinating and they get retired astronauts to give talk. Al Worden (Apollo 15) did ours and was really good - I didn't ask him about the stamp incident though

My wife on the other hand wasn't so keen and if we visit Florida again I'd definitely go back but will have a tough job getting her to acccompany me!

Pinter75 · 16 Jul 2009 at 17:51

I went just to see the Saturn 5

This is a short vid I shot of it, it is freeking massive!