Kennedy Space Center Tours

[dljacob]

We have a mixed age group of 7 including my parents and daughters who are 9 and 6. I am thinking of doing the Up Close Explore tour. Has anyone done this tour? Is it worth the extra $$$ or just go with the regular included bus tour? Thanks!

 

[Woodview]

It is up to you BUT The Regular Bus Tour ( ONE journey each way ) + the Cinema & outside viewing is still a full day.

 

[nherbert]

Unless you are really into space themes with a six year old the regular tour is more than enough. We have done this tour 3 times, it is really interesting but long.

 

[writerguyfl]

If you've never been to Kennedy Space Center (KSC), the standard bus tour (included with regular admission) is sufficient. I've done two of the three current extra tours. (Note: I don't have kids, nor do I know any 6 or 9 year-olds, so I have no concept of what would be interesting for kids of that age.)

KSC Up-Close Launch Control Center Tour
This tour takes you inside one of the Firing Rooms where rockets and the Space Shuttle were launched. As with all KSC operations, the tour guide was extremely well-informed. The tour itself, however, was fairly disappointing. The main area where technicians/scientists sat had been completely cleared of equipment. (KSC is a working facility where rocket launches happen frequently.) When you enter the Saturn V Center on the regular tour, you will see a re-creation of the Firing Room. That's more interesting than seeing the real thing, which turned out to be a open area with lots of power outlets. (Note: This may have changed since my visit.) I wouldn't recommend this tour...even at the reasonable price of $25.

KSC Up-Close Cape Canaveral: Then & Now Tour
This tour takes you onto Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to visit some of the early launch sites. You'll see examples of 50s/60s technology. Or, lack there of. Seeing the primitive tools used, it's truly astounding what was accomplished. The tour also includes a visit to Launch Complex 34. That's the site of the Apollo 1 disaster where astronauts Grissom, White, and Chaffey lost their lives. I was born in '72 and I found this tour fascinating. I'd bet that anyone who was alive during the early space race might be even more interested in seeing some of the history that they saw on TV. I would have been okay with paying a lot more than the $25 that they charge for this tour. (Note: The KSC website says this tour is currently unavailable due to operational constraints. They plan on re-starting the tour once the sites become accessible again.)

Some General Admission Tips
Do not miss visiting the Atlantis facility at the main visitor center complex. The way they display Space Shuttle Atlantis is pretty fantastic. Although you may be tempted, do not bypass the "pre-show" movie presentation. It's worth the wait.

I'm a annual passholder to KSC and every time I've visited, the Atlantis complex has had docents stationed near the shuttle. Take advantage of those people, as they are (mostly retired) technicians and scientists who spent years working on rockets and the Shuttle program. On my last visit, I asked a simple question that lead to about 40 minutes of incredible stories told to me by a man who worked on the solid rocket boosters. I probably learned more from him than I did on the entire Launch Control Center tour.

 

[nari]

If you were visiting this for the 1st time and one of us was really keen into all this topic, would you recommend the tours and if so both or one?(which?)
How long do they last the extra tours?

Thanks

 

[Selket]

We've done a couple of tours. The "Then and Now" tour was very interesting and well worth it. We saw a lot of things we wouldn't have otherwise and the guide made it interesting. We did another tour last summer where we went into the building where the launch control personnel sit - and that was great too. I'm not sure the current tour labeled "Close Up Explore" is the same or not.

Then and Now is fascinating for anyone who can remember anything about the early space program (like the 1960's). My kids are 18 and 14 now so they were probably 16 and 12 then and enjoyed it. I think your parents - if they like the space program at all - would love it. That tour is well worth it. I think whether your younger child enjoys it sort of depends on their patience and temperament for things like that - lol!

Even though I'm not sure what all you see on the 2nd one - I enjoyed the "paid" tours more than the regular tour and I thought it worth it to get to go behind the scenes and see some things you can't otherwise get close to. As they say in the tour description - some of these areas may be totally off limits in the near future so it will be neat to say you were standing there.