Kennedy Space Centre
Florida Guide > Other Florida
Kennedy was one of the first attractions that we visited when we first came to Florida over 10 years ago. On our recent trip to Orlando, we had our extended family with us so we just had to include Kennedy Space Centre on this trip some where along the lines.
We set off early towards the east coast, following the directions we had from previous trips. It’s quite a nice journey upto the Space Coast and should take around one and a half hours from the Kissimmee Area.
Parking is free when you arrive and it pays to buy your tickets before you arrive then you do not have to queue at the ticket booths. Once you have parked your vehicle, you can walk up to the entrance with your ticket. Security is stricter than most attractions and you must make sure that any electronics can be powered up. (Mobile Phones, Cameras etc). All electronics will be checked by security.
Once we entered the main entrance, we decided to go on the first tour available, we didn’t want to have to wait around later on. We walked through to the boarding area and got on the first coach tour available. The first part of the tour takes you to a viewing platform where you can see both Launch Pads used for the Shuttles.
We were fortunate enough to be able to see both Shuttles on the Launch Pads, this was because there was two launches due within a few weeks of each other. So both were prepared for their individual missions. We managed to get some wonderful photo’s from the viewing platform of the Launch Pads with the Shuttles on them.
The boys visited the gift shop to see what they could get to remind them of their first trip to Kennedy. We then boarded the coach to take the second part of the tour which was to visit where they built parts of the Space Station.
On arriving at the Space Station assembly facility, you are left to explore the areas and even get the chance to walk through some replica sections of the Space Station. The complexity of the whole thing becomes mind boggling, but at the same time it is just so amazing to think that you have actually seen parts of the space station with your own eyes. You can spend as much times as you like in this area, just like the first part of the tour.
Back on the coach on to the third part, this is the Apollo / Saturn area, where you see a presentation and also the actual control room used during the Apollo / Saturn program back in the 60s and 70s.
They even reconstruct a scene for you which is fascinating to say the least. You are then left to explore the museum, with a full sized Rocket, broken in to sections so that you can see what it involves.
There is also an original Space Suit on show, a Moon Rock that you can touch yourself and even one of the vehicles used to take the Astronauts to the Launch Pads. All in all, an amazing day for all the family and a dream come true for any would be Astronauts you may have in your family.
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