KSC extra tours

lolalolo86 · 2 Jan 18, 04:09 PM

Hi I am looking for some advice on the extra tours you can do at KSC. We have been before and are looking to do one of the more in depth tours this time. The two we are interested in is the "Explore Tour" and the "Early Space tour". We are both interested in the space program from its beginning and both sound really good in their own way so not sure what one to book. Early space tour you get to go to the Apollo 1 memorial at launch complex 34 which is obviously very sad but it would be great to see at the same time, yet the explore tour has more in depth info and get closer to the VAB! Its recommended that only one tour is taken per day as obviously would want to see the rest of KSC again too.

Has anyone done either of them and could give me honest opinions?

We are also thinking of lunch with an astronaut has anyone done this?

Any info/opinions would be great thanks!

ianc · 2 Jan 18, 06:32 PM

As I said on the other thread, in my opinion the best extra tour is the Early Space tour, or Then and Now as it used to be called. It is longer (3 hrs) and is the only one where you go into the Cape Canaveral Air Force Base next door and see lots of early stuff, including the Air Force Museum and go into various blockhouses. You still drive past the VAB and end up at the Saturn/Apollo Center at the end. I've done it twice.
The closest I've got to the VAB is actually the Launch Control Center tour which is the building next to it - you get off the bus inside the fence at the base of the VAB and look up at it on the way in - I thought that tour rather boring. The VAB is just a large rectangular slab of concrete, so no more interesting to me close up!

Since they haven't done the shuttle or moon for quite a few years now, it has rather lost its significance.
I don't think the lunch with an astronaut is worth it - little more than the free Astronaut Encounter at the same time as having a set lunch.

Doing them separately is more flexible and won't clash with the Bus Tour.

lolalolo86 · 3 Jan 18, 09:54 AM

Thanks so much, we love anything air force too so I think the early space tour will probably win and like you said you see a lot more. So excited to just go back, it was my OH's favorite day last time (I had been once before) and just seeing how excited he was made my the holiday. Looking forward to seeing it more in depth and learning more.

2 Jan 18, 06:32 PM	#2
	2 Jan 18, 06:32 PM ianc Apprentice Imagineer
ianc Apprentice Imagineer Join Date: Jun 10	As I said on the other thread, in my opinion the best extra tour is the Early Space tour, or Then and Now as it used to be called. It is longer (3 hrs) and is the only one where you go into the Cape Canaveral Air Force Base next door and see lots of early stuff, including the Air Force Museum and go into various blockhouses. You still drive past the VAB and end up at the Saturn/Apollo Center at the end. I've done it twice. The closest I've got to the VAB is actually the Launch Control Center tour which is the building next to it - you get off the bus inside the fence at the base of the VAB and look up at it on the way in - I thought that tour rather boring. The VAB is just a large rectangular slab of concrete, so no more interesting to me close up! Since they haven't done the shuttle or moon for quite a few years now, it has rather lost its significance. I don't think the lunch with an astronaut is worth it - little more than the free Astronaut Encounter at the same time as having a set lunch. Doing them separately is more flexible and won't clash with the Bus Tour.