Kennedy Space Centre - which day?

suecee · 21 Sep 17, 09:11 PM

Hi everyone,

I wondering which day of the week would be best to visit KSC, I presently have it pencilled in for a weekend.

I am still waiting to see if there are any launches whilst we are there in case we can go on that day (there are a couple scheduled for Jan/Feb when we are there but no fixed dates).

Also, we will be going on an organised trip with someone like Viator so if anyone has any suggestions in this respect please share. We won't have a car so would prefer an organised tour.

I believe it is a long day but from a feet perspective could we use it is a bit of a rest day?

TIA

sky13 · 21 Sep 17, 09:52 PM

I went the Saturday of Labor Day weekend (as figured the parks would be crowded) and it was a good decision - KSC was not too crowded that day and I managed to see most of what I wanted to see.

I booked with Viator which actually books you onto Florida Dolphin tours. Was picked up from the Swan and transferred to Rosen at Pointe where the big bus heading to KSC picked up everyone. There was a guide who gave a suggested itinerary for KSC that worked quite well and who was talking during the journey to KSC. Got to KSC around 10am, left at 5.30pm, was dropped off at the Swan.

You're still walking around a bit though definitely less than in the parks!

**sha9** · 21 Sep 17, 09:54 PM

I had read in here that the weekend is best as school trips tend to go during the week. It worked out fine for us doing a Saturday as we were done by mid-afternoon.

suecee · 22 Sep 17, 09:44 PM

Thanks both. Think I'll stick with the weekend - unless we are lucky enough to catch a launch!

**KK_Cat** · 22 Sep 17, 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by sha9

I had read in here that the weekend is best as school trips tend to go during the week. It worked out fine for us doing a Saturday as we were done by mid-afternoon.

I've read the same so have always visited KSC on a Saturday (about 5 times) and it's always been very pleasant to do crowdwise, never very busy.

thefourDs · 23 Sep 17, 12:06 AM

We went on a Sunday in august and it was quiet.

sparklegem · 23 Sep 17, 07:42 AM

Only problem with going on launch day is that you can't do the bus tour I think. This takes you around the launch pads, it's pretty good!

I saw a shuttle go up 20 years ago and we were in Epcot. You can see them from miles around as they only go up in clear weather.

Personally I would avoid going to Kennedy on a launch day as security is high and I'm sure not everything is accessible.

ianc · 23 Sep 17, 01:21 PM

I've been half a dozen times over the past few years, and never made an effort to avoid certain days ,and it never seems overcrowded. Last May there were school groups, mainly milling around the entrance, but I didn't notice them otherwise. I presume if you go during the school holidays, then they won't be there.
Viator (part of TripAdvisor) is just a ticket agent (like Orlando Attractions and the rest) - they don't organise the tours - the local tour/transportation companies do that and you can book direct.
As for it being a 'rest day' - it is smaller than the theme parks, so less distance to walk, plus everything apart from the rocket farm is indoors, so airconditioned. You do spend a lot of time sitting down too: the 90min on the bus there/back, the KSC bus tour when you get there which takes you to the Saturn/Apollo Center past the launch pads, the Astronaut Encounter is in a theatre (the astronaut gives a presentation then answers questions from kids), the IMAX films are in a cinema, and the Saturn, Atlantis exhibits start with an audio-visual presentation (seated) as does the Heroes & Legends. Even the Atlantis Launch Experience is seated.

suecee · 5 Oct 17, 12:16 PM

Thanks everyone - great info as always. I have added it to our itinerary for the 2nd Sunday. Hubby really keen to see a launch but I have suggested we try to view from somewhere else if we are lucky enough to be there when there is a launch. Still 2 possibilities but no dates announced.

23 Sep 17, 07:42 AM	#7
	23 Sep 17, 07:42 AM sparklegem Serious Dibber
sparklegem Serious Dibber Join Date: May 15	Only problem with going on launch day is that you can't do the bus tour I think. This takes you around the launch pads, it's pretty good! I saw a shuttle go up 20 years ago and we were in Epcot. You can see them from miles around as they only go up in clear weather. Personally I would avoid going to Kennedy on a launch day as security is high and I'm sure not everything is accessible.

23 Sep 17, 01:21 PM	#8
	23 Sep 17, 01:21 PM ianc Apprentice Imagineer
ianc Apprentice Imagineer Join Date: Jun 10	I've been half a dozen times over the past few years, and never made an effort to avoid certain days ,and it never seems overcrowded. Last May there were school groups, mainly milling around the entrance, but I didn't notice them otherwise. I presume if you go during the school holidays, then they won't be there. Viator (part of TripAdvisor) is just a ticket agent (like Orlando Attractions and the rest) - they don't organise the tours - the local tour/transportation companies do that and you can book direct. As for it being a 'rest day' - it is smaller than the theme parks, so less distance to walk, plus everything apart from the rocket farm is indoors, so airconditioned. You do spend a lot of time sitting down too: the 90min on the bus there/back, the KSC bus tour when you get there which takes you to the Saturn/Apollo Center past the launch pads, the Astronaut Encounter is in a theatre (the astronaut gives a presentation then answers questions from kids), the IMAX films are in a cinema, and the Saturn, Atlantis exhibits start with an audio-visual presentation (seated) as does the Heroes & Legends. Even the Atlantis Launch Experience is seated.