Kennedy Space Centre - anyone been?

[gbrand42]

I have the big 5-0 coming up next year and have decided that I'm going to blow a couple of grand on doing something on my bucket list. As a life long full on space nerd I was fascinated as a kid by the end of the Apollo program, Skylab and was glued to the box when the shuttle first launched.

I was thinking it might be good to get a flight out to Florida next spring with the main aim being to visit the KSC. Disney and all the other bollocks leaves me cold so I won't be doing any of that.

So my question - had anyone been and in your opinion was it worth seeing? I'm trying to get a balance between my expectations and what it's really like. I would hate to regret blowing all that money on a trip of a lifetime. The kid in me says just buy the bloody ticket, the (small) adult part of my brain is saying its a long way to go to be disappointed.
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[TbirdX]

I went in 2016. Budget a full day or even more. I spent 4 hours of a day trip there and it just isn't nearly enough.

I might be going back there next march as I didn't get to see but a fraction of the place.

Any space nut will love it, how could you not, and at about £60 a ticket why wouldn't you.

Go, enjoy, nerd out and report back.

Edit.
Ah, just reread your post. Going just for that....it is a long way just for that but it needn't cost a fortune.

Me and the Mrs, 5 nights in a hotel/motel, direct flights to Orlando, mustang for the duration...£960 all in for the two of us.
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[Shaft]

It's 40 years since I went and it blew me away then, with all the stuff they've added since, it's got to be worth a visit.

As tbird says, it's not even that expensive, as a space nut it's worth a grand just to stand next to a Saturn 5.

Just do it, you're a long time dead.
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[McJamweasel]

I agree with both of the above. A couple of years ago I was in Atlanta with work, I extended my stay and hired a car for a few days to drive down there. Well worth it. Getting up close to the Saturn V and Shuttle literally gave me goosebumps.

I spent a day there and had 1 of their tours of some of the historic Mercury/Gemini sites. There are other tours available and if you wanted to do more then you'd need more than a day. The complex is huge, I had no idea how big it actually is.
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[Pete.]

I went about 16 yrs ago and yes I'd recommend it if space is your thing. Walking under 300ft of Saturn 5 then getting to the (used) tiny capsule at the end is awe-inspiring. The tours are highly informative, well , they were anyway. Even the bus ride around the complex they run a narrative. I expect that much has changed now but I'd still go again.

Our holiday was timed to coincide with a shuttle launch but sadly it was postponed.
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[TbirdX]

Standing by a Saturn 5 you say.......

https://i.imgur.com/Ixet7Ai.jpg
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[panrider_uk]

A friend went a few years ago and highly recommended it.

I'm going there in March.
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[chickenstrip]

[mentalboy]

Just do it.

I went there a few years back, it was awesome. There was a Spacex Dragon dumped in a corner outside as an exhibition shortly after it had been fished out of the sea.

We spent the day there but could have done with another, one day we'll make the two hour drive again and do the US Air Force, Space and Missile museum.
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[MarJay]

I went in 2011 when I got married in Florida, and also went to Disney and Universal etc.

I liked it, it was an amazing experience but is it worth the cost of the flight alone? No I don't think so. I'm mega into space stuff, but a visit for a grand plus entry plus hotel? Not... sure...

I was supposed to go in 2004, but the bus never turned up and so it was something of unfinished business for me so I was glad I went, but without the whole wedding, Disney, swimming with Dolphins and Manatees? Eh.
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[mentalboy]

I didn’t consider plane costs.
I don’t do theme parks, although Epcot is supposed to be bearable (something to do with beer 🥴), but if you do there is a plethora of tat to keep you amused.
Daytona is just up the road should you happen to be a motor sports fan, hire a car (which I’d recommend as a must) and the Edison-Ford winter homes make for a good day out, if you’re ok with a bit of a drive.

If cities float your boat it’s worth taking a gander at Miami.

Plenty of dosh to burn and there’s scuba diving, flying lessons etc.

Bok tower is within easy reach if you like doing National Trust style stuff, head due east to my neck of the woods and we have the Dali and Ringling museums if you’re an art buff, the Ringling has the added bonus of what is possibly the only decent circus museum globally.

You’re stuffed if you want mountains but some of the State parks are worth exploring if you want to get away from the stereotypical imported scenery and want to experience swamplands, jungle, mangroves, gators and shit that generally wants to eat you, rip your flesh off or just poison you, manatees excluded.

St Augustine is close by and worth sticking your nose in. It has the distinction of being the oldest continuously inhabited town in the US, has some interesting colonial history insights although the town itself is somewhat of a tourist honeypot with all the tat that comes with attracting tourists.

Personally, if I had a wad to blow on a trip I’d be heading to mountain range but if space is your thing, and you don’t work in the industry, you’d be hard pushed to find better then Cape Canaveral.

EDIT: DO NOT come here between April and September unless you are a glutton for Satan's armpit type heat/humidity with the chance of a bit of a blow thrown in.
Should you decide to come here between those months I can recommend the Lakeside Inn, Mount Dora as a place to kip down, avoid it outside those months because the town will be chock a block with tourists.
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[TbirdX]

[McJamweasel]

[thx1138]

Yeah I went 40years back too. Was great. Just prior to first space shuttle launch