What You Need to Know Before Visiting Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex

Whether you are traveling to Cape Canaveral for a vacation or on a cruise, you are probably considering a stop at the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex. Before you blast off, you need to be prepared if you want to do and see it all. So, we put together this list of what you need to know before visiting the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex.

What You Need to Know Before Visiting the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex

There are a lot of great things you can do near Port Canaveral cruise port. Of course, the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex is at the top of many individuals’ lists.

Pre-Purchase Your Tickets

If you are thinking of visiting the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex, pre-purchase your tickets. Buying your tickets ahead of time allows you to bypass the ticket counter. Further, you can also save money when you buy tickets ahead of time.

Tickets are available through the Center’s website. Or, you can purchase tickets through several sites, maybe even your hotel. Mobile tickets make it easy too as you can just scan your phone to begin your adventure.

You Have to Pay to Park

Getting to Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is simple. There are plenty of signs, and it is not far from the popular hotel strips near Port Canaveral and Cocoa Beach.

Do know that there is a charge of $10 for parking your car for the entire day. But, compared to the Orlando theme parks, this parking fee is not out of this world.

Public transportation is limited, with the nearest stop about a 15-minute walk from the entrance. You can take a ride share to KSC as well. Our share ride cost around $35 each way when departing from one of the popular hotels near the Port Canaveral cruise port.

Arrive Early

Current hours for the park are 9 am to 5 pm. We highly suggest you arrive early. The parking lot opens 30 minutes before the Center does.

There is a lot to do and see with all of the different exhibits and experiences. While we didn’t think we would spend a full day here, we were on property for a total of 7 hours and still didn’t get to do and see it all. So, plan accordingly.

Plus, arriving early keeps you one step ahead of the crowds.

Review the Showtimes and Events List

Once you are through the security gates and into KSC, you will find visitor guides and a daily schedule. Make sure to grab the one page daily schedule. There are a variety of different shows and experiences that are regularly shown in the Universe Theater and the IMAX theater.

You will want to determine which of these shows you want to see, so you can plan your day accordingly. Believe us, you won’t be able to take in all the shows in one trip.

Tech savvy individuals can access an interactive map and daily activities with the Kennedy Space Center Official Guide app as well.

Along with shows, there are other unique experiences like an astronaut encounter or autograph signing.

While several of the exhibits are self guided, there are also some guided time slots. For instance, tours of the Rocket Garden happen several times of the day. You can also get a guided tour of the Atlantis exhibit select hours of the day. These guided tours are complimentary.

Do the Apollo/Saturn V Bus Tour First

While most of the exhibits and experiences are walking distance from the entrance, there is one that is actually on the active space station. The Apollo/Saturn V Bus tour takes visitors past the iconic Vehicle Assembly Building, or VAB. From there, the tour stops at the Center where you can relive the launch of Apollo 8, the first manned mission to the moon.

There are several other exhibits, including the ability to view an entire Saturn V rocket up close. You can also experience the tension and exaltation of the first lunar landing. You can learn more about traveling to the moon and even touch a moon rock!

If you are visiting anytime soon, you might even get a glimpse of NASA’s newest rocket, part of the Artemis project, from the Saturn Center.

Following your time here, a second bus will pick you up for your return trip to the main park. Once back at base, you can explore more about the past and future of space travel.

Pack Some Snacks

Like we said, plan to spend the entire day at the park. Thus, make sure you pack appropriately for your journey to the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex. While there are food vendors, you are allowed to bring a bag with snacks. Snacks and bottles of water are essential. This is Florida, and you will be walking outdoors in the heat part of the time.

There are security checkpoints and bags are scanned. So, note that glass containers are not allowed, nor is alcohol.

Among the concessions in the park is a Starbucks Coffee shop. Although, it was not open during our visit! Good thing we had our morning coffee before heading to the park.

Don’t Miss the Rides

Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex has a number of exhibits with tons of information. These interactive exhibits offer visitors a chance to learn more about space travel. While you could take all day reading and learning about launches, you can experience them too.

Well, you can get pretty close to experiencing them with the Shuttle Launch experience. This simulator ride gives you a realistic recreation of what it is like to take off in a Space Shuttle vehicle.

As part of the Atlantis exhibit, this is essentially an amusement park ride. But, it is well done, and the real life astronaut who guides you through the “training” is personable. Like a ride at a theme park, this attraction can form a queue.

Also note that bags are not allowed on this attraction, but you can leave them in the complimentary lockers next to the entrance.

Also new for 2022 in the Gateway Pavilion, there is the simulator KSC Spaceport. Another theme park style ride (think Disney’s Soarin’), there are various missions you can choose. While this attraction is new, the ride simulator technology was not the most advanced. Still, it is fun and gets you out of the heat for a bit.

Don’t Miss the IMAX Shows

No matter the destination, we always try to do and see as much as possible. Visiting Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex was no different. So, we were a bit on the fence about taking in a 40-minute IMAX movie during our limited time at the Complex. After watching the Journey to Space 3D movie, we are glad we made the time investment.

During our trip, there were two different IMAX movies, not to mention other presentations across the way at the Universe Theater. For us, the 2 PM theater time was the perfect midday break. It gave us some time to relax in air conditioning, while we snacked on some popcorn. After all, what is a movie without popcorn, right?

Your Little Ones Will Love Planet Play

If you are traveling with little ones, a lot of this might seem boring to them. Let’s be honest, with a full day of learning about rocket science, you might want a break too.

Tucked away next to the IMAX theater is Planet Play. This immersive multiple story play experience is designed for children ages 2-12 years old. It offers unique digital and physical activities in an out-of-this-world themed play area.

While your little kids are letting off steam, you can enjoy an adult beverage in the lounge. Along with beer and wine, there is also coffee and some relaxing furniture. So, take a much needed break from the sun, and crowds, while your kids explore and learn through play.

You Can View a Rocket Launch

Depending on when you visit, the KSC offers rocket launch viewing areas. We just so happened to be there when an Astra rocket launch was scheduled. While the launch was delayed over 90 minutes, we did get to see the craft rocketing to the sky from a less than stellar vantage point.

More patient visitors probably got a better view from the North Lawn Pavilion. Located next to the Atlantis Shuttle hall, this rocket launch viewing area offers bleachers and a hosted space to watch. During our trip, a KSC representative was on the Lawn giving real-time updates on the status.

So, it would be the icing on the cake if you could time your visit to actually see a rocket take off from a nearby launch center while at the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex!

Comments

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