November 17, 2012
My son, Tanner, at the entrance with a view of the "Rocket Garden" behind him
Ready to go on the Shuttle Launch Experience! This is a ride that simulates a launch into outer space. My four year old loved it!
Just a note if you are traveling here with kids. This is the only "ride" at KSC and you must be at least 44" tall to go on it.
Saturn V - a 363-foot moon rocket. Tanner and I are standing in front of it to give you an idea of how huge it is!
There is a "must do" bus tour that takes you out to the observation deck (which I am standing on while taking this picture) with a spectacular view of the rocket launch area. Very cool!
KSC opens at 9:00am. Due to a flat tire, we didn't get there until 11:30 and my 4-year old was tired and ready to go home by 4:15, so we were there for 4 hours and 45 minutes. We did the Shuttle Experience, Bus Tour and saw an IMAX film. There was a lot more to do, so I recommend getting there when it opens to try to pack it all in. However, if you go with kids, the facility and its "attractions" may not hold their attention as much as it will hold yours. My son was 4 years and 5 months when I took him and that is the absolute youngest I would take here. There really isn't anything (besides a play area by one of the restaurants) to entertain anybody younger.
Verdict: Honestly, I expected more. I'm not sure what exactly, but it didn't quite live up to my expectations, especially for the price ($50/adult and $40/child). Having said that, YES, I still think as a true-blooded American, you have to see THE place where the first American, Alan Shepard, lifted off to go into space and where Apollo 11 blasted off to head for the moon in 1969. It is really neat to be there, look around and envision where so much history has happened....
