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Author
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Topic: Transportation to KSC Visitor Complex
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Jouett
Member Posts: 53
From: Fishers, IN, USA
Registered: Aug 2016
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posted 05-15-2019 06:19 AM
  
We are leaving on our trip to Walt Disney World the first week of June. My son (14) and I are interested in going to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Comoplex for one day during our trip.We will not have a car and I'd like to not rent one. Anyone have suggestions on transportation to KSC from WDW? Bus tours? Also, this will be our first time to KSC. We are mainly interested in the Apollo era exhibits. Any advice on what areas to see so that we can make sure we get everything in, with regards to Apollo, in one day? I'm aware of the Apollo/Saturn V Center which of course will be a must. But I'm wondering about the Vehicle Assembly Building. Any advice would be very much appreciated. Thanks! |
lspooz
Member Posts: 384
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Aug 2012
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posted 05-15-2019 09:22 AM
I'd strongly recommend renting a car — they're relatively cheap given all the competition between rental agencies, you'd save an hour or two compared with a bus schedule (precious time if you're doing a one-day tour), and you could also drop-in to the American Space Museum and Space Walk of Fame in nearby Titusville.
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Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 05-15-2019 09:26 AM
Second on renting a car, especially if you're pressed on time. It's a relatively straight shot from WDW to KSC — and if you do rent a car, and it's just for this, opt out of getting the toll transponder and just pay in cash. And bring quite a few singles and/or coins. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 05-15-2019 09:59 AM
If your reluctance to renting a car is more about logistics than it is cost, then ride sharing services are an option. An Uber ride, for example, would run about $70 one way, about twice the bus tour rates posted by Greyhound and Mears. |
Jouett
Member Posts: 53
From: Fishers, IN, USA
Registered: Aug 2016
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posted 05-15-2019 11:29 AM
Actually, my reluctance to renting a car is that I'll be on vacation and I'd much rather have someone do all of the driving and we can just relax.Since we are mainly interested in the Apollo sections, I figured that we'd be able to get what we want done in one day. And then any time left would be for other areas and shopping. The FAQ section on the KSC site mentions Gray Line Orlando and Florida Dolphin Tours from Orlando to KSC. Wondering if anyone has any experience with these. Thanks again for your input. |
oly
Member Posts: 905
From: Perth, Western Australia
Registered: Apr 2015
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posted 05-15-2019 10:55 PM
If your main interest is Apollo, I would recommend getting there early and make your way to the bus for the Saturn V centre. The bus trip gives you a look at the VAB on your way past. The trip route changes in accordance with what is happening at the time, (i.e. Falcon launch), my experiences included tours of the crawler-way, pads 39 A&B, The crawlers, SLS umbilical tower and VAB perimeters (all excellent photo ops).This way you beat any crowds and can use your time to take in the sights and sounds of this magnificent display. You can take photographs of the things that interest you. Then ride back on a bus that may be less crowded, to explore the visitor centre displays at your leisure. There have been some big changes at the visitors centre since my last visit in 2015, including the relocation of the Astronaut Hall of Fame and some elements from the rocket garden (the Apollo walkway and the restoration of the Saturn 1), so others will be able to inform you of the Apollo era things to see at the main sight. Good luck with your trip. I hope your experience is a positive and fun day. Please share your thoughts and experience sometime. |
OLDIE
Member Posts: 268
From: Portsmouth, England
Registered: Sep 2004
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posted 05-16-2019 02:45 AM
A few years ago I visited Disneyworld and stayed at a Downtown Disney hotel. I asked the concierge about visits to KSC and she booked me on a Dolphin tour. This picked up at a designated spot in Downtown Disney. As I recall, it was very reasonably priced. We were dropped off at KSC and had the whole day to explore before being transported back. The courier was a Space fan, I think, as we had a couple of "Space " quizzes on the journey (with small prizes!). It was quite an enjoyable experience. |
crash
Member Posts: 318
From: West Sussex, England
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 05-16-2019 03:03 AM
As a fairly regular visitor to the KSCVC whether you go by car (preferred and probably cheapest), Uber/taxi or organised tour I strongly suggest that you want to get there as early as possible; ideally, as it opens. That way you will get to see Atlantis and the Rocket Park with low numbers of people blocking your perfect camera shots. You can stroll straight onto the Launch Experience with no queuing and that will leave the rest of the day for tours and the great exhibition displays. |
Jouett
Member Posts: 53
From: Fishers, IN, USA
Registered: Aug 2016
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posted 05-16-2019 05:55 AM
Thanks everyone who responded. I looked into the Dolphin Tour company yesterday. It's gotten really good reviews. And the pickup is at the resort within walking distance to our resort.Thanks OLDIE. Your response helped seal the deal. |
crash
Member Posts: 318
From: West Sussex, England
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 05-16-2019 06:46 AM
One last thing. I did two of my Space Shuttle launches with Gator Tours and they were very good but it looks like Dolphin tick all the boxes for you. Gator collect from resorts as well. |
Ted
Member Posts: 32
From: UK
Registered: Sep 2014
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posted 05-16-2019 08:03 AM
Just back from a visit to the KSC.If it's Apollo you're after, there's coaches at regular intervals that leave for the Apollo-Saturn V building. The coach goes via the VAB, and launch sites and the driver gave us a splendid commentary along the way. You can get lots of photos, and we even saw an alligator! Try and get to the coaches early, we were there at 930 and the queue was already building up. You'll have a great time. |
Jouett
Member Posts: 53
From: Fishers, IN, USA
Registered: Aug 2016
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posted 06-10-2019 06:33 PM
Just got back from our trip to WDW/KSC on Friday. The Dolphin Tour company was perfect for us.We stayed at the Beach Club. Therefore our pickup location was at the Swan Hotel, about a 7 minute walk for us. We left at 7:45 am. After two more short stops, we headed to KSC. Made great time. The driver said he was an ex-KSC employee. So he gave us a suggested itinerary for the day. It was perfect for us. Don't know if it was just the time of the year or what, but KSC was not crowded at all. We were given a tour of Atlantis first. Thoroughly enjoyed that. The pre-shows were wonderfully done. And seeing Atlantis was very impressive. The tour guide walked us around Atlantis and talked about it for maybe 20 minutes or so. Then we were off on our own from there. We headed straight to the Tour Bus station. Maybe waited 10-15 minutes for a bus. For anyone who doesn't know, to see the VAB sit on the right side of the bus. Unfortunately, we were on the left. Still, really enjoyed seeing the VAB in person. An incredible sight. The highlight of the whole trip for me was the whole Apollo/Saturn V Center. Absolutely loved the Firing Room. Was not expecting the seats to rumble and the windows to shake. Very cool! Also enjoyed the Lunar Theater. Some unexpected surprises there. Then, of course, to see the Saturn V up close... incredible, just incredible. Even my son (14) was impressed. Once back to the main Visitor Complex, we listened to, met and got our picture taken with Anna Fisher. What a nice lady. When taking questions I asked what her different patches signified. She seemed really happy that I asked. Glad I did. We then finished the day at the Rocket Garden, Heroes and Legends and, of course, shopping. Again, don't know if it was the time of the year or what, but KSC was not crowded at all. We felt like we were able to do everything we wanted to do. I know there are other areas to see. But for the day we were satisfied. A really great day. |
OLDIE
Member Posts: 268
From: Portsmouth, England
Registered: Sep 2004
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posted 06-12-2019 03:39 AM
I'm so glad Dolphin Tours lived up to expectations. |
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