The visit to Kennedy space center was one of the most amazing experience during my stay in the United state. It was a great opportunity to learn about space science, yet in a fun environment! Amazing how human can accomplish so much!
Was staying at the Loews Royal Pacific Hotel in Universal so had to get the boat transfer to Citi-Walk then walk to the bus collection/drop off point to meet the Meers tour coach for 08.00. Took about 1.5 hours to get to Kennedy Space Center. The bus driver made sure that we had our tickets and entered the Space visiting centre. and made sure that we met the 10.00am space shuttle tour and experience. Afterwards we were free to explore the complex and told to do the launch pad tour early as these get busy. For those of us that had the behind the scenes tour and lunch with an astronaut, we had to meet at 12.00 for the meal. This was a very varied choice of hot buffet food and hot and cold drinks as much as you want... and the astronaut came around and talked to us while we were eating, then did a talk to everyone that lasted for 45 mins followed by questions from the floor. We then had photos with the astronaut and went across to meet our coach for the behind the scene tour of Cape Kennedy Space Center at 2.0pm. This was brilliant and we got to see all the launch pads and crawlers and vehicle assembly buildings and had commentary on both the history of Kennedy Space Center and a little of what was going to happen in the next few years with the Mars missions planned. We were dropped off at the Apollo/Saturn V center and after an hour walking around we got the bus back to the main complex 20 mins just in time to see an IMAX film show and then board the bus back to Orlando at 5pm.
I would say that to enjoy and see everything in a relaxed manor you need two days here. We managed to rush around and see most of the major things and lunch with the astronaut was well worth the extra as burger and chips would have cost just as much. It did rain while we were on the bus tour around the launch pads and secret areas behind the scenes, but it was well worth the extra...
I would do it again if I came back to Florida as there was a lot of the museum stuff we missed out on. The Shuttle launch simulator ride was not too scary. just like the star-wars simulator ride in Disney's Hollywood Studios, but more comfortable and less jerky even granny could do it!! By the time the coach had dropped everyone off at all the various hotels in Disney we were dropped off at Universal by citi-walk at about 8pm A very Long Day... but Worth It !!.....
Fabulous day trip not to be missed. Dolphin Tours, who looked after us were great, with a very organised program to make sure we didn't miss the essential bite.