Kennedy Space Center Ultimate Experience: Dine with an Astronaut and Up-Close Tour with Transport fr
Orlando, United States of America
Explore the universe at Kennedy Space Center on this day trip from Orlando. Enjoy unlimited access to many Visitor Complex exhibits such as IMAX films, Rocket Garden and Apollo/Saturn V Center, as well as a private guided tour of the fantastic Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit. Your ultimate experience will also include a KSC Up-Close guided tour as well as dining with a member of NASA's Astronaut Corps – an experience the whole family will enjoy! This tour is likely to sell out weeks in advance, so be sure to book ahead of time.
After pickup from your selected location, it’s just a 45-minute drive by bus from Orlando to the Kennedy Space Center. When you arrive, embark on a space adventure from the Visitor Complex as you explore the many world-renowned exhibits.
With your admission ticket, enjoy an IMAX movie screening of IMAX® A Beautiful Planet and Journey To Space 3D.
Visit the Rocket Garden to see the Redstone, Atlas and Titan rockets that first put NASA astronauts into space. Or, climb aboard Mercury, Gemini and Apollo capsules – and experience the cramped quarters America's astronaut pioneers endured.
Short of becoming an astronaut, there’s no better way to catch a glimpse of Kennedy Space Center than on a self-guided tour, included with admission. With NASA buses departing every 15 minutes from the Visitor Complex, you can get off the bus and spend as much time as desired at each location.
First, take a NASA bus for a drive-by view of the space shuttle launch pad and experience the historic Apollo 8 send-off. Then, head to the Apollo/Saturn V Center, where you’ll witness Neil Armstrong's first steps on the moon. Here, walk under a massive Saturn V rocket, one of only three in existence, and marvel at its 363-foot (110-meter) height.
Your ultimate experience also includes lunch with a veteran member of NASA's Astronaut Corps – talk with an astronaut and get an authentic autograph!
Additionally, you'll receive a guided Kennedy Space Center Up-Close tour of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), led by a trained space expert. Visit inside to see firsthand where space vehicles were built, and walk along the edge of the Transfer Aisle as you learn about NASA’s latest space exploration program – Space Launch System (SLS).
On you journey you will see many of America's space program icons including the countdown clock at Press Site, a crawler transporter used to move Apollo moon rockets, and the Operations and Checkout building where the astronauts depart from to travel to the launch pads.
Your guide will also take you to the NASA Causeway, A/B Camera Stop and back to the Apollo/Saturn V Center before return coach transport to your Orlando hotel.
Please note: may not have an abundance of time to spend at each stop due to multiple exhibits.
The tour was great. We had an amazing day with very well informed guides. There is so much to see and do we could have spent another day. The lunch with the astronaut was very cool. Mark Lee was very gracious about answering questions and and his presentation about this experiences as an astronaut on the Space Shuttle was very informative._br/_ I would recommend this tour especially for those travelers with kids who might want to become involved in space exploration._br/_ 2 small negatives.....the pick-up times from Orlando are not especially accurate and the movie shown on the bus trip back was horrible!..better to sleep if you can.
Review by: mouri_karima, March 2018
Amazing!
Review by: Colin H, January 2018
This was an awesome tour so much to see and do wish the day was longer.
Review by: Charmaine N, January 2018
Thought this was going to be cheesy forgive me but my daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed it and felt it was worth the time and money. The astronaut we met was very well spoken and exciting to hear his stories. The food itself was pretty standard for a buffet but my daughter, who is a picky an eater as they come, still went back for seconds so it wasn't bad at all.
Review by: Cliffy, November 2017
Amazing to see the Space centre up close, really enjoyed the day!!
Review by: Rebecca C, October 2017
Mind blowing day at Kennedy. So inspiring, especially lunch with the astronaut
Review by: Jennifer B, October 2017
Amazing experience, thoroughly enjoyed the whole day. Buses to and from the Space Center were great, driver was professional.
Review by: phuochung.svp, September 2017
We like this tour
Review by: Tina S, August 2017
This was an amazing day, seeing so much and the lunch with the astronaut was truly out of this world. Fred Gregory had some wonderful stories to tell about his time with NASA and the people he met. It was a fantastic day and I learnt so much about the space program.
Review by: Linda B, August 2017
Great day! Highly recommended.
Review by: Heather L, May 2017
The ultimate experience was well worth the money. Lunch with the astronaut Nicole Stott was amazing - she was open and friendly and very informative. The NASA bus special tour was instructive. We went back again included in price on our five day pass to finish looking at all exhibits. Tour pick-up was operated by Florida Dolphin Tours. Service and tour guide knowledge was A1.
Review by: KAREN L, May 2017
This was a trip of a lifetime, Julie Bonds our tour guide was beyond exceptional,_br/_ One must take the ultimate package,_br/_ Please note that if your accommodation is not one the bus route they have a pick up through Florida dolphin tour _br/_ Jim and Karen LeBrun Smith
Review by: srogap, May 2017
This tour is awesome! First, the pick-up/drop-off is very efficient. After you book your ticket you get an email confirmation regarding the time the bus will be ready for your pick-up. The bus comes early and waits till everyone shows up. It is a double-decker bus and is quite nice for the ride to the space center. Second, our host Judy was absolutely fantastic. She was funny, enthusiastic, and very knowledgable about the tour. During your ride to the space center, she hands out everyones tickets and tells you the plan for the day. Third, the tour arrives just after the space center opens and leaves just before it closes which is great because you are able to avoid traffic. In the morning you have a private tour of the Atlantis building which is great as Viator is the ONLY company that receives this tour. The lunch is delicious and the up-close tour afterwards is fantastic. There are 2 suggestions I would recommend: Your entrance ticket is valid for 2 DAYS OF ADMISSION so come for 2 days as you will not get to see everything at the center. Second, the wait for the lunch is abit hectic as there are no table and seat numbers and people push to the front of the line. Overall, great day and Judy was awesome!
Review by: Judith L, February 2017
Touring the Kennedy Space Center is a most valuable experience. I'm not much of a Science person, but I am deeply moved by_br/_ American History and the amazing accomplishments of the human species. I was deeply moved at walking into the Atlantis_br/_ exhibit. The craft definitely exudes the energy of it's many missions. I loved sitting in a room with the actual computers used_br/_ in the command center for some of the earliest space endeavors. Touring the compound with a well informed guide was also_br/_ a rich experience. Just think, I was right there at launch pad 39 where all of the manned flights originated!_br/_ Lunch with an astronaut was a most pleasant experience, well organized and the food was quite good could have been hotter _br/_ Our guide from Florida Dolphin Tours was a self proclaimed rookie and let us down a bit in terms of giving clear directives_br/_ but the KSC staff compensated._br/_ I am very glad that I chose this tour.
Review by: staciwes, November 2016
Highly recommend this tour for a fun filled day of space exploration. The highlight was lunch with an Astronaut - a delicious buffet with a speech by the astronaut with a video presentation followed by professional photo with him. Other highlights are the Atlantis and Saturn V exhibits you could spend hours at each plus the mulitiple IMAX movies that are included. Worth every penny! Our driver Nicky was the best!
Review by: David R, October 2016
A few days before departure we were notified that we could not be picked up at our hotel as previously organised. We had booked into this hotel in Nov 15 as this is where they picked up from but our tour guide stated they hadn't picked up there for 16 months. This was not good enough. We then had to sit on the bus on the return as we went all round the 'Disney Hotels' to drop off other people although they drove very close to our hotel when we arrived back to Orlando. This made the drop off after 7pm which was very late. To get to some of those 'Disney Hotels you were going all around the place. Need to set specific pick up locations and stick to them. Would not book if same bus company was used. They stated that they had no control over the route._br/_ Enjoyed being back at Kennedy Space Center but although the 'lunch with the Astronaut' was good and the Up-Close tour great, you lost time to look around properly. SR
Review by: TS, October 2016
Florida Dolphin Tours are rubbish at handling this tour. I will be contacting them directly with my complaints. Go by yourself and avoid this company at all costs.
Review by: nanna, October 2016
This trip was just magical. Dolphin tours were fantastic. Red was the tour guide and he looked after us all day. Loved atlantis exhibit, lunch with astronaut was great. Dont bring a bag as the lockers are a nightmare with crowds. Arrive early and beat the crowds. Be aware that if you do lunch with astronaut and up close and personal tour you will not have much time at the saturn v exhibit which is the bees knees. If you are a space nut then do this over twondays and really enjoy it.
Review by: Eric G, August 2016
Red was a great tour guide...tattooed tough guy from New York or New Jersey, I don't know, but he had a fun sense of humor and was a great host. He was there every time we needed him.
Review by: Augustine M, May 2016
food was excellent..buffet style..short speech by Jon McBride,our astronaut was inspiring and inspirational for the younger generation..well organized...definitely worth the money
Review by: TAEMOOR S, March 2016
EXCELLENT TOUR GUIDE
Review by: Ricardo G, February 2016
Excellent!
Review by: DR NOORMALIN A, December 2015
Fantastic experience for us for the whole family
Review by: M C, November 2015
Very worthwhile - though whilst awaiting the restoration/renovation and building up of the the new SLS programme part of the bus tour included in the package is a bit dull - the outside of old well 60's buildings that are still unused leaves one a bit underwhelmed. The Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit and simulator plus the Saturn V exhibits - are outstanding and amazing.
Review by: Michelle D, November 2015
Lunch was different than I expected a little sort, the whole tour could have been two or three hours longer in order to see everything. Overall, it was amazing and one of the funnest days of my life
Review by: Kym D, November 2015
So many great things to see in this tour. A long day, but well worth it.
Review by: Joseph A H, November 2015
it was a great time. well worth the cost._br/_ the tour guide and bus driver where great. we would do it again.
Review by: Amy S, October 2015
Really fun and interesting day. Loved the up-close tour, took us to the launch pads and VAB for some great photos. Really knowledgeable guide. The lunch was really interesting, and we got to have a chat to the astronaut about his experiences. The food was just a basic buffet but that's not really what you're there for. Really enjoyable experience all-round.
Review by: Richard J, September 2015
Very nicely done!!! Our friver was charming and informative. Great experience
Review by: Anne T, August 2015
There were so much to see with so little time... the bus came late to pick us at the hotel. When we reached Kennedy space centre, we had less than an hour to explore before the lunch with the astronaut. The lunch was not bad, but we had to rush as there was a photo taking session after that. The tour off site was fantastic but we had too little time to enjoy the rest of the place. I would recommend you skip the lunch with the astronaut if you want more time to explore the whole place. We still enjoyed ourselves though but it could have been better if we have more time.
Review by: Elliott W, June 2015
This trip was amazing and the tour guides were really helpful. Only downside I can see is there wasn't enough time for us to look at everything!
Review by: ianrnorman, June 2015
Not worth a star as your advertising was misleading. Did not have time at KSC to do all that was advertised. You advertised that we would be picked up between 6.30 and 7.00 am. It was 8.20 am. The bus left at 5 pm and KSC closed at 6 pm. Two hours was missed to see everything.
Review by: Nannarae, June 2015
A fantastic day - very informative and courteous driver. Could have had an extra hour at the Space Centre, however, the dining with an astronaut experience was a highlight of our holiday.
Review by: Lora C, May 2015
Mike was a great tour guide. Very funny and knowledgeable. Astronaut lunch was fabulous and very entertaining as well as educational. Bus drivers at Kennedy bordered on rude sometimes, so it was nice to get back to the dolphin bus and Mike.
Review by: Connie L, March 2015
excellent tour especially if you only have one day to spend there. the kids ages 11 and 13 absolutely loved it. They wanted to go back another day. there is so much to see.
Review by: mary f B, March 2015
Great tour! Such a wonderful experience from beginning to end. The lunch was terrific and had good conversation with those sitting at my table. The bus driver was good, though a little hard to understand sometimes with a thick Cuban accent—but she had great information to share during the drive and nice tips to get the most out of the Space Center. I would do this tour again!
Review by: Nancy, December 2014
everything about this tour was fabulous!
Review by: David B, December 2014
Absolutely fantastic, this is a must. spend two great days there
Review by: Richard C, November 2014
great day throughtout the tour driver peter was great at tips and info the day was planned out for me which helps if yuo have not being their before,price of water and tour gifts where great also.go bye the tour route not bye yuorself ,i recommend the meal with a astronought it was first class
Review by: marie i, October 2014
What a day!!! The awesome power of the magnificent machines on display was mind boggling. The sheer size, and the ingenuity of man was a potent mix. Was dumbstruck when Atlantis came into view and being so close was to her was incredible. Lunch with our Astronaut was a pleasure, such a interesting and entertaining man, full of anecdotes of life on board the space station. A little disappointed that we could not get nearer to the launch sights, but hey all in all, an absolutely "do not miss" experience
Review by: carree11, October 2014
WOW! What an awesome day! The Atlantis exhibit was breathtaking! The Saturn 5 is so big that you cant put the size of the structure into perspective until you stand underneath it and see the actual size of the 5 thrusters close up!For us coming from Australia, it was worth every penny! Just a couple of things that i would personally recommend before booking!Firstly, spend the extra cash and have lunch with an astronaut!! We had Mr Bob Springer that did 2, 5 days missions into space, one being "classified" by the government, but he gave the group a small insight into what is was about.UNREAL.2nd, check the weather forecast the day before you book. If lightning is in a 30mile radius of the space centre, you CANT get off the bus as its called "phase 2" and a danger to tourists. We had this phase but lcky it was lifted just as we got to the shuttle takeoff gantry, so we all got some great pics! Id do it tour again in a heartbeat.
Review by: JACQUELENE H, August 2014
An excellent tour with so much information to take in that you need another day. The lunch with an astronaut (Tom Jones) was very interesting and entertaining for all ages, the food and service catered for all dietary requirements. It was a rush to fit everything in and we missed the IMAX which we had been looking forward to. The Atlantis display was excellent and very informative. The "expert" tour was quite extensive, didn't have any time to see the Astronauts Hall of Fame and not having a car made it difficult to just revisit that facility. The heat bouncing off the hard surfaces and with minimal shade outside you needed to keep hydrated, sun screen and a hat or even better an umbrella. A great day out.
Review by: ninikstrd25, August 2014
I would suggest this tour. I am happy with this program. If you have children, you should take this program. You will not disappointed.
Review by: PETERS1256, February 2014
best tour ever.
Review by: glenn m, December 2013
Simply great
Review by: Kimberley G, November 2013
It was very nicely done. I really enjoyed the Atlantis building. Lunch with the astronaut was good; we had Gerry Ross. We were able to get a photo with him and get it autographed. There was some confusion as to what I had paid to see and I plan to follow up on that.
Review by: noldty64, October 2013
This activity was very educational, i was great to hear what happens when the astronaut are in space, we had a great time and the meal at lunch was outstanding.
Review by: Dilip B, October 2013
The tour was interesting except the Up Close with Space Center tour was not conducted due to US govt shutdown. But thanks to Viator that they have informed us they will refund part of the tour cost.
Review by: Carlo Z, October 2013
This was fantastic tour, we went here when the Government shutdown was on so we couldn't attend NASA but thankfully the Kennedy Space Centre is not government run..... the family enjoyed spending the whole day here. The astronaut we meet had some very interesting stories to tell.
Review by: JW, October 2013
Pete the driver/ was fantastic. _br/_
Unfortunately, due to the US Govt shutdown we were not able to see the Apollo and we also missed out on the KSC Up Close tour which we paid extra for as part of the dining with astronaut. There were 200 atthe lunch I was told it would be small groups of 50
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