Kennedy Space Center Store — Attraction in Orlando

The Kennedy Space Center is about 1/3 jingoism, 1/3 NASA advertising and marketing, and 1/3 actual rocket science. I'll let you guess which 1/3 is responsible for the 2 stars I'm awarding the place.

When they're actually showing you the rockets it's very impressive. From the moment you walk up and are surrounded by real rockets in the rocket garden you truly appreciate the magnitude of the endeavor. Ditto when seeing the huge Apollo rocket and Atlantis Shuttle. The bus tour is also great, showing you the giant rocket crawlers and manufacturing building. The information displays are all really helpful with loads of neat facts.

But that's really all I enjoyed. Frequently you are forced to watch a movie before seeing these exhibits. Some of these are just fine (Apollo and Atlantis) but some are pointless with no added information at all. The presentation on Journey to Mars taught me nothing about Mars. There's this weird feeling that NASA is trying to convince its tax paying public that they are really worth it. And if you don't think so they'll still try to wring some extra cash from you by forcing you into photo booths before you can board their free bus or motion simulator. And don't forget to exit through the gift shop. This is the kind of tactic you expect from Disney. But the worst offender has to be the Heroes building. You have to watch 2 movies that are nothing but nonsense about kids talking about who their hero is. The next area is just a loud 3D movie of someone flying around. I thought I'd at least hear about some of the astronaut Hall of Famers. The actual displays in the building are fine, but again they don't explain how each person got inducted into the Hall.

But my biggest disappointment may be the lack of information about Challenger and Columbia. They did have some nice memorials but very little about why the disasters happened. I'm guessing it's just NASA trying to save face but when I have to Google something so basic after visiting the Mecca of rocketry you've missed something.

If I sound like a curmudgeonly-stick-in-the-mud my kids age 7 and 9 also did not enjoy themselves either and were decidedly deinspired to be involved with anything space related. Of the 2 weeks we spent in Florida this was their worst rated day. It costs over $200 for a family of 4 to go, not including parking and toll booths required to get there. And the 45 minute drive...

Our visit to the Kennedy Space Center went far beyond our expectations. We went as a family — me, my husband, my daughter, and my son-in-law — and spent an unforgettable day filled with wonder, learning, and pure excitement. Right from the entrance, you can feel the energy of the place — a blend of history, science, and human ambition. Seeing the massive rockets like the Saturn V and real space shuttles up close was simply surreal. Every exhibit is immersive, with sound tunnels, video projections, realistic models, and detailed mission history that truly make you feel part of the NASA story. The highlight for all of us was the space launch simulator — absolutely mind-blowing! You feel like you’re truly blasting off into space, complete with sound, movement, and vibration. It gave us a glimpse into the intensity astronauts face — thrilling, realistic, and totally fun. We honestly wanted to go again! We also visited the interactive museum, watched historic videos from the Apollo missions, saw real astronaut suits, original spacecraft capsules, and even touched real meteorite fragments. The experience is educational in the most engaging way — ideal for both adults and kids. The center also features space-themed restaurants, NASA gift shops, shaded outdoor areas, clean restrooms, and plenty of air-conditioned rest zones. Everything was well-maintained and the staff was incredibly helpful and kind. One touching part of our visit was the Astronaut Memorial Hall, honoring those who gave their lives during space missions. It was a powerful reminder of the courage and sacrifice involved in pushing human limits. For us as a family, it was a perfect day — full of joy, amazement, and inspiration. We left with our hearts full, eyes wide open, and minds dreaming big. I highly recommend this place to everyone — whether you're a science lover or just curious about space, the Kennedy Space Center is an absolute...

I have lived in Orlando for 21 years, I had never been in this place and had high expectations and today I decided to go with my family but the truth is that I was terribly disappointed because the entrance is very expensive for what the site offers, the truth is that the park It stayed in the past, the park does not have good signage and nothing information is limited to giving one a map but you have to look for it in the information office, the lack of biosecurity measures in the park are terrible for example, the dispensers of antibacterial gel. They are NOT working or empty, there are few things to do in the park and the show times are disorganized, the videos and stages are old and out of date, the children's play site is very basic small and it is only for children under 5 years old . I could continue writing and I would not finish telling you how bad this place is, I do not recommend it because the entrance is expensive the place is old outdated boring small and the food it offers is bad and expensive, in short, do not waste your money...