Kennedy Space Center plus Explore Bus Tour, Orlando

Enjoy a visit to Kennedy Space Center with the addition of the KSC Explore tour that goes beyond the regular bus tour of the NASA grounds.

Highlights

• Explore Kennedy Space Center!
• Explore the NASA grounds and view the icons of the NASA flight operations
• Learn all there is to know from your professional driver-guide
• View the Space Shuttle Atlantis up-close

Itinerary

As you make your way to the Kennedy Space Center your knowledgable guide will give you lots of help and advice to ensure you have a great day at the facility.

Upon arrival at the main visitor center complex, you have time to visit the world’s most comprehensive attraction devoted to the space shuttle, Atlantis brings visitors nose-to-nose with the priceless spacecraft as only astronauts have seen it before – with payload bay doors open as if it were floating in space. More than 60 interactive, touch-screen experiences and high-tech simulators invite guests to “be the astronaut,” bringing to life the people, passion and patriotism behind NASA’s 30-year Space Shuttle Program as well as the complexity of the engineering marvel that launched the Hubble Space Telescope and built the International Space Station (ISS). Guests can conduct a virtual EVA, or extravehicular activity; practice docking to the ISS; extract cargo from the payload bay; create sonic booms and glide to a landing on the Re-entry Slide; experience the sensation of floating in space; explore a high-fidelity replica of the ISS; virtually mate Atlantis to the external tank; kick up a virtual chemical reaction to launch the shuttle; get an “X-ray view” of Atlantis’ interior; experience an orbital sunrise; strap in to the sights, sounds and sensations of a shuttle launch; take the helm at the shuttle cockpit, and much more.

After Space Shuttle Atlantis, you can explore one of the many other exhibits such as Heroes and Legends, sit for a minute in the IMAX theatre to catch one of the 2 films showing, visit the Saturn V Rocket or much more.

Ride along with a space expert guide on a tour of America’s Spaceport. The Explore Tour takes visitors beyond the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour, making several stops to capture once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities. See icons of spaceflight operations like the Vehicle Assembly Building, historic Launch Complex 39 and disembark for a view of the launch pads used by NASA’s commercial partners such as SpaceX and ULA. (Now that rocket launches are once again taking place from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, safety protocols require an alternate tour bus route during days leading up to a launch. The alternate route includes seeing KSC Headquarters and industrial area, the historic Shuttle Landing Facility and a stop at the Vehicle Assembly Building.)

All in all this day will give you insight into the past, present, and future of space flight.

Things Guests need to know or bring

SERVICES AT KENNEDY SPACE CENTER: Stroller and wheelchair rentals, Electronic Translator Systems available for hire.

PERSONAL ITEMS: Camera, Sunscreen

DRESS CODE: Casual, comfortable and cool

Hard-side coolers, luggage or other large bags, fire arms of any type, ammunition, pepper/mace sprays, knives, box cutters or like items, daggers and similar edged weapons. laser pointers, large beach-type umbrellas, on-property cooking or grilling items, any other sharp/pointed items are not permitted at the KSC Complex.

Guests must note that The Visitor Complex has magnetometers similar to an airport. Please be prepared to have your personal items inspected.

All timings are approximate and subject to change. Food and drinks are included only when noted in the inclusions. No other food or drink is included within the tour product and guests are advised to take money to purchase them as necessary. Gratuities are not included for the tour guides or drivers. Many guests often ask us what a normal gratuity is, and we regularly state $2 per person for the tour driver and $2 for the guide. Gratuities are not mandatory but are encouraged upon receipt of good service.

Wheelchair Bound Guests

If you require a wheelchair, please be sure to tell us. There are 2 forms of wheelchairs: collapsible manual chairs, and non-foldable electric wheelchairs. It is very important to know what type of chair you will be travelling with. There are multiple vehicles with wheelchair lifts and these can normally accommodate wheelchair bound clients; however, the vehicles need special reservations. Be sure to confirm this with us at time of booking, as we need to ensure the vehicle is available when you would like to take the tour.