Photo Courtesy of Dawn Puerto

While everyone knows all about Walt Disney World Resort and other local theme parks, not everyone knows of all of the other attractions the surrounding area has to offer.

Kennedy Space Center is located at Cape Canaveral which is a short drive from the parks – about an hour and a half to a two hour drive depending on traffic. The Space Center is an amazing area that guests can visit.

DIStracted Tip: Prices range from $50 for adults, $40 for children, or an annual pass starting at $89 for adults and $71 for children. Active Duty Military with valid ID receive $4 off regular admission tickets at the ticket desk or can buy discounted tickets at participating ITT/MWR offices.

If you would like to visit the Space Center, I would suggest from previous experience to leave early to get to the gates for opening. The site is quite big and it is an all day kind of affair as there are many parts to the complex to see.

DIStracted Tip: Grey Line offers round trip transportation to Kennedy Space Center with pick up at some Walt Disney World Resorts starting at $59 per person. You can also check with your hotel for more information on local shuttle services.

First, you will visit the main site which holds the rockets. These impressive statuesque rockets can be seen as you enter the Kennedy complex. I don’t think anyone can comprehend how massive they really are until you’ve seen them. They do make you feel tiny when you are standing next to them. The Apollo space shuttle engine is on show and is incredible to see.

If you have walked too much or you would like rest from the heat, the complex houses two IMAX theatres which show 3D films of rocket launches and what the Space Center has to offer.

If time allows there is a chance to meet a real-life astronaut and, for an extra fee, even have your lunch with him or her. This does book up quickly and is very popular so if you would like to do this, I would suggest that you book early to avoid disappointment.

The next feature of the complex is the bus tour. Get your cameras out because this is a behind-the-scenes tour of all the launch pads, and the famous NASA building which has been featured in many a movie. You will also get to see the machinery and the distance the shuttles were moved from their housing area to their relevant launch pads. It is incredible! It will leave you in awe of what this place actually does and that you are right there from where the famous Apollo, Atlantis and Endeavor rockets launched. The bus journey ends in a building where the famous Saturn rocket is housed. This actually left me breathless to see that huge rocket and to think of it hurtling its way through space. There is also an abundance of memorabilia from Apollo and Atlantis missions, and a wall of remembrance for those lost in action.

A 5 minute drive from the main Kennedy complex there is yet another building which houses memorabilia. Your daily ticket is actually a two-day ticket as the complex is so big they understand that trying to do the whole thing in one go is virtually impossible.

Last but not least is the most breathtaking finale! Space Shuttle ATLANTIS! You enter a room in small groups so that you get to see the shuttle in all her glory. You are taken into a room to see a small movie before the room darkens and Atlantis appears through the glow of the lights in the background. If you don’t do anything else on this complex, I highly recommend seeing one of the greatest things you will ever see in this space shuttle. The delicate look of her exterior to the size of her engines will just leave you frozen with your mouth wide open.

DIStracted Tip: Parking is available at $10 for automobiles, $5 for motorcycles and $15 for RVs and oversized vehicles.