Know Of A Good One On The Space Coast?

[rinkwide]

We'll be heading from BCV to the Disney Magic next June (two visits to CC in one cruise, YAHOO!).

Anyway, we want to do Kennedy and I think it makes sense to stay the night there before we embark, especially since it's a weekend night and the BCV points will be high. We'd prefer to be on the beach. Any suggestions on where to stay?

 

[MLK-RI]

We toured KSC over this past Christmas time. We didn't have hotel reservations going in and there are many places there. We went to Cocoa Beach, we happen to like Hampton Inn and tried there but only 1 smoking room left and we prefer non-smoking, so traveled a bit further down the road, decided to go to the Hilton as it was just a couple nights and thought we'd treat ourselves.

The Hilton at Cocoa Beach is right on the beach, they also have a pool. They were still shoring up and rebuilding after hurricane damage when we were there so it wasn't as nice in the hotel as we'd hoped. The room was okay but for the price I was disappointed and would have preferred ANY non-smoking room at the Hampton Inn and walked a little further to the beach.

I am keeping in mind that they were really "under construction" so trying to cut them some slack, the people were great and the location excellent. You can actually see some of the larger buildings at KSC from the beach outside the Hilton.

The Best Western also seemed to be right on the beach, and further up "the strip" toward most of the shops etc.

We saw one of the Disney Cruise ships when we arrived and that was a great site.

There is a great family style Italian restaurant, that I'm sorry I can't remember the name of to recommend for you. It wouldn't be hard to find, it was on the same street as the Hospital on the opposite side of the street. Excellent food.

Also if you have time the Astronaut Museum outside the KSC grounds was also a very interesting and fun place to tour.

Enjoy yourselves.
-ML

 

[Pluto4Pres]

I vote for the Cocoa Beach Hilton. It's been several years since we stayed there, but we enjoyed it very much.

 

[traycie2201]

How about Ron Jon Cape Caribe Resort ?

 

[rinkwide]

Hmmm...

I like the sound of that last one. Time to Google.

 

[rinkwide]

Yep, that one looks like a keeper.

Thanks Traycie!

 

[TW1]

We toured KSC over this past Christmas time.

Hi, we're considering this in a few weeks. We'll be at VB in lat August and wondered if we should run up for a tour. Can you tell me more? Is a Saturday a good day to go? How much time should we plan to spend there?

Many thanks

 

[MLK-RI]

rinkwide - can't believe I left this off the 1st time - Have a great time while you explore the space....coast

TW1 - How much of a space nut are you? We are extreme so we spent the entire day at KSC and the next morning at the astronaut museum. The current shuttle mission is expected to land August 8th. The orbitor will most likely be stowed back in it's hanger before you go and with the rest grounded again the next launch in Sept is not happening.
This doesn't mean there isn't a lot to see anyway. KSC is on an island that is a nature preserve as well so lots of wildlife to view (birds, gators etc.).
There is a special tour ("VIP") that allows closest access to the launch pads etc. and we decided what the heck, we might as well go for it. We were at the ticket window at 9:45am and it was already sold out for the day. Remember though this was Christmas holiday time so perhaps more people than usual.
You can see alot of info about what there is to see/do at http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/
The "rocket garden" has rockets from our space past and it is very interesting to see them up close. There are several display areas, films, photo exhibits and the tour to the launch pads (not the VIP) is a must see. On that tour you also go to the building that houses the Saturn 5 and that is another amazing thing to view and learn more about our space history.
Opportunity exists for "lunch with and astronaut" which we did do but you really need to be a "space nerd" to do this. It's basically a decent meal with 150 others in a large room where they display a video and whatever astronaut they have "on duty" gives a little talk, answers questions and then will take photos with you.
Seeing the Enterprise - which is a full scale mock up of the Shuttle is great. When you are inside you can actually get the scope of how big that payload bay is etc. that they transport things in.
As I said it really depends on how big a space program fan you are. We spent the day but our car was one of the last in the lot.
Have a great time whatever you decide.
-ML

 

[TW1]

We're going for it. I've always been interested in the space program and now the kids are equally curious. Sounds like a great time. I'll let you know about the crowds on a Saturday in late August. *crossing fingers*

-TW1

 

[T.E. Yeary]

Happy "magical" Vacationing,
Tom

 

[poohj80]

Seeing the Enterprise - which is a full scale mock up of the Shuttle is great.

Just fyi...the real Enterprise is located at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum in DC. The Enterprise was the first Shuttle ever built and was used as a test vehicle (not designed to fly).

 

[MLK-RI]

Just fyi...the real Enterprise is located at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum in DC. The Enterprise was the first Shuttle ever built and was used as a test vehicle (not designed to fly).

Right you are poohj80! And to think we'd just been there to see all there is to see at the Smithsonian annex a few months before- another excellent trip!

The shuttle you can view at KSC is in fact the "Explorer". It is a great experience as you can get right up to it (we weren't as yet able to at Smithsonian) and go inside!

Also at KSC the full scale booster rockets and external tank are next to Explorer.

Enjoy!
-ML

 

[Popovich]

We stayed at Ron Jon the night before our Magic cruise last Nov. It was great. Our group consisted of DH, me, DD age7, DS age 5, Grandma and Grandpa. We had a 2BR villa. It was cheaper than 2 hotel rooms at Radisson and so much nicer. Great pool, nice bar area, fun kids activities. I'd highly recommend it.

Have a great time!

 

[rinkwide]

Thanks for the info everyone. Ron Jon is booked and we're looking forward to it (hope I don't come back with another <strike>timeshare</strike> souvenir ).

 

[TW1]

Rinkwide

Just thought I'd say how much I enjoy your sig gif. That has got to be one of the best Wil Farrell skits from SNL. It will live on forever.

A local rock station is using Walken's "I need more cowbell!" between songs Gives me laugh everytime I hear it.