Driving Trips

It's always nice to have the chance to head to the beach for a few days. We also like to go check out Nasa.

We have a lot of drivers. I guess they're all so excited to get to WDW they don't want to waste any time. I would have a problem giving up a few hours in Disney World to see the World's largest ball of wax or whatever.

Anything you drivers can think of that might be worth seeing, even if you haven't stopped there?

Well I'll mention a good place to eat coming down 95. The Peddler Steak house at South of the Border. Awsome steaks for a rather run down looking little tourist trap.

Thanks for the recommendation -- we're always looking for more good steakhouses

Definately the Kennedy Space Centre. The Manatee swim discussed elsewhere. I've not been, but Daytona race track is supposed to be good too.

I can remember going to Kennedy Space Center as a kid and really enjoying it. Thanks for the reminder to head back there.

Do you hit that on every trip? Plan to hit it on this one?

Yes we usually hit it on every trip, but we'll be passing it to early this time. They don't open till 4pm.

Great suggestions! Am I looking at this map wrong, or is the Kennedy Space Center farther from Orlando than I thought. I thought it was pretty close, but it looks like it's a ways to the east?

It's on the East coast, an hours drive from Orlando.

An hour's definitely not too bad. I wonder if I can ride in one of those zero gravity things there.

I guess I thought it was a bit closer, since they have the store in the airport. Still I guess it's not that much farther than WDW. Do you have any tips on visiting Tony?

Certain week days are favourites for school trips (can't remember which) so are best avoided. You could easily spend a whole day there if you take your time. The shuttle launch experience (simulator ride) is a must. Many people miss the memorial to those who have died in the race to space, we found it a very peaceful area to relax for a while.

The approach road has warning signs to stay in your car, there are lots of 'gators out there.

Oh, and don't go near the place on days when a shuttle launch is due unless you like mega crowds and grid locked roads. There are only 5 more launches until retirement of the fleet though.

Thanks for the tips. I'd love to try the shuttle launch experience.

What do you mean the retirement of the fleet? Will there be no more launches from Kennedy?

There will still be commercial rocket launches from KSC, but the Space Shuttle fleet is being retired and de-commisioned soon.

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/index.html
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_space_thewritestuff/2010/01/space-shuttles-slightly-used-now-on-sale.html

Those are interesting articles; I hadn't seen or heard about this. Now, where can I find $28 million to buy a used shuttle for my backyard?

I really wanted to think about hitting some points of interest on our way down, but the closer we get to our trip the more I just want to get to Disney!

oh man. I was planning on Kennedy space center for our first day when we get there but now not sure. Kind of scared of the gaters

We are heading to Clearwater to see Winter the Dolphin on the Sat before our trip. I love the beach and my whole family loves the movie "A Dolphin Tale" so we are going to see Winter before we hit WDW in September. I love the moments in the car with the family. I know if can be stressful but many times we have the best conversations on the road together.

Oh I would love to see Winter - How fun!

Driving down last week wasn't that bad. Driving back however felt like it would never, ever end.