NASA's Kennedy Space Center full tour, walk-through, and accessibility review!
I always say that accessibility is not rocket science, so I was happy to see that rocket scientists had it all figured out! I could tell right away that accessibility and inclusion were priorities with the sensory guides that were available in different formats. There is also a general accessibility pass that you can get. Honestly, I didn't even know about the pass until after I edited this vlog. For my physical disability it wasn't needed, but I am glad that they offer it. The Kennedy Space Center is a Certified Autism Center, and they noted that staff with CAC on their tags are the ones to approach for sensory concerns.
There was so much to see that I can see where people spend two days here or visit often. It is the perfect activity for before a cruise because Port Canaveral is so close by. Not only will you feel smarter after leaving the Kennedy Space Center, but if a storm brings delays or flight cancellations (which it did on this trip!) then you will be quite happy that you spent the day before at the Kennedy Space Center.
There were so many interactive exhibits and activities that I could enjoy from the comfort of my scooter. Even in activities that weren't accessible to experience, like Departures, there were accessible options that were quite comparable. Departures has an Observation Deck that is basically an immersive theater that shows the same shows as the one up the stair case. The only thing missing is the flight simulation component of the chair. However, that chair itself requires a step to get into it (there is one outside of the ride that you can test), so I think that the Observation Deck was a great idea.
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to ride the New Shepard Flight to Space VR Simulator inside of the Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex because it was sold out. Learn from this and book ahead of time! I almost experienced this at the Hyperdeck experience, but I snagged a super last minute reservation. The Hyperdeck experience was super fun, but if you are a fall risk of any kind, I would avoid that. However, you can still participate by using the iPads outside of the Hyperdeck "arena."
The bus tour was also super interesting, and I enjoyed how you could take things at your own pace and head back to the main campus at your leisure. Both spots had plenty of opportunities to buy some NASA merch. I really enjoyed the Snoopy and friends collaboration.
In conclusion, I would highly recommend visiting the Kennedy Space Center. I gained even more respect for astronauts and the mission to explore space. Thank you Kennedy Space Center for having us!
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