Day 6

Kennedy Space Center

Sunday, April 26, 2026

Your Tickets (tap to open):
KSC Admission E-Tickets (5 tickets with barcodes)
Explore Tour Tickets (12:30 PM — 5 tickets with QR codes)

Day Plan

7:45 AM
Leave rental house
~58 miles via FL-528 (~1 hr 10 min). Grab GF lunch from fridge — pack in backpack (no coolers allowed inside KSC).
9:00–9:15
Arrive, park ($15), proceed to security
E-Ticket on phone (Undercover Tourist, order 239020-041826) — go straight to security, no will call
9:15 AM
Connect to KSC WiFi — reserve VR slots
Hyperdeck VR: scan QR code, enter name/phone/email, pick earliest slot (e.g. 10:30). Screenshot reservation number. New Shepard VR: same process, book 3:00 or 4:00 PM slot. No bus tour QR needed — Explore Tour replaces it.
9:15–10:00
Rocket Garden
Sunscreen & hats — it's exposed.
10:00 AM
Heroes & Legends / Astronaut Hall of Fame
~10:30 AM
Hyperdeck VR
Go at your reserved time. Immersive moon mission — full-motion floor, VR headsets, ~7 min. Leave belongings inside the pod. Located near IMAX building. (Preview on YouTube)
~11:00 AM
Shuttle Launch Experience + IMAX film
Shuttle sim is walk-in (~20 min). IMAX showing Deep Sky (Webb Telescope) and Space: The New Frontier (40–60 min each).
~11:45 AM
GF lunch from backpack
Eat before joining the Explore Tour queue. Find seating near the bus boarding area.
12:10 PM
Join Explore Tour queue
Be in line by 12:10. Queue gets very long — arrive early. Follow signs to bus boarding area.
12:30 PM
KSC Explore Tour departs
Guided tour with space expert. Photo stops at Vehicle Assembly Building, NASA Press Site, launch pads. Ends at Apollo/Saturn V Center. ~2.5 hours. (Order 1506975)
~3:00 PM
Back at main complex — New Shepard VR
Go at your reserved time. Blue Origin capsule VR — 4.5-min flight above the Kármán Line. (Preview on YouTube)
~3:30 PM
Space Shuttle Atlantis
Allow 45–60 min
~4:15 PM
Gateway: Deep Space Launch Complex + The Gantry at LC-39
Spaceport KSC flying theater (Owen rated 4). The Gantry — new attraction with 4 floors of interactive exhibits and launch pad views. Planet Play for Ella.
5:00 PM
Drive home (~1 hr 10 min)
Or stop for dinner on the way — see options below
~6:15 PM
Dinner stop or home
Grab dinner on the way (Bolay or BJ's — see below), or cook at the house. Gas up the minivan tonight — don't pay Alamo's $8–10/gal fill-up fee tomorrow. Pack for Monday.

Hyperdeck VR — reserve via WiFi at entry. Moon mission with full-motion floor, ~7 min. Near IMAX building. Only 2 pods, 4 per slot.
New Shepard VR — reserve via WiFi at entry. Blue Origin capsule flight sim, ~4.5 min. Book 3–4 PM slot.
IMAX Films — included with admission. Running throughout the day. Currently showing Deep Sky (Webb Telescope) and Space: The New Frontier. 40–60 min each.
Astronaut Encounter — meet a real NASA astronaut. Check daily schedule for time — usually mid-morning or early afternoon.
Explore Tour — 12:30 PM (booked). Replaces standard bus tour. Be in queue by 12:10. ~2.5 hrs, ends at Saturn V Center.
Shuttle Launch Experience — simulated shuttle launch. Walk in anytime. Allow 20–30 min.
Planet Play — interactive play area for kids. Open all day, no schedule needed.

Celiac Dining

Packed Lunch (Prepared Saturday Night)

KSC dining is too inconsistent for celiac kids. Bring your own food — it's allowed through security in a regular backpack or small bag. Only large coolers, luggage, and large bags are prohibited.

What to Pack

GF bread/wraps — make sandwiches or wraps (deli meat, PB&J, whatever works)
Fruit — apples, grapes, clementines (easy, no mess)
GF chips/pretzels/crackers — grab at Publix on Friday
GF granola bars or snack bars — for throughout the day
Drinks — water bottles, juice boxes (no glass containers)
Ice pack in backpack to keep things cool (or freeze a water bottle overnight)

Night Before

Make everything Saturday night. Store in fridge. In the morning, load into backpack with an ice pack and go. Takes 10 min.

Backup in-park: Moon Rock Cafe (at Apollo/Saturn V Center) has better celiac protocols — staff prepare food separately.

Avoid Orbit Cafe for celiac kids.

Dinner on the Way Home

Celiac-Safe Dinner

Bolay Fresh Bold Kitchen

Fast-casual bowls • Lake Nona (on your route from KSC)

Entire menu is 100% gluten-free. Every dish, every ingredient. The safest restaurant option of the whole trip.

Build-your-own bowls: pick a base, protein, toppings, sauce
Family-friendly, fast, affordable

Navigate: 12711 Narcoossee Rd, Orlando

bolay.com — Menu & Hours

Celiac-Safe Dinner

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

Casual American • Kissimmee (near the rental house)

Full GF menu: pizza on GF crust, burgers on GF buns, steaks, salads, kids' GF options. Similar vibe to Red Heat/Burtons back home.

Note celiac (not just GF) with your server
Not a dedicated GF kitchen — trained staff, separate prep

Navigate: 2421 W Osceola Pkwy, Kissimmee

bjsrestaurants.com — Menu & Hours

More Dinner Options (Past the House)

These are west of Kissimmee — a slight detour from KSC, but great for a sit-down dinner.

Bartaco

Upscale street tacos & cocktails • Dr. Phillips

Creative tacos, rice bowls, and a full cocktail bar. High-energy, family-friendly.

Navigate: 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd, Orlando

bartaco.com — Menu & Location

Call (407) 801-8226

Sixty Vines

Wine-focused shareable plates • Sand Lake Rd (Restaurant Row)

60 wines on tap, seasonal dishes designed for sharing. Upscale vibe. Open Sun until 9 PM.

Navigate: 7760 W Sand Lake Rd, Orlando

sixtyvines.com — Menu

Call (689) 257-4982

Bella Italia Ristorante

Authentic Italian • Winter Garden

Homemade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, slow-simmered sauces. Warm family atmosphere. Open Sun until 9 PM.

Navigate: 13848 Tilden Rd, Winter Garden

bellaitaliaristorantefl.biz — Menu

Call (407) 347-3277

Agave Bandido

Modern Mexican & tequila bar • Hamlin

Table-side guacamole, birria tacos, 200+ tequilas. High-energy atmosphere. Open Sun until 10 PM.

Navigate: 5365 Hamlin Groves Trail, Winter Garden

agavebandido.com — Menu

Call (321) 400-5012

What to Bring

GF lunch + snacks + drinks in a backpack with an ice pack — food is allowed through security, only large coolers/luggage are banned
Sunscreen and hats (Rocket Garden is exposed)
Walking shoes
Download KSC app for maps and schedules
Phone charged — need WiFi for Hyperdeck VR + New Shepard VR reservations at entry

Navigate home: 4572 Target Blvd, Kissimmee