Global hospitality and entertainment company has helped transform visitor complex with major attractions to create popular tourist destination and showcase the NASA story
BUFFALO, N.Y., and KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. – Delaware North, a global hospitality and entertainment company, today celebrated its 30th anniversary of operating all aspects of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, the public component of the storied launch facility in Florida, on behalf of NASA.
Since Delaware North’s first contract with NASA began on May 1, 1995, the company has worked to add major attractions spotlighting past, current and future space programs to showcase the NASA story, making the visitor complex one of the top tourism destinations in the Orlando region and a world-class educational attraction. In recent years the visitor complex has set attendance records, surpassing even the heyday of the shuttle program.
“Everyone at Delaware North is incredibly proud of our collaboration with NASA over three decades to make Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex an awe-inspiring and authentic experience for people of all ages from the United States and around the world,” Delaware North CEOs Lou Jacobs, Jerry Jacobs Jr. and Charlie Jacobs said in a joint statement. “We want to thank NASA for the opportunity as we continue working to immerse visitors in space exploration.”
The visitor complex began in 1967 as little more than a bus tour of the space center’s launch pads and gradually added attractions and artifacts, including the famous Rocket Garden with space-flown rockets and capsules.
But the first major attraction was added after Delaware North’s arrival: the Apollo/Saturn V Center, a tribute to NASA’s lunar landing program, which opened in 1997 and features an actual Saturn V rocket, among other displays. It continues to be the centerpiece of the bus tour from the visitor complex to Kennedy Space Center proper.
Delaware North has since worked with NASA to add other major attractions at the visitor complex:
- Shuttle Launch Experience®, which opened in 2007, allows visitors to experience a simulated shuttle launch into orbit.
- Space Shuttle Atlantis®, which opened in 2013, tells the compelling story of the 30-year Space Shuttle Program via a dramatic display of the iconic space-flown spacecraft and 60 interactive exhibits.
- Heroes & Legends featuring the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame® presented by Boeing, which opened in 2016, uses the early years of the space program to explore the concept of heroism. It includes the astronaut hall of fame, which celebrates the achievements of American space heroes through compelling displays.
- Planet Play, which opened in 2021, is a fully immersive and interactive multiple-story indoor play experience specially designed for a younger generation of space explorers.
- Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex®, which opened in 2022, explores the future of space travel while highlighting current NASA and commercial partner space programs. It includes interactive displays and spacecraft hardware, as well as Spaceport KSC, an immersive experience with thrilling simulated space flights.
Set to open this summer is The Gantry at LC-39, a new interactive attraction near the spaceport’s launch pads that guests can experience on the bus tour. In addition, a new major attraction is being planned – with an announcement expected later this year, and new educational programs and tours are continually being added.
“Delaware North and NASA have been strategic in building out the visitor complex to sustain the momentum since the addition of Space Shuttle Atlantis, complementing the steady increase in rocket launches that also draw visitors,” said Scott Socha, group president of Delaware North’s parks and resorts, travel and Australia divisions. “We have created and continually update the master plan to ensure we are telling the evolving and broadening NASA story and enhancing the visitor experience.”
Delaware North has been successful in repositioning the visitor complex as a top visitor destination in the Orlando market. The visitor complex:
- Has garnered extensive regional, national and international media coverage, reaching an audience estimated at more than 1 billion people.
- Consistently garners high online customer review ratings and has received rave reviews from high-profile media outlets and other organizations.
- Has enjoyed a significant increase in social media exposure, reach and engagement on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Delaware North has consistently received praise from NASA in annual evaluations of its visitor complex operations.
“I am so proud of the visitor complex team as we celebrate the important milestone of Delaware North’s 30th anniversary of operating the visitor complex on behalf of NASA,” said Therrin Protze, chief operating officer, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. “We take great pride in offering an exceptional experience to our guests and meeting NASA’s high standards.”
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is supported entirely by revenue generated from parking, admission, food service, and merchandise. The complex does not receive any government funding from U.S. tax dollars. A portion of the funds is invested to add and enhance attractions and to maintain and preserve hundreds of priceless artifacts.
About Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Go beyond imagination and into something real at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Get up-close to real flight flown artifacts, meet a veteran NASA astronaut, feel the rumble of a rocket launch and so much more. Just 45 minutes from Orlando, Fla., Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex opens daily at 9 a.m. with closing times varying by season. The popular, two-day ticket, which can be used for up to six months from purchase and averages a cost of less than $45 per day, is now available for $89 per adult and $79 per child. Single-day admission is $75 per adult, $65 per child. For more information, call 877-313-2610 or visit www.KennedySpaceCenter.com