Shuttle Launch August 9th

[Mickey Rules]

Hi, ok so we're going to Disney in August and will be down for the scheduled launch of Endeavor (STS-118). I have always wanted to see a launch, and really hoping that this launch doesn't get scratched. I have a few questions for anyone thats been to one or knows anything about them. First off, when does NASA post the tickets to see the launch and how much are they? I know that different bus lines go directly from Orlando to NASA for $100 a person. Also, ever since 9/11, NASA no longer allows private vechiles to watch the launches, but I was wondering, if we are unable to get tickets, is there a good viewing point that is on the side of the road not on NASA property that has a close enough view? Is the Astronaut musesum a good viewing spot? I know that you can see it from Disney, because I saw one waaaaaaaay back in the day when my uncle used to live in Oveito. So if you guys have any info, I would appreciate it. THANKS!!!

[Mickey Rules]

One follow up question. How much time do you think we should give ourselves to drive over there? I know it takes an hour to get there from Disney, but will there be a lot of traffic? I believe the launch is an 6:10pm or 7:10pm on August 9th. Thanks agian!!

[CDSTapisRouge]

Ok first I will say go here http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/launches/scheduleStatus.asp at the bottom of the page there is a link to Sign up for Launch updates. Closer to the launch date, they will email you all the information you are looking for. You will get an email that tells you when the tickets will be on sale, how much they are, etc. etc... we have been out for 4 launches so far and always use the "armchair astronaut" emails to plan them out.

Ok, the BEST place to see a launch in my opinion is from the NASA Causeway. With this package you get all day access to the Visitors Complex and then they bus you over to the causeway for the launch. On the causeway they have covered seating areas (even though they will tell you they do not...it encourages people to bring their own chairs, which many do), vendor and they have live feed to Mission Control. With this package they will tell you what time you have to be at the Visitor Complex (which is usually VERY early...) they do this to stagger the entrance so the traffic does not back up. I think we paid something like $50 or so per person for this.

They also offer viewing from the Visitor Complex, which is also very good, but you can't see the shuttle until it has cleared the tree line (unlike the causeway where you can see it on the launch pad). I am not sure the cost of that, but it is less than the causeway. They have the viewing from the Hall of Fame, which I have never personally done, but I have friends that will "never do it again", and that was good enough for me.

As far as places to go that are not on NASA property. The best place is Spaceview park. http://www.nbbd.com/godo/spaceviewpark/index.html I have not personally been here either, but many DISer's have and rave about it. You can see the launch pads from here too, although further away than being at NASA. The parking is free, there is no admission fee and they have a nice park, memorials, restrooms, etc (they also have live feed to Mission Control). Jetty park is another place to see a launch from, given the option I would go to Spaceview park over Jetty Park, but it is another place to think of. We saw a launch from Jetty before and it was impressive because we had never been that close but now that we have been on the NASA causeway we know better. Here is a link to the locations that NASA suggests if you are not able to get tickets for their viewing areas.
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/view/view_shuttle.html

Also look at this page it is a fellow DISer's page BPCooper he is a wealth of Shuttle knowledge if you have more questions... http://www.launchphotography.com/Shuttle_Launch_Viewing.html

It takes about 45 minutes to get out to the Cape so I would give yourself about 2 hours (unless you get the NASA tickets and then they will tell you when to be there). The traffic going out is not usually too bad until right around launch time... but be prepared to have up to 4 hours on the ride home (it took us 4 hours to come back from Discovery).

And one more link for you... http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1459936 this is a thread about viewing the latest launch. It has some good info too!

Here is a photo montage that my husband put together of some of the photos we took from the NASA causeway... Enjoy, have fun... it is an AMAZING experience! Hubby has a good camera so this is closer than the naked eye, you are about 6 miles away, so you can see the shuttle on the pad, it is just not "this" defined... just FYI!

http://thegrriv.net/sts115.gif

[keishashadow]

good luck, hope you DO get to see it:thumbsup2

we scheduled our trip end of month w/a week's window to see the shuttle that was originally scheduled to launch. Unfortunately, we all know the last one was delayed & is having computer problems now:wizard: ...bring them back safe & sound! Hope the rocket launch on the 30th is still on?nope, just checked thanx to above link, delayed to 7/07/07 - interesting date

we thought jetty park was just fine to watch a rocket launch last year (course we didn't have anything to compare it to lol). We were surprised about how any 'lil bit of sand over the intercoastal waterway before port canaveral was jammed w/parked cars. Can't imagine the chaos on a shuttle launch.

[Mickey Rules]

Ok first I will say go here http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/launches/scheduleStatus.asp at the bottom of the page there is a link to Sign up for Launch updates. Closer to the launch date, they will email you all the information you are looking for. You will get an email that tells you when the tickets will be on sale, how much they are, etc. etc... we have been out for 4 launches so far and always use the "armchair astronaut" emails to plan them out.

Ok, the BEST place to see a launch in my opinion is from the NASA Causeway. With this package you get all day access to the Visitors Complex and then they bus you over to the causeway for the launch. On the causeway they have covered seating areas (even though they will tell you they do not...it encourages people to bring their own chairs, which many do), vendor and they have live feed to Mission Control. With this package they will tell you what time you have to be at the Visitor Complex (which is usually VERY early...) they do this to stagger the entrance so the traffic does not back up. I think we paid something like $50 or so per person for this.

They also offer viewing from the Visitor Complex, which is also very good, but you can't see the shuttle until it has cleared the tree line (unlike the causeway where you can see it on the launch pad). I am not sure the cost of that, but it is less than the causeway. They have the viewing from the Hall of Fame, which I have never personally done, but I have friends that will "never do it again", and that was good enough for me.

As far as places to go that are not on NASA property. The best place is Spaceview park. http://www.nbbd.com/godo/spaceviewpark/index.html I have not personally been here either, but many DISer's have and rave about it. You can see the launch pads from here too, although further away than being at NASA. The parking is free, there is no admission fee and they have a nice park, memorials, restrooms, etc (they also have live feed to Mission Control). Jetty park is another place to see a launch from, given the option I would go to Spaceview park over Jetty Park, but it is another place to think of. We saw a launch from Jetty before and it was impressive because we had never been that close but now that we have been on the NASA causeway we know better. Here is a link to the locations that NASA suggests if you are not able to get tickets for their viewing areas.
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/view/view_shuttle.html

Also look at this page it is a fellow DISer's page BPCooper he is a wealth of Shuttle knowledge if you have more questions... http://www.launchphotography.com/Shuttle_Launch_Viewing.html

It takes about 45 minutes to get out to the Cape so I would give yourself about 2 hours (unless you get the NASA tickets and then they will tell you when to be there). The traffic going out is not usually too bad until right around launch time... but be prepared to have up to 4 hours on the ride home (it took us 4 hours to come back from Discovery).

And one more link for you... http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1459936 this is a thread about viewing the latest launch. It has some good info too!

Here is a photo montage that my husband put together of some of the photos we took from the NASA causeway... Enjoy, have fun... it is an AMAZING experience! Hubby has a good camera so this is closer than the naked eye, you are about 6 miles away, so you can see the shuttle on the pad, it is just not "this" defined... just FYI!

http://thegrriv.net/sts115.gif


WOW!!! THANKS A LOT FOR THIS!!! I signed up for the e-mails when I first heard about the launch, so I'm hoping for some more info from them. I originally thought that we would see it from the viewing center, but we now think we will do the causeway. I'm just curious about something...is the viewing center closer than the causeway? because I was looking at a map and there is one closer to the pad, 39B i believe, and how high is it when it goes over the trees. I would like to see the launch from the very beginning, so I would probablly go with the causeway, I'm just curious though. THANKS AGAIN!!!!:thanks: !!!

[CDSTapisRouge]

WOW!!! THANKS A LOT FOR THIS!!! I signed up for the e-mails when I first heard about the launch, so I'm hoping for some more info from them. I originally thought that we would see it from the viewing center, but we now think we will do the causeway. I'm just curious about something...is the viewing center closer than the causeway? because I was looking at a map and there is one closer to the pad, 39B i believe, and how high is it when it goes over the trees. I would like to see the launch from the very beginning, so I would probablly go with the causeway, I'm just curious though. THANKS AGAIN!!!!:thanks: !!!

The causeway is the closest you can get on Launch day... there are other places like the Saturn V complex that are closer but you can not access them on launch day, a lot of the area becomes restricted (you also can not get to the coutdown clock that you always see, this is VIP and media). The Visitor Complex is about 11 or 12 miles from the launch site, where the section of the causeway they take you to is about 6 miles. And you will actually be closer than I was because Atlantis was launched from the other pad. From the causeway you will be able to see the shuttle sitting on the launch pad and the entire liftoff from begining to out of site. At the Visitor Complex it is still a great experience, but you can not see the pad, you will not be able to see the shuttle sitting out there, it will be about 20 seconds after launch that you will see it from the complex, it will be off the launch pad and clearing the tree line before you can see it. I would highly suggest getting the causeway tickets if you can you won't be disappointed (unless it scrubbs of course...). You have to be online or on the phone AS SOON AS they go on sale in order to get them. We were online refreshing the screen every couple of seconds when we got ours... the causeway tickets sold out in less than 5 minutes... Spaceview park is a good option to if you want free with a view. You can see the shuttle on the pad from there as well, it is further away than being ON the causeway, but still gets rave reviews for a place to watch from.

[Mickey Rules]

The causeway is the closest you can get on Launch day... there are other places like the Saturn V complex that are closer but you can not access them on launch day, a lot of the area becomes restricted (you also can not get to the coutdown clock that you always see, this is VIP and media). The Visitor Complex is about 11 or 12 miles from the launch site, where the section of the causeway they take you to is about 6 miles. And you will actually be closer than I was because Atlantis was launched from the other pad. From the causeway you will be able to see the shuttle sitting on the launch pad and the entire liftoff from begining to out of site. At the Visitor Complex it is still a great experience, but you can not see the pad, you will not be able to see the shuttle sitting out there, it will be about 20 seconds after launch that you will see it from the complex, it will be off the launch pad and clearing the tree line before you can see it. I would highly suggest getting the causeway tickets if you can you won't be disappointed (unless it scrubbs of course...). You have to be online or on the phone AS SOON AS they go on sale in order to get them. We were online refreshing the screen every couple of seconds when we got ours... the causeway tickets sold out in less than 5 minutes... Spaceview park is a good option to if you want free with a view. You can see the shuttle on the pad from there as well, it is further away than being ON the causeway, but still gets rave reviews for a place to watch from.


Ok, Thanks agian!! So NASA will send me an email when the tickets become available, right?

[Mickey Rules]

I hagte to ask this too because I am very superstitious about this stuff, but what happens if the launch gets scrubbed? I know that NASA has a VERY VERY limited refund policy, so I was just wondering what would happen if we buy the tickets and they scrubb the launch for a time that we are not down there? Also, say we get into the Visitors Center (I believe that is included with the tickets), and then they scratch the launch the same day. Would we be refunded some or all of our money? Thanks.

[BPCooper]

This will give you everything you need:

http://www.launchphotography.com/Shuttle_Launch_Viewing.html

It is not actually NASA that sells the close-up causeway tickets but the KSC visitors complex company (Delaware North). If you don't get those, Titusville is the place.

But the causeway is the best viewing by far for the public, and the closest at 6.5 miles (up to about 7 or a little over if you are too far towards the eastern side of the causeway but most people go to the west side). The Visitors Complex itself is 7.4 miles and you cannot see the shuttle. The $51 for the causeway is well worth it, even if it's scrubbed and you must purchase it again, frankly. If you want the best view and the loudest sound, that's the place to go.

Good luck. If you have any questions just ask or email. I'm happy to help. :-)

PS if you are in town for the Delta 2 July 7, Jetty Park is the place for Delta 2s:
http://www.launchphotography.com/Delta_2_Launch_Viewing.html

[CDSTapisRouge]

Hey Ben... I knew you would find this sooner or later :) Mickey Rules... Ben is the one to ask, he knows A LOT about the launches!



The email about the tickets going on sale goes out a few weeks ahead of time, so you will have plenty of notice on that. They do not send it out day prior or anything like that. I want to say it is a week or two in advance...we just mark the calendar and make sure someone is home (or accessible at work) to get them...

As for the tickets in the event of a scrub... Let me see if I can write this out so that it makes sense to you. There are a couple scenarios which all have different rules...

Your tickets are for the launch of that mission not the date persay.

Not sure how a refund works if they scrub in advance and you can not come back for the new date! But I do know about the other scenarios as we have experienced them first hand.

If you are already at the visitors complex but have not taken the bus over to the causeway and they scrub, you can come back for the next attempt, your visitor complex and causeway tickets are still valid for the next launch attempt... If you can not make it back, your visitor complex ticket has been used but you can get a refund on the bus portion (at least they were doing that when we were there).

If you are already over on the causeway and the launch gets scrubbed you do not get a refund onthe causeway portion of the ticket as they consider it used. If you can make it back for the next attempt you can use your Visitor Complex ticket again (as I said your visitor complex ticket is for the mission not the date) it is valid for any attempt of that mission but you will then be watching the launch from the visitors complex as your bus ticket to the causeway is considered used. However in this scenario, if you can come back for the next attempt, you can exchange your bus ticket for an additional fee (I beleive it was $20 per ticket when we had to do it) to get another bus ticket for the next attempt... So the visitor complex portion of the ticket is good for every attempt that they make to launch that mission regardless of how many times you have to go out there.... it is just the bus portion that has restrictions and is non-refundable in this scenario.

The Visitor Complex ticket also gives you access to the visitor complex the day before or the day after the launch so you can see the things that are restricted access on launch day (I suggest if you are going to use that go the day before so you can see the shuttle on the launch pad)... and you have access to the Hall of Fame the day before or the day after. In all honesty even with a scrub it is worth it because you do have access to 2 days at the Space Center and the Hall of Fame!

We have been there when it was scrubbed at the very last minute, so we lost the bus portion of the ticket twice. We were able to go back so we paid the extra $20 and bought the new ticket to go out again!

Something to keep in mind though is to eat lunch early if you go... It is not like a normal day at the space center, everyone there is there for the same reason, they are all on the same time schedule so lunch time is crazy at the restaurants/ counter service. If you plan to eat a meal while you are there, do it at an off time or you could be waiting a very long time (and a side note, the line for the counter service stretches out the door and around the building, this is for hot food from the grills, but people don't realize that and they wait in it... if you just want a salad or a sandwhich, they are premaid and served like a cafeteria on the merry go round thing, so you can walk right in and get those...saves a lot of time if you know about it)

[BPCooper]

Keep in mind that they will go on sale at 9am on a certain day (usually Monday) and they are gone in minutes. So be prepared.

Are you sure about the refund part? You should probably ask them before purchasing. But if you have received a refund, then that answers that :-)

[CDSTapisRouge]

Keep in mind that they will go on sale at 9am on a certain day (usually Monday) and they are gone in minutes. So be prepared.

Are you sure about the refund part? You should probably ask them before purchasing. But if you have received a refund, then that answers that :-)

Definetly get online early and keep refreshing until they are onsale. Causeway tickets sold out in 5 minutes the first time we bought them.

As far as the refund, we were told no no no... but when it came to the day they did but we were given the information on how to go about it in secrecy, like they were offering it, but don't make a big deal about it. So I guess it is on a case by case basis for an actual monetary refund.

Not that this is a "refund" but...I know for sure that if you have not taken the bus over to the causeway and they scrub your ticket is still fully intact for the next attempt (but this is very rare to happen as the last bus to the causeway leaves the visitor complex about 2 hours before the launch...and scrubs day of are much closer to the launch time)... And that the visitor complex portion is valid for any attempt of that mission regardless of how many tries there are.

I would call in advance of the tickets going on sale and talk to someone there for the policies on refunds if it scrubs in advance and you can not make it back for the new date. Get all the information you can and then decide whether or not you want to pay the money to go out to KSC. It is worth it, if you get to see the launch, but Spaceview park/ Titusville is free and still very impressive with no worries!

[Mickey Rules]

WOW!! You guys are great!!! THANKS A LOT!! I really appreciate it. Just to clarify agian, they will send me an e-mail telling me what time and date they will go on sale. It's not like they will send it and say that they are currently on sale...kinda redundant but not really lol...THANKS AGAIN!!

[CDSTapisRouge]

WOW!! You guys are great!!! THANKS A LOT!! I really appreciate it. Just to clarify agian, they will send me an e-mail telling me what time and date they will go on sale. It's not like they will send it and say that they are currently on sale...kinda redundant but not really lol...THANKS AGAIN!!

Don't worry, it is a pre-sale email... It will say they are going on sale on such and such a date at such and such a time... Mark your calender. You will know in advance so you can plan... I really hope that you get to see the launch. You are getting me excited for it (not that I wouldn't be anyway, just not usually this early in the game).

[Mickey Rules]

Don't worry, it is a pre-sale email... It will say they are going on sale on such and such a date at such and such a time... Mark your calender. You will know in advance so you can plan... I really hope that you get to see the launch. You are getting me excited for it (not that I wouldn't be anyway, just not usually this early in the game).


I tend to do that to people lol...This is something that I and my parents have always wanted to see and have never had the opportunity to do so (other that once looking in the sky and seeing an orange streak at my uncles house). We have always missed out by at least a month or two which isn't that long of time for launches if you think about it. So I got really excited when I wandered around the NASA website and saw an August 9th launch. Thanks again for the info...I CAN'T WAIT!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!:banana:

[BPCooper]

This is where to sign up to get the email reminders on when it is on sale:

http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/eventSignUp.asp

Bookmark all these sites to follow the launch and updates:

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/tracking/index.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/network/news/space/current.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/network/news/space/currentglance.html

And the NASA schedule (listing NASA launches only, not other non-NASA launches, which SpaceflightNow is best for):
http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html

[Mickey Rules]

This is where to sign up to get the email reminders on when it is on sale:

http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/eventSignUp.asp

Bookmark all these sites to follow the launch and updates:

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/
http://www.spaceflightnow.com/tracking/index.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/network/news/space/current.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/network/news/space/currentglance.html

And the NASA schedule (listing NASA launches only, not other non-NASA launches, which SpaceflightNow is best for):
http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html


Great sites...THANKS!!

[BPCooper]

They are looking to move the launch up (yes up) to August 7 so keep an eye out.

[Bowen9475]

A related question - If we are staying at BWV and would like to head to Spaceview Park to view the launch, what time should we plan to leave the hotel? Thank you!

[BPCooper]

If the launch is the 7th it's about 7pm; if its the 9th its 610pm.

I would leave three hours before launch at the latest. People at 117 reported it took them two hours or more to get to Titusville from Orlando with all the traffic. Plus Spaceview Park fills up to the brink, so if you want a good spot I would go even earlier.

[maggiew]

A somewhat less experienced person, but here is my experience.

We happened to visit NASA at Cape Canaveral one day a few years ago and while on the bus tour around, we saw the shuttle on the platform and they told us there was going to be a launch the next day. So we decided to hang around and come back the next day for the launch. We didn't research this or anything, we just happened upon it. So we didn't really know the best thing to do. Anyway, the next day we showed up to see the launch. The main place was full and they directed us to a different area - near the Astronaut Hall of Fame or something like that. So we sat out in the blazin 110 degree weather all morning/afternoon to see the launch. From this location, you could almost make out the shuttle on the launch pad. When it took off, you could only see the trail in the sky. It was very disappointing after a long hot day. I was expecting to see something like in that photo montage!! It is much more dramatic on TV!! But we were glad we went because now we can say we saw a space launch!

On a side note, we happened to be in Disney on July 4 of last year and got to see a launch from Animal Kingdom! All you could really see was the trail again, but that was cool too!!

We are going to be in Fort Lauderdale Aug. 10 - 12 after our cruise. Maybe the launch will get delayed and we will get to see another one.

Maggie

[englishteacha]

We're disappointed that we're going to miss the launch. We arrive on August 11. I suppose if it's scrubbed and moved to sometime during our vacation, we'll attempt to see it from one of the free locations. :)

[BPCooper]

Causeway and visitors complex ticket go on sale 9am this Wednesday, June 27:

http://www.ksctickets.com/stspshdi.html

Please note again the launch is almost certainly going to be August 7 not 9. Launch time Aug 7 is 6:59pm EDT.

[Svenson]

Please note again the launch is almost certainly going to be August 7 not 9. Launch time Aug 7 is 6:59pm EDT.

I am sooo confused! (Not hard to do:confused: ) Every single link I have tried has stated August 9 at 6:15 PM EST. Where is it stated August 7 at 6:59? The date does make a difference for us.
Thanks!:)

[CDSTapisRouge]

I am sooo confused! (Not hard to do:confused: ) Every single link I have tried has stated August 9 at 6:15 PM EST. Where is it stated August 7 at 6:59? The date does make a difference for us.
Thanks!:)

Ben is the most knowledgable and reliable Launch info contact that I know... he stated in a previous post They are looking to move the launch up (yes up) to August 7 so keep an eye out. it is not official yet so you will not see it posted anywhere, but if Ben says the possibility has been discussed I would be sure to keep that in mind when planning what type of tickets (if any) you plan to purchase... and what the refund policy is if you can not make it on an earlier date. Again it is not official (yet) and it could stay on Aug 9 as planned, but definetly keep it in mind and plan accordingly!

[BPCooper]

Shuttle program managers will meet this week and are likely to approve an earlier date of August 7. Until it is official they won't post it on the NASA site.

[CDSTapisRouge]

Causeway and visitors complex ticket go on sale 9am this Wednesday, June 27:

http://www.ksctickets.com/stspshdi.html




Just got the email that they changed the date... the tickets are going on sale now on Friday June 29 at 9am http://www.ksctickets.com/stspshdi.html

[Svenson]

Just got the email that they changed the date... the tickets are going on sale now on Friday June 29 at 9am http://www.ksctickets.com/stspshdi.html

Thanks for all the info. Is this link above where I would go to purchase tickets on Friday morning? I'd hate to spend 10 minutes clicking around and miss the tickets completely. Also, I would assume that internet purchasing would be faster than phone, but does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks!:)

[CDSTapisRouge]

Thanks for all the info. Is this link above where I would go to purchase tickets on Friday morning? I'd hate to spend 10 minutes clicking around and miss the tickets completely. Also, I would assume that internet purchasing would be faster than phone, but does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks!:)

Yes, but right now it is not working (for me anyway). On the left it says Launch information, you should be able to click on that and it will bring you to the tickets. I always purchase my tickets online. I bring it up about 15 minutes before they are to go on sale and then just keep refreshing the screen. As soon as they go on sale make sure you jump on it. Especially if you want the causeway tickets. They sell out VERY fast... in less than 5 minutes the first time I bought them!

[Svenson]

Yeesh! This is like trying to get breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table. Planning a vacation can be so stressful!

Thanks for the help.:)

[Mickey Rules]

Ok, I think we decided to go to Space View Park in Titusville. We decided this because we contated NASA and they said that if we bought the tickets and the parking lot was fill they would turn us away. We decided that it would be better off to go to SVP because there are just too many "if's" about this launch. We are unable to go if they move it to the 7th and would hate to buy the tickets and not be able to go. So, that said, assuming we go to Titusville, what should we know about it before we go? What time should we get there? How is the parking? Will they turn us away? Stuff like that. Thanks for all the help!!

[BPCooper]

It is officially August 7th as of today.

http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html

As for turning you away, you will be fine if you show up at the time they give you (they give you a parking pass with your tickets, and this pass has a show-up time on it). You shouldn't be turned away but they must say that in case you are very late.

As for Titusville, give yourself 4-5 hours before launch to arrive and find parking. You may have to pay a fee for parking (say 10-20$) by land owners, or you may be able to find free public parking too. No one is going to turn you away from Titusville :-)

Spaceview Park does fill up, as a lot of people go there, so get there early. Getting there by 3-4pm is a good idea (latest) if the launch remains August 7 (launch time August 7th is right around 7pm).

(By the way, that's not NASA you spoke to. The KSC Visitors Complex is run by a company called Delaware North. They work with NASA and must follow their guide, as they run tours on property, but they themselves are not NASA).

[Svenson]

I can't believe it. I want to cry and scream like a baby.:mad:

After planning my whole morning around this ticket purchase, setting a timer, and refreshing my screen about 200 times, I THOUGHT I had snagged tickets to the causeway. I was planning to surprise my husband and 8-yr-old son who both LIVE for space travel. I went through the entire checkout process, putting in all of my address and credit card information, and then on the final screen it said inventory no longer available. Then I did the whole process again with the "lunch with an astronaut" package, figuring I'd splurge for the extra bucks for this "once-in-a-lifer." AGAIN, I filled my cart and all the information and again the inventory changed at the end. So I settled for viewing from KSC only, which I am totally unhappy with since reading on these DIS threads that it is the worst spot to view from. I suppose I should have just gone the free route and sent them to Titusville, but I really wanted to make this a special vacation surprise. Please encourage me and tell me something positive about this viewing spot so I don't spend the rest of the day (or week!) crying about my failure. :mad: :mad:

[DisneyPoly]

I can't believe it. I want to cry and scream like a baby.:mad:

After planning my whole morning around this ticket purchase, setting a timer, and refreshing my screen about 200 times, I THOUGHT I had snagged tickets to the causeway. I was planning to surprise my husband and 8-yr-old son who both LIVE for space travel. I went through the entire checkout process, putting in all of my address and credit card information, and then on the final screen it said inventory no longer available. Then I did the whole process again with the "lunch with an astronaut" package, figuring I'd splurge for the extra bucks for this "once-in-a-lifer." AGAIN, I filled my cart and all the information and again the inventory changed at the end. So I settled for viewing from KSC only, which I am totally unhappy with since reading on these DIS threads that it is the worst spot to view from. I suppose I should have just gone the free route and sent them to Titusville, but I really wanted to make this a special vacation surprise. Please encourage me and tell me something positive about this viewing spot so I don't spend the rest of the day (or week!) crying about my failure. :mad: :mad:

My family will be there with you:) Looking forward to just being part of the excitement. I'll be anxious to read what others have to say, especially if they have viewed a launch from this area.

[BPCooper]

Their system is not the greatest, but this time they put up that warning message so they could ward off complaints I guess.

It's not as bad as people think. It's about preference. No, you won't see the launch pad from there. What you will be is closer, so it will be louder at the visitors complex than it will in Titusville.

If you prefer Titusville you'll have no trouble giving your tickets away I'm sure.

[Janet Hill]

I was only able to get the tickets for the visitor's center. Are these really all that bad? The ticket agent told me that it was a good place, but we would not have an unobstructed view. Just wondering what to expect.

[CDSTapisRouge]

The visitor complex is still a good place to view from. No you won't see the shuttle sitting on the launch pad (but you can't get that view from many places anyway) and it will have to clear the trees before it is in view, but, As Ben mentioned you are actually closer so it is louder. Just being a part of it is amazing. Honestly I saw my first launch from Jetty Park which I have come to find out is not a great place to view from. But since I had nothing to compare it to, it was the coolest thing I had ever seen. At the visitor complex, you have access to most of the attractions (somethings on the bus tour are closed due to access restrictions). They have a big screen (BIG) set up with bleacher seating where you can watch the live feed from NASA TV and they have loud speakers on so that you are getting all the updates. A good place to view from is either where they have the screen set up, or over by the Space Memorial. You will see where the veteran viewers are setting up, take their lead, they bring chairs and stake out spots early, you will know exactlly where the good places are. Enjoy the day at the Space Center, the IMAX shows will be running, the exhibts are open. It really makes for a great day. Don't be disappointed that you could not get to the causeway, you will still have an awesome time, it is a wonderful experience.

My suggestions are this... if you want to buy something from the souviner shop, get to it as soon as you arrive, wait until about an hour before launch (when all the causeway people are gone from the visitor complex) or wait until just after the launch (before the causeway people come back). The lines get LONG (if they are really long, check upstairs too, many people don't venture up there cause it is mostly books and the check out lines tend to be shorter.

Another thing, which I already mentioned but it stands to be mentioned again... Eat EARLY. It is not a normal day. Everyone is there for the same reason, everyone is on the same time schedule. The line for the counter service restaurant can be LONG right around lunch time. Also if the line is out the door and around the building go inside (through the other door) and check where the line is going. We found that the "line" was for the hot food/ grill and you could walk right up and get a sandwhich, salad and drinks, no wait at all. People didn't realize that and just waited in line.

The causeway viewing is a great experience, but I don't think you will be disappointed with the visitor complex. It is a great place as well and like I said you have no expectations having never been before so I am sure that you will be just fine!

[Svenson]

Wow! Thank you, CDSTapisRouge, for the wealth of information! :) I feel much better now. I will print out all your advice and give it to my husband the night before when I surprise him with the tickets. You even answered questions I was going to ask, like where is the best place to view from the complex, and what parts of the complex are closed. Great gift shop and restaurant advice!
I do have a few more questions. I'm wondering if my husband and son (I'm staying back at WDW with my daughter) really need to find a spot hours early and stay there until launch, or if they can enjoy the whole day and then squeeze into a tiny spot in the last few minutes (with hundreds of other squeezers, of course). Also, will they be able to see the shuttle on the pad earlier in the day on the bus tour, or will they never see the shuttle until it is airborne? Do you know how early they tell you to arrive (and is that a suggestion or a requirement)?
Here is the beginning of my day-pack list. What else should we add?
Camera
Video Camera
Tripod
Plenty of extra batteries/DVDs/etc.
Bottled water
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Snacks
Binoculars (?)
Chairs would be nice, but probably not worth packing on the plane

That's all I can think of right now. Again, thank you soooo much!:)

[Svenson]

Just stumbled upon another question. I went back to the KSC ticket site, just to torture myself, and I saw a new link to this page:
http://ksctickets.com/grydol.html It offers other launch transportation packages from Orlando. Anybody have any experience with this? Thanks!

[CDSTapisRouge]

My husbands suggestion is choose still photo or video (he suggests video), don't live in the camera lense, enjoy the experience. You can get great photos from NASA's page or maybe from Ben after the fact. He missed our whole first experience in the camera lense so just a thought.

Where are you staying on your vacation? I am assuming you will have a car since they are heading out to the coast. I have chairs that we used at the last launch that I would be happy to get to you if your husband would like to use them. No worries they were $10 for 4 chairs, if they get stolen or lost, or whatever I am not worried about it. You can use them. If you have the chairs you would just really need to set them out somewhere. We saw a lot of people that set their chairs up and left them there. No one bothered any of them. About 30 minutes to launch everyone kinda starts to get situated in their places. Being that they will be viewing from above the tree line there is plenty of space to "squeeze in" if necessary. It is kinda like the fireworks at the parks... they are in the sky, it is not really a big deal if someone is in front of you, you are looking up.

As far as the parking passes, they do them by the hour just to control the amount of traffic coming in. We had 8am passes for a 4pm launch. It just depends when they get to your packet I guess what time they are working on. We got there earlier than what was on the parking card and had no problems getting in. Being that they will be leaving pretty early there is no need to build in extra travel time from Orlando. I would suggest leaving about an hour and half (no later than 1 hour) from the parking time. To be there as scheduled. If you are a little late they "can" turn you away, but I have not seen them do this. Honestly they did not even look at our parking cards at the last launch they just waived us in. They were still letting people in to the parking lot when we got on the bus to go to the causeway 2 hours before launch time (but try and by there at the time on the parking card so you do not run the risk of being turned away).

If they take the bus tour they can see the shuttle on the pad way way out in the distance. The area around the shuttle is restricted on launch day, so you really don't get close enough to see it. You can see the orange of the boosters and the driver says that is the shuttle. They do take you by the Astronauts quarters and point out the doors that you always see them walking out of on TV and then they drop you off at the ISS Processing Facility (Ben correct me if that is the wrong name) which was really cool. Definetly tell them to do the bus tour even though they can't get to everything. It only runs in the morning so make sure they check the times, After the launch the ran a bus tour out to Saturn V which was restricted prior to launch, but by then we were too tired!

I am so jealous we can not make it to this one. I am counting down to the October Launch!

[CDSTapisRouge]

PS don't forget that it is a toll road to get out to the Cape from Orlando. Make sure they have about $10 in cash. I am not sure the exact amount needed to get there and back, but $10 should suffiace!

[Svenson]

Wow, you thought of everything (even tolls!). You should write a Passporter's Guide to Space Shuttle Launch Viewing. I have copied all of your info into a file to print before we leave. Thanks so much for the offer of chairs. I'll just keep my eye out for bargain chairs, as we will be at WDW all week -- though I am predicting my son will be viewing the launch from Dad's shoulders.

I'm sure I'll think of more questions in the next six weeks! Thanks!:)

[BPCooper]

You won't be disappointed, you will have an incredible time. :-)

I was very surprised to hear they even ran any tours on June 8th. Regardless, they only go to the Saturn V Center and maybe the SSPF (Space Station Processing Facility; where the ISS modules are awaiting their future launch) on launch day. You will not see the orbiter itself from any location whatsoever on launch day other than from the causeway. You can however see the pad from the Saturn V Center easily if they take you over there, and the top of the External Tank (same view as from Titusville).

As for a particular spot, you don't need to unless there is a specific photo you have in mind.

And yea, don't view the launch through the viewfinder. If there is a photo idea you have, set it up on a tripod and use your cable release or just press the button without having to actually look at it.

Some people seem to hold their camera and take 200 photos in two minutes (no exaggeration) of the same little smoke trail in the distance. I guarantee they don't remember the launch as well ;-)

Hope that helps. If it's video you want, though, there's little choice but to look through it or at the screen I guess.

[CDSTapisRouge]

I was very surprised to hear they even ran any tours on June 8th. Regardless, they only go to the Saturn V Center and maybe the SSPF (Space Station Processing Facility; where the ISS modules are awaiting their future launch) on launch day.

Yeah, we were suprised as well. They had told us there would be no bus tour running, but when we got there they were running a modified bus tour. In the morning for about 3 hours the ran to the processing facility and then about an hour after the launch they did tours over to the Saturn V. You could not go to Saturn V prior to the launch because of access restrictions. So they split the tour up to pre and post launch destinations.

Just a note about the Processing Facility, it is at your own pace. The bus drops you off there and then when you are ready to go back there is a loading zone and you wait there for another bus to pick you up. It is not a guided tour, but it is really cool. There is a movie (although we did not get to see it cause they were having trouble with the film itself) and then there are lots of exhibts to walk through (literally through the peices of equipment as if you were the astronaut) and then you go over a skybridge and there are people actually working on projects and equipment, in this room they have a person telling you what you are watching and such. It is really cool, make sure that they go it was one of my favorite things there.

[raven69david]

I hope the launch goes on as planned. The last 2 launches we tried to attend were delayed and the consensus from the locals in Florida is that they are relatively surprised when the launch goes on as scheduled. Apparently they must delay quite a bit due to glitches that pop-up close to launch or bad weather conditions.

[DisneyPoly]

Great information!! Thanks for all the effort. I do have one question. If we arrive on the 7th and tour the Center and the launch is scrubbed and rescheduled for the 8th, 9th or 10th, can we return with our tickets even though we have toured the complex?

Thanks!

[BPCooper]

You should probably check with them but I believe the admission to the visitors complex is good at least for a second day.

The Saturn V Center is used as the VIP site for shuttle missions. I had heard from someone June 8 that they were on the tour that day and it went to both that and the SSPF; they were surprised too. I guess they had enough time to clear it out before launch guests arrived.

The modules you get to walk through are mockups of the real laboratories. What you view from the catwalk are the actual ISS modules and components being processed for their future shuttle flights.

One of the ones you saw June 8 will be launched on STS-118; in fact it has already been placed into the payload canister and is about to be taken out to the launch pad for insertion into Endeavour's cargo bay.

[BPCooper]

The shuttle goes on time about 40% of the time, truthfully. IT isn't the "never" that people seem to think. I read accounts here from a couple of people that they assumed it would never go June 8 so they didn't both to try. Sorry to hear that.

If the weather is good, your chances are not bad. Technical problems do come up but overall it's not as common as you might think. Yes, 117 June 8th was the first on-time launch since the Columbia tragedy. All four post-Columbia flights had at least one scrub and went the second day, and in one case the third day. But finally we had another on time launch. Maybe it's the start of another string...

There are years when they had several in a row all go on time. If you take, for example the period from September 2000 to July 2001, there were seven shuttle missions and six of them went right on time on the first try. And the eighth mission in August 2001 had to wait 24 hours and the thunderstorms stayed at bay on the second attempt.

The main threat in August at 7pm is Thunderstorms. Truth be told, the same was the case June 8 and we had a beautiful day (rain in the early afternoon cleared out and it was crystal clear by launch time).

Storms in Florida usually form daily in the summer, and depending on mid and upper level winds they may form in the middle of the state and move to the coast; form in the middle and move west; form at the coast and move inland. By 7pm they have usually 'rained' themselves out or moved away from the area, but sometimes you may have leftover anvil clouds that don't dissipate until the sun goes down.

The truth is, it's 50-50 and there is no reason to assume it's not going. Don't believe those that say that. There are 15 shuttle missions left at the most and it is well worth making the effort to see one!

[CDSTapisRouge]

Great information!! Thanks for all the effort. I do have one question. If we arrive on the 7th and tour the Center and the launch is scrubbed and rescheduled for the 8th, 9th or 10th, can we return with our tickets even though we have toured the complex?

Thanks!

Yes.. The ticket that you bought for the visitor complex are for the Launch of STS 118 if you go on the 7th and it is scrubbed you can return with the same ticket on the next launch attempt. It is a valid ticket for the visitor complex any date within the current launch window that they attempt to launch that mission.

You also have the opportunity to use that same ticket one additional day within a seven day window (before or after) of the launch so that you can see the things that are closed due to restrictions on launch day.

This is all explained in the ticket packet that they will send you! Here is a link to the FAQ's from KSC's Page http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/max.pdf
Also wanted to point out that the FAQ's page states no lawn chairs or folding chairs... They DO allow you to bring the collapsing chairs that fit into the bags with the arms slings. Not sure what they are called, but there were many people (including ourselves) that had these with them at KSC.

What happens to my tickets if the launch date moves or is delayed?

Please remember that all LAUNCH TICKETS ARE NOT REFUNDABLE.
Admission Access Tickets

If the launch date moves or delays prior to your arrival at Kennedy Space Center:• As unused tickets are mission specific (STS-118), not date specific, the unused tickets you have are good for the next launch attempt. Your car placard is also still good for subsequent launch attempts of STS-118.

If the launch date moves or is delayed after you have arrived at Kennedy Space Center:• Your used Maximum Access badge will be valid for limited admission for subsequent launch attempts of STS-118 within the launch window (August 7-23). If the launch moves out of that window, you must purchase another Maximum Access Launch Viewing ticket.

[Eeyore's Tailfinder]

ARGH! This is typical! I never knew there was a launch in August and typically this is on our IOA day!

Can you see the launch from Orlando? Well, not the launch maybe, but the shuttle going up from the distance?

[goofy4tink]

Bummer! I was so hoping they would move the launch up to the 10th. We leave WDW on the morning of the 10th and head to Cocoa Beach for a few days at the Best Western before our cruise. Hoped they would launch on Friday the 10th and we could visit the space center on Sat the 11th.
I was able to catch the launch last Dec while in WDW...it was truly wonderful. But, if this one is at 6:00, it will be less visible (I would imagine anyway) and I'll be getting ready to be seated for dinner at Chefs de France...perhaps they won't mind seating me a bit later so I can watch the launch!!
Here's hoping they move it up a few days.

[Minnie & Me]

I have just finished changing my ADR's around so we can make this our beach day. We will try Getty Beach. How is the sand and water quality? Is there sheltered areas where we can wait if we get too baked in the sun? Thinking about late breakfast at Chef Mickey 10am and then packing a picnic cooler for the beach. What is the parking like? Does the lot get full and when do they start turning cars away? What is a good time to get going on the highway without being too back logged?

Ben:Is the picture you have on your site with 5 or 6 people standing on the beach with the long pier in front of them from Getty Beach?

We are so excited about our first launch:goodvibes

Any advise would be great!

[BPCooper]

I guess you meant push the launch back to the 10th :-) Well, that could still happen, you never know. You can see it from Orlando always as long as it's clear in the eastern sky. It can't be missed, look for the enormous ascending smoke trail. However, I stress always, it is well worth it to make the 45 minute drive over there.

I think you are thinking of Jetty Park, which is a park and pier located at the northernmost end of Cocoa Beach. This is not the best place to see the shuttle:

http://www.launchphotography.com/Shuttle_Launch_Viewing.html

...but that doesn't mean it can't be a great day at the beach.

I'm not sure which photo you were looking at. The Spirit Mars launch June 2003 is from Jetty Park, about 500 feet behind the pier. Several photos there are also taken from the pier. BUT that was not the space shuttle; those were Delta 2 and Atlas 2 launches. The shuttle will not appear like that from there.

Yes, Jetty Park itself only holds a certain amount of cars and gets filled up fast on launch day (even though it's not the best place people still go all over). Get there early. There is a $5 parking fee.

[Minnie & Me]

Thanks Ben for the info. I do mean Jetty Park and I am confusing the rocket launches in your pictures with the shuttle launch.

Now I am thinking beach first in the morning and then driving over to Spaceview Park for a closer look in the afternoon. What can you do around Spaceview park while waiting? Trying to occupy a 3 year old for 3-4 hours might be tough with no sand or water.

[BPCooper]

What can you do around Spaceview park while waiting? Trying to occupy a 3 year old for 3-4 hours might be tough with no sand or water.

Yea, not much honestly. The KSC Visitors Complex is one thing I say is good if you have kids to entertain and who get bored easily. But then the beach might be a good idea for you. I guess you have to weigh the experience of the launch for yourself vs the kids :-)

[CDSTapisRouge]

While Jetty Park is not "the best place" to see a launch from, it isn't bad. If your concern is keeping the kids entertained and you were thinking about a beach day, it would not be a bad idea. The first launch I saw was from Jetty Park and I was completely enthralled by the whole experience. I thought it was amazing, raved about it for days. I lived in FL for 24 years and had seen many launches from my house in Clearwater and then in Orlando, but I had never gone out for a launch. Since I had nothing to compare it to, I thought Jetty Park was great (we even got to see Air Force One fly over... well it was carrying Laura not the president, so technically it wasn't "airforce one" it was the 747 anyway).

The parking lot does fill up pretty quickly and as mentioned there is a $5.00 fee to park. But just wanted to say that again while it is not the best place to go for launch it is not terrible either. With nothing to compare it to it is still amazing!