Shuttle Launch views from Disneyworld! - The DIS Discussion Forums

Captain Hook Jr · 10-02-2009, 08:11 PM

Hey guys does anyone have any good tips for where in WDW is a good place to watch a shuttle take off?

I would be really gratefull for your tips.

e6bflyer · 10-02-2009, 08:30 PM

Any spot clear of trees with a view to the east. I have never seen it from Disney World, but you are close enough to get a decent view (looks like a speck of flame with a huge smoke trail behind it). I used to live about 50 miles away from Canaveral, and I could see it just fine. Hopefully the weather will be good, but then again they usually don't launch in bad wx.

doclegler · 10-02-2009, 09:21 PM

2 years ago, we were actually at Kennedy for a night launch, and it didn't happen!

Let me tell you, I had some really sad, upset kiddos! And the drive back to Orlando from Kennedy took hours due to all the traffic leaving the space center. Unfortunately we'll NEVER do it again, but it would have been amazing.
That said, just days after the postponed launch, we were able to catch it while leaving the MK for the TTC on the boat. We were boarding when someone said they saw the shuttle. Unfortunately from that far away, it just looks like a bright orange ball of flames that gets smaller and smaller. We happen to have it on video, and that's really all you see. From that location though, you could see if perfectly.
Hope that helps a little!

starrysky · 10-04-2009, 12:36 PM

we were really lucky to see that last night launch on the 28th of Aug. We were staying at the POFQ and had an amazing view right outside our room in building 6. We had tickets a few years ago to go to kennedy but the launch was cancelled and we were so disappointed. But this time was superb. It was the highlight of an amazing trip.
We had a really good view from where we were and could even see the solid rocket boosters being dropped. So best advice is to either head towards POFQ or downtown are if you don't have a car or just try and head in the direction of kennedy and fine somewhere safe to pull over there will be lots of other people doing the same thing.

AKL_Megs · 10-04-2009, 03:20 PM

If you stand at The American Adventure at World Showcase, and face the walkway towards Italy, you'll have a great view! You'll just need to know EXACTLY when it is going to happen, because it happens FAST!

jennabenna1908 · 10-04-2009, 05:57 PM

When we were there in March, we also did the drive to Kennedy Space Center to see the launch only to have it canceled

but when the launch did go off we were at DTD...it was AMAZING!!! I will remember that moment for the rest of my life...what an awesome way to enjoy a launch being at Disney and all!

MomPOM · 10-04-2009, 10:26 PM

I didn't even think that you'd be able to see it at WDW. How cool! There is a lauch scheduled for when we are planning to go next year and I was going to try and catch it but then I knew it was almost certain that it would be postponed.

Dopey420 · 10-07-2009, 01:01 PM

We saw it from the bridge in between Splash Mountain and the rest of Frontierland.

Goofy's Mom · 10-07-2009, 08:40 PM

We saw a night launch in Dec 06 standing by casey's on mainstreet in MK facing the castle and look towards fantasy land

scjo68 · 10-08-2009, 06:04 PM

We saw it on Aug. 28 from our balcony on the Poly. Bright fiery blaze of Orange. We were surprised we could see it. It was toward the Contemporary from where we were.

momto3boys · 10-09-2009, 05:42 PM

Top of the World at the Contemporary.

BeachClub1292 · 10-24-2009, 03:28 PM

We saw a night launch in Dec. 06 from the Magic Kingdom. We were by splash mountain and a parade was going through and then the sky just lit up and everyone just stopped and watched it was something that I will never forget. Then all of a sudden everyone started cheering it gave me goose bumps seeing something like that. It was a great first night at DW. I think the parade even stoped for a little bit while everyone watched.

10-02-2009, 08:11 PM	#1
Captain Hook Jr Dreaming of Disney. Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 84	Shuttle Launch views from Disneyworld! Hey guys does anyone have any good tips for where in WDW is a good place to watch a shuttle take off? I would be really gratefull for your tips. __________________

10-04-2009, 03:20 PM	#5
AKL_Megs I'd Rather Be At AKL!!! I feel exposed if I'm not covered Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Livonia, MI Posts: 2,744	If you stand at The American Adventure at World Showcase, and face the walkway towards Italy, you'll have a great view! You'll just need to know EXACTLY when it is going to happen, because it happens FAST! __________________ -DH -Me

10-04-2009, 05:57 PM	#6
jennabenna1908 Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: NEW HAVEN, IN (NE INDIANA) Posts: 141	When we were there in March, we also did the drive to Kennedy Space Center to see the launch only to have it canceled but when the launch did go off we were at DTD...it was AMAZING!!! I will remember that moment for the rest of my life...what an awesome way to enjoy a launch being at Disney and all! __________________ Bibbiti Bobbiti Boutique Hostess for CP Spring 2010

10-04-2009, 10:26 PM	#7
MomPOM DIS Veteran Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Des Plaines, IL Posts: 974	I didn't even think that you'd be able to see it at WDW. How cool! There is a lauch scheduled for when we are planning to go next year and I was going to try and catch it but then I knew it was almost certain that it would be postponed. __________________ Jenn 1990s - My First trip - Disney Villas 2007 - Hubby and son's first trip - AKL 2009 - Coronado Springs Feb 2010 - Animal Kingdom Lodge

10-07-2009, 01:01 PM	#8
Dopey420 Mouseketeer Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 459	We saw it from the bridge in between Splash Mountain and the rest of Frontierland. __________________ Soarin' is borin' December 2009- Saratoga Springs, Coronado Springs; April 2009- Boardwalk Villas; October 2008- Boardwalk Villas; July 2008- Dolphin; December 2007- Animal Kingdom Lodge; April 2007- AllStar Music, Saratoga Springs, Pop Century; Oct 2006- AllStar Sports, BWV, POFQ; July 2005- Vero, Boardwalk Inn; Oct 2004- Contemporary Tower; Feb 2004- Coronado Springs; Dec 2003- Radisson Resort Parkway; Oct 2002- Best Western Lake Cecile; Apr 1994- Delta Resort

10-02-2009, 08:30 PM	#2
e6bflyer Earning My Ears Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 39	Any spot clear of trees with a view to the east. I have never seen it from Disney World, but you are close enough to get a decent view (looks like a speck of flame with a huge smoke trail behind it). I used to live about 50 miles away from Canaveral, and I could see it just fine. Hopefully the weather will be good, but then again they usually don't launch in bad wx.

Sponsored Links
DIS ad Register to remove Join Date: 1997 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,000,000+	<div align="center">This information cannot be displayed because your browser does not support inline frames.<a href="http://www.wdwinfo.com">Click Here</a> </div>

10-02-2009, 09:21 PM	#3
doclegler Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sadly...the midwest Posts: 158	2 years ago, we were actually at Kennedy for a night launch, and it didn't happen! Let me tell you, I had some really sad, upset kiddos! And the drive back to Orlando from Kennedy took hours due to all the traffic leaving the space center. Unfortunately we'll NEVER do it again, but it would have been amazing. That said, just days after the postponed launch, we were able to catch it while leaving the MK for the TTC on the boat. We were boarding when someone said they saw the shuttle. Unfortunately from that far away, it just looks like a bright orange ball of flames that gets smaller and smaller. We happen to have it on video, and that's really all you see. From that location though, you could see if perfectly. Hope that helps a little!

10-04-2009, 12:36 PM	#4
starrysky Mouseketeer Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 263	we were really lucky to see that last night launch on the 28th of Aug. We were staying at the POFQ and had an amazing view right outside our room in building 6. We had tickets a few years ago to go to kennedy but the launch was cancelled and we were so disappointed. But this time was superb. It was the highlight of an amazing trip. We had a really good view from where we were and could even see the solid rocket boosters being dropped. So best advice is to either head towards POFQ or downtown are if you don't have a car or just try and head in the direction of kennedy and fine somewhere safe to pull over there will be lots of other people doing the same thing.

10-07-2009, 08:40 PM	#9
Goofy's Mom Goofy's Mom Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Corn Country Posts: 66	We saw a night launch in Dec 06 standing by casey's on mainstreet in MK facing the castle and look towards fantasy land

10-08-2009, 06:04 PM	#10
scjo68 Mouseketeer Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 412	We saw it on Aug. 28 from our balcony on the Poly. Bright fiery blaze of Orange. We were surprised we could see it. It was toward the Contemporary from where we were.

10-09-2009, 05:42 PM	#11
momto3boys Earning My Ears Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Maryland Posts: 28	Top of the World at the Contemporary.

10-24-2009, 03:28 PM	#12
BeachClub1292 Mouseketeer Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 119	We saw a night launch in Dec. 06 from the Magic Kingdom. We were by splash mountain and a parade was going through and then the sky just lit up and everyone just stopped and watched it was something that I will never forget. Then all of a sudden everyone started cheering it gave me goose bumps seeing something like that. It was a great first night at DW. I think the parade even stoped for a little bit while everyone watched. __________________ 92-Beach Club (Christmas and first trip) 95-Caribbean Beach 96-Port Orleans 97-Port Orleans 98-Boardwalk Villas (first as DVC member) 99-Boardwalk Villas 00-Boardwalk Villas 02-All-Star Movies(Braves Spring Training) 02-All-Star Sports 04-All-Star Movies(Braves Spring Training) 05-Boardwalk Villas 08-Saratoga/Boardwalk Villas(12 night split stay in Grand Villas)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
A different view of the Magic Kingdom	MM32830	The DIS Unplugged Podcast	42	10-11-2009 10:42 PM
Can anyone recommend an off-property hotel that has decent shuttle service to Disney?	cschulte	Orlando Hotels and Attractions	4	10-07-2009 04:13 PM
BLT Views by room #?	culli	DVC-Mousecellaneous	13	10-04-2009 08:54 AM
Spectromagic/Wishes Viewing tips	2sets	Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies	7	10-02-2009 08:51 PM
Reservation for rent: AKV Kidani Standard View 10/22-10/25, 3 nights	MMmomto5	DVC-Rent/Trade	4	10-02-2009 05:58 PM