Viewing rocket launch near HS

[Scarlet_J]

Doesn’t anyone know if you can see rocket launches from in or near HS? We will be there in the morning hoping to get a RotR boarding group and the launch is scheduled for around 9:30am. I was wondering if we might be able to see something from there. We could possibly leave the park as long as there was someplace near by. If we have to go far, we likely wouldn’t make it on time.

 

[Robo]

Look in the sky to the east.
The main problem in DHS is that the tree line and buildings can be rather high in relation to most guest areas.

I'd step out of the park and head to the edge of the parking lot (The side closest to the park entrance.)
The parking lot is spread out mostly east of the park, so look to the sky over the lot.
(Avoid any overhead rooflines and the like.)
You will be able to return to the park after you watch the flight.
You'd need to go through security if you have any bags.

 

[2012Figment]

I saw a shuttle launch a few years back. I was standing on the steps to the entrance of what at the time was American Idol (now Frozen Sing Along). The launch was visible looking back in the direction of Indiana Jones.

 

[DWillowBay]

I saw the final Shuttle launch from the area between UK and Canada in EPCOT. It was stunning!

 

[1SickPupe]

When we were there in December we saw a rocket launch from our balcony at BWV. If you are at the HS I would suggest you look towards the Swan & Dolphin to start with. It should be basically in that direction.

 

[Robo]

When we were there in December we saw a rocket launch from our balcony at BWV. If you are at the HS I would suggest you look towards the Swan & Dolphin to start with. It should be basically in that direction.

The Swan and Dolphin are nearly due NORTH of DHS.

If the launch is from the Kennedy Space Center, that would be about due EAST of DHS (and the rest of WDW.)

 

[winthropf]

This was a shuttle launch in 2010. I was in front of what is now MMRR and under the sorcerer Mickey hat looking towards the Dockside Diner/Echo Lake.

 

[Scarlet_J]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their responses. Unfortunately, the launch never happened. We were actually in Kennedy Space Center for the initial day it was supposed to launch, but it was rescheduled after we had our trip planned. Then it was postponed from our HS day. Then the next morning, we tried to watch from POFQ. We had a clear view by the river, but the launch was aborted at the last second. Maybe one day....

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Kinda off topic but I’ll never forget once while staying in the treehouses we heArd the loudest sonic boom we’ve ever heard. Turns out there was a launch we didn’t know about. It was crazy

 

[Robo]

I was the TV camera videographer chosen for this particular assignment by the GM of the TV station for which I was working at that time...
when the very first Space Shuttle was to launch.
Many local officials (along with the GM of our TV station... and me) flew down to Florida on a full-size commercial jetliner that had been chartered by a local "millionaire philanthropist."
I carried with me a very large and heavy shoulder-mount "Mini-Cam" (video camera) and an even heavier 3/4" tape cassette video recorder (camcorders had not been invented yet,) microphones, a gaggle of necessary cables, and very, very heavy pile of "portable" battery belts to power it all.

We all stayed overnight at a FL hotel, then got up VERY early the next the morning and were charter bussed to the launch with a Highway Patrol escort.
We all waited for a several hours, then... YUP, the launch was cancelled.
We all bussed back to the airport (the jet had to go back into regular service...) and we all flew home.
No shuttle launch seen.
Ah, well.

 

[Wild4Walt]

Back in 1997, I saw it from Epcot. It's not super clear but you'll know what it is and it's pretty cool.