Can you see the Space Shuttle from WDW?

[lovethattink]

We watch the launch from our TV, then hurry out to our driveway. We have a perfect view of it shooting across our neighborhood.

 

[asburyjukes]

Many years ago, my in-laws were living in Fort Myers. There was a night time launch of the shuttle. My father-in-law went on and on (and on and on) about how amazing it was. It actually because kind of a joke to my husband and myself.

Fast forward a few years. My fil is now deceased and I'm in WDW with a friend. We are watching the fireworks at MVMCP. During the fireworks, the shuttle lifted off. We were standing in front of the castle, watching the fireworks and the shuttle. It was quite magical. My friend has a video of the whole thing. I immediately called my husband and told him that his dad was right about how amazing it was and how I now understood why his dad went on and on about it.

Debbie

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I do not believe a time (or even the date) has been announced yet. Yes, the launch window is July 13 - July 31. It will be a day launch (NASA will be videotaping the launch to check for debris hitting the shuttle and for any possible damage cuased during launch). Day launches will be the norm for the time being.

 

[ibleedblue]

In 1997 (I think) we were taking the monorail over to Epcot and saw a shuttle launch then. Like everyone said, it was just a streak of smoke and flame. In March 2001 I was lucky enough to be able to attend a launch at KSC. That was a truely awesome experience.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

This is just something interesting I wanted to share, that not many people know about. NASA has to be ready to launch a second shuttle in a time frame of under two months if for some reason Discovery is damaged during launch and repairs can't be made. The Astronauts would stay in the ISS until such time as the rescue mission shuttle can get there. So in reality NASA is processing and readying two launch vehicles.

 

[nhmomx2]

We saw a shuttle launch on our honeymoon. We got up about 7am and went to on opening on one of the bridges at CBR. There was a bunch of us there. Someone had a Walkman and was listening to the countdown. We were all looking in different directions until someone saw it. It was a goosebump moment for sure! We could see the plumes and a small ball of fire...but it was everyone counting down that was cool!!

 

[civileng68]

It can be seen EASILY from Disney. In fact at night it can be seen on the west coast of Florida depending on the skies.

In the day it looks like a big streak of smoking going up. At night you can even see the flames.

it can be seen very easy and easy enough to even come out well on photos, of which I HAVE SEEN of the launch.

 

[Bride In The Attic]

We were at EPCOT one night and they made an announcement before Illuminations that they would be staying open late so that we could all watch the shuttle. It was so cool - right around 10:00 we saw it and you could just hear the oohs and aahhhs of the many of us that stayed to watch. I had never seen the shuttle before and even though it was just a little burst of light in the sky there was something really special about witnessing something like that in one of my favorite place in the world....I'll never forget it!

 

[cascarlet]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I wouldn't expect that we would see it up close or anything from WDW, but I thought we might see something. I think we'll bring binoculars for better viewing. We are leaving on the 14th so I think we probably will not see anything since I doubt it will take off on the first day, there always seems to be delays. I did see somewhere that the lauch is scheduled for 3:50pm on 7/13.

Interestingly enough, back several years ago we were in Disneyland on the day that the Columbia crashed. The photo below is what I took of the flag at half mass on Main St. There was a streak across the sky behind the flag. I don't know if it was from the Columbia, but it did fly over California when the trouble started.

When we were in the hotel getting ready to go to the park, my kids were watching tv and they were talking about the shuttle, I thought it was because it was the anniversary of the Challenger, not because it was happening again. It took me a few minutes to realize what was going on.

Marianne

 

[Reyasmom]

I do not believe a time (or even the date) has been announced yet. Yes, the launch window is July 13 - July 31.

OMGosh, We were thinking of taking DD to Kenedy Space Center while we're in FL. How freakin cool would that be?! We're threre from the 15th - 21st.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Just as an update: The two-day Flight Readiness Review begins today at Kennedy Space Center. During the meetings, shuttle managers will go over all technical and safety issues to determine whether Discovery is safe and ready to launch. At the conclusion of the conference Thursday, the space agency aims to announce a firm launch date between July 13 and July 31.


There are still tickets available to watch the launch from the Astronaut Hall of Fame. Unfortunately viewing tickets for right on-site at KSC are all sold out.

Info can be found here: http://www.ksctickets.com/ltt.html
Of course you can view it from the beaches for free.

 

[ZIPBAGS]

Can anyone who has pics of the launch(as seen from WDW) post them here for all to see?

 

[nowellsl]

I've seen them from my house!

 

[DisFlan]

My DS was in the College Program in 2000. He was working at the Emporium in the MK near Christmas when there was a night launch. He'd stepped outside on Main Street to take a peak at the fireworks and saw the shuttle rising brightly from the middle of a spectacular multiburst of color. The music of "When You Wish Upon A Star" soared as the shuttle rose higher, framed within shooting-star spears of fireworks. The timing couldn't have been better. He said it was a breathtaking, goosebumps moments that he'll never forget.

He later had people ask if it had been part of the show! He said he was tempted to say, "Yes, NASA synched their launch with our special Christmas fireworks."

DisFlan

 

[MMfan101]

I am going to WDW in a week and 2 days is there suppose to be a launch then?

 

[ibleedblue]

I am going to WDW in a week and 2 days is there suppose to be a launch then?

No. The launch window doesn't open till July 13th. A definitive date and time for this launch haven't been set yet. If it goes in July it'll have to be some time between the 13th-31st. The next launch window isn't until September, so I'm sure NASA is doing everything in their power to fly in July.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

No. The launch window doesn't open till July 13th. A definitive date and time for this launch haven't been set yet. If it goes in July it'll have to be some time between the 13th-31st. The next launch window isn't until September, so I'm sure NASA is doing everything in their power to fly in July.

Only if it is deemed safe. We will know tomorrow! Of course Michael Griffin already said it is a go for July.

Oh and there is a Delta 4 Rocket launch with a window of July 15-July 31. Of course that will depend on the Shuttle launch schedule.

There is also a Delta 2 Rocket launch scheduled for July 29, but that will be around 4:00 in the morning.