Congressional VIP launch viewing location?

[WDWDeb]

I have just found out today that we are lucky enough to have received Congressional VIP viewing tickets for the Nov. 1 Shuttle launch (requested them in January.) Does anyone know where the viewing location is for these tickets? I have searched online and found that some say it is from the NASA causeway (which are like the tickets you can purchase from KSC and tour companies) and some say it is the Banana River viewing location next to the Saturn V building. I thought the Banana River location next to the Saturn V building was for families/friends of the astronauts. Either way, we are thrilled to be going!...but if anyone has recently been on a VIP pass, I would be curious to know where the viewing location is?

 

[vicki_c]

I don't know the answer but we will be there too!

I will have to follow your thread to see what you find out - maybe we will see you there (we have causeway tix).

PS - I did a quick Google search and the first hit I came to said Banana River - not sure if you saw this same info already or not.
4.) The Banana River Viewing Site
The Banana River Viewing Site is where the friends and families of astronauts and Congressional visitors get to view a space shuttle launch.

Write to your local Congress member or write some fan mail to a few astronauts and see if you can get an invitation.

This area has a building with a cafeteria, gift shop, restrooms, and a small museum. Many of the press photos of shuttle launches are from the Banana River viewing site.

You will get an amazing view, but keep in mind that the photos you see are often by professionals are using professional cameras and lenses. The shuttle may look smaller when you are actually there.

 

[WDWDeb]

Great!! Let's hope for good weather!

Thanks for posting the information you found. I am hoping someone can confirm if that is the location.

 

[allgoodgifts]

I'm guessing you'll be at Banana River. I've seen a launch from there, and I'm not related to any astronauts or congressmen. I did have an experiment on the mission, though.

A couple of things. Often the invitation includes a tour sometime before the launch (at least, mine did), and these tours are very worthwhile. Instead of the professional tour guides they bring in actual engineers. They gave us an overview briefing and then drove us around on buses to see the launch sites, etc.

Sometimes some of the vendors hold a reception in the "museum" after the launch. At ours, anyone at the VIP site could attend.

Remember that launches can be postponed or called off at any point. Mine was scrubbed seconds before launch on the first try. (It went on the second try. ) This launch is going to the space station, so it will have a relatively small launch window.

And finally, Banana River is a great viewing site, but remember you will still be MILES away from the launch pad. I could cover the shuttle entirely with my thumb held at arm's length. The pictures you see are done with telephoto lenses, so don't expect to be that close. You probably wouldn't want to be that close, anyway!

 

[Tinkerkell007]

Wow, you are very lucky! I can't even tell you how badly I want to be going with you! LOL I believe the VIP area is right where the Saturn V/Apollo building is. I got to see a launch from the Visitors complex, it was amazing to see it from there so I can't even imagine seeing it closer! Have a GREAT time!

 

[WDWDeb]

Yes, we are so thrilled. There is something amazing about this story too. We signed up for the lottery to try to buy tickets to the launch. We were so excited when we found out we were selected in the lottery to purchase tickets that went online Thurs 8/26 at 9:00am. We were at the Outer Banks in NC that week and a mandatory evacuation was ordered for that Thursday because of approaching hurricane Earl. Because of traffic and risk of not being able to get off the island if we left later, etc, we left for the mainland before 900am. I tried for over an hour to use my Blackberry (yes, I was a passenger and not trying to do this while driving!!!) to access the site and it never worked. By the time we got home to our computer, the causeway tickets were sold out. We were so disappointed at the missed opportunity considering we had been so lucky to have the chance through the lottery. Then, came the news last week that we got the VIP tickets that I never thought we would get. It is amazing how things work out.... We are thrilled!!!!

 

[Tinkerkell007]

Aww, you were very lucky! I heard people entered the lotto, won the chance to buy but there were NO tickets of any kind left. I entered as well as my family and boyfriend and did not get picked. Maybe next time.

ENJOY YOU TRIP!

 

[Johneo]

Hi! Looking for info on STS-133 and joined this site and thread.

I'm supposed to be getting a VIP ticket from my Congressman for the launch November 1st. I had sent an email in May asking for a ticket to STS-132 launch but never heard back. Drove down and watched it from Titusville. Great show but it was 13 miles away. When I got home a week later my Congressman's office called asking if I wanted a ticket to STS-133 for September. They then called me letting me know it had been resheduled for November 1st. Told me I was at the top of his list!

Getting nervous now because I'm hoping it will arrive soon so I can plan my trip. Starting to feel like a kid waiting for Santa!!!

My understanding is the viewing area is about 3 miles away from the launch site. That sure beats looking across 13 miles on a hot day as it was in May.

 

[darwinless]

We have been wait listed for vip tickets to the april 19th flight. Are all you guys going tomorrow?

 

[amylia403]

We are on the wait list for April 19th too. The assistant to the Congresswoman said she thought the passes were for the causway, but wasn't sure. Anyone that has recieved the passes, were you at Banana Creek (by the Apollo building) or on the NASA causeway?

 

[BensDaddy]

We are headed down with congressional passes in July for the final launch - STS 135 - Alantis.

Any one have any information or advice for congressional guests. i/e Where is it (Saturn building or NASA causeway), what to bring, etc.

Thanks in advance! Hope it goes on time. We're flying down from Arkansas to see it.

 

[twooley2]

We were told we would be sent the itinerary a week before the launch for the congressional VIP and where to meet but we did not need tickets as we are on a list. Does this sound right?

 

[DVCconvert]

I suspect you'll be on the causeway - which is a great view

 

[BensDaddy]

Yes, looks like it is the causeway. We're planning on bringing in as much H2O as possible and some food for the 5 year old in our lives (they said to plan on a few hours on the bus to get back to the car after the launch due to traffic -- which takes us right through his lunch time)

Looking forward to it, but worried about the sun/heat for our little guy on the causeway.

 

[BensDaddy]

Watching the L-2 mission briefing right now. Looks like about a 40% chance for a launch on Friday morning at 11:26am due to forecast weather that violates launch criteria. If they scrub they can reset for a Sunday morning launch when chances are a little bit better.