Have you ever seen a space shuttle launch?

[dis-happy]

I like Titusville too. And with my super secret parking place I can get there an hour before launch, park, watch the launch with an unobstructed view from the beach, and get out of there quickly before the big traffic jams.

Nothing else is as thrilling as watching the shuttle launch! We've managed to catch 4 or 5 of them now, and have plans to be down there April 5th (or whatever the date ends up being) for the next one. Woo-hoo!

 

[vsimeone]

We watched Atlantis launch back in 1998 from the causeway. My grandparents got us passes. I don't *think* you can go to that location any longer (since 9/11) but it was one of the most awesome experiences of my life! We have a VHS tape of the launch. I'd love to get it converted to DVD some day.

Definately try to do it if you can!

 

[Octoberbride03]

Titusville is awesome. Back in high school I saw a night launch from there with my family. We drove right up to the gate at NASA and the guard said to go there so we did. Wound up at some restaurant, boy was that lucky. no bleachers but plenty of open space and I swear it was a straight line of sight to the shuttle and watch it launch, I still have the pics somewhere, but it was 1989 and pics were taken with a KODAK Disc camera. Who remembers those The pic is terrible now.

 

[crz4mm2]

we were lucky enough to see on in 1989.... We went to cocoa beach.
It was AWESOME!

 

[daemom]

I was asked to reply here...

The area being described above is simply Port Canaveral along 528 and 401, a public area. It is as open to anyone as Titusville, but Titusville is a couple of miles closer and I recommend it for a better view.

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

The place on base that you can buy tickets for (sold out for this one) is the NASA causeway. All locations are described in my guide.

Thanks! While searching for viewing spots I found this site and it's the most informative of any out there.

It's our first, and most likely last chance to see a shuttle launch so we really want a good place to check this out. Several months ago, the "pay" viewing places were already sold out. (Sigh) This is something that most people probably don't get tired of watching! Thanks!

 

[valeriemouse]

I love Cocoa Beach for launches/landings. It's relaxing and cool. It's not a front row seat by any means, but sitting on the beach or on the pier to watch is fun.

 

[stsomewhere]

We were hoping to see a launch in Feb. 09. But, it was canceled .

We did get to see a night launch AUg. 09 on our return to POrt Canveral on DCL.
It was very cool to see.

 

[portocall]

I really miss the shuttle launches. I was born and raised in the area with a lot of relatives that worked on the Cape. Being cancelled is one of the risks, but it is totally worth it to see up close where you can feel the ground rumble. Good luck to you and I hope they don't cancel on you.

 

[CathrynRose]

We saw John Glenn when he went up again (what was that? maybe 98? 99?)

I have to tell you, it was our first full day at Disney and I was kind of annoyed that my mom wanted to go see it.

That being said - I am SO GLAD she said we should. It was truly amazing. People counted down, and as they did you got the chills, you felt the ground shake, you felt the *gasp* of people watching it. Just seriously breathtaking! AWESOME!

I remember looking at it in awe, then looking down and seeing my (he must have been about 3-ish, youngest son) and he was just looking around, because he couldn't see it, and so I picked him up really quick and pointed, and his face. I got the chills just typing it.

Seriously awesome. Don't miss it!

And we did Titusville.


ETA - This was the one we saw: October 29, 1998 on Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-95)

I remember being at Blizzard Beach and hearing it come back in. Everyone looked around, worried - and the lifeguards had to make announcements, "It's the Space Shuttle". And my mom said "Imagine that. We're at Disney, longer than they were in space!"



.

 

[Tinkerbell53]

I saw the first shuttle launch after the Challenger disaster. I was in school in NH when the Challenger exploded. It was a sad day made even sadder because Christa McAuliffe the NH teacher was on board. I can't count how many times we had to watch that. I ended up being in h.s. in Florida when I saw the launch. I was at Cocoa HS and the view was awesome. I remember everyone being very nervous but it sure was a magnificent site to see and it gave me a positive memory of the space shuttle to hold on to. I hope you get a chance to take your kids. It sounds like you have gotten some great advice here on where to view the launch.