July Shuttle launch?

[englishman]

I'll be at the PBH during the shuttle launch window & this got me thinking....
Can you see the launch plume from Universal?

In April 2002 I was on the Grand Floridian 'beach' at WDW & saw a launch.
About a 100 guests were all lined up looking across the lake for a sight.
I'll never forget seeing the yellow dot of a flame high up as it broke clouds & the white plume below. We all cheered & I filmed it. Being born in the year of Gagarins flight, I've always been a space nut !

 

[Nellas Elensar]

when is the launch window?

 

[3kids1cat]

july 13 thru 31

 

[Editoria]

I haven't witnessed a launch from there, so others might better be able to give us tips. I did a bit of online research, and here's my best guess:

The launches go up from Cape Canaveral, and the exhaust plume is visible even from my hometown on the other side of the state. The Orlando area is just about due west of the cape, so facing east at launch time should work, assuming the skies are clear and the buildings aren't too tall.

The next question is which way is east when in USF or IOA. The maps are based from the entrance to each park, and this seems to have you facing west. The northernmost ride looks to be MIB in USF, and Toon Lagoon in IOA marks the southernmost area.

(If I have my cardinal directions correct,) I'd try to stand in the park area in USF near the water, outside the dining area for Richter Burger perhaps, looking over the buildings on the other side such as Animal Planet Live; or the Jurassic Park section of IOA that overlooks the water, looking toward the port of entry. If in CityWalk, try for the walkway outside the Hard Rock Cafe, again looking over the water toward the outdoor stage area or above the parking structures.

The plumes that mark the launches aren't immediately visible. It takes a minute or three before you can see them. For those who don't know what to look for, it's like a vertical contrail from a jet, or the tail of a fireworks rocket. The shuttle itself won't be visible, only the flame and smoke it leaves behind as it climbs into orbit. It should be visible day or night, if there's sparse cloud cover.

Any shuttle enthusiasts out there who can provide better details, please?

 

[englishman]

Wow Editoria,
That was a superb post. Three viewing points to choose from!
Perhaps a shuttle gurlu will confirm.
Thanks guys.

 

[Motherfletcher]

FRom PBH it would be from the villa pool side looking away from the building. Or the best place would be the window by the spa elevators on the 6th floor.

 

[englishman]

Thanks Motherfletcher.