Kennedy Space Center - Ticketed Launch

[PPFQP]

Has anyone ever attended a space shuttle launch at the Kennedy Space Center? We have tickets for the launch in November, and I would really like some information on what to expect. It says we have to be there at 7 am (the launch is scheduled for 2pm or something) and that we may be held there for several hours afterwards. What do we do for all that time? Are there bathrooms? Seats? Food? Drink? Will we be outside the whole time? Is there anywhere to wait inside?

I am very apprehensive about this. It is dh's big dream to do this, so I am going along with it. But I would really like to know what it will be like.
Again, we paid for special tickets to attend the launch - we are not just showing up there. Anyone done this before?

 

[DVCconvert]

Do you have the launch transportation ticket (the one with which you are bused to the causeway) ? Or, viewing from the KSC visitors center?

On launch days all tickets are 'special' as even the visitor's center requires a special admission.

In general, traffic will be horrific. The VC has food, restrooms, seating and attractions. If you're going out onto the causeway the last bus run from the VC (as I recall) is about 2 hours prior to scheduled T-0. On the causeway there is no seating, nor shade, there are portapotties (although they could be a bit of a walk). Launch audio will be provided in both locations.

It's REALLY important to avoid DH's disappoint for you to keep telling him that most launches do not go off at the orginally schedule time, nor often date.

Another option to to view a launch from titusville, or cocoa beach or even port caveral. Several local radio stations will broadcast launch audio which you can listen to.

HTH

 

[jharrowell]

Apart from the tours that are suspended for the day, most of KSC main building is running as normal.

We rode the Space Shuttle experience the day we watched a launch, visited the rocket garden, had B'fast with an astronaught...

If you are off to the causeway, then once you get there, the facilities do get a lot more rustic.

There's temporary stalls set up selling food and souvineers at inflated prices and a load of porta potties (though I'd really advise going before boarding the bus and waiting if you can).

The wait is pretty boring and I was sunburned during the 3 hour wait, but seeing the launch was sooo worth it!

afterwards we hung out at KSC for a couple of hours for the cars to thin out but it still took 3 hours+ to get back to WDW, a real slog to get back.

Long story short (too late!) the waiting around and getting back was a pain, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Have a look at my YouTube link below to get an idea.

 

[jpeppers]

I've been in Orlando for 5 or 6 scheduled launches and only 1 actually happened. We watched that for free on the side of the road just outside of Cocoa Beach and it was free and we probably arrived about an hour prior. It was awesome. There was a ton of traffice from there but it wasn't too bad because the police had shut down the highway for the launch so once you got on the road back to Orlando it was clear sailing. I can't imagine the traffic you would deal with from Kennedy.

 

[PPFQP]

Thanks for the info. We do have the causeway tickets. We do understand that it could be delayed or rescheduled (that would be a blessing, frankly!!)

If we have to be there at 7 am, what time should we leave Orlando? We are staying at Orange Lake.

Thanks for the info. This is dh's dream, but I just don't know if I can cut it. I may offer my ticket to someone who will appreciate it. It's just going to make me miserable.

 

[DVCconvert]

If we have to be there at 7 am, what time should we leave Orlando? We are staying at Orange Lake

personally, I'd plan on 2 hours.

 

[dis-happy]

If you can, stop by Publix and buy the Florida Sunpass. You stick it on your window and it lets you breeze throught a TON of traffic that develops on the toll road for launch day. You have to have computer access though (to go on-line and register it) and you need to do it a day in advance of using it. From WDW it takes us about about one hour to get to KSC, even on launch days.

 

[DVCconvert]

From WDW it takes us about about one hour to get to KSC, even on launch days.

But that time estimate is low in my experience without a sunpass - good suggestion!

 

[Carriemel]

Thanks for the info. We do have the causeway tickets. We do understand that it could be delayed or rescheduled (that would be a blessing, frankly!!)

If we have to be there at 7 am, what time should we leave Orlando? We are staying at Orange Lake.

Thanks for the info. This is dh's dream, but I just don't know if I can cut it. I may offer my ticket to someone who will appreciate it. It's just going to make me miserable.

I think you'll find that the tickets are like Disney tickets - non-transferable.

 

[RabFlmom]

Thanks for the info. We do have the causeway tickets. We do understand that it could be delayed or rescheduled (that would be a blessing, frankly!!)

If we have to be there at 7 am, what time should we leave Orlando? We are staying at Orange Lake.

Thanks for the info. This is dh's dream, but I just don't know if I can cut it. I may offer my ticket to someone who will appreciate it. It's just going to make me miserable.

Wow, I can't believe you can't see the wonder in a launch. It will be awesome. Something you may never see again. It is history in the making. I moved to Florida after seeing my first launch in 1975 and try to get to or at least out in the yard for every launch. Seeing a launch from the minute it lights up is different than seeing it on TV. A few seconds later you will feel the ground shake a little and a huge rumble from the pressure of the launch on the ground. It just might be one of the most awesome sights you will ever see.

Being with the people on the causeway, is a 2 or 3 hour time to relax. You talk to and meet people from everywhere. Sometimes someone is there with a telescope and they let kids and other people look at the moon or planets.

Watch the water for manatees, dolphins, gators, snakes swimming by, etc.

Pack some sun tan lotion, drinks, snacks, something to sit on, your camera, some binoculars, a book, a game, etc. so you have things to do while waiting.

Hopefully it will go up on the scheduled day and on time. There are only 5 of these beautiful launches left, see one while you can.

Actually the VC is really kind of cool, too. They even have an art gallery.

 

[keishashadow]

I've been in Orlando for 5 or 6 scheduled launches and only 1 actually happened. We watched that for free on the side of the road just outside of Cocoa Beach and it was free and we probably arrived about an hour prior. It was awesome. There was a ton of traffice from there but it wasn't too bad because the police had shut down the highway for the launch so once you got on the road back to Orlando it was clear sailing. I can't imagine the traffic you would deal with from Kennedy.

ive lost track of how many trips we've planned around shuttles and never seen one takeoutsafety 1st though

we did get to see a rocket launch over @ jetty park-port canaveral area. We went early, swam in October (water still so warm) then sat in car in parking lot & watched the takeoff. It was crowded but i think we missed most of the traffic on causeway as those folks had already departed when we drove through heading back to orlando...we really enjoyed that afternoon.

 

[Janet Hill]

If you're going to the causeway don't forget that you can take your own chair, food and drink. The options for food and drink at the causeway location are very limited. We took an entire backpack full of water bottles (some frozen and some just cold), and we also took out sandwiches and chips. The kids took along their Nintendo DSs to keep themselves occupied until lauch time.

 

[PPFQP]

If you're going to the causeway don't forget that you can take your own chair, food and drink. The options for food and drink at the causeway location are very limited. We took an entire backpack full of water bottles (some frozen and some just cold), and we also took out sandwiches and chips. The kids took along their Nintendo DSs to keep themselves occupied until lauch time.

Yeah, but we are flying down with carry on-only bags, so we won't have chairs or a cooler or anything. I guess we could buy them and leave them behind when we leave.

Thanks for all the advice and info - keep it coming! I really appreciate. The more we know about what to expect, the better.

 

[MinnieGi]

I really hope it goes off for you as scheduled!! DD, DS & myself tried to see the June 14th or 13th launch this year and then we tried again on the next scheduled day before we left the state of FL. Well it didn't get off the ground until July!! We watched it on TV at home in DE.

But we did visit KSC and that was a nice experience. Enjoy!! I think it would be awesome to see in person!!