Need space shuttle launch advice-UPDATE 3/11-POST 27-PAGE 2

[jekjones1558]

I have always wanted to see a shuttle launch. The next launch is scheduled during my March trip. I didn't realize until today that viewing tickets are available from the Kennedy Space Center, but the ones from the bridge are sold out and only the ones from the visitor center are available. Has anyone seen a launch from the visitor center? Is it worth going there or am I just as well off trying to find a spot somewhere on a road outside the complex?

 

[dianeschlicht]

We tried to a few years ago, but after sitting in traffic trying to get there, we gave up and went bact to WDW! We have seen two launches very well from WDW property. One from the roof of the CR, and one from the end of mainstreet in front of the castle at night.

 

[jekjones1558]

I did see a launch from Crescent Lake last year, but I was hoping to get closer. The tickets I would buy have a clearance to get into the complex, but hearing that traffic is such a problem I guess we would need to arrive REALLY early to even reach the complex?!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

I would love to see a launch. The only two times when my vacation schedule and the launch schedule coincided the launches were delayed. If I could just see it from like Cocoa beach I would be happy. I think the traffic does get real crazy hours before a launch. Whatever you decide I wish you luck.

 

[OlderMan]

If you want to get close, there are parks in Titusville--crowded on launch days, though. You might try the Cocoa Beach Pier area. It's farther south, but you have a great view.

I don't remember, but isn't the March shuttle supposed to be launched around 2:00 or 3:00 AM?

 

[jekjones1558]

isn't the March shuttle supposed to be launched around 2:00 or 3:00 AM

Yes. As of now, it is scheduled for about 2:30 a.m. I assume the darkness would have an impact on visibility from various spots?? I was hoping that the visitor center might be close enough to still have a relatively decent view? But maybe I am being overly optimistic--and the tickets are $38 each, non-refundable. If it is rescheduled for a date after we leave for home, I lose. I am willing to risk it if my view would be okay from visitor center. Anyone seen one in the dark from there?

 

[disney dumbo]

December 2006 we saw a launch from the monorail platform at Epcot. It was a night launch... fun to see! I think we may could have seen it better from the center of the parking lot... further away from trees.

Good luck!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Yes. As of now, it is scheduled for about 2:30 a.m. I assume the darkness would have an impact on visibility from various spots?? I was hoping that the visitor center might be close enough to still have a relatively decent view? But maybe I am being overly optimistic--and the tickets are $38 each, non-refundable. If it is rescheduled for a date after we leave for home, I lose. I am willing to risk it if my view would be okay from visitor center. Anyone seen one in the dark from there?

We saw the first night launch from MK December '06, and it was still spectacular even from the front of the castle. They even delayed the start of Wishes for it.

 

[OlderMan]

I'm south of KSC by about 15-20 miles.

I watch the launches from my front stoop.

Like I said, above, try the Cocoa Beach/Cocoa Beach Pier area. You'll have a great view from the beach.

It's FREE, too!

 

[Inkmahm]

I would never buy tickets. The launch could easily be postponed. Not just days, but months! I think the one that was supposed to be there when we were there in Dec 07 finally launched earlier this month. That would be a long time to wait.

Launch schedules just aren't reliable enough.

p.s. We were just getting on the pontoon boat to go watch Illuminations at Epcot in Dec 2006 when the shuttle launched. It was a very cool site to see.

 

[irishbacker92]

I am not sure if it is the launch you need, but ther are listings on ebay for tickets for the launch (6miles from the launch pad). You may want to check it out and see if it is what you want to do. I really don't know anything about it.
Good Luck

 

[groverdog]

We saw a launch once from Vero. It was a night launch and I have to say it was a high point in my life. It was just stunning and brought tears to my eyes. And I wasn't alone, there were tears everywhere. It was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. So I guess I'm saying the closer you can get, the better. It was so much better than watching from WDW. Not even close, really.

 

[donmil723]

We saw a rocket launch (not the shuttle) from Cocoa Beach the night before our 1st DCL cruise. It looked just like you see on tv but it was awesome to see it live and to be so close. We got some great pictures.

 

[BroganMc]

We saw the first night launch from MK December '06, and it was still spectacular even from the front of the castle. They even delayed the start of Wishes for it.

I saw that one too, from the Frontierland side of the Castle circle. It was awesome!

Now I wouldn't bother with driving out to Cape Canaveral and buying tickets. Just keep a radio handy and monitor the day of the launch. You'll see it if you're outside looking up.

Seeing the shuttle shoot over Cindy's castle like Tinkerbelle flies was the perfect view. I only wish I'd had my camera out at the time (not that the photo would have come out).

 

[jekjones1558]

There surely were a lot of us who saw that Dec. 2006 launch from WDW!
Thanks for all of the input. Since (at least at this point) the March launch is scheduled for 2:30 a.m. I am leaning towards driving to Cocoa Beach and hoping that there won't be too many other crazy people at that hour clogging up the roads. I'll do some googling and see which places near Cocoa Beach people have used. Of course this is all predicated on the assumption that my girlfriend is game to go!

 

[rbuzzotta]

We drove over to Space View Park this past summer to see the shuttle take off. We were about 15 or so miles from the launch pad with nothing but ocean in front of us!! We left OKW about 1 hour before lauch time and surprisingly got a parking spot, sat our butts done and the shuttle took off 15 minutes later!!! (I think we were lucky). We did not hit traffic at all coming or going. Try doing a web search for Space View Park and see. It was great. OUr friends stayed back at OKW and climbed on top of the castle slide and watched from there.

 

[jekjones1558]

This is great info, rbuzzotta! Thanks!

 

[BPCooper]

I have always wanted to see a shuttle launch. The next launch is scheduled during my March trip. I didn't realize until today that viewing tickets are available from the Kennedy Space Center, but the ones from the bridge are sold out and only the ones from the visitor center are available. Has anyone seen a launch from the visitor center? Is it worth going there or am I just as well off trying to find a spot somewhere on a road outside the complex?

My recommendation for a night launch is Titusville over the visitors complex. The water increases the drama threefold.

I'm not sure I understand your questions about it not being visible in the dark. Night launches are ten times more spectacular than day launches. I think, perhaps, you won't realize how bright it is until you see it launch It is nothing like it seems on TV or in photos. They cannot capture the brightness and candlepower that it puts out. It literally lights up the entire sky. (Although this is a super wide angle photo, which makes it look small and far away, this gives a hint at what it is like).

So, I 100% recommend Titusville (and not Cocoa Beach which is farther and offers no view of the launch pad).

Titusville, where most people go (because of the close location and view), has a clear view across the water to Launch Pad 39A, which will be bathed in powerful xenon spotlights and easy to see.

Hope this helps.

 

[BPCooper]

NASA Gives "Go" for Space Shuttle Launch on March 11

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA senior managers completed a review Friday of space shuttle Endeavour's readiness for flight and selected March 11 as the official launch date for the STS-123 mission. Commander Dominic Gorie and his six crewmates are scheduled to lift off to the International Space Station at 2:28 a.m. EDT.

 

[jekjones1558]

Okay, Ben. Now you really have me pumped. I am bringing DH's GPS to try to get myself to Titusville and hope that I do not get too hung up in traffic. I am not good at directions and am hopeless in the dark. I know that missions can be postponed for lots of reasons, but it surely would be awesome if this all works out for me. Many thanks for all of your help!