Need to get from WDW to Kennedy Space Center... help

[brocklesnar69]

I was doing some research today and found out that there will be a space shuttle launch from Kennedy Space Center during my vacation in Florida. Looks like Discovery is going back up.

I was so excited when I heard they would be launching a shuttle while I was in Florida. I have never seen a lauch, but have always wanted to. Since the Space Shuttles will be retired in 2010, this may be my only chance.

I wont be able to rent a rental car, so that is not an option. I was wondering though, if anyone has any suggestions on how to get from WDW, to Kennedy Space Center, and back (all in one day) for a decent price? I know Taxi's are really expensive, so I dont want to do that. Is there a public bus or something local to WDW that I could take to and from?

It will just be myself and one other person. We would need to get there around 8:30am, then leave maybe around 5:00pm (3pm-7pm).

Thanks for any help!

 

[a1tinkfans]

Try the LINX bus system which runs from the transportation hub at MK area....Go to their online site to check if they can get you there????



Good Luck, never did that but did take them to Sea World and it was cheap and very efficient.

By the way, we were lucky to be in a PARK bus at night on way back to POR when the shuttle was overhead, the bus driver told everyone to look upwards, that was AMAZING to see!!!!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

WDW to Kennedy is about 60 - 70 miles from Disney...over an hour drive...just as a FYI.

 

[Edd]

The only way to get over there from WDW to KSC is rental car or car service. You don't want to rent a car and there is no car service that wants to fight that traffic over there the same day and back. I would suggest you see if you can get a reservation at the Raddison or Country Inn Suites in Cocoa Beach the day before the launch and leave the day after the launch. Maybe begin your vacation at WDW the day after the launch so you can see the shuttle go up. That is the only way you will be able to find a decent price for car service to see the launch.

 

[goofy4tink]

If you can't rent a car, you may be out of luck. The traffic, in the surrounding KSC area, is a nightmare of launch day. Traffic is backed up, or at a standstill, for miles before you get to Canaveral!!! I have always wanted to see a launch, up close and personal, but have made do with watching two of them from WDW. It just isn't worth the trouble and aggravation of getting to KSC.

 

[loveswdw]

goofy4tink is right. The traffic is a nightmare! We tried to get over for a shuttle launch several trips ago and got caught in the clog. Not fun. We ended up on the Beeline Expwy between Orlando and the Space Coast when it was time for the shuttle launch (called a friend and got the NASA channel on the car radio so we could at least listen). We heard the countdown start so we pulled off the side of the road, like a ton of other cars. We did see the shuttle fly up, go above the trees and up through the clouds. REALLY COOL!

Be aware that if you are only renting a car for the shuttle launch specificially you may be disappointed. Rarely it seems, does the shuttle actually launch on schedule. We always rent a car so we have one handy. In all our trips to Florida for the last 10 years, we've only seen the shuttle launch that one time. About 4 years back we drove over to near Cocoa Beach and parked at a city park that was supposed to have a great view (recommendation from our friends who live on Merritt Island). We got there and waited...and waited...and waited. Well, no launch. Scrubbed at the last minute. So back to WDW.

If you really, really must see a launch, rent a car and go over REALLY early that morning. You may be wasting a day but you may just get lucky and see one too. Its always a crap shoot. Watch the weather all week and the wind conditions. Good luck!!

 

[bookwormde]

We are going up to view the Endeavour launch from A1A on June 13 at 7:17AM. We rented a minivan (6 of us going up) since that was the only practical way I could figure out to get there.

bookwormde

 

[OhMari]

If you can't rent a car, you may be out of luck. The traffic, in the surrounding KSC area, is a nightmare of launch day. Traffic is backed up, or at a standstill, for miles before you get to Canaveral!!! I have always wanted to see a launch, up close and personal, but have made do with watching two of them from WDW. It just isn't worth the trouble and aggravation of getting to KSC.

My older sons loved it.
It did take us 2 hours to get back.
We figured the hold-up was the toll-booths.
You could rent a car from on-site for the day.
My sons still talk about it and said it was something worth seeing in your lifetime.

 

[Lewisc]

The only way to get over there from WDW to KSC is rental car or car service. You don't want to rent a car and there is no car service that wants to fight that traffic over there the same day and back. I would suggest you see if you can get a reservation at the Raddison or Country Inn Suites in Cocoa Beach the day before the launch and leave the day after the launch. Maybe begin your vacation at WDW the day after the launch so you can see the shuttle go up. That is the only way you will be able to find a decent price for car service to see the launch.

I assume at least some of the people who say renting a car is out of the question either don't have a drivers license or have enough tickets/accidents on their DMV record to making renting a car impossible.

I'd think at least one car service might accomodate this situation but would charge an hourly rate, maybe + tolls + miles, similar to what they would charge for a "night on the town". My guess is you'd be looking at over $500.

A rental car is the only economical way to do it.

 

[Endeavour105]

I was doing some research today and found out that there will be a space shuttle launch from Kennedy Space Center during my vacation in Florida. Looks like Discovery is going back up.

I was so excited when I heard they would be launching a shuttle while I was in Florida. I have never seen a lauch, but have always wanted to. Since the Space Shuttles will be retired in 2010, this may be my only chance.

I wont be able to rent a rental car, so that is not an option. I was wondering though, if anyone has any suggestions on how to get from WDW, to Kennedy Space Center, and back (all in one day) for a decent price? I know Taxi's are really expensive, so I dont want to do that. Is there a public bus or something local to WDW that I could take to and from?

It will just be myself and one other person. We would need to get there around 8:30am, then leave maybe around 5:00pm (3pm-7pm).

Thanks for any help!

Define "decent price"...

forget about the LYNX bus system as LYNX does not go to the east coast.

Rental cars are not your only option.

Check out http://www.gatortours.com/MAIN.asp

They have buses going to the KSC for launch viewing on the NASA Causeway...for about $120+- per person. They sell out early.

Their pickup point is usually at the Crossroads Plaza on Rt 535 across from the Hotel Plaza Blvd. that accesses DTD. It is your responsibility to get to/from the pickup point.

 

[goofy4tink]

My older sons loved it.
It did take us 2 hours to get back.
We figured the hold-up was the toll-booths.
You could rent a car from on-site for the day.
My sons still talk about it and said it was something worth seeing in your lifetime.

Oh, don't get me wrong...it is a once in a lifetime thing to see. I wish I could have made it over to Cocoa Beach to see a launch. When we were there in '06, they moved the launch a few times...just missed being in Cocoa Beach for the launch, by two days. We were there for a day or two before our cruise.

My only issue is that most people think they can driver over, watch the shuttle launch and then drive right back. With no traffic at all, the drive is an hour. Add the traffic, all the cars parked along the roadways, and it takes a huge amount of time. And a lot of people don't want to give up that day at WDW.
If you can make it over to a launch, and you can budget in a day to do it, fine, go for it. But it isn't a half day type thing. It is hugely time consuming.

 

[brocklesnar69]

Thanks for all the great feedback!

Renting a car would be nice, but I think you have to be 25 to do so. Im not quite there yet.

With the launches being such a crapshoot, I guess... ... I might aswell just stay at WDW and not waste a whole day on a "chance" of seeing a launch or not.

So, if I do end up staying at WDW and not trying to get over to KSC, where would be a good spot at WDW to see the shuttle? I know it's supposed to launch around 9:30am, so that day I would definatly try to be at a certain location for viewing. Any suggestions?

 

[a1tinkfans]

Just wanted to pop back on, It was me that mentioned Lynx...sorry that was a no go, what a shame..... but i KNEW others would chime in for ya.



We just got lucky when we saw it.........I imagine others will jump in again with their "perfect spot"
Good Luck!!

 

[OhMari]

Oh, don't get me wrong...it is a once in a lifetime thing to see. I wish I could have made it over to Cocoa Beach to see a launch. When we were there in '06, they moved the launch a few times...just missed being in Cocoa Beach for the launch, by two days. We were there for a day or two before our cruise.

My only issue is that most people think they can driver over, watch the shuttle launch and then drive right back. With no traffic at all, the drive is an hour. Add the traffic, all the cars parked along the roadways, and it takes a huge amount of time. And a lot of people don't want to give up that day at WDW.
If you can make it over to a launch, and you can budget in a day to do it, fine, go for it. But it isn't a half day type thing. It is hugely time consuming.

I totally agree with you.
We planned this day to be off site.
We did the Boggie Creek Air boat ride, drove over to Cocoa Beach and we were at our area by 3:30 p.m. for a 8:00 p.m. launch. Luckily Matt walked next door to a resort, and they had a hamburger stand selling hamburgers. There is not to much for resturants over on the coast.
I don't think I would of done it, if my kids were small, they would of been bored to death. My sons are 21 and 26 and they flew in for the weekend and they didn't want to do any Disney Parks, LOL. The next day we drove down to Homestead for the Nascar Race.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Thanks for all the great feedback!

Renting a car would be nice, but I think you have to be 25 to do so. Im not quite there yet.

There are many rental companies that rent to the under 25 crowd with either no surcharge or a minimal one.