Shuttle Launch VIP/Regular

[stba2006]

Could any-one please tell me the difference between the VIP and regular shuttle launch. I'm guessing the main difference is the viewing area, but I'm sure that I read some-where a while ago that on the VIP launch you are restricted as to where you can go once you have gone through security. I thinkthis information was on the kennedy space centre site, but can't find it now.

Does any-one have any experiences they can share of either of these 2 ticket types for the launch.

 

[safetymom]

If you have a VIP pass they will take you by bus out to the launch viewing area.

The regular would be likely be at the KSC visitor center.

 

[bearzabout]

I just booked the regular shuttle launch tickets. We will see the launch from the visitor center, which means we won't see the shuttle on the pad. We will see it 2-3 seconds after launch.

I was told the VIP tickets sell out within minutes. These people take a bus to some causeway.

Personally, I think it will be more fun to hang out at the visitor center for hours before the launch but will definately regret not seeing it lift off from the launch pad.

If you decide to go, consider annual passes. Launch tickets are deeply discounted (about 50% off) for pass holders. Plan on calling the minute the phone lines open for VIP tickets. Regular tickets will also sell out at least 1 month ahead of time.

 

[Janet Hill]

If you are ever considering going to a launch, it's best to buy the annual pass prior. They keep back some of the causeway tickets for annual passholders.

The last launch we went to the regular causeway tickets were sold out when I got through (about 30 minutes after they went on sale), but since we had annual passes we were still able to get the "good" tickets.

We've viewed from both the visitor's center and from the causeway. The causeway is certainly a great view and much more exciting than the visitor's center. That said if I had never been before, I would still opt for the visitor's center over not going at all (which is what we did for our first launch).

 

[dis-happy]

We had a great view from Titusville....could see (unobstructed) the Shuttle on the launch pad, then watched it go up and up and up with everyone around us cheering. Plus, it was free! My main concern about buying KSC tickets (which I tried to do once but couldn't get any) is the last minute changes to the launch schedule. One year we planned to head down but couldn't due to company...everything was a "go" until just a few hours before launch time. If you want to spend the day there anyway, no problem, but if you're only going for the launch it's something to think about. They already changed the coming Nov. date by 2 days. But I hope you get to see it! It's the best thing we every did!!

 

[Belle1962]

Where in Titusville were you?