Space Shuttle Launch

[ihoward]

My husband really would like to see the Nov. 1st launch of the space shuttle. I have been doing a little research and it seems that there are two companies that do excursions from Orlando: Florida Dolphin Tours and Gray Line. Does anybody have any experience with these two companies and can recommend one over the other? Thanks in advance.

 

[Diskdoctor]

November 1st is our last day in Orlando. That's unfortunate timing.

 

[dis-happy]

Oh, stay another day!!! My whole family is travelling down just to see the launch. So worth it!!! We can't wait. I teach ESL to refugees and at last night's class they got a whole lesson about space, from the planets and stars to the first moonwalk to what it's like to be in space. Every single one has promised to watch the Nov. 1st launch on television.

 

[fuzzyjelly]

I just managed to buy 2 VIP causeway tickets through Gator. I've heard very good things about them. They are a Grey Line company and are honest. The website is very slow right now, but there are still tickets left. $115 for each adult.

I can't wait!

 

[ihoward]

Oh no! The VIP tickets are already sold out. Does anybody know anything about the regular viewing tickets? Are they any good? I really don't want to spend $95 dollars if you can't see anything.

 

[Pineapple Whip]

Oh no! The VIP tickets are already sold out. Does anybody know anything about the regular viewing tickets? Are they any good? I really don't want to spend $95 dollars if you can't see anything.

Google the best viewing sites, rent a car and a GPS for less than $95, and have fun with the money you save.

Even if you're in the "back row" of a viewing site, the action is far away from you and shooting up into the sky. The best viewing sites are still far across from the launch pad, unless these tours have some arrangement with the space center to seat you in the center, far across from the launch pad. If you go on your own, just plan to get there a few hours before launch as many will be staking out their spots earlier.

You will also feel better in the event that the launch is aborted.

If you want to get real cheap, stay in Orlando, figure out which way is east, and face that direction during launch. Of course it will just look like a line of smoke going upwards, but you get to say you saw the shuttle go up.

 

[doclegler]

I know your not asking, but I just had to add my 2 cents regarding launches. We waited HOURS in November a few years ago on a cold lawn with hundreds of others at KSC and then they scrubbed the launch at 3 seconds!! Needless to say, I had MANY tears from some very sad boys....and the drive back to Orlando was a nightmare. The only route out was filled with traffic and we didn't get back to our hotel until 3am...definitely not well-rested for the next day at Disney!
So, just remember, it may not happen...a few nights later we were boarding the boat to leave MK and we watched the flaming ball disappear into the sky. Much better than wasting our day on a lawn!!
Good luck to you. I hope you have a perfect launch!

 

[ihoward]

Thanks. We also tried once before and had it scrubbed so I know what you mean. Fortunately our kids are no longer little, but this time we are flying in from Houston for just the launch so hopefully it will work out. I personally would skip it but my husband is such a space nut and it has been something that he has wanted to do his whole life. With only a couple launches remaining, we have to go for it and just cross our fingers. The question now is what is the best way.

 

[dis-happy]

I never used one of the launch tour companies, but someone has posted on the DIS previously that they had. Try a search, or try starting a new thread asking specifically about the tour companies, it may catch the attention for someone who has done it before and give you the pros and cons

We usually take our car and go to our place on the Indian River in Titusville where we can see the shuttle on the launch pad, watch it take off, and then get back to our car and out of the area as quickly as possible. Never takes us more than an hour to get back to Orlando doing it this way.

We also managed to get the causeway tickets directly from the NASA website last time. It was closer than our usual spot and was a fun day, but very crowded and made for a long day. You get bussed out there way before launch time, so bring folding chairs. Also, food lines are long (I waited for over 30 mins. just to get a cup of coffee from the coffee cart) so plan to bring your own picnic, much easier.

If your only choice is Grounds Tickets for launch day I wouldn't bother. You'll get a better view from Titusville (can't see the shuttle on the launch pad unless you have causeway or VIP/media tickets), plus you won't have to spend the entire day waiting for the traffic to try and clear. Also, it's a bad day to try and tour Kennedy Space Center even though the regular exhibits are open---just soooo many people!

Most important: PACK BINOCULARS!!!!

 

[allgoodgifts]

I work in the space business and I once had the great good fortune of seeing the shuttle launch from the VIP area (Banana River). I second what others have said. You'll likely get just as good a view by googling for good launch viewing spots and just choosing one off the grounds. Even at the VIP area, you are miles from the launch pad itself. You can go to Kennedy Space Center a day or two before if you like for the tours.

And I absolutely urge you to consider that launch scrubs do happen frequently. The shuttle launch I attended was scrubbed within a minute of launch. (It went off the next day.) The Nov 1 launch is going to the Space Station, so it will have a relatively short launch window - if they miss the designated launch time by long enough, they'll have to cancel. In that case, they'll likely reschedule for the next day.

Also worth factoring into your plans is the possibility of a launch delay occurring several days or weeks in advance. Do you have the flexibility to change your travel plans if they slip the launch by a couple of weeks? That happens a lot, too.

Good luck, and enjoy! The launches are worth seeing.