Space Shuttle launch

[AndrewG]

We will be staying at POR from May 11-17. The space shuttle is scheduled for launch on May 15. Never been to WDW before. Can anyone recommend a good place to view the launch (or really just catch a glimpse of the shuttle)either in the parks or at one of the resorts?

 

[GlennandAnn]

It has always been my dream to see a launch!!! So 2 or 3 years ago a launch was scheduled during my trip. I was at MGM and went to the back of NY Street and was able to see the "trail" of smoke from the shuttle.

Look East at the time of the launch!

You will NOT be able to see the shuttle, but the smoke trail is VERY visible.

Glenn

 

[HugsForEeyore]

Back in January 2003, I saw the smoke trail of the launch of the Columbia Space Shuttle in Fantasyland. The smoke trail is very easy to see, and quite cool! But sadly, this was the same shuttle that broke up in the atmosphere on re-entry.

 

[Tinseltown Trauma]

Hugs & Glenn: Do you recall the time of day the launches you "saw" took place? And, Glenn, do you remember what month you were there?

When I heard the announce, I took it as a sign that I was definitely supposed to be going to WDW (my first trip also) and taking this unplanned-as-of-a-few-weeks-ago vacation! Moreover, the launch (as it currently stands) is on the very day I'd already designated to visit KSC. That, along with getting a cheap airfare and a 19.95/day Alamo weekend rate , gave me complete validation to make the splurge.

KSC isn't yet booking their on-site launch tours, so I'm trying to figure out what time of day I would need to be at the Space Center to get on that bandwagon (i.e., how early I'd have to leave Orlando to get there on time!)--I just can't remember (from watching on t.v.) what time the launches occurred.

Thanks,
TT

 

[jns]

we will be missing it by a week
the last time we were there I was told it takes a few days for it to get ready so maybe we will see it out on the launch pad anyone know anything about this

 

[mmiller711]

I was lucky enough to see a night launch a few years back. It was beautiful! It was scheduled to launch a week before we went but it kept getting rescheduled and didn't go until the night we arrived. Drove over to the ocean and watched it from the beach. It was hours late going and we were sitting on the beach till way after midnight.

 

[golfgal]

KSC is about an hour drive from Disney. We saw a night time launch from our hotel in DTD in '96. The launch window for this launch extends to the week we are at Disney so if they can't launch on-time, there is a good chance we will see that. DS is so excited! Not to burst your bubble, but there haven't been many on-time launches and since this is the first one since the shuttle disaster, everything will have to be perfect before they launch.

In '96 we were at KSC the day of the night launch. We took the bus tour and they take you to a road where you can see the shuttle on the pad. You can't get too close to the pad because of how flamable the fuel is. I have pictures of the shuttle on the launch pad. It is definatly worth a trip over for a day. There is a lot to do over there and the tours are great. I think they take the shuttle over to the pad a week or two before the launch. I think it would be fun to see the crawler taking the shuttle over. It moves at a blistering speed of like .5 MPH. It takes 2 days to get the shuttle from the vehicle assembly building to the launch pad (or something like that).

Watch Apollo 13 before you go down, a lot of the movie was filmed there and when you see it on the tour, you will recognize it.

 

[Bill From PA]

At POR go to the bridge that connects the Magnolia Terrace Mansion area with the island and face away from the island. Actually, there will probably be others there so you won't have to think about it. I've read here that if you're in the Boardwalk area, stand in front of the ESPN Club and look out over the water, but I can't personally attest to this.

Bill From PA

 

[Tinks]

I am going to be really mean. We are going May 28th and I'm hoping for a launch delay just long enough for us to be able to go see it!

Either way, I hope one of us is able to watch it I understand that it isn't much to see from the Disney area (basically just vapor trail---is this true, anyone?), but you can rent a car and drive east. The closer you are able to get to Cape Canaveral, the better the view.

Have fun! I'll be so jealous of you if it launches on time!

 

[Bill From PA]

A previous poster mentioned not being able to see the shuttle itself. The launch I saw was around 6 am on a clear March morning and I recall seeing a glint of reflected light from the shuttle, but that was about 5 yrs ago and my memory might be playing tricks on me. At ant rate, don't expect to see any detail from WDW.

Bill From PA

 

[SDFgirl]

What time is the launch scheduled for on the 15th? My boyfriend had to be talked into this Disney trip (he hasn't been for 20 years) and he specifically mentioned that he'd like to see a shuttle launch. I know he'll love Disney, but it would be neat to use one of his ideas too.

Thanks!

 

[Minerva]

We will be staying at POR from May 11-17. The space shuttle is scheduled for launch on May 15. Never been to WDW before. Can anyone recommend a good place to view the launch (or really just catch a glimpse of the shuttle)either in the parks or at one of the resorts?

How wonderful for you! I hope you get to see it. If they schedule a launch during our trip I know my 11 year old will be dragging me to wherever the best viewing location on property is.

 

[strmtroopr96]

Hugs & Glenn: Do you recall the time of day the launches you "saw" took place? And, Glenn, do you remember what month you were there?

When I heard the announce, I took it as a sign that I was definitely supposed to be going to WDW (my first trip also) and taking this unplanned-as-of-a-few-weeks-ago vacation! Moreover, the launch (as it currently stands) is on the very day I'd already designated to visit KSC. That, along with getting a cheap airfare and a 19.95/day Alamo weekend rate , gave me complete validation to make the splurge.

KSC isn't yet booking their on-site launch tours, so I'm trying to figure out what time of day I would need to be at the Space Center to get on that bandwagon (i.e., how early I'd have to leave Orlando to get there on time!)--I just can't remember (from watching on t.v.) what time the launches occurred.

Thanks,
TT

I have seen 3 different launches at 3 different times. I saw 2 while doing the CP in 1997. I had just been in Walmart and walked out when Columbia took off. This was around 1:00 in the afternoon and was very visible. The second was very early in the morning...I am thinking between 2 and 4 am for some reason and we watched from our tennis court at Vista Way. Hubby and I also watched one around 6 am in 2000 from a little courtyard behind the Surf's Up building at All Star Sports. The ones in the middle of the night were also easy to see. And all 3, you could definately hear! Good Luck!! I am actually hoping that they will postpone until I am there with my brother May 21-28th. He has never see one. One of the Astronauts from the Challenger explosion was from our small hometown so it makes it a little more special.

 

[darthminnie564]

It is WELL worth the money and time to head to the Space Center and watch the launch from there. Just consider it, you will not be dissapointed, the Space Center is WONDERFULL.

I got the goosebumps the whole time my family and I visited. No space launch, but it is on my 'list of things to do before I do'.

Happy Space Travel!!!!!

 

[Feralpeg]

I've been told that you can watch from DTD. I saw the recent launch of a satellite recently from my front yard. All you could see was the smoke trail, but it was very visable.

 

[Zandy595]

Event: Space Shuttle Return to Flight- STS-114 Discovery

Date: 5/15/2005 - 6/3/2005

Time: These dates are the launch planning window. A firm date has not yet been selected.

This is the info I found on the KSC website. Did someone hear that 5/15 is the confirmed launch date?

 

[dcibrando]

anyone driving to KSC from POP?

 

[robinb]

Here is an Unofficial Launch Guide from the Space Shuttle Newsgroup:
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/sci.space.shuttle/browse_thread/thread/21fa34b22f54f733

It gives suggestions for viewing shuttle launches. I've seen 3 launches, 2 were on KSC grounds and the last was in Titusville. If you really want to see a launch, you need to give up a few hours of your Disney vacation and drive to the coast to see it. It is well worth it!

 

[pamlet]

This is the info I found on the KSC website. Did someone hear that 5/15 is the confirmed launch date?

I know this post concerned me.. laugh... we're going to be down there 5/21-27... and have already been advised by DH and BOTH DS that if it launches while we're down there that we WILL be going to KSC... laugh... it's alright with me!

We tried 2 or 3 times to see one while we lived in NC... it always cancelled... So hopefully we'll get to see one this time!

 

[SueEllen]

I have not seen this mentioned so I will warn you--if you are planning on driving to the launch GO VERY EARLY!

We were stuck on the road for HOURS (this was in the late 90s--I want to say 1997 or 1998) but we decided to drive to see a launch. Well it took 2 hours to go 7 miles (no I am not joking and this was on the bee line) Then the closer we got the traffic was at a dead stand still. We ended up pulling off on the side of the road a few miles from the exit for KSC (along with almost 100 other cars) Everyone was on the side of the highway out of their cars. Quite a few people had the launch on the radio listening for updates. It took off about 30 minutes late, but WHAT A SIGHT TO SEE!!! Eveyone was cheering--it was incredible. I have some great video and pictures from it. I think the sheer number of vehicles pulled over and everyone standing together was so cool. It was a traffic nightmare, but the launch is incredible.

When we got back to the resort I was told that they could see the smoke trail going up from the launch.

This is definitely something to see.
Sue Ellen