Space Shuttle Launches Viewing Tips? Etc?

[LilGMom]

We saw it once while in front of Mission Space in Epcot. Very cool setting to watch an amazing event.

 

[MickMick]

Yeah. That's what I meant when I said that I hope that I'll be able to see it. Every single time that I have been there the launch was scrubbed to a couple of days before we arrive or after we leave.

I have been researching the optimal places. I think the optimal location will probably be Downtown Disney or one of the parks for us. I couldn't imagine subjecting my mother to long waits or walks.

 

[pacman9a]

Hi We will be at WDW from 08/04 to 08/25 and there is currently a shuttle launch planned for 08/06, we would love to witness this as we're from the UK and it may be a once in a lifetime chance!

Does anyone know what the likely time of launch would be? And as August is likely to be stormy is there a strong likelyhood of the mission being delayed or scratched?

Thank you

 

[Disnsyncey]

We saw the Columbia launch from the top of the Contemporary at the Cali Grill.....I think they felt like being nice and let people up there that one time (or maybe they do that whenever there is a shuttle launch)......they let us on the un-restaurant side.....but I am assuming that on the 4th floor observation deck, if you can see wishes, there might be a chance that you can look the other way and see it?

if you wanna get closer and have a rental car.....just drive out SR 50 and stop where it dead ends at the water its a great time out there haha

 

[seadd67]

I will miss It again ,were going down on the 24th I always thought that would be so neat to see,oh well maybe next year

 

[NYDisneyKid]

It didn't go up....ºOº

 

[earthfaries]

Yesterday we were at Epcot and before it was cancelled we were told by several CMs that the best place to view it was in Canada, looking towards Mexico. We hoped to have seen the launch , but of course it was cancelled I suppose we'll try again Sunday, but as others have said, you should be able to see it anywhere

​

 

[NYDisneyKid]

May try for tonite (3/12) at least thats what I read....ºOº

 

[firechick139]

I have been researching the optimal places. I think the optimal location will probably be Downtown Disney or one of the parks for us.

We were at DTD for the launch last November. It was just basically a streak in the sky, but we saw it easily. (Well, DH and DD did. I, unfortunately, was getting off the bus at the time and missed it.)

 

[earthfaries]

Here is an excerpt from a Ft. Myers, Fl. paper (Ft. Myers, MSNBC) ~~~ saying it's scheduled for tonight ~~~


The seven astronauts had yet to board the spaceship.

Discovery's flight to the international space station is already two weeks late because of concern about hydrogen gas valves in the engine compartment.

NASA officials say the leak occurred in plumbing outside of the shuttle and had nothing to do with those valves.

Shuttle officials are now shooting for a launch on Thursday night.

But it's not all bad.

Wednesday's launch was going to be at 9:20 p.m. - after the moonrise in the eastern sky and it would have washed out the shuttle some.

Thursday’s launch is slated for 8:54 p.m. But, the moon won’t rise until 9:25 p.m. So any clouds excluded, Thursday’s launch will be a better viewing opportunity for Southwest Florida since the full moon won’t interfere.

The launch should be perfectly situated between twilight and the moonrise.

 

[DisnLuvr]

Could anyone come up and inform us about the space shuttle Launch. How many times you watched and did you like it.. Is it worth the time we spend?

 

[bdpa]

We did it a few years back. 1st - it was really neat. 2nd - I don't think we would do it again. Unless we did it differently. The way we did it was rented a car and drove from DisneyWorld. Drive down wasn't bad - This was in August. The place is packed all day. Anything you wanted to do you must stand in LONG lines. After we boarded the bus to get to the site - we noticed all these Tour buses. Seemed like 100's. Seemed like they might have been a little more main streamed. Meaning - they take you right to the site and then you leave after the launch. No going to the Space Center and getting in your car and then sitting in traffic. I think it took us over 4 hours to get back to the hotel. No wrecks or anything - just bumper to bumper traffic. If you are not familiar with the area (which we were not) you just have to stay on the highway and follow everyone else. I think if we every do it again - we would check into the tour bus thing. Like Mears or someone. It was a wonderful think to see - but it is crowded. I am amazed at how many people show up for this. You would think the locals would be tired of it... NO they were lined up all along the highways. Sorry so long - Hope this helps.
P.S. We knew is would be hot in August ... but they were breaking records that year.. Don't pass this chance up if you don't have to - just check it out more that we did!! Have fun!

 

[GoHerbie]

Could anyone come up and inform us about the space shuttle Launch. How many times you watched and did you like it.. Is it worth the time we spend?

We saw the night launch in Nov. 08 - it was actually the last day of our trip. We left the MK around 4pm and drove to the Holiday Inn at New Smyrna Beach. We chose that location since it was on our way home along with being less crowded than Titusville or Cocoa Beach.

The view from New Smyrna was spectacular and was a fitting end to our magical trip. After the launch we walked to our room and didn't have to fight the traffic leaving.

I've also seen night launches from Ft. Lauderdale & Venice across the state. So even if you remain in Orlando you'll have a nice view. Surf around, I saw pics of a daytime launch flying over Test Track (maybe even on this thread?).

 

[fausz4]

There is a Rocket launch on May 5th. Can anyone pass along some information about viewing? We will have a car and go over...it is being launched from Cape Canerval Air Force Station - can you go on base to view the launch or is there a better location to view?

TIA

 

[bweagle]

I know that shuttle launches are subject to change, but when I began planning our trip KSC had originally shown a shuttle to be launched on June 16and is now showing two shuttles to be launched in May, within a few days of each other. They wouldn't put two up in orbit at the same time would they? I'm hoping one of these gets pushed back and occurs during our June trip

 

[sony89]

One year I saw the space shuttle launch while sitting on a big rock in front of Big Thunder Mountain!

 

[twokids0204]

I saw a launch on March 15th 2009, around 7:45 pm. We were in the Fantasmic theatre on the far right side (the reserved seating for the Fantasmic Dining Plan). Great view.

 

[U.P. North]

Anyone know if you can see it from the Jacksonville area? Or the GA/FL state line on 75? we are coming to WDW and our checkin is June 13 and there is a launch scheduled for 7:19am that day and we are staying at mile marker 5 on 75 north of the FL state line the night before the launch. We can drive a little more to Jacksonville for a better view if needed. We are actually wanting a launch delay within our 2 weeks there so we will be at WDW when the launch happens, but if no delay, GA/FL line on 75 or Jacksonville.

 

[U.P. North]

I know that shuttle launches are subject to change, but when I began planning our trip KSC had originally shown a shuttle to be launched on June 16and is now showing two shuttles to be launched in May, within a few days of each other. They wouldn't put two up in orbit at the same time would they? I'm hoping one of these gets pushed back and occurs during our June trip

I read that the mission is to the hubble telescope and a little dangerous with space debris. So they have the 2nd shuttle on the pad ready to go incase of emergency. The article said the astronauts will inspect the shuttle upon arriving at the hubble and then again after leaving the hubble. If they find a problem they have enough oxygen, for 25 days on the shuttle. Since they are not at the International Space Station, they would need to launch the other shuttle as a rescue mission. They said there is more danger with going to the hubble since it is at 350 miles above earth and more space debris. Once they do the repairs to hubble, they will then lower their orbit to a more normal orbit and do another inspection to see if there is any damage to the shuttle.

 

[CowboyCO]

Robo pointed me this thread. The first launching of the ARES-1 rocket is scheduled for August 30th. This is the new manned rocket that will be used for the Orion manned missions to the moon and to Mars.

Is anybody planning on going for the launch? This is the first launch of a new manned rocket in nearly 3 decades! I've never seen a launch, but I am stoked about the possibility of getting to see the first launch of the ARES-1.