Viewing a shuttle launch and planning a trip

[rocio]

TDS, become a fan of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!...ace-Center-Visitor-Complex/96711692268?ref=ts). I have gotten so much information there from the discussion boards from others who have done it. I was following with interest those who were planning for this morning's launch and got many of my questions answered. From their description it sounds very loud from any part of the visitor's complex. They talk about the ground shaking. This website also has some good beginner's info including pictures and videos from the different vantage points so you can decide for yourself which one you're willing to do and maybe gauge the sound level: http://www.launchphotography.com/Shuttle_Launch_Viewing.html

The visitor complex has three viewing areas with the Causeway being the closest and best view but you're there longer and seems like less to do there. The Visitor's complex view is blocked by a line of trees but there is less waiting and more exhibits/activities to do. Tickets go on sale 4-6 weeks before the launch. We hit the 6 week mark for the May launch last Friday but no ticket sales yet. They seem to go faster than ADRs so you have to be ready to pounce! Oh there are also public viewing areas along the beaches and different tour groups with their own tickets.

 

[aGoofyMom]

I will be down there at this time too - my birthday is the day before the OP's!

We are looking at the launch, but I may have a scheduling issue. I have an on line course the evening of the 14th. (likely back at the hotel) I have to be somewhere with internet access as it is the first class so I don't want to miss it. I would love to go to the launch, but am afraid of traffic and delays. So far we haven't decided on anything for that day.

 

[rocio]

Hey fellow Taurus

 

[CosmicGirl]

Hey Rocio,

I think we're in the same FB group!
I just logged on here seeing if there were people who were planning to go to the launch and I recognize your name from the STS-132 group... makes me feel like that singing that song, you know, something about the Earth and its size .

As for the launch: I'm waiting to see if I can get tickets and/or get someone to come along with me before I decide if I'm going or not... I saw the STS-127 launch in July and am determined to fly back to Florida to see one of the remaining launches. As someone who's working on a career in aerospace, the time and cost of flying halfway across the world are definitely worth it, but it's not so easy to find like-minded souls (or should I say fools!). Doing all the space stuff on my own doesn't bother me, but just like you I can't help but plan something WDW around it "for fun" and that seems a lot more lonely.

 

[rocio]

Uh oh, I've been outed Okay, you know I have to ask, who are you in that group? Feel free to send me a private message.

 

[CosmicGirl]

Uh oh, I've been outed Okay, you know I have to ask, who are you in that group? Feel free to send me a private message.

Look for the profile pic with the countdown clock in it! But I've been very quiet so far, only joined the group a day or two ago and until I know whether I'm going or not I don't want to get too excited.

 

[rocio]

A clue! It's like hunting down a hidden Mickey. Or a fellow space geek with a penchant for Disney as well.

 

[rocio]

Is that you with the camera? That really was a hidden Mickey!

 

[CosmicGirl]

Is that you with the camera? That really was a hidden Mickey!

That's me

 

[truck1]

Ive just skimmed this thread, and it may have been covered already, BUT if you plan on purchasing launch viewing tix for NASA online,( I am still going round with KSC about this) make sure that you are in the virtual "Wait Room" well before the appointed time. I tried to get causeway tix, which are the clsoest point to view the shuttle, and they were gone at 901.They went on sale at 900.I was "Selected" to purchase tix at 915ish.(after getting the waiting room at 845) The only tix left at that point were for the Visitors Center. Which I took.
There are several free places as mentioned in the above posts that you can see the launch from. The further you are from KSC, the longer it will take before you see it and will see it for less time than if you are closer.
I dont think they offer the bus tours, the same day as the launch as all of the busses are spoken for taking visitors to and from the viewing areas.
Before and after they are modified.

 

[safetymom]

There are many great spots to see the launch besides KSC. We were in Space View Park and you could see the launchpad across the water.

 

[rocio]

Truck, do you know what the process is like if you call? I'm planning on using my computer, but I will be out of town tomorrow and without my laptop so I'm hoping they don't release tomorrow but if they do I'll have to call.

Kathy, is that where you've watched it from? How far in advance did you get to the park? Is there anything for kids to do there during the wait? I know it's a park, but it has to be too crowded for much right?

 

[safetymom]

We arrive several hours early. Really not much for kids to do in Space View park. Any viewing spot you find is going to be pretty crowded.

 

[rocio]

Yeah, I'd imagine it would be crowded everywhere but at least the Visitor's Complex has their exhibits open. I'm hoping to get tickets for that. Man, waiting for your ADR window to open has got nothing on this wait!

 

[CosmicGirl]

Man, waiting for your ADR window to open has got nothing on this wait!

So true! The ADRs depend on the trip, but in this case the trip depends on the tickets...

 

[truck1]

Truck, do you know what the process is like if you call? I'm planning on using my computer, but I will be out of town tomorrow and without my laptop so I'm hoping they don't release tomorrow but if they do I'll have to call.

Kathy, is that where you've watched it from? How far in advance did you get to the park? Is there anything for kids to do there during the wait? I know it's a park, but it has to be too crowded for much right?

Sorry, forgot to mark the page.
If you try and call on the day that the tix go onsale, its 1 step left of impossible to even get on hold. I tried the day I got our tix,because the website was having issues and never got to talk to someone before 1 pm.Before that I kept getting an all circuits busy message and to call back later.

Heres a link to use to Sign up for the upcoming launches. I havent gotten anything yet from them, so I doubt the tix are onsale for the May launch yet.Prob any day now.(just rechecked my inbox and deleted folder)Theyll give you a few day warning on when they go on sale.

 

[truck1]

Yeah, I'd imagine it would be crowded everywhere but at least the Visitor's Complex has their exhibits open. I'm hoping to get tickets for that. Man, waiting for your ADR window to open has got nothing on this wait!

Youll get a choice for tix.Either the bus tour which will take to within 5 miles of the launch pad with a unilimited and unparalled view, or the Visitors Center.I got the Visitor Center tix in Feb.We sat next to the sign that says Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex.We were in that area with maybe 100 at the most people.If you get the bus tour tix, you can still go see what else is available.You just have to be on the bus prior to a certain time.Things should be open when you get back also.Id strongly suggest brining a towel or blanket to sit on.If not a sometype of lawn chair.

Heres a pic of what you can see as far as a launch.

 

[rocio]

Thanks for coming back, Truck. Thankfully I didn't need to find out the hard way that calling would not be a good idea since the tickets were not released on Friday. Now I'm back to having computer access. I'm on their e-mail list, but nothing yet. Still waiting patiently. I just need some Paciencia y Fe (Patience and Faith): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slLT-ttYbH8

 

[rocio]

By the way, that picture is awesome!!! I can't wait!

 

[beachwarmer]

I just wanted to post here and thank everyone for the great info.

Alas I will not be trying for tickets since it will be just too loud for my crew. I am going to try for a viewing spot a distance away to protect little ears.

Do you think we could see anything from the Radasson Hotel at Port Canaveral? This was my seven year old's suggestion as she loved to watch the MK fireworks from our balcony at BLT on our last trip....a hotel with a balcony to watch from.....