Viewing a shuttle launch and planning a trip

[myDISboards]

With two laptops and two phones and two different virtual waiting rooms ID such as
frontline.purchasenow2.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?agency=KSCE_PLAGENCY&pid=6757287&roomid=1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 (maybe more)

We were at the ordering pages between 9:05-9:10AM EDT for Causeway tixs for Captcha verification and just "hanging" (never completed Captcha verification) and no Causeway tickets. Then we were offered only Visitor Center tixs only....no thank you!

So we timed it...Causeway tixs OUT by 9:10AM EDT (no selection button)....order page at 9:34AM EDT stated "Please note that all Launch Viewing tickets are Sold Out."

The main concern for me with these Florida tours is their refund and cancellation policies at http://www.spaceshuttlelaunchtours.com/index.html (sold out)
and http://www.gatortours.com/rezwebdirect.asp?agcid=0&TOUR_ID=146

** Note ** The Causeway Launch Transportation Ticket (LTT) for these Florida tours were "brown" tickets where KSC Causeway Launch Transportation Ticket (LTT) were "orange" tickets and other colors for STS-131 launch. We noticed at bus boarding transportation area on April 05, 2010, they called out "brown" tickets and other colors for boarding BEFORE "orange" and other colors tickets.

 

[safetymom]

I was on the ordering page about 9:01 and couldn't get past the captcha screen. Very frustrating. I kept trying and didn't get any. I also tried for visitor center tickets and had the same issue.

 

[rocio]

I have to admit I had tears welling up when I couldn't get Visitor Complex tickets this morning. I knew it was a high possibility, but I was hopeful and waited so long in that waiting room. Just my emotional (non-rational)reaction. It didn't even let me into the purchase page until 20-30 minutes after. So frustrating.

Sigh.

I feel okay now. I went ahead and booked a tour company's visitor complex tickets. I wish they would have had different waiting rooms for those who wanted Causeway versus Visitor Center tickets as I'm sure I would have had an easier time. As it was, all the people let in who didn't get Causeway moved on to VC whether they were going to use them or not.

For those of you who were hoping to see the July launch, it's been moved to November: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/24/science/space/24nasa.html

Kathy, sorry you couldn't get the tickets you wanted either. I can still make you some guacamole.

 

[safetymom]

I feel the same way. I am going to need something stronger than guacamole to feel better. I am pretty sure my daughter thinks I am fooling her about the tickets. I was so close.

 

[rocio]

My husband makes the best mojitos. Even Cuba has nothing on him. Shall I have him make you one too?

 

[safetymom]

That might work.

 

[truck1]

I was on the ordering page about 9:01 and couldn't get past the captcha screen. Very frustrating. I kept trying and didn't get any. I also tried for visitor center tickets and had the same issue.

I have to admit I had tears welling up when I couldn't get Visitor Complex tickets this morning. I knew it was a high possibility, but I was hopeful and waited so long in that waiting room. Just my emotional (non-rational)reaction. It didn't even let me into the purchase page until 20-30 minutes after. So frustrating.

Sigh.

I feel okay now. I went ahead and booked a tour company's visitor complex tickets. I wish they would have had different waiting rooms for those who wanted Causeway versus Visitor Center tickets as I'm sure I would have had an easier time. As it was, all the people let in who didn't get Causeway moved on to VC whether they were going to use them or not.

For those of you who were hoping to see the July launch, it's been moved to November: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/24/science/space/24nasa.html

Kathy, sorry you couldn't get the tickets you wanted either. I can still make you some guacamole.

Safetymom I had the same issue for the Feb launch and they called me a liar saying they have no record of me trying to get past the captcha screen.First time I could read the words, then when I hit the audio it came in with 2 different people talking over each other with 2 completely different sentences.Had to go back to the waiting room.Then got a second chance,and something else happened.Took me 3 times before I fianlly was able to get the Visitor center tix.Sent an email to KSC and after haunting them for several days finally talked to a manager who said they only see 1 attempt by me and that the tix were gone by 901.They basically wouldnt do anything.


As far as getting tix at the KSC, I want to try and take my kids and some of their friends (or their classes)before our president pushes the knife into the heart of our space program.Its a piece of history that if Congress fails to save, they will never have the opurtunity to see again for a long time if ever at the rate they are going.So Id have to get more then the 6 tix that are allowed online.I tried calling them at 3 oclock today to find out what I need to do for a school group and got nowhere fast.Couldnt even talk to a human being.

The 1 good piece of news is this.If for some reason the launch gets delayed on the origianal date, a certain number of tix will become available again.Not sure how they would do that but its something to keep in mind.

Imho, the way they are doing the tix and their customer service is less than stellar.

Thanks for the heads up rocio.I hadnt seen that yet.

 

[safetymom]

I am sorry to hear you had problems also. I tried numerous times for the tickets. I know they won't do anything but I wrote several emails to KSC.

Maybe we should all have a pity party together.

 

[truck1]

We could do that. Im going to try and talk to a live human being sometime this week and see where I can get.Worst case scenario I will go to KSC and sit on someones desk.(I have an ulterior motive.I want to go see a Navy Dive ship that is in PC for a few weeks from Haiti) I cant understand where going to KSC the day that the tix go onsale and getting them there is such a big deal.They used to do it,in the past prior to Columbia.Then again this is the goverment contract we are talking about.

 

[safetymom]

I wish you luck!!!

 

[MeLaNie9]

Well I won't be at KSC for the launch. Very disappointed in how they handled the sale of tickets

What happened? I want to get Casueway tix for the next launch for us. I may just go over to the center and buy them there.

We were so hoping for Causeway tickets - there are 8 of us flying down from Cleveland, OH just for this (me, DS x 2, DH will be going to WDW for a few days but my DB, DSIL, and parents are going just for the launch). When we were kids, we sat at a restaurant in Titusville for hours trying to catch a shuttle launch that was postponed and then cancelled. DB thought we should try to catch a launch as a family before the shuttles are finished.

DH had two computers going and was on the phone, DB had one computer and was on the phone. They were very concerned about the 6 ticket limit that was seemingly suddenly put into place, but it didn't matter because once each of them got into the ticket buying "room" all causeway tickets were gone - DB actually was trying to check out and could not get past the captcha screen fast enough and so lost the tickets. We ended up with KSC complex tickets. Now I go to Ebay and see Causeway tickets on sale for the launch for high hundreds/thousands. We just wanted to buy them to really use them for a once in a lifetime experience, not make a profit! We certainly cannot afford to pay what they are going for! Even the KSC complex tickets are up there at a huge price!

I love mojitos, but don't know if that would even help now! We are so disappointed, mostly for our parents who tried so hard years ago for us to experience a shuttle launch and were so excited to do this!

 

[NoahCA]

Hello Friends! I am new here. I am going to be in the Orlando/ DisneyWorld area for my first ever trip to these parts! I am so excited.

Magically my Girlfriend was able to get causeway tickets for the "fingers crossed" May 14 launch! We will be staying at the Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort Lake Buena Vista.

What is the best way to travel from that location to the Kennedy Visitors center?

I know that traffic will be terrible so we are going to allow up to 5+ hours extra driving time. We will probably be trying to hit the road at 3AM or maybe earlier if we need to.

I want to ask you the experts to please help me and give me advice on which roads to take, if there is another forum section or person you know who might have some extra information I would be interested in hearing about that as well! Thank you again for letting me a part of this forum and I look forward to hearing back from you!

 

[truck1]

Traffic is not as bad as its made out to be since most of the construction has been finished on the Beeline.Took me a little over an hour to get there from my house and about 3 to come home from the feb launch.
The easiest way is to take I4 East to the 528(Beeline Beachline)Take the 528 east and follow the signs for the KSC.Stay to the left as much as you can after the Airport toll plaza as the road will split and one side will go to the port the other to KSC.
Figure about a 2 hour trip but give your self about 3 hours prior to the time it says to be there.Coming back Id say about 3 hours at most.

 

[myDISboards]

I was just with friends' eBay "watch this item" list (history list) for all space shuttle launch tickets for STS-131 Discovery April 05, 2010.

EACH Causeway ticket sold/averaged $200! (not surprised at all...almost all Causeway tickets came with KSC vehicle placards).

 

[rocio]

We were watching them go into the $1000s yesterday.

 

[myDISboards]

We were watching them go into the $1000s yesterday.

Yup, I believe it (just searched on eBay)....just keep watching within 7 days of launch if all goes well on May 14...can't imagine the prices on Causeway tickets by then....I'm only interested in Causeway tickets.

I'm sorry that I feel sorry for those bidding above $1,000 on Visitor Complex tickets (no direct sight to launch pad)...Space View Park is FREE!!!

 

[rocio]

Or you can buy them through a tour company for about $100 each. Still about twice as much as getting them from KSC, but MUCH cheaper than ebay. Yikes!

 

[NoahCA]

Traffic is not as bad as its made out to be since most of the construction has been finished on the Beeline.Took me a little over an hour to get there from my house and about 3 to come home from the feb launch.
The easiest way is to take I4 East to the 528(Beeline Beachline)Take the 528 east and follow the signs for the KSC.Stay to the left as much as you can after the Airport toll plaza as the road will split and one side will go to the port the other to KSC.
Figure about a 2 hour trip but give your self about 3 hours prior to the time it says to be there.Coming back Id say about 3 hours at most.

Great! Thanks so much for the information. I was looking at the "back roads" and seeing if there might be any "Short cuts" but I think I better stay with your suggestions and stay on the 528 to KSC. We will just have to leave very very early in the A.M. If you have any other tips on the drive I would love to hear them.
Thanks again!

 

[truck1]

Great! Thanks so much for the information. I was looking at the "back roads" and seeing if there might be any "Short cuts" but I think I better stay with your suggestions and stay on the 528 to KSC. We will just have to leave very very early in the A.M. If you have any other tips on the drive I would love to hear them.
Thanks again!

Unless there is a accident or there is a brushfire that closes the 528, I wouldnt worry.

The only other thing I can think of, if you can swing it, bring a folding lawn chair or at the very least a blanket to sit on.A radio, deck of cards or something else to pass the time wouldnt hurt. Also, bring sunscreen.Its getting warmer here by the day.And an umbrella.JIC.Even if it rains for a few minutes while your there, doesnt mean that the shuttle wont go.

 

[Dismom+two]

I have no answers for you but I was out there at KSC yesterday and here is picture for you of The Shuttle Atlantis sitting on the launch pad waiting for May 13th!!