Visiting Kennedy Space Center on a night launch day

[confetti]

Does anyone have experience visiting Kennedy to do the visitor complex on a day they have a night launch scheduled? We're looking at going in February and they have a launch scheduled on 2/5 at 11:15 PM. All the information I can find about what it's like visiting on a launch day is centered around day launches. It sounds like if you go when there's a morning/afternoon launch, the complex is super crowded, which I want to avoid. But if the launch isn't until 11:15 pm and right now there are no LTT tickets being sold to view the launch, would the complex be more crowded that day? I'd love to hear from anyone who has been- what was the crowd level like for the visiting during the day?

 

[Woodview]

The Question is Will the Space Center Stay open late ( Usually closes at 6pm ) for a Night Launch ?

 

[chekhovgirl]

First of all, you need to be aware that launches are often pushed to different days, either a few days out or many days out, so I wouldn't bank on definitely seeing one if you'll be in the area for a fixed period of time. This is a running joke with my husband because he watches most launches and whenever he plans around one I always say, well it's not going to happen then anyway! I'm usually right We planned on going to the complex during a week where there was a launch and the launch got pushed to the day we were going to visit, so we chose a different non-Disney park day to go. We watched the launch from the top of the parking garage at Bonnet Creek. It was fun, some other families from the resort came up to join us! Not sure what bearing the night-launch has on the complex vs. a day launch. This was a day launch.

 

[chekhovgirl]

The Question is Will the Space Center Stay open late ( Usually closes at 6pm ) for a Night Launch ?

I don't know if they're asking whether or not it will be open as much as will it be busy during the day on a day of a night launch...I don't think the complex stays open.

 

[chekhovgirl]

Here's a good schedule to monitor. Sometimes the push a launch months in advance, sometimes day of, you never know...

https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/

 

[FireflyTrance]

Like others have said, no guarantee the launch will happen when scheduled. It could be pushed back hours or to a different day or week. We went on a launch day and it was crowded but we still had a nice time. The place is large so it can handle the crowds.

 

[confetti]

I don't know if they're asking whether or not it will be open as much as will it be busy during the day on a day of a night launch...I don't think the complex stays open.

Yes, this is what I'm wondering. I'm not actually planning to view the launch since it's so late at night. I'm just wondering if it will be busier than usual when we visit the complex. I know it's really busy on day launches, but I didn't know how night launches affect attendance that day.

 

[Capt_BJ]

just go to the beach between the port and the Canaveral Pier .... you'll have a great view, it won't cost nuthin 'cept parking fee (small or nuthin' depending on where you stop) .... if you pay to watch from IN KSC they charge $$ and no refund if the launch cancels. Even if you are willing to pay ... go to the pier where there's a couple of bars ..... unobstructed view to the pads.

 

[confetti]

just go to the beach between the port and the Canaveral Pier .... you'll have a great view, it won't cost nuthin 'cept parking fee (small or nuthin' depending on where you stop) .... if you pay to watch from IN KSC they charge $$ and no refund if the launch cancels. Even if you are willing to pay ... go to the pier where there's a couple of bars ..... unobstructed view to the pads.

I'm not looking for info on where to watch the launch though. The launch is at 11:15 pm and they aren't selling viewing tickets. I'm hoping to actually visit the space center complex on the day of the launch and I wanting to know if attendance is higher on a day that has a night launch. I know attendance is higher on day launches. I just want to visit the center and not deal with huge crowds.

 

[chekhovgirl]

Yes, this is what I'm wondering. I'm not actually planning to view the launch since it's so late at night. I'm just wondering if it will be busier than usual when we visit the complex. I know it's really busy on day launches, but I didn't know how night launches affect attendance that day.

I would just call them and ask.