Shuttle launch at Kennedy Space Center

Uponastar

Uponastar

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
My husband and I are leaving for a 10 day stay at WDW on Wednesday, Dec. 5th. We just found out that NASA has a scheduled launch of the shuttle Atlantis on the 6th. My husband is sooo excited! He has always wanted to see a launch but this is the first time one is scheduled to coincide with a WDW trip.
So here's our dilemma. The tickets for the best viewing areas on NASA property are already sold out. The Visitors' Center offers a viewing area with the price of admission. Should we go with that? Or are one of the parks in Titusville a better option? I'm leaning toward Spaceview Park, but don't know much about it. Is there an admission? Are we guaranteed a viewing spot there? Or is there a better spot altogether?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
MattBoom

MattBoom

Active Member
If you've never been to Kennedy Space Center, I'd visit there to watch it. Then you could make a day of it.
You can also see it from Orlando, but closer is better.
 
Uponastar

Uponastar

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
MattBoom said:
If you've never been to Kennedy Space Center, I'd visit there to watch it. Then you could make a day of it.
You can also see it from Orlando, but closer is better.
Click to expand...

Thanks Matt!
We have been to the Space Center and were actually just planning a return visit when we saw the launch schedule. We may stick with the original plan if no one suggests a better viewing site.
 
crazydaveh

crazydaveh

Active Member
If you do decide to head out to KSC, get there EARLY! I'm talking 6-9 am. You might want to try and get some tickets to view the launch on the KSC website. They have several packages.

If you can't get to KSC, any of the local beaches offer great views. Just get there early.
 
Nemo14

Nemo14

Well-Known Member
Dot - we've watched launches from Space View park and also from Cocoa Beach, and from places further inland. I highly recommend Space View - they pipe in the launch talk there and everything.
 
S

StitchMad

New Member
On our visit to WDW last August we watched the Space Shuttle Endevour launch from Kennedy Space Center. It is a great experience and it's great that you're watching it too!
We had just got back from the theme parks at around 2:00pm, and we were discussing whether or not to go to the coast to watch the shuttle. In the end we set off at 2:00pm, and drove to Titusville. We arrived at around 4:00pm. Our GPS system in-car guided us to the Astronaut Hall of Fame, which offers a jetty which goes out towards the river. I think it is one of the closest places you can get. It's great, people have their radios tuned in, and video cameras set up. Every counts down, with the TV Studios there, and the shuttle launches. It's quite loud, but not deafening.

It was quite busy when we arrived at 4:00pm, but we could still move and find a good place to stand. We stood at the front end of the walk of fame, on a little part that crosses over a stretch of water. To say we did not get there too early, it was a great spot!
Do not worry about where you stand. You'll be able to see it, trust me! :)
Here's a shot we took last August. Enjoy.

<a href="http://xs.to"><img src="http://xs322.xs.to/xs322/07506/Space2.png" title="Free image hosting powered by xs.to"></a>
 
Figment1986

Figment1986

Well-Known Member
MattBoom said:
If you've never been to Kennedy Space Center, I'd visit there to watch it. Then you could make a day of it.
You can also see it from Orlando, but closer is better.
Click to expand...

The closest I've seen it launch is from Tampa... weird how it changes size only so much from certain viewing areas...

I have got to go to the space center sometime... last time i was in like 1st grade all those years ago.
 
sweetpee_1993

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
The launch on the 6th was scrubbed. My DH was disappointed. He has never seen a launch whereas I had seen lots of them when I was a kid growing up in the greater Orlando area (including the loss of Challenger and its crew). Anyone going anytime soon or who may have the opportunity to watch a launch, I would highly recommend making time to go. The shuttle program has it's days numbered now. WDW will always be there. Think of the significance and importance of witnessing history. :)

Wish I could get DH and DSs out to a launch. They'd love it.
 
Uponastar

Uponastar

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Thank you, Master Yoda, for the pics!
Space View Park would have been the perfect spot from which to watch the launch...if it had gone as scheduled. We were disappointed, but hopefully we will get to see one at some point.
 

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