Suttle Launch on Saturday

[tigger1968]

My wife and I will be at WDW from 6/30 to 7/5 and are thinking of travelling over to the Cape for the shuttle launch. Has anyone ever done this while staying at the World? Also, if anyone has any pointers about good sites to view, traffic, etc, I'd really appreciate it. And can anyone tell me an approximate drive time from WDW to the coast?

Thanks!

 

[Nemo14]

We've watched them from Cocoa Beach (and also from my mother's backyard). The traffic will be really busy that day - the Beeline will be basically a parking lot). Plan to go very early. It is an amazing thing to watch!

 

[bgraham34]

I know friends back in the 80's who went to disney and saw the shuttle take off. That was very popular back then.

 

[Boray]

We've travelled to the Kennedy Space Center - never saw a launch, although I'd LOVE to! Anyway, the drive time is just over an hour from WDW to the Space Center. Let us know how it looked and TAKE PICTURES!!! I'd love to see them!

 

[jamivie@msn.com]

I watched a shuttle launch in May of 1996. Back then, NASA put out shuttle schedules way in advance, and we contacted NASA directly about 8 months in advance and we were able to obtain a special bright orange parking permit which allowed us to be about 3-5 miles away (I cant remember actual distance) with a great view of the launch tower and the shuttle launch. It was a special place only for those with a NASA issued parking pass, and the area had a count down clock and speaker system, so we could hear all of the Mission Control Stuff. Traffic was bad getting there, and we had to leave WDW about 2-3 hours before lift off. We got to the parking area about 60 minutes before launch. The launch went off as scheduled (on time which is very rare), and we left about 10 minutes after launch. It is really amazing to see, and you only get to "see" the shuttle for about 90 seconds as it lifts off, but if it is a clear day, the exahuast trail is really cool to see. Also, the sound of the engines can be deafening. Definitely worth the extra trip to the coast to see it. A once in a lifetime opportunity for me, as I live on the west coast. If you go, be sure to take a video camera, and have fun.

 

[hrcollectibles]

I will be there this weekend as well Tigger I am staying at the All Star Music.. B-Day weekend for me

 

[robhedin]

We generally try to go over for every launch; if you've never seen one, it's well worth the trip. Bear in mind that due to security considerations, KSC is closed on launch days unless you have pre-purchased launch viewing tickets (see http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com ). However there are plenty of great places to view the launch anyway.

This is a helpful site: http://spacelaunchinfo.com/ they recommend Space View Park in Titusville (see the site for directions and more info).

rob

 

[Master Yoda]

Without question a shuttle launch in an incredible thing to witness first hand. Words can not describe the emotional and physical forces you will experience at a shuttle launch.

The closest place you can view it and not be on KSC property is the Astronaut Hall of Fame. Click this link for ticket information. This link will give you some other viewing locations.

That being said shuttle launches are notoriously fickle and undependable things. Be prepared to spend an entire day getting to and from Kennedy and not seeing a thing. With the number of issues going on with this particular launch I would put money on the launch getting scrubbed.

 

[mikeanabean]

Here is a link for all of the launches for the next 2 yrs.

http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html

 

[YankeesFan]

We were lucky enough to be at the Magic Kingdom last year during the launch. We stood in between the Indy track and Tea Cups and were able to see the shuttle rise above Space Mountain and then disappear into the heavens. It was quite the sight!!

 

[BRER STITCH]

One of the best things we did was decide to go see the Shuttle Launch during our WDW trip.

Prepare to leave at about 3AM to head over. Your route traveled will be somewhat decided for you as you get close ro the laucnh site, as many of the road are closed and trafic forced to go one way or the other.

We got there in plenty of time for the 6AM launch with great views right across the water from the launch pad. There were lots of people there and it was a cool morning so we were supporting the local 7-11 and Wal-Greens with coffee and snack purchases.

BRING YOUR CAMERA.....but don't spend the whole time behind the lens, because you can never get the same feeling from viewing directly.

The people near us along the river were all having a great time and the moood was that of a big old family picnic. Well...when the engines started roaring, you could hear a pin drop among the crowd. It was amazing!!!

Shortly after, the shuttle disppaered into the sky and we actually made it back to WDW just as the parks were opening!

By all means....GO FOR IT!!!! It may be a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Be prepared, however for a delay or postponement if the weather acts up!

HAVE FUN!!

GOOD LUCK!

:wave:

 

[MissM]

The launches are really cool things. I was lucky enough to see a rare night launch from Cocoa Beach a number of years back. Talk about impressive! Night literally became day for a few moments there!

You can see them even all the way across on the other coast. Granted, here in Tampa, it's more smoke trail then anything, but it gives you an idea of how imense an experience it is. It's also interesting when they come back in for return because they normally land in Texas. So they pass right over us here in the Tampa area. We get the craziest sonic booms from it!! Like, window-shaking booms! :lol:

If you have the chance, I'd definitely say to do it. It's quite an amazing sight to see, that's for sure.
-m

 

[typhoonguy]

ah MAN! I forgot about the launch. I have to pick up my family from a Disney Cruise on Saturday morning. Traffic is going to be HORRID!!!

 

[Erika]

Good luck! Unfortunately they do not always go off as planned. Conditions have to be perfect.

My grandma and great-aunt used to live in Cocoa Beach, right off the ocean. We never made it for a launch (despite a couple of close calls) but they used to send us pictures. I hope you get to see it!

 

[WDWRLD]

We arrive on the 4th and are thinking that it might be delayed enough to catch it. The 3 pm launch is right at the peak time for those afternoon storms. We saw a launch from POR about 6 years ago. It was a night launch at like midnight. It was great, even at night you could see the smoke trail and the glow was awesome. Long after it disappeared you heard this rumbleing like a freight train...anyhow, dont miss it.

 

[bgraham34]

Watching the shuttle launch is on my list of 100 things i want to do before i die. We went one year but it was postponed a day and we had to leave for home that day.

 

[Chape19714]

I've seen every launch since I was born from either Cape Canaveral or my front yard. It's still a really cool experiance. Back when they were building the first parts of the ISS, there were so many launches, it was great fun. I am really excited about NASA's ruturn to space on Saturday, but I'll have to be watching it from Daytona Intl. Speedway! Although Daytona is a cool place to watch, because you are still pretty close, nothing can beat seeing the shuttle waiting on the launch pad.

 

[Polyman]

It's already a 60% no-go for Saturday due to weather forecast. Don't forget, because of all the safety concerns and cameras following the flight to observe the foam insulation, the weather would have to be almost perfect. Not very likely during the FL rainy season.

 

[SallyShine]

We saw a launch a few years back from the deck of the Wonder. The launch was around 5 am and we were already back in port. The shuttle launched from the other side of the bay. I will never forget the experience. It was amazing. The sky lit up like it was daytime. I say go for it.

 

[Chape19714]

It's already a 60% no-go for Saturday due to weather forecast. Don't forget, because of all the safety concerns and cameras following the flight to observe the foam insulation, the weather would have to be almost perfect. Not very likely during the FL rainy season.

It's always a big Gamble...everything has to be perfect. If you decide to go, you have to be willing to give up a day at WDW and the possibility of a no-launch. It's not like Wishes which goes at show time no matter what, there are litterally thousands of varaibles that if even 1 is incorrect, the launch will be posponed or canceled.