Has anyone been to see the Space Shuttle launch before?

[30ABandMan]

I have an opportunity to go see the April 5th launch of the Space Shuttle. I'm hoping some of you have been and can give me advice on the best viewing area, hotels near, any tips or tricks...

Thanks!

 

[Will B]

When we went on our Disney cruise back in June, the shuttle was supposed to launch the morning of the departure. As we came across A1A / 528 the night before, you could see it lit clear as day on the pad. There were RVs parked everywhere along the north side of the road. From what we were told, that is about as close as you can get and still be able to see it on the pad without being on NASA proper. Obviously, you can see it from anywhere down there, but along the causeway affords you the best overall view.

Hotels in Cocoa Beach are plentiful and not very expensive. All of the local TV stations down there have crawlers at the bottom of the screen with launch info. We knew as soon as we got up that it had been scrubbed.

Best single piece of advice is don't plan your entire trip's expectations around the launch. It's probably a little less than a 50/50 prospect at best.

 

[Bob]

best for me is on the road to playalinda beach from titusville. just stop and park after crossing the bridges. the roar that monster puts off is worth the effort to get there.

 

[Teresa]

We went the day before the launch, and spent half a day at Kennedy Space Center - and went on a guided bus tour to see the Vehicle Assembly Building, launch pads and other NASA facilities (the guided tour is mostly as you ride in the bus - its a massive place. we did not get to see inside the VAB - they used to let you do this). Months in advance we had purchased tickets to the guided tour along with passes to the launch. This was our first launch so we wanted to go all out and see it all. and we did.

On launch day we had to report to Kennedy Space Center no later than 11am.. launch was about 7pm or so. we had ALL day to wait but kept fairly busy at the Space Center, learning about NASA's missions, shopped at the huge NASA shop, then relaxed out on a huge grass lawn for a bit. Then the tour buses (dozens of those things) loaded us all up and drove us out to a viewing site. The launch took place after dark and it was incredible. I believe we were 6 miles out.

We stayed at a hotel in Cocoa Beach which wasn't as close to KSC as we thought, but it was fine. We found an incredible little tiny hole in the wall Thai restaurant in Cocoa Beach! Sorry I can't remember the names of hotel or restaurant!

One bit of advice: unless you like torture do not combine the launch trip with a Disney trip. Kennedy Space Center has a lot to do there - enjoy.

 

[Red Dawg]

I also went the day before and saw the Space Center, had a great time and took the guided bus tour. My mother-in-law was very impressed. Really a neat thing to see. You will enjoy the event.

 

[Minnie]

Definitely worth a trip but as SC said it can be disappointing if it is a no show.

We have combined Disney trips with a day trip over to Kennedy many times and did not find the trip over to Kennedy hard at all. It was great fun.

 

[Teresa]

being at the space center kind of adds to the anticipation of the launch. if it had been cancelled we would have been bummed but not too much since we got to see and do so much while we were there. the launch is incredible - hard to even express. especially at night.

minnie - you must have high energy. we did 3 days at Disney and i mean full days and nights. then 2 days at Space Center - again very full days and late nights. I was wiped. that was 5 days on the go nonstop. I like some downtime during a vacation. but next time I may consider one day at Disney or Universal or Sea World. but probably not - would rather explore the east coast of Florida, its state parks and coastal towns, environment, etc. I can never get enough of Florida on either coast - there is just so much natural beauty to explore.

 

[Minnie]

being at the space center kind of adds to the anticipation of the launch. if it had been cancelled we would have been bummed but not too much since we got to see and do so much while we were there. the launch is incredible - hard to even express. especially at night.

minnie - you must have high energy. we did 3 days at Disney and i mean full days and nights. then 2 days at Space Center - again very full days and late nights. I was wiped. that was 5 days on the go nonstop. I like some downtime during a vacation. but next time I may consider one day at Disney or Universal or Sea World. but probably not - would rather explore the east coast of Florida, its state parks and coastal towns, environment, etc. I can never get enough of Florida on either coast - there is just so much natural beauty to explore.

I wish I could say I was high energy, but the thing is we stay longer, so we do a day of touring then a day of resting .

We used to stay two weeks and take day trips all over Florida. We have seen it all from St. Augustine all down the east coast to Miami and the Keys, the everglades and all the way up the west coast, Fort Myers and Sanibel and Tampa area. Then we would come back to Disney for a few more days and then set out again in a different direction.

We have seen the shuttle launch several times while in the area both day and night and it always is fascinating each time.

This website has some good info on the launches:

http://www.launchphotography.com/Shuttle_Launch_Viewing.html

 

[Matt J]

Watching it from a pontoon boat is pretty fun if you can still get that close. My grandparents had a house on the Indian River in Titusville and we would take the boat up to watch launches. It is truly awe inspiring and worth the trip.

 

[30ABandMan]

Thanks everyone! I hope it goes off when im there.