Space Shuttle Launch?

[MichaelColey]

With the launch delay, it looks like we might be able to make it to the Space Shuttle launch!

Does anyone have any recommendations for where to go to watch it, how to avoid the traffic driving there from Orlando, etc?

[guff]

I saw it once years ago - summer of 1997. I saw it from a rather small pier in Titusville. Space View Park Pier (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=space+view+park+pier+titusville,+fl&aq=&sll=36.244273,-95.976562&sspn=48.219857,64.423828&ie=UTF8&hq=space+view+park+pier&hnear=Titusville,+Brevard,+Florida&t=h&z=17)


I was staying at Cocoa Beach so my drive was different but I'd imagine you'd take the Bee Line from Orlando and head north on 95 or RT1. The launch I saw happened early morning hours. I don't remember the exact time but I remember I had to be awake a 0dark30. It was an experience I'll never forget.

[blyday]

You can see it right from WDW. Not quite as cool as close up but still very cool. I saw it from the airport once and that was way cool as we'd just landed and they told us to look for it. That added bonus to not making a special trip for it is that if it gets canceled that day......you haven't given up all of that time for nothing!!! Just a thought.

[3Caballeros]

That added bonus to not making a special trip for it is that if it gets canceled that day......you haven't given up all of that time for nothing!!! Just a thought.

Oh, one of the most miserable times of my life while in FL was in February 2010. We'd spent our entire vacation doing this: :puke:

I honestly don't think that we were at the parks all at the same time more than 2 x because either one of us was in the resort room with the kid who was sick or we were sick ourselves while the other parent took the well ones out and about for some Disney fun.

So, we'd planned ahead that at the end of our trip we were going to see the last night Shuttle launch at the Cape. We'd purchased the tix and everything so there was not a huge option to skip this. Got there around 11pm (4am launch time). The line to get in the place was about 1/2 mile out the door and it was FREEZING. The kids had to use the bathroom and there were no port-a-potties. We had to get creative... orange juice bottles were involved:RpS_crying:

Exhausted, time clicked by... tick tock tick tock.......finally, 3:57 am arrives. The launch had been postponed.:RpS_ohmy::RpS_mad::RpS_thumbdn::RpS_cur sing:

I'll not be doing that again, thank you very much and have a nice day!:nono:

[mousehelper]

We watched from the bridge between BC and the BC parking lot once. We were walking in, and there were a dozen or so folks on the left side of the bridge, all facing towards DS, looking towards the sky. I, of course, had to ask one fo them what they were doing. They were waiting for the Shuttle Launch. So, we stood and waited too! Jon used his phone see check twitters about what was going on at the Cape. And then, bam-- there was a fireball in the sky.
It was cool. Certainly not a Cape experience-- but I can say I saw the Shuttle in the sky. And it took 5 minutes of waiting and no planning! Love that!
:RpS_tongue:

[guff]

I would recommend seeing it up close. There is no way to accurately describe what happens. It is a sight and a sound that can only be experienced up close. I went to see it simply because I was close to it and it was something to do. I had limited expectations. I would have never imagined that 15 years later I would still be amazed by I saw.

If I remember correctly we arrived at the about three or four hours before launch. I suppose this one may attract more attention than the launch I saw.

[MichaelColey]

With an 8, 5 and 1 year old, I'm leaning more and more to just watching it from Orlando. I realize I'll only see the contrails (and only if it's clear) and not hear or feel the launch, but a 3 hour drive, a 6 hour wait (that's what I hear they're recommending) and a 3 hour drive back will make for a miserable day with the kids. It's very appealing to just set an alarm on my phone, try to find a high/clear spot, and just have a 5 minute wait. :)

[vicki_c]

Having tried to see it 2x on a tour, both of which fell through, I recommend either settling for the Orlando view or being prepared for basically an 18 hour day, much of which will be either waiting or sitting in traffic (with only a 40% chance that it actually goes from what I read). If you go early enough, you could have less than a 3 hour drive over, but that will just add to your waiting time once you're there. And the way back will most likely be more than 3 hours for this next launch I would guess based on what I know about the crowd predictions.

[3Caballeros]

Well, if anyone does find their way on the Space Coast .... you MUST eat at http://dixiecrossroads.com/. WONDERFUL seafood, huge restaurant, and good prices. It was nearly worth the many hours of torture we endured missing the launch just to eat here! YUM!!

[jilly7896]

My husband has been dying to go to that restaurant! I think he saw it on Diners, Driveins and DIves.

[MichaelColey]

Well, if anyone does find their way on the Space Coast .... you MUST eat at http://dixiecrossroads.com/. WONDERFUL seafood, huge restaurant, and good prices. It was nearly worth the many hours of torture we endured missing the launch just to eat here! YUM!!Maybe on a future trip (when there's not a launch), we'll head out that way, and will definitely have to check this out!

[guff]

Where are you driving from that makes it a 3 hour drive. My memory and google maps puts the drive from Orlando to Titusville at about an hour.

[MichaelColey]

We would be coming from Orlando. I think it's normally just an hour, but I've heard that the roads are pretty backed up heading in and out for a launch. Is that not right?

[3Caballeros]

Oh, that is correct...... we waited more than 4 hours to leave after they called the launch off b/c of the hours of traffic leaving the place.