Shuttle launch - how best to see while in Florida?

JackRS

We’re off to Florida on the 18th Feb for 10 days. The Shuttle launch is currently planned for the 24th Feb, obviously lots can go wrong yet and it may not happen then. We were planning to drive over but it seems the views are not so great from the various places you can get to, bit too far away (+10 miles).

We’re considering Virgins expensive packages, they offer 2, both include coach trip to the Kennedy space centre from Orlando with launch day entry tickets (now sold out from Kennedy Space Centre Direct). Standard ($120) you watch the launch from the visitors centre (Rocket garden) or VIP from causeway ($170), I’ll spare you the details of the pros and cons but there’s loads of info on line. The launch day tickets from the centre when available were about $50 for the Standard, so obviously with Virgin you’re paying over the top for coach and ticket allocation.

Just wondered if anyone else had done this in the past and if you know of an alternative to getting these launch day tickets. There’s 4 of us so we’re looking at $480 for the standard which is a lot but if it’s the best way to make the most of this ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity, then maybe life’s too short to worry about the cost? I realise the options of seeing from other sites is cheaper and if the launch is cancelled on the day no money back!

Incapuppy

I'm talking 15 years back but we just drove up to a nearby beach (I think it was about 7 miles away) parked up and had a fabulous view.

JackRS

Thanks Incapuppy. The closest beach open for launch now is Cocoa beach about 12miles from 39A. The viewing sites at the space centre are about 7 miles away. Think the times have changed and they don't let personal cars on site around lauch time now and close many of the surrounding roads...

blunther

I was fortunate enough to see it from the 7mile viewing area years ago. Drove over from Tampa Bay three days in a row due to cancellations, but it was well worth it. 7 miles is an awful long way, but when those rockets fire, it's like a second sun (well - a first sun really, since the real sun had just set!) - assumed it had exploded on the launch pad it was so bright.

To this day the best thing I've seen in my life. Break to bank to see it if necessary as there aren't many more!

EDIT: Just read that you get no refund if cancelled - harsh...!! Only takes a bit of wind to cancel it. But, well, if you're lucky enough to see it, you won't regret spending the money.

kazwookie

Many years ago, xOH and I stood on Daytona beach (I think) and watched from there with 1000's of others. Like others have said well worth it, get there early.

JackRS

Thanks blunther, The closest option is the causeway at 6 miles so your view was about the same. From my research it seems Tampa bay isn't an option, however I found a site offering the VIP (causeway view) at $120 each (Gatortours.com) probably who Virgin are using? Maybe need to dig a bit more to see if Tampa Bay is an option.

blunther

JackRS wrote: »

Thanks blunther, The closest option is the causeway at 6 miles so your view was about the same. From my research it seems Tampa bay isn't an option, however I found a site offering the VIP (causeway view) at $120 each (Gatortours.com) probably who Virgin are using? Maybe need to dig a bit more to see if Tampa Bay is an option.

Hi,

Tampa Bay is on the other side of Florida, where we were staying - about three hours drive - but we drove from there three times to see the shuttle launch, and it was still worth it

davetrousers

I was in Florida in October (just before the original scheduled launch at the start of November) so were lucky to see the shuttle on the launch pad. We also stayed at Cocoa Beach and you could see the shuttle from there, so would consider this a good place to view.

JackRS

blunther wrote: »

Hi,

Tampa Bay is on the other side of Florida, where we were staying - about three hours drive - but we drove from there three times to see the shuttle launch, and it was still worth it

Yeah sorry Know Tampa Bay where you stayed but thought you were refering to another one close to the launch pad with the same name as that sometimes happens. Anyway where did you see it from?

Bennifred

Absolutely no use to you, OP but just had to share...a few years ago we were flying down from Jacksonville to Miami when the pilot said quite casually that if we looked out to our left we'd see the shuttle being launched - it was amazing, and I think possibly the best view anyone could have had:D It would take some planning to replicate it though!

JackRS

Nice one Bennifred, you'd think the air space would be restricted nearby?