Originally Posted By vbdad55 Okay, There is a shuttle launch scheduled for the time when my bext trip is scheduled. If it does not move does anyone know a good place to drive to to watch the shuttle launch without having to go into the Kennedy Center. We did that day trip a few years ago - and we just want to watch - take a pic of two from somewhere reasonably close -- thanks
Originally Posted By Labuda I'd figure watching from the observation deck at the CG would be pretty cool.
Originally Posted By kennect I have seen it from the Carribean Resort and also Animal Kingdom Lodge...Interesting how visible it is at such a distance....
Originally Posted By MPierce I guess we will have to wait until vbdad gets back from his daughters tournament to know for sure, but I think he wants to get a little closer to the launch than WDW. I think he wants to get close enough to be able to see it, but not so close to get caught up in the traffic jams that a shutle launch does cause. You know, a site that almost feels like you are there, but nobody is going to come along, and run you off of. I could be wrong though.
Originally Posted By Doobie Traffic is right! We went out to Kennedy Space Center for the a launch for the first time. After the launch we got in our car about 8:15p. Finally decided to try to get out of the parking lot about 8:45p and got home (near WDW - normally an hour trip) around 1a. Yet it was all worth it for that view! We've seen it from our place a few times but this was our first time going out there and it's well worth the effort! Doobie.
Originally Posted By MPierce ^^^ That's the kind of traffic I've heard about. I've never seen one live, but just once in my lifetime I would love to.
Originally Posted By Friar Tuck and Roll I have seen shuttle launches from in front of Mission Space at Epcot, and just this last weekend in front of Star Tours at MGM. Mission Space gave a slightly better view, but the crowd was much more fun t star Tours since the shuttle took off just after the Star Wars Hyperspace Hoopla. The launch was visible almost directly over M:S but was more to the left of Star Tours.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Saw Friday's launch from the beach at the Poly ... was perfect place. I've seen others from the roof of the Contemporary and saw John Glenn's return to space from T-Land ... shuttle went right up over Space Mountain ... very kewl. But nothing beats the pre-9/11 days when you could watch from the Cape ... the sounds, sights and feelings are incredible ... for a few seconds, I almost feel like there's hope for humanity!
Originally Posted By figment1986 Now the closest you can get is the Bee line (never calling it the other name..) of course being at the right spot in a disney park works too..
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Thanks for all the suggestions everyone -- ? - any good stopping spot off the Bee Line ? ? - I guess I never realized you can see it pretty well from WDW - but yeah, I was thinking closer - would like to video as I am kinda psyched about seeing it "But nothing beats the pre-9/11 days when you could watch from the Cape ... the sounds, sights and feelings are incredible ... for a few seconds" that's what I was afraid of....not being able to do that.. Any spots in Cocoa Beach have a decent view - not too far away ( was going to call Major Nelson but his number unlisted - LOL ! )
Originally Posted By MPierce Sorry for bring back this old thread, and I don't remember now when vbdad55 trip to WDW is scheduled. Anyway I ran across this information for anyone who is planning to view the Shuttle launch at 6:36 PM August 8th. This was posted by a man who does a lot of photo, and video shoots at WDW, and of shuttle launches. He said good viewing, and photo opportunities along US 1 in Titusville, and from Jerry Park in Port Canaveral ( where ever those places are). He said if you are in MK look towards Tomorrowland. If you are at Epcot look towards Mission Space or Mexico, and China. Good luck on seeing it. I believe ssWEDguy was the last one to post shuttle pictures, I sure would like to see a couple more.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost I watched one once from a parking lot at Denny's Restaurant on Rte. 192 in Kissimmee. It was pretty near WDW so all I could see was the fire trail as it went up and into the clouds. Interesting none the less.
Originally Posted By rockcow1 We saw the one in June take off from the bridge going to the pool at POR. Shiny silver speck, but the trails were way cool.
Originally Posted By twirlnhurl My family usually sees the launches at a park along US 1 in Titusville at the park just north of Knox McRae Dr. The view is pretty good, and traffic isn't that awful. We usually park on the west side of US 1 in one of the business plazas or on a side street a block to the west and walk. Lots of people do this and no one seems to mind. After the launch, it is easy to get to State Road 50 or the Bee Line (I hate that other name also) back to Orlando. However, I imagine that both of those roads are quite crowded for a few hours after the launch. Unfortunately, Titusville is a boring city (other then stuff related to the Kennedy Space Center) and does not offer very good shopping or anything like that which would be a good way to waste those few hours.
Originally Posted By MrDisneyGeek we saw one in feb of 2000 from just outside the rockin roller coaster / fantasmic area of MGM. visibility is pretty good for not being at kennedy
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Best Spot to see the launch is the Top of the World outdoor platform at the Contemporary... (aka CA Grille) ..Or.. The bridge between UK and France at EPCOT Center's World Showcase.
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy The last time I went to see the shuttle launch I drove Orlando to Titusville via the 528 beeline. Near the east coast take 407 to I-95 north. Then the Garden St. 406 exit going east. Drive to the water's edge. The place is called Space View Park, a public location with lots of astronaut memorials. It's right at the water's edge, and out across the water you can see the launch tower, about 10 miles away. This is a close as you can get without knowing someone. You can watch the whole launch from here and get some pretty good pictures. Binoculars and zoom lenses help. They had live audio feeds from the cape set up for the public. It takes 1:04 minutes for the rocket sound to get to you. After the launch getting back out to the 528 beeline was not too hard. Plan on arriving at least 4 hours before launch. Maybe more.
