Author Topic: STS-129 Atlantis: Viewing (Going to launch, etc.) (Read 93219 times)

wjbarnett · « **Reply #40 on:** 10/20/2009 01:06 pm »

OMG - I swear I took less than 90 sec to fill out the 3 pages and Causeway tickets were still SOLDOUT prior to 9:02 -- Oh well that why I've got hotel reservations at the Clarion in Titusville (we'll watch from the parking lot)

lloyd1986 · « **Reply #41 on:** 10/20/2009 01:24 pm »

Ah I had the same problem! They sold out so fast. However I put in my CC details and hit submit before I got a page that said "this item is no longer available". So I dont even know if I got a ticket or not??

yorky10 · « **Reply #42 on:** 10/20/2009 01:33 pm »

Quote from: lloyd1986 on 10/20/2009 01:24 pm

Ah I had the same problem! They sold out so fast. However I put in my CC details and hit submit before I got a page that said "this item is no longer available". So I dont even know if I got a ticket or not??

I also had exactly the same problem. I felt a bit of comfort when I initially clicked BUY as it said I had 8 mins to complete. I also completed in 90 seconds and recieved Tickets you requested are no longer available. I know ET is 5 hours behind us here in the UK but Im pretty sure a minute is still 60 seconds over there. I feel severely screwed over. I bet Gator Tours didnt have any problems getting their tickets. Can you tell I am slightly bitter!

lloyd1986 · « **Reply #43 on:** 10/20/2009 01:40 pm »

Yeah I was sure I had it because I thought for that 8mins the ticket was being held while we filled in our details, but obviously not? Now I have to find another good spot to view the launch from, however that seemed to be the best....

spacedog71 · « **Reply #44 on:** 10/20/2009 01:55 pm »

Yeah, that whole "You will have eight ( 8 ) minutes to complete your order once you select items to your cart" thing is a flat-out lie. At 9:02 I was told it was sold out after completing all of the forms.

Took three tries (and two server timeouts) but I finally got a Visitor's Center ticket. So I've at least got a parking placard coming to me.

Sigh...

yorky10 · « **Reply #45 on:** 10/20/2009 02:11 pm »

I dont know if I am just the generic let down shuttle fan but the 8 minutes thing has really hacked me off. Ended up with a KSCVC ticket but no placard as it would only give me the print ticket at home option. Has anyone actually managed to get any LTT's??

lloyd1986 · « **Reply #46 on:** 10/20/2009 03:21 pm »

I think I just got an LTT ticket through Gator Tours. Though I am suprised I got that so easily when the ksc tickets sold out so quickly..... So really I dont have a clue whats going on!

kartmarc · « **Reply #47 on:** 10/20/2009 03:29 pm »

Quote from: lloyd1986 on 10/20/2009 03:21 pm

I think I just got an LTT ticket through Gator Tours. Though I am suprised I got that so easily when the ksc tickets sold out so quickly..... So really I dont have a clue whats going on!

I also bought an LTT ticket throught Gator. More expensive, but I come from Switzerland to watch the lauch, so that won't be much more expensive with plane tickets, hotels, etc.

But I'm disappointed with KSC website too, tickets were immediately sold out !! but they don't have a best choice to sell tickets, I guess...

yorky10 · « **Reply #48 on:** 10/20/2009 03:42 pm »

Quote from: kartmarc on 10/20/2009 03:29 pm

Quote from: lloyd1986 on 10/20/2009 03:21 pm
I think I just got an LTT ticket through Gator Tours. Though I am suprised I got that so easily when the ksc tickets sold out so quickly..... So really I dont have a clue whats going on!

I also bought an LTT ticket throught Gator. More expensive, but I come from Switzerland to watch the lauch, so that won't be much more expensive with plane tickets, hotels, etc.

But I'm disappointed with KSC website too, tickets were immediately sold out !! but they don't have a best choice to sell tickets, I guess...

I dont think there is a shortage of Gator tickets. I have been in FL days before a launch and they have still been advertised. I think it is the lack of KSC buses to accomodate the tickets which make them limited. They are limited to how many bus seats they have on official buses as each bus only makes 1 trip. Therefore the remaining tickets are sub contracted out to Gator etc who mark them up to the hilt and make money of those of us who have missed out buying direct. I believe a few years ago they used to let cars on to the causeway and sell more tickets direct but sadly those days are gone

wjbarnett · « **Reply #49 on:** 10/20/2009 04:02 pm »

Ok, I just bought Gator Tours/Graylines tickets for the causeway viewing as well. Pickup is a few blocks from our motel - but without a refund or causeway opportunity for next attempt once you get on the bus - without meals, earlier times - and more expensive than KSC Visitor Center sales. Oh well, my bitterness KSCVC sales process will pass eventually.

yorky10 · « **Reply #50 on:** 10/20/2009 04:09 pm »

Quote from: wjbarnett on 10/20/2009 04:02 pm

Ok, I just bought Gator Tours/Graylines tickets for the causeway viewing as well. Pickup is a few blocks from our motel - but without a refund or causeway opportunity for next attempt once you get on the bus - without meals, earlier times - and more expensive than KSC Visitor Center sales. Oh well, my bitterness KSCVC sales process will pass eventually.

Not sure mine will

fura · « **Reply #51 on:** 10/20/2009 04:31 pm »

Same procedure as last year, but then the server was overloaded so I never got the chance to try to make a buy from KSVC.
This time I came prepared, sat on a T1 connection - had the page already loaded so when the buy icon appeared I immediately hit it - only to to be greeted by the message "This item is sold out" - then the local time was about 10 seconds past the stroke.
Sour grapes..

Last year I bought Gator tickets for the Hubble mission that was scrubbed - will probably try again for a flight that has a more generous launch window than STS 129.
/Mats, sweden

Nick · « **Reply #52 on:** 10/20/2009 05:06 pm »

Count me in as another failed purchaser. Got in immediately, apparently got tickets allocated, filled out the pages and then got to the end to be told they were sold out.

Well, well within the 8 minutes.

Gator is the Causeway viewers' friend it seems.

sts126 · « **Reply #53 on:** 10/20/2009 06:47 pm »

yep it is a "live cart" which means have the info preloaded as much as possible ignore the 8 minute thing. type as fast as you can. I've not gotten in yet

fredm6463 · « **Reply #54 on:** 10/20/2009 06:59 pm »

Quote from: Nick on 10/20/2009 05:06 pm

Count me in as another failed purchaser. Got in immediately, apparently got tickets allocated, filled out the pages and then got to the end to be told they were sold out.

Well, well within the 8 minutes.

Gator is the Causeway viewers' friend it seems.

For this, I HATE the Internet!
I saw two space shuttle launches in the early 1990's; Endeavour's maiden launch in May 1992 and a Columbia launch in February 1994 at the NASA causeway 6 miles away from pad.

For the 1992 launch I was going to LA to look for work, but when the Rodney King riots broke out I changed my plans. The launch was on a Thursday, I recall, and I called NASA the previous Monday and was told to buy my tickets on site a day or two before the launch. So, I flew to the Cape about two or three days prior to launch, bought my $7.00 bus ticket and saw a most wonderful launch, delayed 40 minutes. The sky was clear and I saw the SRB's separate. The flame from the SRB's were so yellow and bright, like looking in to the Sun. That image can't be captured on film (even IMAX) and forget about video.

In 1994, I did about the same thing. Now with the Internet, any one, any where can buy up these tickets whether they go or not (resale/auction). I've been unable to get any tickets on the NET.
I miss the good old days. If you want to see a launch, travel to the Cape and buy the ticket there.

Just my two cents.

yorky10 · « **Reply #55 on:** 10/20/2009 07:34 pm »

[/quote]

The sky was clear and I saw the SRB's separate. The flame from the SRB's were so yellow and bright, like looking in to the Sun. That image can't be captured on film (even IMAX) and forget about video.

[/quote]

Totally agree. For 125 in May I watched through binoculars and had to look away because it was too bright (like looking at the sun but orange). Words cant describe the sight but you I cant disagree with anything you just said.

Nick · « **Reply #56 on:** 10/20/2009 10:16 pm »

Well, speak as you find.

After this afternoon's debacle (UK time), I emailed KSCVC to complain (politely).

This evening a lady rang me, explained that their server had fallen over under the demand, that she could see my transaction in the system, and sold me two Dine with an Astronaut/LTT tickets...

One happy bunny!!

darmok · « **Reply #57 on:** 10/20/2009 10:36 pm »

I too thought I had it made this morning when I clicked "Buy" and the page that came up told me I had 8 minutes to complete my order. I was done within a few seconds. The child ticket I was trying to buy was still available, but the adult tickets were gone. Guess I could've sent my 8 year old by himself.

I can vouch for the fact that Gator is a good way to go if you're lucky enough to be there for a mission that goes off on schedule. I used them for STS-125 in May. I was sick as a dog and the heat was brutal, but I wouldn't trade that day's experience for anything. Simply awesome!

If you're willing to take your chances on a non-refundable Gator ticket, and the launch does not get scrubbed, you're in for a heck of a show.

yorky10 · « **Reply #58 on:** 10/20/2009 10:38 pm »

Quote from: Nick on 10/20/2009 10:16 pm

Well, speak as you find.

After this afternoon's debacle (UK time), I emailed KSCVC to complain (politely).

This evening a lady rang me, explained that their server had fallen over under the demand, that she could see my transaction in the system, and sold me two Dine with an Astronaut/LTT tickets...

One happy bunny!!

I got a call from them too about 3 hours ago after emailing them. Im also sorted out now. I retract all my rants from today

smith5se · « **Reply #59 on:** 10/20/2009 11:32 pm »

Glad to hear you all have your ticket issues sorted out! Hopefully the server will not collapse for STS 130 as I plan on taking my mom and it will be her first launch!

I will echo the advice though, have everything prefilled out to do a sort of copy and paste, much faster than typing and worked for me for STS 128; Of which tickets for that event sold in about 3 minutes.