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#400
by
parmstro
on 26 Apr, 2010 21:28
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I watched a lauch from the side of road (beeline) but I'm really hoping to get to Banana Creek..
I've seen a lot of launches from up close (Banana Creek, press site, etc), and I've seen a lot of launches from the Causeway. From the Causeway the experience is awesome, and yes, from up close it is awesome x 10. If you [only] end up at the Causeway, don't worry - you won't be disappointed and you should in no way feel like you missed anything. Sort of like the difference between winning the lottery for $10 million and winning the lottery for $100 million. In the end, you're rich either way!
The biggest difference in seeing it from up close is the sound. You don't get the same ground-shaking experience at the Causeway, though it is still impressive. On the flip side, a big drawback of Banana Creek is the crowd. It was crowded beyond belief at the last launch. I heard they squeezed an extra 2000 people into the site, which is only designed for 3500 or so. Unattended children are also a problem there. I suppose that's not a problem unique to that site, but I've never had a tripod knocked over by someone's kid at the Causeway.
Just my two cents.
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#401
by
spacedog71
on 26 Apr, 2010 22:07
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i managed to get congressional causeway tickets for STS-130 in february.
because the congressional buses meet in titusville and get screened in the back of the visitor's center parking lot, we never actually set foot inside the visitor's center that night, and didn't get the two-day KSCVC passes that are included with a regular causeway ticket.
i ended up having to mail order my endeavour shirt and patch when i got home, because we never actually got to the gift shop at the KSCVC that night and the shops at the airport were sold out.
the lines were long at every point and we were running pretty late, so our bus actually pulled in well towards the back of the line of causeway buses, about as far east on the causeway as you can get.
after the scrub i asked if we had a chance of being upgraded to the banana creek site at the next attempt, what with the usual scrub attrition and all, and the girl on our bus said it was highly unlikely because of the sheer number of congressional pass holders that attended that launch.
unfortunately, congressional passes are probably causeway-only for these last few launches. the flip side is that you don't need to wrestle with any trips to the box office for more passes in the event of a scrub -- your invitation is good until they launch.
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#402
by
kdollard
on 26 Apr, 2010 22:10
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I know I'm asking a biased audience here, but would those of you who have seen a shuttle launch recommend it to a pretty big shuttle fan? I've wanted to see a launch for years and was hoping for causeway tickets this morning. My plan right now is to go to Titusville instead. The trip for me from New York will probably cost me around $500 (luckily I have a place to stay for free). I'm a college student, but I do have some money to spend.
I guess my question is basically is it worth coming down to see this launch at Titusville (it works out nicely with my schedule), should I try to shell out some additional money for causeway tickets by other means, should I hope for better luck on one of the two remaining launches (demand can only increase though right?) or should I save my money and see some other launch at the Cape sometime?
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#403
by
tim202
on 26 Apr, 2010 23:11
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OK....So I was not able to get tickets for the launch. I'm thinking of going to Space View Park in Titusville...figure if I get there early I can get a good spot.
So whats the general consensus.....is that the best viewing spot?
Any other suggestions?
Thanks for your help, Tim
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#404
by
Furner
on 26 Apr, 2010 23:17
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I would hit ebay and spacecoast.craigslist.org/tix and orlando.craigslist.org/tix
see if there is anything there that you can live with the price of.
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#405
by
PahTo
on 26 Apr, 2010 23:29
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Yes, viewing the launch from Titusville is worth the trip.
For you too as well, tim202--Titusville (Clarion parking lot, small parks along the waterfront) well worth it!
-Tom
I know I'm asking a biased audience here, but would those of you who have seen a shuttle launch recommend it to a pretty big shuttle fan? I've wanted to see a launch for years and was hoping for causeway tickets this morning. My plan right now is to go to Titusville instead. The trip for me from New York will probably cost me around $500 (luckily I have a place to stay for free). I'm a college student, but I do have some money to spend.
I guess my question is basically is it worth coming down to see this launch at Titusville (it works out nicely with my schedule), should I try to shell out some additional money for causeway tickets by other means, should I hope for better luck on one of the two remaining launches (demand can only increase though right?) or should I save my money and see some other launch at the Cape sometime?
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#406
by
DirtyDeeds
on 26 Apr, 2010 23:41
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OK....So I was not able to get tickets for the launch. I'm thinking of going to Space View Park in Titusville...figure if I get there early I can get a good spot.
So whats the general consensus.....is that the best viewing spot?
Any other suggestions?
Thanks for your help, Tim
View-wise, anywhere along the river on US-1 gives more or less the same view. But the crowd atmosphere is much better at Space View Park, in my opinion. More excitement.
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#407
by
spacehooch
on 27 Apr, 2010 00:02
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Hi all
First time poster, log time reader.
Just wanted to say thanks for all the advice given over the last few weeks.
My family and I are coming over from Adelaide, Australia. Staying in Cocoa beach (after the hell of days in Disney
)
After waiting for an hour last night on hold and in the waiting room I took the forum advice and called Dolphin tours. I tried 3 times got through and purchased 3 Causeway tickets!!
Are there any other Aussies coming over with Dolphin tours Cocoa Beach pickup?
Does the tour group get herded around together so no one walks off? Is there a separate line for the LTT?
Which Ron Jon's is the pick up point?
My son is totally bouncing off the walls, and we are all very excited.
Thanks again every one, this is the best space forum around.
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#408
by
Furner
on 27 Apr, 2010 00:11
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Can anyone else say how long it took to receive their Dolphin tours confirmation email?
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#409
by
spacehooch
on 27 Apr, 2010 00:18
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Can anyone else say how long it took to receive their Dolphin tours confirmation email?
I got my email 45 minutes later, the lady at dolphin said they were really busy.
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#410
by
Furner
on 27 Apr, 2010 00:29
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Can anyone else say how long it took to receive their Dolphin tours confirmation email?
I got my email 45 minutes later, the lady at dolphin said they were really busy.
Ill have to call them tomorrow then, I ordered mine like 4 hours ago.
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#411
by
shuttlefanatic
on 27 Apr, 2010 00:30
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Is there anyone having a detailed "scrub-statistics"?
How often was a Shuttle launch scrubbed within the last 3 hours?
(especially since RTF)
A friend of mine asked me a similar question as we were debating the Gator Tours route. Here's what I came up with (source = Bill Harwood's CBS site):
Post Columbia flights: 18
First attempt successful: 9 (not counting delays prior to countdown start at L-3 days)
Of the 9 flights with at least one scrub, 4 launched within 4 days of the first attempt.
One might therefore conclude that if the initial attempt is May 14, and you stick around until May 17, you have a 72% chance of seeing a launch.
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#412
by
Frostywinter
on 27 Apr, 2010 00:32
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Hi Guys
All very excited about coming to see STS-132 launch and visit the area in a couple of weeks.
I have Causeway tickets as part of a Grayline tour on the big day - I am trying to work out where the actual "Causeway Viewing Area" is - I have attached a GoogleMaps map of the area - would someone who has been there before be able to mark on the map where it is and repost perhaps?
I am sure it would help a few of us first timers get a lay of the area.
Also I ended up getting a Visitor Centre Launch day ticket in the mad rush for online tickets last night - thought it might come in handy?
I have read stories of if once you get on "the bus" to head to the Causeway veiwing area and there is a delay to launch you loose your Causeway ticket? Will the VC Ticket let me come back on next launch attempt (Not to the Causeway though)??
Tks
Frosty
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#413
by
shuttlefanatic
on 27 Apr, 2010 00:56
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... I am trying to work out where the actual "Causeway Viewing Area" is - I have attached a GoogleMaps map of the area - would someone who has been there before be able to mark on the map where it is and repost perhaps?
Causeway viewing area is the 405 marker just above the (c)2010 Google label.
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#414
by
Andrewwski
on 27 Apr, 2010 01:33
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#415
by
ChrisGebhardt
on 27 Apr, 2010 01:35
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I know I'm asking a biased audience here, but would those of you who have seen a shuttle launch recommend it to a pretty big shuttle fan? I've wanted to see a launch for years and was hoping for causeway tickets this morning. My plan right now is to go to Titusville instead. The trip for me from New York will probably cost me around $500 (luckily I have a place to stay for free). I'm a college student, but I do have some money to spend.
I guess my question is basically is it worth coming down to see this launch at Titusville (it works out nicely with my schedule), should I try to shell out some additional money for causeway tickets by other means, should I hope for better luck on one of the two remaining launches (demand can only increase though right?) or should I save my money and see some other launch at the Cape sometime?
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You will regret it and punish yourself for the rest of your life if you do NOT see a Shuttle launch in person.
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#416
by
ChrisGebhardt
on 27 Apr, 2010 01:37
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OK....So I was not able to get tickets for the launch. I'm thinking of going to Space View Park in Titusville...figure if I get there early I can get a good spot.
So whats the general consensus.....is that the best viewing spot?
Any other suggestions?
Thanks for your help, Tim
View-wise, anywhere along the river on US-1 gives more or less the same view. But the crowd atmosphere is much better at Space View Park, in my opinion. More excitement.
Anywhere the A. Max Brewer Parkway is good to. It's northwest of the pad so (save clouds) you're guaranteed an unobstructed view.
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#417
by
Yegor
on 27 Apr, 2010 02:13
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It is really depressing to see these scalpers (sinful people) who sell $59 tickets for $900.
I think it is going to be even worse for the last two launches.
Kennedy Space Center should do something about it - they can ask for names of the people who make the reservation and print it on the tickets and then verify the names when people come for the launch. This way there will be no scalping at all.
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#418
by
Andrewwski
on 27 Apr, 2010 02:44
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That wouldn't make any sense for them though. Takes extra manpower, extra effort, thus extra time and extra expense.
If Delaware North wanted to capitalize on the demand, they'd raise the prices, as they are clearly selling them for lower than their value.
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#419
by
STS134
on 27 Apr, 2010 02:48
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I know I'm asking a biased audience here, but would those of you who have seen a shuttle launch recommend it to a pretty big shuttle fan? I've wanted to see a launch for years and was hoping for causeway tickets this morning. My plan right now is to go to Titusville instead. The trip for me from New York will probably cost me around $500 (luckily I have a place to stay for free). I'm a college student, but I do have some money to spend.
I guess my question is basically is it worth coming down to see this launch at Titusville (it works out nicely with my schedule), should I try to shell out some additional money for causeway tickets by other means, should I hope for better luck on one of the two remaining launches (demand can only increase though right?) or should I save my money and see some other launch at the Cape sometime?
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You will regret it and punish yourself for the rest of your life if you do NOT see a Shuttle launch in person.
Chris-I LOVE your answer....that is the way I feel about it. I am in Austin Texas and I have never seen a Launch. Yesterday my daughter and I drove to Johnson Space Center Houston and I walked in and sat down and cried.... but just for minute! As part of the visit experience we got to see the Mission Control Room. They haven't hung STS131 Patch on the wall yet. Apparently there is a tradition where the Shuttle Crew gathers and nominates the person who went over and above the call of duty, and it is that Astronaut who is elected to hang the patch in the Mission Control room. But there was still a sign up in the Control Room that said Good Luck STS131. It was so awesome.
We also saw the huge room where the Astronauts train....with near-scale mock-ups. The final thing the tour guide pointed out to us in that area was an American Flag hanging on one wall. He told us that that particular American Flag is the ACTUAL flag which will be placed on Mars when we arrive there in 2035 or some approximate time.
We also saw a Saturn V Rocket on loan from the Smithsonian Institute. Blew us away-it is so huge.
The whole visit was like a dream....they almost had to drag people out of there.
This is the Year of The Shuttle-the end of an era-historic and heart-wrenching. A proper salute and final goodbye is well in order and I am proud of all of you here who honor all that. Texas salutes you all!
)