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#600
by
jeff2space
on 09 May, 2010 19:24
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Has anyone any experience of seeing the SRB's being towed in at Port Canaveral? Can you see anything? Is it worth seeing?
Best place to see the SRB's is at the Canaveral lock. The hard part is knowing when they'll be coming through but it's definitely worth seeing.
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#601
by
mixologist07
on 09 May, 2010 22:28
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You can watch from just about any area of the Causeway, but keep in mind you'll have to hustle back to get on your original departure bus if you go too far west. There's also guards stationed at the drawbridge that separates the east and west causeways, so I doubt you can go too far that way. The bleachers are right by the drawbridge in the center and offer a good view.
And please, don't forget sunscreen and bug spray if you're out on the causeway. It's a wide open space with hardly any shelter, and avoiding getting extremely sunburnt is a lesson I've learned the hard way out at KSC during day launches.
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#602
by
robertross
on 09 May, 2010 22:55
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And please, don't forget sunscreen and bug spray if you're out on the causeway. It's a wide open space with hardly any shelter, and avoiding getting extremely sunburnt is a lesson I've learned the hard way out at KSC during day launches.
I'm currently packing at the moment, so a big thanks for that one!
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#603
by
ChrisC
on 10 May, 2010 01:05
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Has anyone any experience of seeing the SRB's being towed in at Port Canaveral? Can you see anything? Is it worth seeing?
Best place to see the SRB's is at the Canaveral lock. The hard part is knowing when they'll be coming through but it's definitely worth seeing.
Watch the live threads starting on Flight Day 2 or so for news on the arrival of the SRBs. And the briefings of course, as someone usually asks.
Also search the live threads of previous missions, as some here have posted pictures and more details about how to see them.
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#604
by
stephenv
on 10 May, 2010 01:05
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One question from someone flying in out of town with two young kids and an old man (me)....we're arriving MCO late Thursday night (11pm). We'd like to find a 24hr Walmart/Target/Kmart/whatever that would be open somewhere between MCO and Disneyworld where we can stop and by some of the (permitted) folding chairs and an umbrella. Anything at all is fine, it just has to be open late at night -- midnightish.
And one related question --> I'm driving to KSC. Can I leave my junk in the car for the 3-4 hours prior to the Bus ride to the causeway? or do I have to lug it around with me?
Mixologist07 -- Thank you for your response to my question related to this point (below).
Here's some info on what you asked:...
3) There are no viewing areas with reliable shade on the causeway. If you want to be at the best site on the east side of the causeway, then you want to be on the first or second bus. That takes you directly to an area with a countdown clock and bleacher seating. There's only room on that section for one or two busses, plus you have the advantage of being early in line for a LTT replacement ticket voucher if there's a scrub. If shade is a concern, bring an umbrella.
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#605
by
ysuindy
on 10 May, 2010 01:48
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http://www.walmart.com/storeLocator/ca_storefinder_details_short.do?edit_object_id=3782&sfsearch_zip=&sfsearch_city=Orlando&sfsearch_state=FLsorry - can't get the hyperlink button above to work.
try this Walmart above - my son and I stopped there after we left MCO for the launch of STS 127. Got a couple of folding chairs (that we gave to our bus driver after the successful launch) for about $10 each and picked up some water and other stuff.
If you can't get the link to work it is at 5991 New Goldenrod Rd, Orlando 32822. You can get there from the store locator at Walmart's website.
the listing doesn't give store hours, just pharmacy and store to store hours. You may want to call to confirm it is 24 hours. There is a New Goldenrod Rd exit off 528. Have some quarters with you to pay the toll - I recall it is an unmanned toll booth so you can't get change and you can't use paper money - at least that I saw - a local may have better knowledge.
Enjoy and good luck for a no scrub launch.
Oops just reread your post and you were looking for a Walmart between MCO and Disney - this is for a Walmart between MCO and KSC - did hte work - figure I will leave it up here for anyone else who needs it.
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#606
by
himom
on 10 May, 2010 04:40
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One question from someone flying in out of town with two young kids and an old man (me)....we're arriving MCO late Thursday night (11pm). We'd like to find a 24hr Walmart/Target/Kmart/whatever that would be open somewhere between MCO and Disneyworld where we can stop and by some of the (permitted) folding chairs and an umbrella. Anything at all is fine, it just has to be open late at night -- midnightish.
I'm not a local, but I saw this on a Disney forum. It's a 24-hr Walmart near Disney World. The address is 1471 East Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee (407) 870-2277. You might want to verify the hours before you go.
HTH.
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#607
by
yorky10
on 10 May, 2010 05:45
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One question from someone flying in out of town with two young kids and an old man (me)....we're arriving MCO late Thursday night (11pm). We'd like to find a 24hr Walmart/Target/Kmart/whatever that would be open somewhere between MCO and Disneyworld where we can stop and by some of the (permitted) folding chairs and an umbrella. Anything at all is fine, it just has to be open late at night -- midnightish.
And one related question --> I'm driving to KSC. Can I leave my junk in the car for the 3-4 hours prior to the Bus ride to the causeway? or do I have to lug it around with me?
Mixologist07 -- Thank you for your response to my question related to this point (below). Here's some info on what you asked:...
3) There are no viewing areas with reliable shade on the causeway. If you want to be at the best site on the east side of the causeway, then you want to be on the first or second bus. That takes you directly to an area with a countdown clock and bleacher seating. There's only room on that section for one or two busses, plus you have the advantage of being early in line for a LTT replacement ticket voucher if there's a scrub. If shade is a concern, bring an umbrella.
I go to this one
http://www.walmart.com/storeLocator/ca_storefinder_details_short.do?edit_object_id=4332&sfsearch_zip=&sfsearch_city=orlando&sfsearch_state=FL . It 1 exit in the wrong direction on I4 for you if you come off of of 528 but really easy to double back. If you turn right out of the car park that road takes you virtually to Disney main gate. All by 1 block. Follow the road until you
can see the Orlando Ale House over the intersection at 435 and turn left. Disney maingate is then on your right after the Medical Center.
Regards
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#608
by
doosty
on 10 May, 2010 16:24
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Hello everyone,
My family and I are headed to KSC to watch our first launch and I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good spot to take a photo of the shuttle once the RSS is rolled back and the xenons are lit up on Thursday evening / night.
I'd assume a decent picture could be taken from Titusville (with a 300mm lens), but I believe the RSS and tower are between you and the stack.
Does anyone have any other spots that they would recommend for a night time photo? We'll be out on the causeway on Friday, so we'll be able to get our daytime shots then.
Thanks!
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#609
by
astrobrian
on 10 May, 2010 16:31
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You can see the VAB fairly easy, but it is a little harder to see much more than the lights from the pad structure. Even with the RSS retracted the angle is not right for it but you can see both pads
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#610
by
kermit
on 10 May, 2010 17:51
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Hello everyone,
My family and I are headed to KSC to watch our first launch and I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good spot to take a photo of the shuttle once the RSS is rolled back and the xenons are lit up on Thursday evening / night.
I'd assume a decent picture could be taken from Titusville (with a 300mm lens), but I believe the RSS and tower are between you and the stack.
Does anyone have any other spots that they would recommend for a night time photo? We'll be out on the causeway on Friday, so we'll be able to get our daytime shots then.
Thanks!
It is over 13 miles from the pad, but Rt401 north of 528 next to port Canaveral gives a view of the stack.
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#611
by
ChrisC
on 10 May, 2010 18:21
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In one of these threads, someone posted a link to an older thread that listed restaurants in the area, e.g. Titusville. Can someone repost that? I had been leaving the browser window up so I could make a note of it but I've checked all of my computers and it seems to have disappeared.
Edit: thanks AnalogMan!
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#612
by
AnalogMan
on 10 May, 2010 18:35
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#613
by
doosty
on 10 May, 2010 19:02
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Thanks astrobrian and kermit!
I think we'll first go to the spot you've shown in your image kermit, that looks like a pretty good spot. We still should be able to get some good shots from 13mi assuming the atmosphere is fairly still.
Thanks again to both of you for your help! Here's hoping to good weather on Friday!
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#614
by
kermit
on 10 May, 2010 19:42
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Thanks astrobrian and kermit!
I think we'll first go to the spot you've shown in your image kermit, that looks like a pretty good spot. We still should be able to get some good shots from 13mi assuming the atmosphere is fairly still.
Thanks again to both of you for your help! Here's hoping to good weather on Friday!
When you take the Canaveral AFS exit off 528 and go north you cross over the canaveral canal with the locks off to the left. That is where the booster recovery (Liberty Star and Freedom Star) ships pass through, about 24 hours before launch, heading for the recovery area. The Pegasus barge also uses this canal to deliver the external tanks.
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#615
by
astrobrian
on 10 May, 2010 20:09
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Thanks astrobrian and kermit!
I think we'll first go to the spot you've shown in your image kermit, that looks like a pretty good spot. We still should be able to get some good shots from 13mi assuming the atmosphere is fairly still.
Thanks again to both of you for your help! Here's hoping to good weather on Friday!
When you take the Canaveral AFS exit off 528 and go north you cross over the canaveral canal with the locks off to the left. That is where the booster recovery (Liberty Star and Freedom Star) ships pass through, about 24 hours before launch, heading for the recovery area. The Pegasus barge also uses this canal to deliver the external tanks.
Google maps actually has a tank being towed by KARS park as well
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#616
by
stephenv
on 11 May, 2010 05:16
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one last question... I'm driving to KSC. Can I leave my junk in the car for the 3-4 hours prior to the Bus ride to the causeway? or do I have to lug it around with me?
(Thanks Himom and Yorky10 for your prior answer!)
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#617
by
yorky10
on 11 May, 2010 06:53
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one last question... I'm driving to KSC. Can I leave my junk in the car for the 3-4 hours prior to the Bus ride to the causeway? or do I have to lug it around with me?
(Thanks Himom and Yorky10 for your prior answer!)
I'm assuming you mean you things you will be taking to the viewing site?? You can leave them in the car but you will need to go through security again to go get them which could cause you delays which I wouldn't risk.
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#618
by
K466
on 12 May, 2010 16:19
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I plan on coming to view this launch, this will be the first one I came to see since I was a kid with sts-91, where's the best spot to come and view it for free?
The other week I was at the Haulover canal area and on the south east side of the area I found a few hard to access spots that had a decent view of both pads. Not sure if that area is off limits during a launch or not.
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#619
by
sts126
on 12 May, 2010 17:37
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the part of the road just south by couple hundred feet of haulover bridge is closed for launch
