-
#380
by
Keyman
on 15 Jun, 2011 13:38
-
Well that was easy. The purchase process went quite smoothly. GOt in right about 9am, bought VC tickets and dine with Astronaut tickets, put in the credit card number and done. REally was hoping for causeway, but it's not to be.
Congrats to Keyman and Endeavour Forever.
Beefstew
And I cannot tell you how amped up I am for this!! Fifty years is long enough to wait. Thanks beef5stew, thanks to the Forum, it's moderators, adminstrators, members and contributors.
Jeezum...I'm going to see a Shuttle Launch!!!
-
#381
by
Endeavour Forever
on 15 Jun, 2011 13:47
-
Well that was easy. The purchase process went quite smoothly. GOt in right about 9am, bought VC tickets and dine with Astronaut tickets, put in the credit card number and done. REally was hoping for causeway, but it's not to be.
Congrats to Keyman and Endeavour Forever.
Beefstew
Thanks so much, beef5stew! You're the best!
-
#382
by
DrGuano
on 15 Jun, 2011 13:53
-
Congratulations to you who got tickets to the VC. I have not one but two friends who wanted to surprise me with tickets. They logged on at 9:00 EDT and kept getting the message that tickets were not available for the VC. So they each bought me six tickets to the AHOF. If there is anyone who wants an AHOF ticket at cost plus shipping, please send me a PM.
-
#383
by
Endeavour Forever
on 15 Jun, 2011 14:04
-
On the topic of VC/HOF viewing locations, can someone help me understand why anyone should prefer either of the two compared to road-side viewing along the mainland-Merrit causeway? More or less same distance, FAR better view.
Personally I'd even take Port Canaveral over VC and HOF, but that's my opinion. The point is that there are, in my opinion, several publicly accessible locations that are better than VC and HOF.
Personally, coming all the way from the UK, I'm quite excited for the whole launch as an event, and hoping that there will be some cool launch day presentations and activities/appearances. It just feels like a brilliant place to experience the final shuttle launch.
The 60 seconds or so you're actually viewing the launch will be the most spectacular moment of the day, for sure, but it's the end of an era and I'm more than happy to experience that in a place like KSC.
Even if it means I miss the very first moments of launch for the trees.
To me, there's so many good things about watching the launch at the VC - you get 2 days of KSC admission with your tickets, which is great since there's so much to see and do. If you can get out there the day before launch, you can take one of the bus tours to see Atlantis on her pad, the crawlerway, countdown clock, the (exterior of the) VAB and OPF buildings, etc. - all this just adds to the excitement, plus the Saturn V center is very cool. On launch day there'll be a big JumboTron you can watch for NASA TV - plus astronaut presentations and Q&A one-on-one for the kids - meet an astronaut in the bookstore and get an autograph/photo. All the KSC exhibits (including the new Star Trek one) will be open while you wait for launch, and the 2 IMAX theatres. There's food, bathrooms, and all the souvenirs you could want, LOL. Make sure you get over to the AHOF at some point too, well worth the visit.
-
#384
by
VicenteFox
on 15 Jun, 2011 14:23
-
Bad news it seems, my friend says this:
Hi, was in the virtual waiting room from 545 to 605, after that I've
been in the purchase page (35 mins now). I keep getting "Tickets are
not available together in the quantity you requested in this section
at this time. Please try a different section, or fewer tickets." which
is frustrating because I've tried all combinations and it didn't even
let me buy 1. I think all of them sold out in the 5 mins the system
had me on waiting room.
So does this sound like an error to anyone? Wondering if he has grounds for complaint or appeal, or not. Why let user into the purchasing page at all if there are none left? Were they really all gone in 5 minutes?
-
#385
by
DrGuano
on 15 Jun, 2011 14:40
-
My sister-in-law just forwarded an email from Central Florida Tours saying tickets will go on sale tomorrow but they will not have VIP tickets for the Causeway, just the Visitor Center. I don't know if this is also going to be Grayline policy. I signed up for emails from Grayline but have not heard from them.
Here is a link to the Central Florida Tours letter:
http://www.mailermailer.com/x?function=view&c=133500082s-3a9379c6%2a830898w-c8be8b7b
-
#386
by
Andrewwski
on 15 Jun, 2011 14:42
-
The main problem in all of this is the ridiculously low rates KSC is using for their direct sale tickets. With more sensible pricing (at least 10x of what they currently have), you wouldn't be facing the rate of 1000 buyers per available ticket
Keep in mind until the end of the program, people were pretty blase about the opportunity and it wasn't even necessary to have a lottery for the tickets, and with the delays in the recent launches, there were opportunites to get tickets. I disagree, the pricing is fine--just unique situation has created the demand. You don'tr know what you've got 'til it's gone mentality.
True enough, the end-of-program-omg-I-have-to-catch-this-before-it's-too-late effect certainly is the main problem here, but never the less could been handled far better by upping prices and not just ammending the way tickets are distributed.
I have to strongly disagree. It shouldn't cost anything to see a public event on government property. But the ticket process is a necessary evil for security and crowd control. I'm sure the cost barely covers KSC's costs in operating the ticket system and providing transportation to the causeway. Moreover, the tickets are good for admission on another day, further evidence that there's no profit motive at play at all.
Nor should there be. Raising the ticket prices for the most in-demand launches doesn't discourage ticket scalpers; just check ebay around the Super Bowl or the Final Four. Raising the ticket price only eliminates the affordability for the average folks.
The lottery is the only fair and proper way to do it. (And it is also the way that Super Bowl and Final Four tickets are sold as well).
KSCVC, as well as causeway transportation, is operated by Delaware North, and receives no government funding. While I agree that it would not be fair to charge hundreds or thousands of dollars per ticket, it still is justified to charge for tickets.
-
#387
by
solaria
on 15 Jun, 2011 14:57
-
From researching these guys before, it appeared they got a sub-allocation from Grayline. Grayline didn't give them any for STS-134 as their own allocation was so small.
I expect Grayline keep "the good stuff" (ie Causeway) for themselves and see no reason why they won't have them. Perhaps Grayline have also done this to reduce load on their servers, seeing they crashed for 3-5 hours last time, famous last hopes anyway.
From what I heard, VC tickets were all definitely gone by 9.15am if not before this morning, am personally surprised they went this quickly. Perhaps they gave more to tour operators this time (hence Florida Central tours getting an allocation again).
My sister-in-law just forwarded an email from Central Florida Tours saying tickets will go on sale tomorrow but they will not have VIP tickets for the Causeway, just the Visitor Center. I don't know if this is also going to be Grayline policy. I signed up for emails from Grayline but have not heard from them.
-
#388
by
danduc
on 15 Jun, 2011 15:09
-
Got 2 tickets for VC today. That was Plan "C". Plan "B" is getting a Causeway from Gator. Plan "A" was for Causeway via KSC.
I'm pretty happy. Got my room at The Travelodge Titusville for 7-8-9 July (bought the day they announced the July 8 tentative date)
Danduc
-
#389
by
DrGuano
on 15 Jun, 2011 15:12
-
From researching these guys before, it appeared they got a sub-allocation from Grayline. Grayline didn't give them any for STS-134 as their own allocation was so small.
I expect Grayline keep "the good stuff" (ie Causeway) for themselves and see no reason why they won't have them. Perhaps Grayline have also done this to reduce load on their servers, seeing they crashed for 3-5 hours last time, famous last hopes anyway.
Hi Solaria,
That is hopeful news as I am hoping to ride Grayline to the Causeway.
-
#390
by
Captain Kirk
on 15 Jun, 2011 15:23
-
I was truly amazed to get logged into the site, waited only 4 minutes in the Virtual Waiting Room and had my VC ticket in less than 2 additional minutes. Done by 9:06 AM.
I do feel really sad, however, for all those who could not get tickets. I bought only one, as none of my "geek friends" can make this launch [not even my partner is coming].
While it is true that we will not see Atlantis at the pad, we will [hopefully] see her in the air on the last Space Shuttle Program flight. But here's another plus: at a distance of about 7.5 miles from the launch pad, we will still get the benefit of good sound [air crackle and all!]. This will not be the case from Titusville, Cocoa Beech, Routes 528/1A, etc.] They'll hear it, but not like those of us at the VC and the Causeway.
I am so excited and have so much to do. I'm waiting until the tanking test and the next Program Review Board meeting to lock in my flight/hotel room, etc. Looking forward to seeing all of you there and sharing the "Last Hurrah!" of the venerable Space Shuttle Program!
P.S. Notice that I share
Captain Kirk's emotional states, and express them with all these emoticons. LOL!
-
#391
by
K8B
on 15 Jun, 2011 15:32
-
From what I heard, VC tickets were all definitely gone by 9.15am if not before this morning,
I had no trouble getting VC tickets at 9:25 when I was finally kicked out of the waiting room & into the store. You have to keep trying for the quantity you want & commit to it & hope someone times out during the buying process (or credit card denied etc.) and then the tickets in their cart are dumped back into available stock.
-
#392
by
Keyman
on 15 Jun, 2011 15:39
-
KSCVC, as well as causeway transportation, is operated by Delaware North, and receives no government funding. While I agree that it would not be fair to charge hundreds or thousands of dollars per ticket, it still is justified to charge for tickets.
And bravo to Delaware North. For those of you who didn't notice (and/or didn't get a chance to see) their "Convenience Fee"...$0.00.
-
#393
by
MadameConcorde
on 15 Jun, 2011 16:29
-
-
#394
by
danduc
on 15 Jun, 2011 17:19
-
Message from KSC: VIP Causeway on sale tomorrow
Please Note: There will be a limited number of NASA Causeway and Visitor Complex viewing tickets available through local tour operator companies. Tickets will be available for purchase beginning Thursday, June 16 at 12:00 p.m. ET through the following tour companies. Due to the expected high call volume we strongly suggest using the online system to reserve your tickets through the tour operators.
Florida Dolphin Tours, Inc.
www.floridadolphintours.com407-352-4646
Gray Line of Orlando (Gator Tours)
www.gotoshuttle.com407-522-5911
Daniel
-
#395
by
MadameConcorde
on 15 Jun, 2011 17:25
-
Message from KSC: VIP Causeway on sale tomorrow
Please Note: There will be a limited number of NASA Causeway and Visitor Complex viewing tickets available through local tour operator companies. Tickets will be available for purchase beginning Thursday, June 16 at 12:00 p.m. ET through the following tour companies. Due to the expected high call volume we strongly suggest using the online system to reserve your tickets through the tour operators.
Florida Dolphin Tours, Inc.
www.floridadolphintours.com
407-352-4646
Gray Line of Orlando (Gator Tours)
www.gotoshuttle.com
407-522-5911
Daniel
Not quite clear.
This will be the tour operrators not NASA?
-
#396
by
ShuttleShel
on 15 Jun, 2011 17:25
-
Just got the rejection email from the KSC site saying I wasn't picked. So sounds like everything through KSC is sold out at this point.
-
#397
by
cycleroadie
on 15 Jun, 2011 17:28
-
Message from KSC: VIP Causeway on sale tomorrow
Please Note: There will be a limited number of NASA Causeway and Visitor Complex viewing tickets available through local tour operator companies. Tickets will be available for purchase beginning Thursday, June 16 at 12:00 p.m. ET through the following tour companies. Due to the expected high call volume we strongly suggest using the online system to reserve your tickets through the tour operators.
Florida Dolphin Tours, Inc.
www.floridadolphintours.com
407-352-4646
Gray Line of Orlando (Gator Tours)
www.gotoshuttle.com
407-522-5911
Daniel
Not quite clear.
This will be the tour operrators not NASA?
Yes, tour operators
-
#398
by
MadameConcorde
on 15 Jun, 2011 17:43
-
Just got the rejection email from the KSC site saying I wasn't picked. So sounds like everything through KSC is sold out at this point.
Got one of those too.
Thank you for registering for the opportunity to purchase viewing tickets for the launch of STS-135 space shuttle Atlantis from Kennedy Space Center. Unfortunately, your entry was not selected for the STS-135 launch ticket purchase opportunity.
Florida's Space Coast is as close as you can get to a live space shuttle launch. For alternate launch viewing locations in the area, click here.along with another email from Air France letting me know they were having a sale on their long haul flights.
The tour companies will be busy tomorrow!
-
#399
by
Noblelumpkin
on 15 Jun, 2011 17:47
-
And unfortunately I also received the same email. My son and I are coming anyway and will watch the launch from anywhere we can.
