STS-135 Atlantis: Viewing (Going to launch, tickets, events, landing, etc.)

• #420 by danduc on 16 Jun, 2011 01:35
• Quote from: VicenteFox on 16 Jun, 2011 00:35

  So..... since I'm looking at the tour-bus option now.....
  
  How early do they pick you up on launch day?  Is it like midnight or 4AM or what to make the 11:40 launch?  Will be staying in Orlando near SeaWorld just curious.  Thanks!
  

  
  All pick-up time are 2AM (as per Gator), either in Merritt or Orlando.
  
  danduc
• #421 by VicenteFox on 16 Jun, 2011 08:09
• So if I did manage to find some Visitor Center tickets with parking placard, based on previous experience what kind of time would people expect to need to leave Orlando to be at the gate on time?
  
  What is the earliest visitors are allowed in anyhow?  I see normal opening is 9AM but it would be earlier on a launch day yes?
  
• #422 by stuart_wildcat on 16 Jun, 2011 08:25
• Quote from: SkierDude on 15 Jun, 2011 23:59

  Hi. My friend got tickets just fine this morning. He doesn't purchase on-line often, so isn't as savvy as me. I offered to do it for him, but he did it.
  
  As a result, he saw a 90-second timer and rushed through things. He got us the VC tickets, but not the lunch w/ astronaut. He saw it listed, but didn't want to take the time because he was afraid he would get timed out.
  
  My son and I were really hoping to do the lunch after the launch. I called the VC and asked if these tickets can be purchased separately for that day and she said the tickets are handled through a 3rd party, and no, the tickets can only be bought as a package. Bummer, we are really disappointed!
  
  Is there any way to still do that lunch? The lady from the VC said I could go to customer service when I get there and ask, but this didn't sound very realistic.
  
  Any suggestions?
  
  P.S.  Don't misinterpret me, I am really psyched we got the VC tickets. It's just that the lunch would have been the double-layered icing on the cake, so to speak.
  
  Thanks.
  

  
  As someone else said try to go another day.  If you call the reservation line of KSCVC they should be able to arrange a separate purchase of the lunch without an admission ticket since you will have that.  We have annual passes for Florida residents and have to do any extra tour or ticket that way.
  
  I would suggest NOT trying to go 1-3 days before the launch and go after or well before.
• #423 by FXM on 16 Jun, 2011 12:17
• Hello
  
  Does anyone know how to obtain an extra car placard? Do I just call KSC visitor center? I have purchased 6 tickets and now some friends may want to drive separate.
  
  After all this time this will be my first launch, better late then never I am crossing my fingers for the 8th.
• #424 by LoveMrEd on 16 Jun, 2011 12:35
• Quote from: FXM on 16 Jun, 2011 12:17

  Hello
  
  Does anyone know how to obtain an extra car placard? Do I just call KSC visitor center? I have purchased 6 tickets and now some friends may want to drive separate.
  
  After all this time this will be my first launch, better late then never I am crossing my fingers for the 8th.
  

  Read bach--already covered earlier in this thread, keep in mind part of giving out limited car placards would be to control how many cars/how much traffic there is out there launch day.
• #425 by beef5stew on 16 Jun, 2011 12:37
• Quote from: FXM on 16 Jun, 2011 12:17

  Hello
  
  Does anyone know how to obtain an extra car placard? Do I just call KSC visitor center? I have purchased 6 tickets and now some friends may want to drive separate.
  
  After all this time this will be my first launch, better late then never I am crossing my fingers for the 8th.
  

  
  I have not heard of getting extra placards.  I would think that the Scalpers on ebay would have picked up some extras if it was possible.  Maybe you guys should meet at the merrit island mall and rent a van.
  
• #426 by cycleroadie on 16 Jun, 2011 12:41
• Quote from: FXM on 16 Jun, 2011 12:17

  Hello
  
  Does anyone know how to obtain an extra car placard? Do I just call KSC visitor center? I have purchased 6 tickets and now some friends may want to drive separate.
  
  After all this time this will be my first launch, better late then never I am crossing my fingers for the 8th.
  

  
  You will get two placards with a 6 ticket purchase. if that's not enough, you all need to meet up somewhere and get it down to two vehicles before heading into KSC
• #427 by K8B on 16 Jun, 2011 12:46
• Quote from: cycleroadie on 16 Jun, 2011 12:41

  You will get two placards with a 6 ticket purchase. if that's not enough, you all need to meet up somewhere and get it down to two vehicles before heading into KSC
  

  
  I'm not sure if that's true or not this launch unless there was an option some where to ask for an additional one. Can anyone confirm they got 2 placards w/6 tickets? I know that used to be true.
• #428 by cycleroadie on 16 Jun, 2011 12:53
• Quote from: K8B on 16 Jun, 2011 12:46

  Quote from: cycleroadie on 16 Jun, 2011 12:41

  You will get two placards with a 6 ticket purchase. if that's not enough, you all need to meet up somewhere and get it down to two vehicles before heading into KSC
  

  
  I'm not sure if that's true or not this launch unless there was an option some where to ask for an additional one. Can anyone confirm they got 2 placards w/6 tickets? I know that used to be true.
  

  
  I received 2 placards with 6 tickets for STS-134, there was nowhere to ask or select when placing your order, it's automatic.
• #429 by cycleroadie on 16 Jun, 2011 12:56
• Quote from: VicenteFox on 16 Jun, 2011 08:09

  So if I did manage to find some Visitor Center tickets with parking placard, based on previous experience what kind of time would people expect to need to leave Orlando to be at the gate on time?
  
  What is the earliest visitors are allowed in anyhow?  I see normal opening is 9AM but it would be earlier on a launch day yes?
  
  

  
  Last launch, tons of traffic, you surely do not want to miss it, I'd say 4 Am at the very latest to leave Orlando, at least if I were in your shoes.
• #430 by FXM on 16 Jun, 2011 13:00
• Quote from: K8B on 16 Jun, 2011 12:46

  Quote from: cycleroadie on 16 Jun, 2011 12:41

  You will get two placards with a 6 ticket purchase. if that's not enough, you all need to meet up somewhere and get it down to two vehicles before heading into KSC
  

  
  I'm not sure if that's true or not this launch unless there was an option some where to ask for an additional one. Can anyone confirm they got 2 placards w/6 tickets? I know that used to be true.
  

  
  
  Thanks for the quick replies I will hope for two but if not, the idea of renting a car big enough is my backup plan.
  
  I can't image how many people are going to head down to see this.
• #431 by Endeavour Forever on 16 Jun, 2011 13:09
• Quote from: stuart_wildcat on 16 Jun, 2011 08:25

  Quote from: SkierDude on 15 Jun, 2011 23:59

  
  As someone else said try to go another day.  If you call the reservation line of KSCVC they should be able to arrange a separate purchase of the lunch without an admission ticket since you will have that.  We have annual passes for Florida residents and have to do any extra tour or ticket that way.
  
  I would suggest NOT trying to go 1-3 days before the launch and go after or well before.
  

  
  This was my observation too until I asked about it at the VC ticket kiosk during my last visit - turns out you can purchase just the (additional) bus tour / lunch ticket(s) online without purchasing admission, useful if you have annual passes or a launch ticket.
  
  On the initial ordering screen, enter the ticket quantity for your party as if you're ordering them admission tickets, continue on with your add-on order, then when you're previewing your cart you can delete the admission tickets.  Works perfectly every time.
• #432 by debrarr on 16 Jun, 2011 13:22
• Quote from: FXM on 16 Jun, 2011 13:00

  Quote from: K8B on 16 Jun, 2011 12:46

  Quote from: cycleroadie on 16 Jun, 2011 12:41

  You will get two placards with a 6 ticket purchase. if that's not enough, you all need to meet up somewhere and get it down to two vehicles before heading into KSC
  

  
  I'm not sure if that's true or not this launch unless there was an option some where to ask for an additional one. Can anyone confirm they got 2 placards w/6 tickets? I know that used to be true.
  

  
  
  Thanks for the quick replies I will hope for two but if not, the idea of renting a car big enough is my backup plan.
  
  I can't image how many people are going to head down to see this.
  

  
  Since only 5 people can fit in a standard car, I can't see them only giving out 1 placard with 6 tickets (coupled with the fact that each person needs to be in a vehicle to get onto the KSC site on launch day).
  
  I initially assumed there would only be 1 but, thinking about it, that doesn't make sense! So I would assume there will be 2.
• #433 by Furner on 16 Jun, 2011 14:56
• Quote from: debrarr on 16 Jun, 2011 13:22

  Quote from: FXM on 16 Jun, 2011 13:00

  Quote from: K8B on 16 Jun, 2011 12:46

  Quote from: cycleroadie on 16 Jun, 2011 12:41

  You will get two placards with a 6 ticket purchase. if that's not enough, you all need to meet up somewhere and get it down to two vehicles before heading into KSC
  

  
  I'm not sure if that's true or not this launch unless there was an option some where to ask for an additional one. Can anyone confirm they got 2 placards w/6 tickets? I know that used to be true.
  

  
  
  Thanks for the quick replies I will hope for two but if not, the idea of renting a car big enough is my backup plan.
  
  I can't image how many people are going to head down to see this.
  

  
  Since only 5 people can fit in a standard car, I can't see them only giving out 1 placard with 6 tickets (coupled with the fact that each person needs to be in a vehicle to get onto the KSC site on launch day).
  
  I initially assumed there would only be 1 but, thinking about it, that doesn't make sense! So I would assume there will be 2.
  

  
  Guess you better rent a bigger vehicle!
• #434 by debrarr on 16 Jun, 2011 15:10
• Quote from: Furner on 16 Jun, 2011 14:56

  
  Guess you better rent a bigger vehicle!
  

  
  I'm not coming with 6, I just mean that their answer to those without giant cars can't be "well that's your fault for not having a mini-van.."
  I just assume they'll include 2 cards, that seems reasonable.
• #435 by VicenteFox on 16 Jun, 2011 16:02
• So I ended up getting 6 Visitor Center tickets on FleaBay.
  
  I actually have one child going, I'll throw it out there that if someone had a CHILD ticket they ended up with, and wanted to swap it to get an Adult ticket?  Just seems a waste, perhaps we could work out a swap near the security gate.
  
  Thought I would throw it out there.
• #436 by MadameConcorde on 16 Jun, 2011 16:07
• Both servers broken down FDT and Gator.
  Cannot get in from first second on. Keep refreshing without success.
  
  What a bummer!! :-(
• #437 by Sarah on 16 Jun, 2011 16:09
• I just got Causeway tix with Gator. Really slow but it finally went through. Lots of page reloads.
• #438 by MadameConcorde on 16 Jun, 2011 16:11
• Quote from: Sarah on 16 Jun, 2011 16:09

  I just got Causeway tix with Gator. Really slow but it finally went through. Lots of page reloads.
  

  
  Well you re in the US mainland so the connection goes much faster. I am far across the Atlantic with a slower Internet. This makes all the difference.
  
• #439 by Sarah on 16 Jun, 2011 16:15
• Quote from: MadameConcorde on 16 Jun, 2011 16:11

  Quote from: Sarah on 16 Jun, 2011 16:09

  I just got Causeway tix with Gator. Really slow but it finally went through. Lots of page reloads.
  

  
  Well you re in the US mainland so the connection goes much faster. I am far across the Atlantic with a slower Internet. This makes all the difference.
  
  

  
  I can try and get you one. No promises though.