posted 12-31-2009 08:46 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
As far as the "most fixed," I would have to say STS-130 in February only because it is the next in line...

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posted 01-01-2010 01:05 AM               

One friend of mine from the UK for STS-114 essentially booked a whole month in Florida and he needed that time too as the ECO sensor issue forced a major delay. As such, while I was unable to see the bird fly, he got to and as a bonus his wife came down for the last couple weeks and she got to see it go. I was successful for STS-121 though.

Concerning the second option, naturally this means you probably won't be able to book economical flight prices if you want the ticket price to be refunded if you have to reschedule. But even Southwest Airlines at their most expensive is still very economical by comparison. Hotels fill up fast as well, but there are plenty of spots if you know where to look (and aren't too picky about ammenities). As such, don't just try for hotels in Titusville or Cocoa Beach. The surrounding communities such as Cocoa and others have some good deals too. But traffic management will be an issue on launch day.

As for getting tickets, it is probably worse right now then getting rock concert tickets as when they go on sale, they sell out LIGHTNING fast normally. With this being the final scheduled year of shuttle operations, it could be worse. Even if you can't get a ticket to be on KSC though, there are plenty of good vantage points in the area to watch from (Titusville being the closest, due west of the pad).

posted 01-03-2010 10:15 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Jay Chladek:
As for getting tickets, it is probably worse right now then getting rock concert tickets as when they go on sale, they sell out LIGHTNING fast normally.

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posted 01-03-2010 03:53 PM               

Sad that the public is "suddenly" interested in the shuttle now because it's ending. They should have been interested for the past few decades. Then again, people like us on this site are a special case.

I'll be up at 5:45am here in Seattle the day after I get that email and be in the waiting room with my jammies on. Ha!

posted 01-03-2010 04:33 PM               

KSCVC only updated the ordering process just last launch by allowing about an 8 minute window to get everything typed in and finish the order. For many years before it was simply type fast and pray, as mentioned above.

I can understand limiting the number of LTTs per order, but cannot see a reason why they are making this a lottery just because of "higher demand". It used to be that I could call even the next day after LTTs went on sale and still get one, or as many as I needed, but that has not been the case for a few years now as the tickets sell out within minutes. This rate of sales has existed long enough that if a "higher demand" for tickets was indeed a problem a solution would have been put into place long ago. And now, with only five scheduled launches left, they decide to change everything? Certainly KSCVC is not just now realizing the high demand of LTTs?!

I think they should keep the ordering system the way it was last launch, with the 8 minute window. At least that way I'd be in control of whether I get a ticket or not instead of sitting in front of my computer with my fingers crossed for 15 minutes.
AARRGH!!!

posted 01-05-2010 04:48 PM               

Just wondering... if I get up early tomorrow and manage to get lucky and out of the virtual waiting room and get a ticket, I was just doing a little planning.

I figured I could get to Florida on the 6th, the cheap flights get in between 9 and 11pm or so. Just wondering how much time I would have to get a rental car, toss my stuff in the Motel 6, etc. and get to the viewing area?

posted 01-05-2010 05:51 PM               

I was on a bus when I was there, but I had the fancy pass that was included with the autograph show and all that stuff...

posted 01-05-2010 09:08 PM               

The busses always begin running to the causeway about three hours before launch for two hours, stopping an hour before launch. Once there, I always go to the bus entry area just outside the Space Shop and ask an employee for any updates or changes. Be sure to take one of the last busses in case of a scrub. Once you give up the LTT to get on the bus you'll have to purchase another in the event of a scrub. Check back at the bus entry area thirty minutes before the last bus is scheduled to leave. In the past there have been times when the last bus left earlier than scheduled. I almost found that out the hard way once.

If you're arriving within a day of the launch be sure to factor in what time you'll have to be through security. That designated time will be on your car placard, which will sent along with your tickets a few weeks before launch. My past arrival times have been 6 to 9 hours before launch. I think you'll have an earlier arrival time if you include the 'Dine with' add-on.

posted 01-06-2010 12:33 AM               

Based on my STS-114 and 121 experiences, I would try to get in as soon as you can. If you manage to get a ticket and the car pass, there will be a time printed on it as the recommended time they want you to get there. Traffic is going to be crazy, so bring your patience along and have your ID handy to show to KSC security along with the passes. Also, keep the car clean in case they decide to search the car (not likely, but it can happen).

I would pack bottles of water in the car. You can't take them inside the visitors center, but you can drink one or two before entry and have the rest stashed for when you get back to the car after the long day. Pack light as much as possible. I emphasize portability of items as opposed to a lot of stuff, so if you are going to take a camera and a tripod, keep it small. Be aware though that unless you are taking a rather good telephoto lens with you, your photos aren't likely to be any better then the commercially printed ones since you are still pretty far from the pad. I would try to concentrate on getting a good memory of the experience as opposed to a good photo. If you get a good photo, it will be icing on the cake, but don't feel disappointed if you don't.

In my own case, I took a rather large tote bag to stash stuff in as they don't allow backpacks. It was big enough for my small camera bag to fit in along with my printed forms and tickets. It was also big enough to stash small items (shirts, patches, pins, maybe a book to pass the time with) purchased at the gift shop. Save your big purchases for after the launch/scrub since you don't want to have to lug them around all over the place.

As for other stuff to pack, include a light jacket or folded poncho for the possible rain shower, bug spray (even at night, mosquitos will eat you up), sunscreen and maybe a small radio to hear updates with if you aren't seated next to a PA speaker. A beach towel is also a good thing to sit on instead of the grass. You could bring a small folding chair (lawn chairs aren't allowed), but again that is excess weight IMHO.

Have a good set of walking shoes that you can stand comfortably in long lines with. For 114, the lines to the buses were a little long and I imagine this year's launches will also be. If the day is hot and humid, the visitors center will have water misters set up next to the fans to help blow cool(er) air on you while waiting in line.

posted 01-06-2010 10:52 AM            

I'd say Titusville is better than visitor centre, at least you see it on the pad. Visitor centre nothing till it clears the trees, of course it'll look like daylight before you see it.

posted 01-06-2010 04:54 PM               

This new "virtual window" is a joke and caters to scalpers so easily it boggles my mind how anyone could have come up with something so inane. It has not even been 9 hours since the tickets went on sale and already there are at least 23 tickets available on ebay, VC viewing and causeway tickets. Get this one - four VC tix for $800! And you can bet there will be more.

I've already called KSC and complained. Amazingly, the employee agreed with me, (though in only so many words as he wants to keep his job I suppose). I suggest others do the same and call KSC in hopes this fiasco of an ordering system will be thrown in the trash where it belongs.

As far as non-causeway viewing goes, watch from Titusville along the Indian River. You're about 12 miles away but you can see Endeavour lift off the pad with your own eye instead watching it on the Jumbotron at KSC, plus it will be cheaper and you won't have to get there hours beforehand.

I contacted Grayline and they have LTTs available at $115 per package, about $55 more than the KSC base price, excluding shipping. Though their site does not mention it Grayline has a pickup site in Titusville at 810 Cheney where the K-mart is or used to be. Pickup time is at 10pm Feb 6 and nothing can be left on the bus once at KSC.

posted 01-06-2010 06:14 PM            

In contrast the Gator tours guides were really terrible when I went, they seemed to know nothing about what happens when it scrubs.

posted 01-19-2010 06:48 PM               

A seller on Astro-Auction is auctioning STS-90, STS-93, and STS-119 passes that the Air Force gave for viewing on their causeway.

posted 01-26-2010 02:06 AM               

Thanks to another friendly cS'er I should have a pass to the causeway at least. I'll be going over on the 5th and back home the afternoon of the 9th - maybe see the Atlas launch?

I got a room in Melbourne since that seemed to be the closest place that was still open, so it will be about an hour drive to KSC.

posted 01-26-2010 08:19 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by ilbasso:
...the vehicle placard says not to arrive any later than 11:30 pm but the launch passes say not to arrive any earlier than 2:30 am.

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posted 01-28-2010 07:23 AM               

I've been reading as much as I can about the area. Although I believe I have a good idea of what I want to do as a tourist, I've found very little information to help me when I put on my press hat.

So, if there are any "media types" willing to help me get an idea of what to expect, I'd appreciate your help.

Thanks in advance,