Question Visiting KSC for launch

[thomasantony]

Hello,
I have been planning a trip to the US just for watching a Space Shuttle launch. Been a dream for a long time to watch it fly. Now that there are only like four left, its all the more urgent. Of course, you would have to be a spacenut like me to get the reason behind travelling over 13000km to come and stay for like 3-4 days to watch the launch . .. Of course I could have had much better vacations for the money if I had chosen other .. nearer .. locations .. but hey .. you don't get to see rocketlight from anywhere else.

Anyway, I have some kind of a plan in the works along with a budget. I am planning to shoot for the May 14th with me reaching there on 13th and leaving on 17th to provide some margin. Total costs came to more or less $2000 with tickets, Hotel booking ( someplace in Titusville ) and transportation(approximate). How much daily expenses should I be expecting in terms of food and stuff?

I know that shuttle launches are an unreliable business. Travelling all the way to the US is different from waking up at 3 in the morning to watch a shuttle launch only to end up seeing it scrubbed . The length of the stay was chosen assuming a launch delay. Suppose the launch does go off on time .. what all are the good attractions nearby that I can go to?

I also have this idea of staying there only till 15th or so and then returning to Orlando and visiting some good places there. But since I can't be sure of the launch taking place, only way I see would be to initially book for the whole period and later cancel and bear any penalty that is incurred and go off to Orlando.

So... Any recommendations or suggestions?

 

[Star Voyager]

If you're looking for attrcations in the event of a scrub, stay in Orlando, like most tourists do. I takes about 45 minutes to get to the Cape on a good day, but since it is a shuttle launch be prepared for traffic. In Orlando, you have Disney, Seo World, and Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure.

 

[thomasantony]

Ok .. How much would it cost to get from Orlando to KSC on an average? I suppose public transport would be cheaper than getting a cab?

 

[Star Voyager]

Most likely. There are buses that go to from Orlando specifically to the KSC Visitor's Complex, but I don't know how much it would cost.

 

[thomasantony]

Hey,
Just found this:

http://www.kennedyspacecentertours.net/?event=offer.detail&offerId=11559

$115 all inclusive for watching launch.

As it costs $56 from http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/space-shuttle-launch-viewing-tickets.aspx .. I guess its pretty reasonable as it includes transportation.

But public transportation to/from the Cape costs some $15-$20 by bus .. will have to research this a bit more to confirm and get the details though. I am looking into this also as those coming for the launch will only be able to use their Visitor Complex tickets at a later date.

 

[thomasantony]

Staying at Orlando was something I hadn't considered. It would help cut costs a lot as hotels near KSC like going cutthroat on launch days.

Thanks for the help StarVoyager . Much appreciated.

 

[Star Voyager]

No problem!