View a NASA Shuttle Launch During Your Disney World Trip
Viewing a NASA shuttle take-off is an amazing experience, and one that you just might be able to coordinate with your Walt Disney World vacation. Kennedy Space Center is less than an hour from Walt Disney World, and it’s easy to check the schedule for shuttle launches in advance of your Disney vacation on the Shuttle Launch Schedule page of NASA’s website. You can buy tickets to view the launch from the closest viewing location open to the public on the Kennedy Space Center ticket site.
It’s important to remember that shuttle launches are highly dependent on the weather and can be cancelled at any moment. Also, keep in mind that shuttle launch tickets purchased through the Kennedy Space Center website are nonrefundable, so if the launch is cancelled for any reason, you won’t get your money back. A great alternative is to view the launch from one of the most popular local spots. You can find a list of sites to view a shuttle launch for free on the NASA website.
If you’d rather not plan your vacation around whether or not a scheduled shuttle launch will actually take place, don’t forget that you can see the shuttle in the sky from anywhere in Central Florida. I even got the chance to watch a shuttle launch once while I was riding the Walt Disney World monorail between the Magic Kingdom and the Grand Floridian Resort. In other words, check the NASA schedule before your trip then look up to the sky when the launch is scheduled (if it hasn’t been cancelled) and you’re bound to see it. And by the way, it’s awesome to watch at any time and in any place!
Have you seen a shuttle launch? Where were you? Do you have any recommendations to share with The Disney Traveler readers?
Photo © NASA
Tags: Central Florida vacation, disney-tips, disney-vacation, Kennedy Space Center, NASA, shuttle launch schedule, view shuttle launch, Walt Disney WorldRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Beyond Disney World
2 opinions for View a NASA Shuttle Launch During Your Disney World Trip
Mary Jo
Feb 3, 2008 at 6:46 pm
I’ve always wanted to see a launch, but never quite seem to be able to get their at the right time. I came very close once, but the launch was delayed. Darn - will have to keep trying.
Susan
Feb 4, 2008 at 10:40 am
Mary Jo,
That’s the biggest problem with trying to see a launch - being available to see it when it goes off. Since they’re so often delayed, it can be hard to work your schedule around seeing it. The time I saw the launch from the Disney monorail was complete luck (and very cool).
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