Space Shuttle Launch

[awilcockson]

Come on, it's been a couple of days since the lottery closed, where are the emails? The suspense is killing me ...

 

[Mal]

Don't even go there ... I find myself refreshing the launch schedule page a couple of times a day, hoping that the date doesn't change.

The time did change yesterday, but not the date <phew>

Current launch schedule:

Date: July 8 +
Launch Time: 11:26 a.m. EDT

And yes. Bring on the notifications about tickets!!!

 

[awilcockson]

The time did change yesterday, but not the date <phew>

You had me feeling very sick for a moment there ...

 

[Mal]

You had me feeling very sick for a moment there ...

Yeah, it's a bizarre feeling.

My boss asked me yesterday "So are you still heading over to Florida"? I said ... Yep.

After a bit of a conversation, I realised that I *am* the nutter I thought I was for trying.

I have a URL change service running on the KSC and NASA page to alert me if any changes occur... So I do know fairly quickly when they happen.

(PS .. BRING ON THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE WINNERS OF THE LOTTERY!)

 

[tuppaware]

No emails yet!

 

[awilcockson]

Check your email people!

According the Vistor Center facebook page, the emails have gone out. Plenty of people, including myself, never received an email :evil: Plenty for sale on ebay though :evil::evil:

 

[Mal]

No email here

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Posted from a non-Apple device.

 

[Mal]

Ok, so what is plan B or C for everyone?

I haven't seen any notification of ticket sales through Grayline (US), although they will be $150+ I believe.
No way am I going to pay $600+ for an Ebay ticket.

Originally for me:
Plan A - Win tickets via the lottery. <appears to be a fail>
Plan B - Book tickets via Grayline. No word from them when they are on sale, and I also think these will go very quickly.
Plan C - get myself out to one of the main <public> viewing locations. But the real issue is - the number of people around, physically getting there early enough, not being a local etc etc etc.

So ideas?

 

[Oneworldplus2]

You guys are so lucky! Have fun.

 

[tuppaware]

Got my email this morning. Central US time.
No luck for me ... Anyone else get them?
Looking to buy three.

 

[Mal]

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)
Gray Line of Orlando | Central Florida's Travel Experts
407-522-5911

(So that's about 18 hours away).

The tour company tickets will essentially be the same thing, but should include bus transfers from Orlando - and a huge mark-up.

Can't see them being easy to get, but will try at ~ midnight tonight.

 

[awilcockson]

(So that's about 18 hours away).

The tour company tickets will essentially be the same thing, but should include bus transfers from Orlando - and a huge mark-up.

Can't see them being easy to get, but will try at ~ midnight tonight.

The dolphin tours one are $179. If it was just me I'd try and get one, but it's a bit expensive for the 7 of us!

My plan B is to get to Space View park at 6am and try and stake out a spot.

 

[Mal]

My plan B is to get to Space View park at 6am and try and stake out a spot.

Yeah, I'll be trying for Greyline and Dolphin. Being solo does give that price advantage.

Is 6am early enough? I imagine some nutters will be arriving the night before, and the steady stream of people will increase. I'll re-assess everything tomorrow once I realise I can't get Causeway tickets

 

[awilcockson]

Is 6am early enough? I imagine some nutters will be arriving the night before, and the steady stream of people will increase. I'll re-assess everything tomorrow once I realise I can't get Causeway tickets

Probably not, the pickup time for the dolphin tour is 2:30am !!


Dolphins Visitor center tickets seem to be on sale already, I'm tempted as they are cheaper than causeway tickets, but I believe you can't see the shuttle on the pad from there, you can only see it once it's cleared the tower ..

 

[Mal]

Hmm, well my attempt to stay up until 2am (It is 2am isn't it???) has commenced. Lol, I'll fall asleep I'm sure before then, and wake up suddenly at 2:10am and see them all sold out!

Plan is to buy a Causeway ticket from either Dolphin or Grayline. $US179 ea. (including transfer from Orlando) isn't cheap, but as a single ... I don't mind paying it.

Grayline reckon you need to either pick up ticket before the 7th or have it mailed to you (No comment about international postage on their page). Dolphin won't allow mailing, but will allow pickups until 6pm on the 7th. Seeing I arrive in Orlando (earliest) 9pm or so on the 6th ... That isn't great!

Oh, and of course they aren't refundable. Wonder what the Ebay market will be like?

Anyone else planning on going for tix when they are on sale tonight?

 

[Mal]

Supposedly I now have 2 tickets:

STS-135 NASA Causeway Viewing - VIP Package
Options:
Package: Adult
Pick Up Loc SLV: 02:00am - Holiday Inn Universal
Shipping Opt: Ship to address and provided
$179.00 each + $20 postage.

Have confirmation email, Paypal billing etc.

(Why two tickets you ask? I want the seat on the bus next to me to be empty. Lol. No. Even though I only wanted one ticket, due to various web browser refreshes etc, ended up with 2 in my basket. Couldn't remove and didn't want to risk it.)

So, if it all works out - I have a spare ticket. (Still waiting for the "Oh sorry, we stuffed up" email or the "Sorry, we can't deliver to your address" email etc).

 

[Mal]

I note greyline still have tickets available. I

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Posted from a non-Apple device.

 

[Mal]

Greyline have sold out of Causeway tix now, still have the other 2 options (Visitor Centre / Cocoa Beach). Visitor Centre isn't worth it (IMHO). Very restricted view. Cocoa Beach could be a good option if you don't want to drive from MCO. Also, if you use the Greyline (USA) site, apparently you can use the code "AAA" for a discount. http://www.grayline.com/Grayline/info/aaa.aspx (May be asked to show AAA card).

The website for Dolphin Tours has been down for a long time. Hmm, too much load!

Have been doing some more reading, and apparently you can expect a 5-6 hour trip back to MCO after the launch(!!!!). Glad I'm not planning to drive it...

Another thing I read indicated that around 100K people will be inside the Visitor Centre. Most are brought in by tours rather than getting KSC tickets directly.

Was glad to *not* receive any bad news emails today regarding my ticket purchase. Will be more comfy when I find the "you have registered mail to collect" notice from AP!!

 

[elbarto]

that spare tickets not up for sale is it Mal?

 

[Mal]

that spare tickets not up for sale is it Mal?

I have to get rid of it at some stage. The only caveat on the ticket is that it is a partner type ticket with mine (ie the two ticket holders must board the bus together).

But no plans to deal with it until I know I have the physical tickets.