Help w/ Parking at Cape Kennedy

[JerryM]

I desire to take my grandson to the next shuttle launch and need some options on where to park. Ideally I would like to visit the Cape, stay overnight and see the launch.

Jerry :2excited:

[batman911]

We parked at the Visitor Center and they took us to the viewing area by bus.

[l2ridehd]

Stay at the Hilton in Coco Beach. They are reasonable, decent rooms, and you can walk out to their beach and have a perfect view of the launch

[Army Guy]

I have seen several launches and have viewed them in different places, from the Visitor area right at the Cape, to the beach behind Ron Jon's. But I believe the absolutely perfect place is on the east side of the causeway bridge over the Banana River on 528. You have a completely unobstructed view of the shuttle on the pad, and watching it lift off. They also usually have a van setup that has loudspeakers on it from Launch Control, which is great if there are any delays. Also the van provides for a small donation, I think I gave several bucks for a certificate they print right there and give to you that has your name, date, and the Shuttle Mission Number saying you saw it live, your grandkids would probably like that.
There is a lot of room for parking at that area off the road. But get there early as it fills up.

Army Guy

[tpop1]

Went to a launch two years ago and stayed at the Clarion Inn Kennedy Space Center Hotel in Titusville.

It is directly on the river across from the launch pad. Truly awesome!
It has a grassy area behind it on the river which is great for tailgating and your lawn chairs!

We went to a launch that took place at 4PM and stayed that night to avoid the massive traffic jams out of the area. It had a nice pool at which to spend the evening.

Only downside is booking a room you are at the mercy of any delays in launch.
I give the experiencea 5 stars:wave:.

[bkcunningham1]

Tickets for the Space Shuttle launch scheduled for May 14 go on sale tomorrow, Monday April 26. There is a virtual waiting room you go into when you telephone for tickets. Apparently, they select people at random to purchase the tickets.

After I read this post and talked to my husband, we decided it would be better to get a hotel room to view the launch and beat the traffic. We called every hotel in the area to get reservations. SOLD OUT.

Just got off the phone with the Clairon that tpop1 suggested. I got a reservation for the Sept. 16 launch. The rooms on the river side of the hotel are already sold out for the Sept. Shuttle launch! We got a room on the opposite side of the hotel, but were assured we will find a place to view.

I'm already excited. Thanks tpop1.

[tpop1]

:DWe got a room on the opposite side of the hotel, but were assured we will find a place to view.

I'm already excited.

You should be excited!!! It sounds like it'll be a hot ticket.

Just bring a couple of chairs, a cooler, maybe a grill...good space for tailgating along the river.

Wanna take me?:D

[Army Guy]

I still stand, by my above post. You will not be disappointed, and it is FREE!
As I said the Hotels are a good spot and you can only see once the shuttle is up in the air. from the causeway location you see 100% of the launch.


Army Guy

[JerryM]

Army Guy. I read everyone's suggestions and booked a room at the Hilton on the Beach. Your last reply opens the door for us to leave the hotel a little early and try to get a view from 528.

Of course it would be easier to just watch from the Beach. Do you feel the extra few seconds seeing the entire lift off is worth going to 528?

I thank all that replied. I'm certain my grandson will be thrilled.

Jerry M

[Army Guy]

Jerry, Yes definitely. Like I said the Hotel is good,but the shuttle will have already blasted off and in the sky above when you see it. At that Causeway you see it from the very start, and like I said go to the truck set up and get a certificate for your grandson that states he was actually there. This location is pretty much a locals secret. As I have said I have seen MANY shuttles and I think it is the best spot.

Army Guy

[bkcunningham1]

Army Guy, we booked at the Clarion Inn Kennedy Space Center for the September Shuttle launch. Now... since I haven't been to this particular hotel I really don't know what you can see or can't see from there. We definitely want to see the entire launch. But according to their website "The Clarion Inn® Kennedy Space Center is a waterfront hotel with views of the Kennedy Space Center and its launch pads . This is the closest hotel to all NASA attractions, including the U.S. Astronaut Hall Of Fame." I'm just worried now NASA will change the launch date!!

[JerryM]

Army Guy
Can you give me an idea what the traffic will be like from the Hotel Hilton in Cocoa Beach to and from 528?

Jerry

[Army Guy]

Cocoa, is a good distance, I would head out at least 3 hours before the launch. I have a Bde at Patrick AFB so know the area well. Head north from the Hilton all the way up A1A past Ron John's when you reach the last left before the Port, that is the Causeway.

Yes, launches can change, that is why I like the free view route!

Army Guy

[bkcunningham1]

Stupid question Army Guy, but when you say Ron Jon's, do you mean the surf shop or the resort? When this post first started and I couldn't get a room at the Clarion for this launch, I looked up other hotels and there is a Ron Jon's Resort. Is that the location where you are describing or is it just one of the surf shops?

[Army Guy]

The Surf Shop, it sits right the corner of A1A & 520. Go straight past it, and then you will see 528 several miles down. It is the last left before you hit the Cruise Port area. on 528 head down and 2 miles and you will the main causewat area. Most park on the North side as there is a field, etc. You can also park on the South side. As long as you are off the road the Troopers do not care. As I said, I have parked on both sides, and like the fact that since they have that truck set up with the broadcast form Launch Control you can keep up to date with what is going on.

Army Guy

[kaydee]

My husband and I would love to head over to the "free viewing" area to see the launch. I know it would be a lengthy time hanging out ..tailgaiting etc. and naturally the question came up regarding bathroom facitlity. What is available in the area of roadside parking? Thanks in advance for any info from all you experienced viewers.

[Army Guy]

Yes, a lot of tail-gating does take place! And we have always had a blast. I have seen port-a-johns out there sometimes, other times, it is bring your own or the bushes will do just fine!

Just make sure when you park, that you walk up to the beginning slope of the causeway bridge, as that allows you the best distance view. As I said from there you can see the shuttle actually sitting on the pad. If you bring binos it is even better.

Army Guy

[tpop1]

Army Guy, we booked at the Clarion Inn Kennedy Space Center for the September Shuttle launch. Now... since I haven't been to this particular hotel I really don't know what you can see or can't see from there.

I'm just worried now NASA will change the launch date!!

Rest assured, you an see the launch pad from the Clarion. I wish I had my photos here with me in Connecticut to post one for you. They are on my external hard drive in T.V.:mad:

The biggest benefit of booking the hotel is that we did not have to fight the traffic jam. Friends of ours who viewed the launch with us and who did not book a room, had a 4-5 hour trip back to Orlando.

Yes, as I said in my original post, you are at the mercy of any launch postponement.:cryin2: We lucked out and our launch went off perfectly.

P.s. However you decide to view it, take every effort to do it. It is AWESOME!

[Army Guy]

Another locals tip is on traffic. Since most of the people that go to the launches are visitors they only know pretty much the main roads, like the Bee Line.
What we do is, after the launch, cross over the causeway headed west, the first road you will hit is Highway 1, take it SOUTH (Most everyone else is headed north), in Melbourne get on Highway 192 and head to Orlando then back to TV. You will find yes it is a little longer in distance and a litlle more in time due to lights, but you are moving due to little traffic AND will beat everyone else home.

Army Guy

[phnzz]

Just received the email

Hello, my name is Tamaran with the Choice Cares Desk at Choice Hotels International. I am contacting you today with regard to your reservation for the Clarion Inn Kennedy Space Center located at 4951 S. Washington Ave in Titusville, FL


The hotel is closing their doors to business effective 6/1/10.

Now what???

[bkcunningham1]

Okay Army Guy. Looks like I'll have to take your suggestion to see the shuttle launch afterall. I just opened a letter today (Tuesday June 1, 2010) from Choice Hotels International. The letter is regarding my reservation for 9/15 at the Clarion Inn Kennedy Space Center. "The hotel is closing their doors to business effective 6/1/10. The hotel will be unable to honor your reservation."

Dagnabit....The best laid plans of mice and me....Oh, well, the launch will probably be cancelled. I told my husband just now and joked that everything always works out so perfectly for us. This is just a temporary setback.

[bkcunningham1]

phnzz, we must have bumped into each other in mid-Internet-airwaves posting. Oh my goodness how funny. I got the letter. You got the email. If they don't cancel the launch, I'm going to look for a nearby hotel to spend the night and watch the launch from either Ron Jon's or the beach at the Clarion. You suppose it will still be accessible?

[phnzz]

I looked on the internet and it was sold to a Christian group for a retreat. They plan to start using it right away.

[bkcunningham1]

Well, everything really does work for a reason. I was very bummed about the Clarion closing after making reservations for the last Space Shuttle launch. I kept putting off finding another hotel. We kept saying we'd just go from the house in TV to the beach, watch it and come back. But the thought of the traffic kept us from a firm commitment.

Now, I read where September isn't the final launch. I can procrastinate some more.


http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2010/07/01/nasa_delays_end_of_space_shuttle_program_to_2011/