How loud is the space shuttle launch?

[beachwarmer]

I am hoping that Kathy and others can help me. I am planning on going down in May for the space shuttle launch and am trying to figure out where would be the best place for my family to watch it from. I will have two children with me, DD7 and a ten month old.

I am thinking that Kennedy Space centre, if I could get tickets, will be too loud for the baby. Does anyone have any suggestions for close enough to see but safe for little ears?

I am thinking that I might just go to Kennedy Space Centre a few days before the scheduled launch to see it on the pad. Can you see a day launch from WDW? At the December DIS meet at the Dophin a few years ago, Bob was talking about watching a space shuttle launch from there....he gave me pretty specific instructions and I now forget.

Thanks to the other thread about this topic and all the great information people have shared. I never even considered the noise until I read it.

 

[DisneyKevin]

We live about 45 miles from KSC and depending on time of day and the weather....it's quite loud here in St Cloud.

It's not so much of a boom (until it returns) but more of a very loud rolling rumble.

This is increased exponentially the closer you get.

The noise also continues for a while.

It's not as jarring as loud boom....but it makes the earth move and shakes the windows for the duration.

I realize this is a bit vague...but I'm not sure how else to describe it.

 

[safetymom]

It is very loud. I am pretty sure it would startle the baby. For adults it is exciting hearing the noise! You would have to take the bus tour at KSC to see the shuttle on the launch pad. There is a stop where you can climb the gantry to see the shuttle on the launch pad in the distance.

 

[zulemara]

I went to cocoa beach for the last launch. It was loud, but not insanely loud and certainly less so than if you were at KSC.

You can see the launch from WDW if you are in the right location. I have viewed from the CA Grill at the Contemporary before and really enjoyed it.

 

[Mr. Disney 652]

We finally saw it last July. This website was great to check out and helped in setting it all up. The best sites, etc. are on it and I found it useful.

http://www.launchphotography.com/Shuttle_Launch_Viewing.html

 

[Sammie]

Someone on the DVC forums described it:

When you are up close, it is literally as if someone turned the sun on and started beating on your chest with a sledgehammer at the same time!

Not the sound, but the pressure of the sound waves, is actually uncomfortable

That is exactly what it is like, you know when you get behind a car with the bass really turned up and you can feel that vibration in your chest, this is much more than that.

 

[beachwarmer]

Thanks everyone for the descriptions. The sound will really be to much for the baby unless I get those headphone rock stars get for their babies. And where on earth do you get those.

Since we now live in NC instead of Canada I figure well we are only 9 hours away ... That is more than half way there......it was 9 hours to my inlaws in the same province.

I am going to try this solo since my husband can't come. I think I will try KSS a few days before and fond a place close to WDW to watch it.

 

[zulemara]

Someone on the DVC forums described it:



That is exactly what it is like, you know when you get behind a car with the bass really turned up and you can feel that vibration in your chest, this is much more than that.

you just single handily convinced me to go see one of the remaining launches as close to the pad as I can get! wwwoooo!