Child dies at Disney's Mission: Space

[spinbaby]

This didn't seem quite big enough a story for LBN. Tragic for the family. Perhaps it's time for amusement parks to rethink the huge rides.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - A 4-year-old boy died after passing out while aboard Walt Disney World's "Mission: Space" attraction - an Epcot ride that has caused previous concerns because of its intensity.

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050614/BREAKINGNEWS/50614003

[Roland99]

1. Good thing I'm not going to Epcot in a few months

Sticking to Magic Kingdom, MGM, and Animal Kingdom.

I never did like those spinning rides anyway.

[Rich Hunt]

2. yeesh

What the hell is going on with this ride?
Why are four-year-olds even allowed on it?

There's one ride at an amusement park near me that would stop at least once an hour from someone getting sick.

It's too bad, because it was a really fun ride. But I guess if you
have a tendency toward motion sickness, you shouldn't be
getting on.

[Debbi801]

3. That is so sad...

We're hitting Disney in June of 2006. My youngest will be 4. Even before this, there is no way I would have let him ride this ride. I wouldn't even ride it.

My thoughts go out to the family. What a tragic way to end a vacation.

[-..__...]

4. Sounds like one hell of a ride.

WTF was a 4 year old doing on an "attraction" like this?


From the unofficial Misson:Sapce
website...

"TIP: There are plenty of intensity warnings before you get on the ride, however if you experience this attraction, you need to keep your head back and keep your eyes focused on the video screen in front of you at all times. If you turn your head away from the screen or close your eyes, you can become disoriented and likely to become sick."

"Mission Space Hazardous to your health?

Riders of Mission Space in the age 55 plus bracket take note. Enough guests in this age group have been taken to the hospital after experiencing Mission Space that it’s become a concern.

The guests requiring medical attention had all complained of chest pain and nausea. The majority of them had pre-existing conditions, which are specifically mentioned in the posted warning notices.

With age being the common denominator of those taken to the hospital, adding warnings specifically for older riders may become necessary.

While there are no less than 13 warning signs addressing pregnancy, height minimums, motion sickness, high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, and a recommendation that you be in good health, none of the cautions specifically address riders who are over 55 years of age.

Starting in 2001, Florida theme parks began sharing information regarding the safety of their attractions. With six guests requiring a trip to the hospital over the past eight months, “Mission Space” has eclipsed Universal’s “Ripsaw Falls” which reported three injuries in 2002."

[spinbaby]

6. I've been on this ride

It's very intense with high g forces and quite a bit of being knocked from side to side. There's no real sense of spinning, but it does quite a number on your inner ear so lots of people get sick. I've seen a many small children on this ride and they invariably seem to get off with big grins on their faces--being put through a giant centrifuge doesn't appear to bother them at all. Adults tend to come out green.

I can see how it could harm someone with a circulatory problem--for instance, someone just on the verge of having a stroke or someone with an anurysm. I have trouble seeing how it could harm a 4-year-old. It does give one pause.

[Shell Beau]

5. That is so tragic.

They feel the need to make the rides more extreme than ever. Four year olds really shouldn't be on a ride like that anyway!

[Deja Q]

7. Meanwhile, Lindsay Lohan's breasts are too big for Disney's next film...

I doubt a death will change anything. They always put up disclaimers saying that if you have a weak heart, don't ride. If you die, it's not our fault. We strive to maintain everything all the time (uh-huh...)

4 years old?! Uh, shouldn't a person be 52" tall to ride the bloody thing?! How many 4 year olds are that tall?!?!

[supernova]

8. What happend to "You must be this tall to ride this ride."

Is this not a ride where height matters?

I remember when I was a kid I did frequently ignore all the warnings about people with circulatory problems staying off certain rides. I never had a problem.

I remember getting little woozy on Space Mountain when I was 12, and it was the most intense thing I experienced, warnings and all. But it didn't last long enough to really do anything so I didn't think anything about it.

[MissB]

9. The article I read said that he met the 44" height requirement.

:shrug:

[BroadwayBrat]

10. My husband and I have been on this ride,

And its really quite scary...I mean, we both got sick. And I never get sick on rides...I love them, for the most part. I just cant imagine someone letting that child on the ride, I dont care if he met the height requirement or not...that is no place for a young child!

[undeterred]

11. As someone who has puked her guts out after riding pretty tame rides

I just don't see the thrill of any of the more intense stuff.

[Shell Beau]

12. I love the intense rides, but

a 4 year old should be in the kiddie area. This ride sounds really intense and a 4 year old wouldn't be able to handle it (obviously)! Why was he allowed on? Why did the parents allow him to ride? (I am not blaming the parents) But responsibility lies within the parents and the amusement park.

[undeterred]

13. I'm not a parent, but I wouldn't rely on what the amusement park says

is safe. If it looks like I'd have trouble with it, I wouldn't put a child on a ride just because the park says its safe.

[Shell Beau]

14. Absolutely!