How Dangerous is Mission Space?

[Mr.ToadWildRider]

I voted a 3 simply for Mission: Space having a seemingly higher rate of people experiencing some form of discomfort/wooziness/neusea after riding compared to other attractions. I think I'd rate any ride a 2 simply because mechanical ride systems present a certain level of danger, just as trains/trolleys etc have. I don't think these two unfortunate deaths have had anything to do with the ride; these people were probably as likely to have passed on after riding the teacups (which I personally find more dangerous/sickening/scary than Mission: Space ) or Space Mountain. I could probably even add Small World to the list, but I will give some credit to the possibility of G-Forces having an exagerated affect on these people due to their conditions.

The scary fact is I could die right here as I type this message, but that doesn't mean a Compaq desktop is a life threatening killing machine if I happen to have a heart attack or something.

[FlatlandMounty]

This whole deal makes me really sad--Considering how lame Mission Space is as a ride. Don't get me wrong, the experience is really awesome. But come on! you spin around at approximately 30 mph or something? Tear down carnivals that set-up in 1 day, stay up for a week, then move to the next town are more intense and no one complains. And if they do complain, the ride isn't shut down.

[Sarah Turp]

I think its a shame that such an amazing ride has gotten a bad reputation just because a few people ignored the safety warnings. Provided you are fit and healthy, I think everyone should try it. It really is a fantastic ride.

[rdeacon]

Looks like the debate rages on....

BTW I voted 1, big surprise right.

I think it’s sad we have to have this debate at all. It is very sad that anyone has a bad experience at WDW. To have a family member die during a trip is just tragic and sad, for whatever the reason.

I do think that Disney is not at fault with any of the incidents. They have placed up proper warnings and the ride has NOT malfunctioned. Unlike other theme parks that have had incidents with ride safety do to poor design or operator error. Those are inexcusable.

I think we need to look outside of the issue and see how we, as a public have a great desire to be pushed, launched, twisted and turned at great speeds and force. Me being first in line. I feel that Disney is trying to meet those desires in a creative way. It’s not like they are building boring cookie cutter coasters. They are making great rides, make that great popular rides. The thrill rides, mission space, tower of terror, Everest, Rock N’ Roll Coaster all have the longest lines and are the biggest draws.

I guess in a way it’s sad that not all rides are accessible to everyone, but that just the way it is. I don't think Disney is to blame for this.

Rich

[pumpkinhead]

I beleive it is very safe, although I think it is pretty creepy that there were barf bags inside the vehicles for "space sickness" lol.
When I was exiting I was fortunate enough to see the aftermath of space sickness on the ground, I told a CM and he looked as if it happened alot.
Danger of losing your life, 1
Danger of losing your lunch, 7
PH

[Mr.ToadWildRider]

I'd like to change my vote to 10. Afterall Mission:Space DID kill something close to many of us.....Horizons.


Before anyone gets offended, I'm not implying people's lives are of less value than an attraction by any stretch of the imagination - just that the only thing we know for sure that has been killed by Mission: Space was Horizons - no people.

[Gizmata]

So many people ride this every day and enjoy it and are not sick. A very few do and magically make this ride "dangerous". Yes it is not a straight forward ride effect like a rollercoaster, but its no really any different. If anything it is much much smoother as it doesn't have the impacts a typical rollercoaster has (stop, chain grabs, non-smooth tracks, corners).

It has only one effect that is special and that is the extended gravity bonus. Unfortunately to create this effect in a controlled environment a centrifuge is the only way. And since a ride where the bonus G's would be the only thing going on would be boring, they use and environment to simulate a space ship and do a good job of it.

Except people don't follow the rules. They don't keep their head back. They don't keep their eyes open, facing the screen at all times. They have medical issues and don't believe or ignore the warnings.

How much more of a carebear world do we really need. We can't protect people from their stupidity 24 hours a day, and this is becomming a huge problem with our country. Looking back at how dangerous Disneyland was when I was growing up, and now how there are no fun things around anymore which makes me sad. Pretty soon all the attractions queues will be a clear plastic tubes so no one can swing chains, touch fences, or get near anything. Of course all kinds of words would be scratched in the walls within minutes which would be another problem as a child (who probably can't read anyways) would be introduced to all kinds of new words.

Screwing over 99.99% of the guests because lawsuit happy, ignorant lazy guests ruin the park just completely sucks. Eleminating anything fun, or in the slightest way possibly dangerous just ruins the chances for everyone else to enjoy the parks as they should be.

[knedeau]

You know, Disney has AMPLE WARNINGS before that ride. Quite a lot, really. I remember going on it during my honeymoon, and you KNOW it's going to be a "trip" before you even get into the ride. I was actually surprised at the sheer quantity of warnings as we were in line. (And the barf bags at every seat... hehee. I myself am prone to motion sickness. And I ignored the warnings and went on anyway! It is MY OWN FAULT that I felt VERY ill afterward.... I was an idiot. Hehehe, I had to sit with my head b/w my knees for like 20 minutes! My only wish, is that they would have had bathrooms closer to the exit! HAhahaah. I think that if people KNOW that their health is not so good, then they should forego the ride. It is tragic that people have died, but it is a risk that they took (or their parents took for them... really, is this a ride for a FOUR year old? I don't think so.), knowing full well of the warnings. So it is NOT Disney's fault. It really is an incredible ride (except that I never KNEW that my eyes could touch the back of my skull!).

[horizons1]

I'd like to change my vote to 10. Afterall Mission:Space DID kill something close to many of us.....Horizons.


Before anyone gets offended, I'm not implying people's lives are of less value than an attraction by any stretch of the imagination - just that the only thing we know for sure that has been killed by Mission: Space was Horizons - no people.

And no PEOPLE ever died after riding Horizons either.

[Captain Schnemo]

I almost died when I saw how much they'd allowed the ride to deteriorate and still let guests through. The skin was hanging off the audio-animatronics in one scene, lights were out, audio dropped in and out, things that should have moved were frozen, etc.

Letting something rot until people complain about it and then using that feedback to say people don't like it and it needs to be replaced is seriously dirty pool.

[MouseMan]

If you have some undiagnosed heart problem then apparently it is a pretty dangerous ride. But since that is such a small percentage of the population I gave it a 2.

[FlatlandMounty]

I'm sorry, but you can't please everybody. If you make everything super kiddy so people of all heights, weights, and medical conditions can ride, then you are cheating everyone else who want a neat thrill. Its sad when someone has a heart condition. Its worse when they don't know. But part of thrill rides is the feeling of danger while in a controlled environment. People die skydiving, yet people still do it. I like that Disney is trying to make a tame version of the ride for people with heart conditions, back problems and children. That's what makes them great. They don't cheat those who want the thrill, and they don't ignore those with disabilities either.

[gullyf]

Anyone doing anything has to accept that the act of doing creates a certain amount of risk, period. The ride (when operating normally) operates within parameters that are known to be safe for a normal, healthy human being. I am the only one with information about my health: by getting on the ride (stepping on a plane, going out for a jog, etc) I assert that I feel my health is satisfactory for this activity. If it isn't, well, it was my choice. If you want to be 100% safe, then stay in bed and hope that lack of fresh air and exercise kills you before a plane drops on your domicile.

[TheGreatGonzo]

I voted a 3 simply because if there wasn't some danger involved they wouldn't have to give all the warnings. That being said I think it is perfectly safe as long as you heed the warnings about being in good health.

[horizons1]

I'd like to posit the following for debate:

Isn't it at least somewhat likely that the average Disney guest (not a "fan" or regular but the average joe) has an image of Disney rides as being on the tame side? In other words, even rides that have had health warnings for years (e.g. Space Mountain) are tame in comparison with, say, the average Six Flags extreme coaster. With years of such conditioning, isn't it realistic to expect that riders would take the health warnings on Mission: Space in the same context?

A case study:

Granny Goosebumps is 57 and takes her grandson (now 12) to WDW every spring. She's been going to WDW since the '70's. She avoids going on the big rollercoasters at nearby Islands of Adventure because they look too intense, but she has experienced every Disney thrill ride (e.g. Space Mtn, Big Thunder, Splash, Body Wars, Star Tours, Dinosaur) without incident. All these rides have warnings as she enters, and all the rides have had no effect on her. She takes her grandson on Mission: Space. She sees what seem like the same types of warnings. Although there are more of them than she remembers seeing on other rides, she shrugs it off and rides anyway. After all, this is a Disney ride isn't it?

After the ride, she complains to a cast member of shortness of breath. Although she recovers, she later finds out she has a previously undiagnosed heart condition.

Does Disney/Mission: Space play any part in this case? Is this a case of someone with a heart condition who would've found out sooner or later (if not on M:S then somewhere else?) Is Disney responsible in any way for the impression upon Granny that Disney rides were in a class labeled "safe", at least in her mind? What part does marketing play in all this?

Please fill out your blue books with a number 2 pencil. Ha!

Seriously, though, I am curious to hear your thoughts.