Wednesday fatality was second in a year linked to intense...

[kgmadorin]

Lion Sleeps Tonight is exactly right. This is a tragedy, and I feel awful for everyone affected.

I haven't been to WDW since 2003, so I haven't ridden Mission: Space since that time. Therefore, maybe I'm not the best qualified person to comment on this situation. As you can see from the above posts, many of you state there are now a litany of clear, understandable warnings, and there is nothing Disney could do to further inform guests as to what the experience will bring.

Then where does that leave us?

Obviously, those warnings aren't working. If there were 143 guests who sought medical treatment by the time the first guest died, that number is certainly over 200 by now, almost a year later. 200 guests in less than three years seeking medical treatment due to a single attraction. Should Disney just say, "Oh, well. There goes another guest who ignored our safety precautions," (which is probably true) and hope there aren't any further incidents?

I'm not going to comment any further on the situation, because god knows I've posted enough on this thread already. I just pray nothing like this happens again, for everyone's sake--the guests' and Disney's alike.

[AKLRULZ]

Well, we can't exactly force folks in high risk categories not to ride so we need to put the emphasis on properly educating the riding public on who should and shouldn't ride. CM's should do their best to spot people who may have obvious limitations (say pregnancy), but how do you stop someone w/ high BP who chooses to disregard the warnings (and again you're warned until you're just about numb from hearing all the warnings).

The stats on Mission: Space don't particularly frighten me - my wife became horribly ill after she rode it. I suppose if we'd paid a visit to first aid she'd have been a stat, too. Instead we walked back to the Yacht Club where we were staying so she could lay down for a bit until she felt better. Those numbers of people seeking medical treatment are certainly going to be skewed somewhat from people who just flat puked up lunch after being spun.

I'm really not trying to diminish the loss of this German family - it's absolutely horrific she had this stroke while on vacation and my prayers go out to them all. From the medical examiner's report, though, she was pretty much a walking time bomb which just happened to go off after she rode MS.

[rdeacon]

Wow great posts in here, really good debate going on.

So many thoughts about this don't know where to start.. so I'll add some opinions and maybe raise some eyebrows as well.

First let me chime in on Mission Space the ride....
I have to say I am a Mission Space junky, riding it 5 times in one day, in all conditions, empty stomach, full stomach, at night, during the day etc... The ride kicks! I must admit I am a ride/G force junky, with no medical issues. I think its tribute to the imagineers skill and imagination to fool you into thinking you are being launched off the planet and sling shot thru space to Mars.

With that being said Mission Space NOT a ride for everyone, just like Rock N' Roll Coaster, or Tower of Terror is not. This is why there are signs, and warnings. They are there for a reason.

I have seen in the post that some people feel that Disney has an obligation to make people feel safe and make rides that don't kill. First this is unrealistic, life is a calculated risk and Disney cannot be expected to protect their guest from any thing that may hurt them, including themselves. I also say the ride has not killed anyone...existing MEDICAL CONDITIONS killed people on the ride, not the ride killing people. The deaths could have occurred at other places and at other times, it is unfortunate they happened in WDW.

Now I don't want to sound like a callous bastard but, people need to take responsibility for their actions! Anyone who rides Mission Space or any other ride has the obligation to make sure they understand the risks involved. And this goes for anyone that doesn't speak English, or can't read. That is no excuse. And don't get me wrong I feel for the families of people, who have died, but you do not let a 4 year old on a thrill ride, and you do not go on thrill rides if you have chronic high blood pressure. I would not let a 4 year old on Mission Space. People need to use common sense, and take some responsibility for there actions. I don't run in front of a car and blame the driver for not avoiding me...

Case in point, my wife has a back condition, and does not ride any ride in any park that would aggravate her condition. She realizes it’s not worth the risk. Should she just ride these rides and then blame the park for not being safe?

Some may feel that Disney should not build rides that have restriction on them. Maybe this is true, but you have to look at the larger picture. Disney is a business, yes a large money making business, with responsibility to its share holders. Now I hate to think of Disney as a business too, but it’s a sad reality. With the competition from other parks, and the growing desire from the general public for thrill rides, Disney has to develop them. The world has changed maybe not for the better, and Disney has to make a profit in that world.


I just hate when people don’t think and try to blame someone else. And in todays lawsuit world it happens too much. People please think before acting!

Phhhew.. ok I think I rambled on enough..let me know what you think.


Rich

[js3901]

Rich, I think you're right on the money (no pun intended, and not the $$ kind of money, either). people do need to take more responsibilty for themselves when doing things in the world.

I feel, however, that all these warnings have de-sensitized us (as a whole). Look at how many products are on the market. How many of these products carry warnings now? "do not pucture, do not incinerate, do not use near any heat source". just a few warning on a simple can of shaving cream. Do we even see these warnings anymore? probably not. I know I don't. And, I think it's about the same when going to any theme park (and not Disney). I know I don;t read all the warnings (if any) when I go to a oark. I just want to ride the ride.

Now, I have never been on M:S, but it is one of the first things I plan on doing the next time I can afford to get down there. So, I haven;t seen all the warnings that everyone has been talking about. although, I now know that at least 150 people have become ill and 2 people have died due to pre-existing conditions. Before my next trip, I'm going to be sure to get my routine physical to make sure nothing is wrong with me, so I don;t become a statistic.

[AKLRULZ]

..let me know what you think.

I personally think you're totally, 100% right on!

[disneydreamer58]

Just because Disney is released from legal liability, does that make this situation any better?

Absolutely not, I was not implying so. If that is the impression that I gave by asking that question, then I apologize. I can't imagine what the families are having to deal with losing a loved one that way. I just lost my mom from degenerative heart disease, a loss is a loss no matter how it comes. I am not taking away from what these families are dealing with.

I was curious as to Disney's thought process on creating these rides with extreme thrill factors and if they take into consideration that there will always be those who ride it when they know they shouldn't, does their legal department have any input into the imaginery side. The whole process of creating the parks and all that goes into making it happen is very interesting to me.

I have been off line for a while, well, not able to get into the forums anyway. I missed all of these posts, to which I am trying to catch up on now for this thread. I have to say after reading all the threads on here about MS I would love to ride it, but now scared as heck to do so. I think I will have to pass on this one for sure! I have a few health issues, not a bad heart (that I know of any way!) no high blood pressure or anything, but what I do have would make me seriously think about going on the ride, even though I REALLY want to. I think I would definately have to sit this ride out

Right now I have to get off line cause the boss needs contracts ... ughhhh

[rdeacon]

I was curious as to Disney's thought process on creating these rides with extreme thrill factors and if they take into consideration that there will always be those who ride it when they know they shouldn't, does their legal department have any input into the imaginery side. The whole process of creating the parks and all that goes into making it happen is very interesting to me.

Bostoncg... I would guess that they have a small say in what happens, behind the dreamers and the beancounters.

Rich

[rdeacon]

I just watched the news here in WDW and this was the lead story

2 May 2006: Mission: SPACE testing a "no G Force" version of the experience

Over the past few months, there have been some interesting testing sessions taking place in bay 4 over at Mission: SPACE. During quiet times and after hours, WDI and WDW Engineering have been experimenting with running the ride without any G forces from the centrifuge. This is achieved by the centrifuge not rotating during the ride. All other functions of the capsule remain as they currently are, including the movement of the actual capsule on the centrifuge arm. The aim of this testing is to check for feasibility of having the option for guests to ride either the G-Force edition of M:S, or the much tamer no G-Force edition. In this scenario, there would be 2 routes through the queue, allowing guests to choose their experience. The flexibility of the ride system would also allow a ride bay to be switched to either mode quickly, depending on the demand from either queue.

It is important to note from this that the original ride experience is not being removed, nor is it being toned down. Disney are just considering the option of providing a "no G-Force" alternative for those guests who do not meet the current ride requirements, or are afraid to ride the full force Mission: SPACE. Guests would still be able to ride the full, original version of the attraction.

The results of the testing are not yet available, and currently there is no official confirmation about the possibility of this moving ahead.

I guess its a good step that will broaden the appeal of the ride..


Rich

[rudekick]

http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?t=56238

It looks like they are going ahead with the zero G version. I think it's completely lame. Who's to say the people who died would have chosen the less intense version? If anything, this simply buffers them from liability in the future. "Well, they knew the risks and they could have chosen a zero G version but they assumed the risk and went on the intense version." I'll be curious to see how many people actually choose the zero G version.

[AKLRULZ]

I agree that it's totally lame. What is the appeal of Mission: Space without the G-forces? You'll just be watching a video (which is available on the Internet). Disney totally caved and now with one less pods the wait for the "thrill side" will increase. Totally a roll over and wet on yourself move - just my opinion.

[Fantasrick]

At least they are offering the zero g version as an alternative and it won't change the whole ride, meaning they will still have the centerfuge still operating.

[kgmadorin]

The bottom line is Disney had to do SOMETHING. The zero-G option is a good way to placate people's fears and allow EVERYONE to experience the attraction without worrying about health concerns. Everyone who was arguing the other side of the issue than I should be happy--Mission: Space will remain open without changes to three centrifuges. Everyone wins!