Mission:Space - Parents ask for a higher height

Originally Posted By Darkbeer

<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-missionspace2205sep22" target="_blank">http://www.orlandosentinel.com
/news/local/orange/orl-missionspace2205sep22</a>,0,1236254.story?coll=orl-news-headlines-orange

>>The parents of a 4-year-old who died after riding Epcot's Mission: Space want tougher thrill-ride restrictions for small children, but Disney officials are waiting for the boy's autopsy results before deciding if changes are needed.

Moses and Agnes Bamuwamye, whose son Daudi died June 13, proposed new height restrictions in a letter their attorney sent to Disney officials last month.

Disney rejected their request to raise the bar from 44 to 51 inches, writing two weeks ago that no evidence connects the death to the ride, according to correspondence the Pennsylvania family's attorney provided to the Orlando Sentinel.

"Simply to make a change on no informed basis would be false solace to those affected and of no benefit to anyone else," wrote Margaret C. Giacalone of Disney's legal staff. "Further, the minimum height requirement was carefully considered, analyzed and established on the basis of a variety of factors."

The family's lawyer, Robert A. Samartin of Tampa, wrote Disney earlier that there are no standards to determine the danger of gravitational forces experienced by anyone under 48 inches tall on an amusement-park ride.

Without proof of safety, the theme park should not be subjecting youngsters to conditions that make some adults pass out or vomit, Samartin said Wednesday.

"The thrust of it is -- this is really not appropriate for 4- and 5-year-old kids. This is not the Tea Cups or Dumbo ride," he said, referring to rides in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

Daudi's cause of death awaits the outcome of tests that may not be completed until November.

"We're waiting to hear from our expert on the result of some studies," Orange-Osceola Medical Examiner's administrator Sheri Blanton said Wednesday. "An approximate time would be another four to six weeks, but hopefully sooner."

Previously unreleased Reedy Creek Fire/Rescue records show more than 100 responses by paramedics to Mission: Space between summer 2003 and Daudi's death.

Those included nine people who passed out during or immediately after the ride. Eighteen others complained of temporary paralysis, particularly of the hands.

Most common was severe dizziness, experienced by 38 riders, followed by 31 people who vomited during or after the ride.

Almost none of the 911 calls involved anyone younger than 7, except for toddlers who tumbled out of strollers or fell in the ride's gift shop.

The 143 reports were released by Reedy Creek Improvement District, Disney's municipal arm, under the state public-records law.<<

 

Originally Posted By Kimrue

maybe an age restriction???

 

Originally Posted By ewenome

What about parental responsibility to see if a particular attraction is appropriate for their child rather than assuming a theme park's suggested height requirement is the end-all, be-all?

 

Originally Posted By vbdad55

You know Disney couldn't react right now until all facts are in or it would make it seem like they were at fault with the previous height requirement. Maybe after all is in and if they are cleared as I suspect - maybe make a change in the future.

But yes, parental responsibility is first an foremost with anything kids participate in......

I know there are stats for calls to aid people on this ride -- I am sure they exist for other rides at other parks also -- I can't believe some of the 'super coasters' don't have similar numbers....

 

Originally Posted By Kimrue

unfortunately it has been made more than clear on several occasions that you can't rely on parental responsibility. Yes, in a perfect world that would be the logical answer. But there is always going to be SOMEONE that is going to force or allow a willing child to get onto a ride that they are completely unfamiliar with. I personally would NEVER take a child onto mission:space. I also know my OWN limits and personally would not go onto ms, however if we can't even trust adults to know their own limits as far as this ride is concerned (adults passing out, vomiting, extreme dizziness, temporary paralysis, etc.) how can we trust that they will do right by their child? Sad. I don't agree with it, but I feel it's only a matter of time b4 M:S either is "tamed down" or closed all together.

 

Originally Posted By Kimrue

I've said before that I think certain rides should have a "viewing room" for guests that are unsure of a ride. A room where they can actually "see" what is REALLY going to happen on a ride, REAL guests reactions good, and bad. Not these plastic actors in the commercial smiling and whooting having an awesome time. Clearly not ALL guests adore these thrill rides. It should be an option to see this "ride" spinning wildly the way it actually does instead of being told what it "feels like." Who cares what it feels like, what is it doing?!? Show these parents what they are subjecting their child as well as themselves to BEFORE they put them on a ride. Is it "spoiling" the effect? WHO CARES?! It should be an option.period. VIEWING ROOM!!!

 

Originally Posted By vbdad55

I kinda like that idea Kim -- it would sure take a lot of the trepidation away from kids ....and I also don;t believe it would ruin the effect

 

Originally Posted By SFH

It's safest not to have rides at all. That way, we can be sure the kids will never be killed or injured riding a ride.

Let them play football... oh wait...
Let them play basketball... oh wait...
Let them play soccer... oh wait...
Let them play baseball... oh wait...
Let them swim... oh wait...
Let them sit around watching TV and on the computer all day.

SFH

 

Originally Posted By vbdad55

<Let them play football... oh wait...
Let them play basketball... oh wait...
Let them play soccer... oh wait...
Let them play baseball... oh wait...
Let them swim... oh wait...


all the items you mention can be viewed before participation, so I am not sure why the huge jump here.....

I haven't seen anyone here (yet) suggest taking out MS -- and in my case even toning it down -- it is what it is -- I actually believe some people get themselves so psyched up before they enter it makes the ride worse for them.....maybe a viewing room for MS / TT / rnRC would be good for kids -- especially those who are just coming of age ride wise.

I am a 'all rides' rider so I have no problem with challenging rides....( okay I just can;t take the teacups any more but I think that just came with age) -- but making them seem a little less scary up front for kids doesn't seem to be the end of rides to me.

 

Originally Posted By Kimrue

Holy cow, I'm still trying to collect myself over the positive reaction from VBdad...LOL. I'm not saying we shouldn't have rides, I'm just saying with the technology we have today, rides are getting more and more intense and perhaps our bodies aren't "there" yet. Some of us anyway, especially young children. That coupled with the fact that some parents aren't being responsible with their childs well-being. Not only physically. I remember a similar topic being posted and someone saying a four year WILL BELIEVE THEY ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO MARS, and it's true!!! No kidding. How is that affecting them emotionally? And to tell you the truth rides are right along with the tv and computer thing...they are all examples of over-stimulation for the purpose of entertainment. Which is great in moderation. Sports and outdoor play, I'm all for!! Kids need to get their butts outside and start PLAYING again, those were the days!

 

Originally Posted By MrToadWildRider

The should've just kept Horizons

In terms of the dangers of the ride I think they're exagerrated. People throwing up I can understand - people throw up on all kinds of motion based rides - but temporary paralysis? I rode this ride and I had all this fear seeing the little barf bags tucked into the console and what not and was like "Wow this ride might kick my behind" but I got off with a sort of "That was it?" sensation.

My guess is people that get afflicted like this are doing stupid things like trying to force their head off of the head rest and the gravitational force pulls them back slapping the back of their heads into the seat. I can see how THAT could cause people getting headaches and maybe passing out but paralysis?

I highly doubt this kid died as a direct result of this ride. The only way I think this ride is responsible for the death is if a safety feature somehow was disabled and if that were the case I'm sure it wouldn't have taken this long for that to atleast leak out and for the ride to be shut down by Disney or OSHA or whoever.

Yea, this ride can make people sick and maybe give them a headache but kill someone through the "Force" involved? I doubt it. I'm not an engineer or a physicist and do not pretend to be but as I understand it this ride spins really fast (the riders don't often realize this as they're watching a screen) to generate the "G's" which you feel so it's somewhat like doing "Doughnuts" in your family's vehicle in the Disney parking lot really fast. Yea there's a serious risk of injury in the because of the real possibility the car may flip or you may lose control but let's just say it's just from the "pull" you feel as you do those fast circular motions (like rounding a corner fast) - I don't see how that could kill someone unless a) they already had something very wrong with them that this just aggitated or b) you were going way too fast and caused some kind of dramatic shift of internal organs. B) doesn't seem likely to me, especially not in a Disney park...

Anyway that is my very basic thought process on the mechanics of the ride and the effects they may have on a rider, hopefully someone with more knowledge can correct me and post more on the subject

 

Originally Posted By vbdad55

<Holy cow, I'm still trying to collect myself over the positive reaction from VBdad...LOL. <

Now that I am out of WE -- I am Mr. Positive ( as long as no one brings up that playground thing....) ---I thought you're idea was excellent. As the father of 2 kids who 'came of age' ride wise at different ages...this would have been helpful...IMHO

I just like to keep everyone on their toes....LOL!

 

Originally Posted By SJHYM

I dont think that looking at the height requirements for Mission:Space is a bad thing. My experience is that no matter how many times you tell or show someone how intense a ride is they always think that it isnt as bad as you tell them or that their kid is the exception

 

Originally Posted By Goofyernmost

I personally think that an age requirement is more appropriate than a height requirement. Aren't there some short adults? But age is age, sadly.

 

Originally Posted By SJHYM

The problem with age is how do you prove that? Are you going to require parents to bring birth certificates?

 

Originally Posted By Darkbeer

Disneyland has 3 rides with an age restriction......

It can be done, will some parents "fudge", yes, but some parents "fudge" at the turnstiles.

But it gives fair notice to the parents that the ride is not for young kids. Something that is missing at Mission: Space.

 

Originally Posted By Indigo

As I just posted on my blog there is not always a direct correlation between height and constitution. Instead attractions should be given an 'intensity' rating. Red for very intense (not recommended for children or back-to-back repeat experiences), Yellow for Moderately intense (parents should ride before boarding with young children), Green for appropriate for all ages. Very few attractions would get a red (Mission: Space, Tower of Terror). Yellow is great for rides that may be scary, not just intense (Great Movie Ride, Haunted Mansion, etc). Green would be the majority of rides. Other indicators would remain, Height Restrictions as per manufacturer recommendations, back, neck, pregnant, etc. These symbols could be added to the maps almost immediately, and to attraction signage as time progresses.

-John
<a href="http://thedisneyblog.typepad.com" target="_blank">http://thedisneyblog.typepad.c
om</a>

 

Originally Posted By Darkbeer

^

Cedar Fair parks have a 1 to 5 rating system.

1 is mild and no problem...

5 is a thrill ride.

 

Originally Posted By Kimrue

The problem with age is how do you prove that? Are you going to require parents to bring birth certificates?>>

The same way you "prove" your child is too young to pay to get into the park? I guess to an extent it is based off of the honor system. You know some people will lie and say their 3 year old is 2 and it won't be questioned. But if it is, yes, a birth certificate should be shown in my opinion. If a lawsuit is at risk, I think it's well worth it!

 

Originally Posted By Kimrue

...shall I say a lawsuit, and most importantly a child's well-being...