5 years old on Mission:SPACE?

[Princess-in-Training]

Hi everyone! Quick question! We'll be going to DW in April (hooray!!!) and I was wondering if DS5 and his friend, 4 1/2 could handle Mission:SPACE? Both meet the height requirements. I've been on it, but when it first opened -- I hear there is a "more gentle" option on it, is that right?

 

[delmar411]

my 4yr old DD more than met the height requirement but when they closed down the harness it was under her chin instead of her chest. And she was completely unable to see the screen. She hated the whole thing.

My 9yr old (very average height) was at the perfect level for the ride.

HTH!

 

[Colinsmom]

This was my 5yo's favorite ride last month, by far. He went on the "green" (gentle) option several times and the "orange" option a couple of times. He is 48" or so tall and was able to see the screen, push the buttons, etc.

 

[lclark0621]

My DS is almost 5, and I wont even tell him Mission Space exists!

I have never ever gotten sick on a ride before... Then I rode Mission Space. I had a migrane for the rest of the day & the day was a total waste for me.

Never again...

My DS rides so many thrill rides & loves them. But we are a Mission Space free family.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

For me, I would opt to take kids of that age on the mild version of the ride. I don't know, maybe I am just paranoid, but I can't help but think of the young boy whose parents took him on MS and he died while riding. I know that was probably a freak thing, but better safe than sorry. Being the right height doesn't necessarily mean they can handle the full effects of the ride though. Now we ride MS all the time and we do the original version, but my kids are older. Do what you feel is best.

 

[autumnbaby9]

Depends on the child (or adult for that matter ).

I'm a thrill seeker but I HATED MS and wont go on it again .

Maybe try them on the green side just to see their reactions, then decide if the orange side would be an option.

 

[Princess-in-Training]

thanks everyone! DH and I are MS lovers, so we are excited for when we can bring DS with us on it. What is the difference between the green and orange (We would probably take him on green, I think)?

 

[all4fun]

Green is the less intense version. IMO you still feel a slight centrifugal force but it doesn't spin you around as much. I honestly don't know how much less intense it is. I still enjoyed the ride. DS was 4yrs, and 44", on the last trip and he enjoyed it. Green usually has shorter wait times too.

 

[pha1226]

My dds wre 5 and 7 when we went on the non-tame version and both loved it. Actually, dh won't go on rides at all and loves Mission Space.

 

[Momvic5]

In 2005, my family and I went to WDW for the first time with another family. While on our drive there, my friend told me about the tragic accident that happened to the little 4yr.old boy on Mission Space. I had a 4 yr. old son at the time and could not imagine something so awful and decided we would not ride that ride. I guess I put it out of my mind because I did not realize that we were on that exact ride until we were locked in and blasting off. I went into a panic and kept trying to pull myself forward to see my youngest son. I couldn't see him, but finally he moved. As long as he kept moving and playing with the gadgets, I knew he was alright.

Needless to say, my 4 yr. old son loved it!! I felt sick afterwards and I strained my neck trying to see him but I was thrilled just to hold him. We went back in Dec. 2007, and we did not ride the ride.

I think most children handle the ride just fine. It is mom and dad who are wiped out at the end.

 

[autumnbaby9]

IIRC the little boy that died had an undiagnosed heart condition. It was a tragic accident but realy had nothing to do with age. I would think the same thing would have happened if he had been 8.

 

[Momvic5]

Autumnbaby9

My friend did say that she thought he had a heart condition but I wasn't sure so I didn't want to mention it. It is horrible thing and I agree that it can happen at any age and on any ride.

Mission Space is a really a neat experience, but both my husband and I felt pressure on our chests while riding it. The kids were absolutely fine. I know it is all part of the experience but my husband and I had never felt anything like it before and decided experiencing it once was enough for us.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I remember hearing someone say before that they felt the boy had an undiagnosed heart condition. I don't know...they say that a lot when they can't explain why someone died. Whatever....anyway, like I said, we ride MS and partake in the full experience. Personally, I don't think it s an intense ride at all. Again, you do what you feel is best...you know your kids.

 

[CastleCreations]

I was really nervous taking my 6 year old on it and last weekend, she did great. We did the Green side, which is the mild side. I don't think it's even as rough as star tours, at MGM. I was actually wondering how bad the orange side was. I think next time we may try it.

 

[Epcot Mom]

My 5 yo son love the green side, as does my 9 yo daughter. I wouldn't do the orange side for any of us (adults too) as I fall into the "better safe than sorry" category. Having said that, I have been on orange side before there was an option (w/o kids) and the green side is still very good. It's not like you lose the cool effects. They did a good job translating it into a milder ride. It's still great and one of my kids' favorite things. My suggestion would be to ride it yourself and decide if you think it would work for your son. Ours was tall enough at 4 but the harness did hit him right under his chin. He was able to see but couldn't press the buttons. A year later, he was tall enough to reach the buttons. He enjoyed it very much either way and you won't convince him he didn't go to Mars!