Child's Death at Epcot

[Princess Erin]

I think the most important thing about this is the family and their tremendous loss. It really doesn't matter who was right or wrong. It is still about a child who will never again be able to share happy times with his family and nothing will fix the feeling of being heartbroken.

 

[ryley26]

I find it foolish for people to say disney needs a disclaimer for this ride. If disney was to list every possible scenio for every ride the disclaimer would a miles long. So maybe disney should make everyone sign a waver before you enter to gaurd against a multitude of possibiliteis. This boy's death is tragic know one is to blame. Know one has a crystal ball you as parents neeed to decide what is right for your kids. I personally let my 10 year old dd ride it but not my 8 yr ds. I did not believe he was mentally ready for the ride.

 

[married@wdw]

This is my biggest issue with MS. When you ride with younger children- you cannot see them- you cannot touch them- you cannot hold their hand. You are completely shut off from them.

So would you take a child on Space Mountain? You can't see or touch them on that either -- I personally find it more intense than MS -- and that's my niece and nephew's favorite ride. Both were on it the first time when they were six and do it over and over again.

 

[Joann]

First off my prayers go out to this family in this terrible time for them!
I do not think Disney is to blame which is my sole opinion nor are the parents to blame for this unless an underlying condition which was known about exsisted, then yes blame the parents. Disney has tons of warnings about this ride as you line up for it god just knowing barf bags are provided is more then a suttle hint it is intense, which is why I did not ride this ride in May when we were there. But even tho sighns warn you I still let my kids go on it after I sent my husband on first to try it, it didnt affect him so he took the kids on aged 9 and 11 which they loved it! They rode it 3 times in a row with no ill effects even with them looking around moving thier heads around ect. I believe something else had to be going on within this child for this to happen
You can not place blame on the actual ride as said by others these are tested and gone thru tons of them to make sure they are safe last thing disney or any other place wants is a law suit against them. It is sad it happened but could happen to anyone anywhere or on any of the rides that are there. I dont know if I would let my kids ride it again hubby would tho but I am paranoid of sickness happening in the first place I tried like hell to not let my kids go on it in the first place but they LOVED it and said it wasnt scarey, fast or anything like that. This had to have happened because of something else wrong with the child my son went on tower of terror at the age of 4 because he wanted to and he made the hieght restriction I trust the rides so I let them not thinking of things like this that could happen. I do think it should be shut down for abit tho out of respect for the family

 

[matthewsmom1]

Posted by LoriZ:
"Are you serious??? I am being dragged over the coals for blaming Disney then you read one post and say I am blaming the parents? You didn't even read the post, I said if the child died from dehydration (because someone asked me what if...and it was their scenerio not mine, so I answered them) then I would think it would be Disney's fault for not posting signs. Are you reading the same posts?

Gee...you can get dehydrated without even knowing, it's not the parents fault. If it was a factor in the rides warning then you would make sure that the child is not dehydrated or not take them on at all at such a young age because they cannot fully communicate to you."

**************************************************
Sooo....Since you are blaming big, bid Disney for not keeping this child hydrated properly (if in fact, he *was* dehydrated) than can we assume that you will never be stepping foot on Disney property again? Wouldn't want to give your money to big, bad Disney....

BTW, 4 years old is NOT a toddler. They are a young child. And, we don't know whether the child *just* turned 4 or was closer to 5 years old.....

I *AM* a medical professional and I can't imagine any scenerio where a healthy 4 year old in good physical condition would die after riding MS. Ther *HAD* to be something else involved....pre-existing medical condition (whether known or unknown).

I guess we will have to wait for the final results. Until then I suggest that we ALL stop villanizing Disney or the parents because I SERIOUSLY doubt either are to blame.....

 

[vicceja]

Hi!

I was saddened to hear that a precious child was lost at Disney . We will be heading down to Disney in 13 days and personally will not even think of letting my 4 year old get on such a ride...I'm even trying to decide if my 9 year old is ready for a ride like Mission:Space.

It is a pure tragedy.....Much prayers to the family.

 

[married@wdw]

LoriZH --

Then are you shutting down all the rides I listed? Or saying kids under your random choice of age can't go on all of them (please note that one was a tea cup knock-off!!!)? Without knowing each individual child, I don't see how you can make that decision. Of the four children I am in contact with daily, the oldest is the one least likely to handle any ride well. At 13, he bowed out of ToT on our last trip. The younger three, now ranging from 7-12, will do anything and love it, and have been since they were about six (we're an aunt and uncle, not parents, and chose to start taking them at age six because younger than that was a little to whiny for us). You have to know your child's like and dislikes -- it's that simple.

Though, if this case is a pre-existing condition, it doesn't matter the age of the child or how well you know them. As I said, it could have happened on the tea cups or dumbo, or, as one poster said, the child simply reaching down to pick something up off the ground!

So please stop blaming age and Disney and the ride and dehydration for this tragic event!!!

 

[FL4ME]

What a horrendous tragedy.

Everyone can speculate about everything regarding this terrrible, terrible situation and I did read a few posts that talked about unknown health issues. However, in the many news articles, including the one in the Sentinel it was stated, "It was the most hospital visits for a single ride since Florida's major theme parks agreed in 2001 to report any serious injuries to the state."..... It is UNEXCEPTABLE!!!! for any ride to still be operating with this track record!

My heart goes out to that poor family.

NO ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! in my family will be riding it again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[LoriZH]

Posted by LoriZ:
"Are you serious??? I am being dragged over the coals for blaming Disney then you read one post and say I am blaming the parents? You didn't even read the post, I said if the child died from dehydration (because someone asked me what if...and it was their scenerio not mine, so I answered them) then I would think it would be Disney's fault for not posting signs. Are you reading the same posts?

Gee...you can get dehydrated without even knowing, it's not the parents fault. If it was a factor in the rides warning then you would make sure that the child is not dehydrated or not take them on at all at such a young age because they cannot fully communicate to you."

**************************************************
Sooo....Since you are blaming big, bid Disney for not keeping this child hydrated properly (if in fact, he *was* dehydrated) than can we assume that you will never be stepping foot on Disney property again? Wouldn't want to give your money to big, bad Disney....

BTW, 4 years old is NOT a toddler. They are a young child. And, we don't know whether the child *just* turned 4 or was closer to 5 years old.....

I *AM* a medical professional and I can't imagine any scenerio where a healthy 4 year old in good physical condition would die after riding MS. Ther *HAD* to be something else involved....pre-existing medical condition (whether known or unknown).

I guess we will have to wait for the final results. Until then I suggest that we ALL stop villanizing Disney or the parents because I SERIOUSLY doubt either are to blame.....

Oh please, where do you come up with your conclusions? Where did I state that it was Disney's fault for not keeping the child hydrated, your post is hilarious. Once again, go back and read who's scenerio it was, it was NOT mine. I just answered a question, doesn't mean I won't go to BIG BAD Disney, that's ridiculous, talk about rushing to judge and going to the extreme. You are here to argue, plain and simple, otherwise you would have read all the posts leading up this and not singled mine out to attack. your post has nothing not even remotely close to what I/we were talking about. I did not say nor did I conclude or agree that the child died of dehydration, it was a "what if" scenerio asked by Mary and I answered her.

What is your medical profession btw, I am curious, just because you are in the "medical" profession, doesn't make you an expert. Are you a Doctor?

 

[lillygator]

What a horrendous tragedy.

Everyone can speculate about everything regarding this terrrible, terrible situation and I did read a few posts that talked about unknown health issues. However, in the many news articles, including the one in the Sentinel it was stated, "It was the most hospital visits for a single ride since Florida's major theme parks agreed in 2001 to report any serious injuries to the state."..... It is UNEXCEPTABLE!!!! for any ride to still be operating with this track record!

"In 2003, Disney began placing motion sickness bags in the $100 million ride. During an eight-month period in 2003-04, six people over age 55 were taken to the hospital for chest pain and nausea after riding it, though none of them was found to have any serious injuries." posted on the Orlando Sentinal's website....




It was the most hospital visits for a single ride since Florida's major theme parks agreed in 2001 to report such problems to the state.

 

[lillygator]

"The signs warn visitors about the intensity of the ride. "For safety you should be in good health, and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness or other conditions that can be aggravated by this adventure," one sign on view last year said." - also from the OS

 

[deelam]

I don't think a 4 year olds body will react the same as a 20 year olds to extreme forces. I would think that extreme forces against a child who is only 40 or 50LBS are dangerous. If the child is slightly dehydrated or has any ailment, the forces encountered could be deadly. This could have been averted if Disney raised the height limit on this ride. Think people, the height limit is not just about fitting in a safety restraight. G forces on a 150LB do not have the same effect as G forces on a 40LB person. Shame on Disney for putting making money above a child's safety. If I bring my fist down on a grape, I will smash it completely. If I bring my fist down on a plum, it will not smash completely. The low weight of a child makes a difference. The best thing Disney could do, if they care at all is to raise the height limit. The taller a kid is, the more he will weigh. How could Disney be blind to this.

 

[missj171]

This is so sad, my heart goes out to the family.

I dont think its helpful to argue about blame, Disney issue warnings and have height restrictions, if people see the warnings and meet the restrictions then it is a very tragic accident, not an act of corporate negligence.

I doubt blaming Disney will offer the family much consolation right now.

So sad.

 

[LoriZH]

I don't think a 4 year olds body will react the same as a 20 year olds to extreme forces. I would think that extreme forces against a child who is only 40 or 50LBS are dangerous. If the child is slightly dehydrated or has any ailment, the forces encountered could be deadly. This could have been averted if Disney raised the height limit on this ride. Think people, the height limit is not just about fitting in a safety restraight. G forces on a 150LB do not have the same effect as G forces on a 40LB person. Shame on Disney for putting making money above a child's safety. If I bring my fist down on a grape, I will smash it completely. If I bring my fist down on a plum, it will not smash completely. The low weight of a child makes a difference. The best thing Disney could do, if they care at all is to raise the height limit. The taller a kid is, the more he will weigh. How could Disney be blind to this.

Exactly, this is what I have been trying say, it's not meant for a 4 year old.

 

[mking624]

What a horrendous tragedy.

Everyone can speculate about everything regarding this terrrible, terrible situation and I did read a few posts that talked about unknown health issues. However, in the many news articles, including the one in the Sentinel it was stated, "It was the most hospital visits for a single ride since Florida's major theme parks agreed in 2001 to report any serious injuries to the state."..... It is UNEXCEPTABLE!!!! for any ride to still be operating with this track record!

My heart goes out to that poor family.

NO ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! in my family will be riding it again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

While they do have a higher track record than any other ride since the agreement, not all the incidents were solely caused by the ride. Within an 8 month period (October 2003 - May 2004), 6 people over the age of 55 were taken to the hospital. Out of those 6 people, 4 had pre-existing conditions. Three had received heart surgery (indicating a heart condition) prior to their trip and one was diabetic and admitted to not feeling well when he decided to go on the ride. From what I've read, there are 13 warning signs and the audio/video warning as well. One sign specifically reads "For safety you should be in good health, and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness or other conditions that can be aggravated by this adventure." If a guest chooses to ignore those warnings knowing full well the condition they are in, that's their choice. So I don't feel that in those specific incidents that Disney should be blamed for a decision that a guest made knowing full well the pre-existing conditions they had.

 

[deelam]

If it were my child, I would blame Disney.

 

[mking624]

I did not say nor did I conclude or agree that the child died of dehydration, it was a "what if" scenerio asked by Mary and I answered her.

Stop putting the blame of the scenario on me. This is now the second time I'm saying it...I am NOT the one who initially brought it up. I actually responded to something you said about your huhsband saying one can die of dehydration & shock. The scenario of a child dying of dehydration was brought up before I even posted on this thread and in fact, you responded to that scenario before I even posted on this thread. Please leave my name out of this.

 

[SnackyStacky]

You'd all been warned. This thread is now closed.