Child's Death at Epcot

[rantnnravin]

The first thing i thought of was some sort of "concussive" injury--similar to "shaken baby syndrome" We had gone to Sesame Place a few years ago and gone on the seemingly tame "Vapor Trail" coaster; when DH and I got off, I could hardly walk from dizziness and had a headache for 2 days! Dh was a little dizzy too and had a headache - though not quite as severe as mine. Their restrictions are "AGE 3 and UP"!!
I couldn't imagine putting my 5 year old on Mission Space (although she doesn't reach the height requirement yet--she's a peanut) but it really does make you think that there's more to it than the restrictions they post.
Prayers to this family.

 

[Samsma]

So sad. Losing a child must be the most horrible experience anyone could ever have, but a sudden death on vacation, when everything is supposed to be so perfect. Let's hope that they made some wonderful memories of their little boy at WDW to cherish forever. If they can ever bear to think of Disney again.

 

[lillygator]

How horrible....
I suspect there is more to this than him dying from riding MS....and for myself, I wouldn't have put a 4 year old on there.

 

[disneydreamer1970]

That is just so sad!! My heart goes out to that family!! I cannot even begin to imagine what they are going through.

 

[HayGan]

How sad!

I agree with others that it probably had something to do with a pre-existing condition. No matter how it happened it is so tragic.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

 

[WDWendy]

That would be awful, I cannot even imagine what it would be like to lose a child.

 

[jeannej]

Breaks my heart. My prayers are with the family.

Jeannej

 

[Ronda93]

While the sensations of the ride are intense they are not violent. The restraints are there to keep you from moving about. I've never felt my body hit the restraints on M:S.

I, too, think a pre-existing condition was aggravated and caused the boy's death. If, in fact, he was revived and later died I'd lean towards heat related problems. I'd expect a catastrophic (anurysm/heart defect) event to continue to degrade and not allow for a brief recovery.

No one should base their decision to NOT ride M:S on this sad event.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

My cousin and I were just having the conversation on Sunday about deaths in parks (Disney or otherwise). How terrible for this family! I can only imagine how hard this is for them!

I tend to agree that there is probably an underlying health condition, possibly aggravated by high heat and humidity, dehydration, etc. that the ride just happened to bring out. Very sad.

We haven't been on M:S because I am a chicken and we were worried about feeling sick afterwards and losing touring time. DH really wants to try it out, but this report may change his mind. I hope it doesn't deter people who like the ride from going on it again. If we had been on it without incident I would continue riding.

 

[erikthewise]

This is very, very sad.

But the report "The high-intensity ride opened in October of 2003. It simulates the launch of a space ship that spins extremely fast, Local 6 News reported." is off base.

While it may be an intense experience, in terms of what it actually does to your body, M:S is pretty mild, milder than some spinning rides at your local amusement park and milder than just about any coaster. On M:S you experience 1.5 G's of force, whereas on Rock'n'Roller coaster you get 4 G's.

 

[sanapunk]

Well, if they just kept Horizons....

 

[pumpkinfish]

This is very, very sad.

But the report "The high-intensity ride opened in October of 2003. It simulates the launch of a space ship that spins extremely fast, Local 6 News reported." is off base.

While it may be an intense experience, in terms of what it actually does to your body, M:S is pretty mild, milder than some spinning rides at your local amusement park and milder than just about any coaster. On M:S you experience 1.5 G's of force, whereas on Rock'n'Roller coaster you get 4 G's.

I agree, and I feel that is also the sensationalism of the media too. I really don't like when they "speculate" or throw in extras to beef up the story.

I feel terrible this happened, and my heart really does go out to the family. I can't even imagine...

But, I am not going to stop riding. I like Mission Space. It feels weird, but that's why I ride.

 

[mouseslave]

I feel so bad for the family! thoughts and prayers

 

[pyrxtc]

I was immeadiatelt thinking pre-existing condition too. My heart and prayers go to this family. I also pray that they are not members of the DIS, what a sad day it would be if a member came on here to post she lost her son on vacation.

 

[liznboys]

OMG that is so horrible. I'm shocked. That poor little boy.

 

[Leota]

This is very, very sad.

But the report "The high-intensity ride opened in October of 2003. It simulates the launch of a space ship that spins extremely fast, Local 6 News reported." is off base.

While it may be an intense experience, in terms of what it actually does to your body, M:S is pretty mild, milder than some spinning rides at your local amusement park and milder than just about any coaster. On M:S you experience 1.5 G's of force, whereas on Rock'n'Roller coaster you get 4 G's.

As I understand it, the intensity of M:S is that the G-Forces are sustained, rather than briefly hitting a high G then relaxing again - on a roller coaster, you hit a high G very briefly, affecting your body much less....

 

[ncgolfer]

You have to question the parents judgement for taking a child that young on that intense a ride. I pray for them as we speak, as they will have to live with this for the rest of their lives!

 

[natalielongstaff]

thats so sad

 

[nhpooh]

So sad. Losing a child must be the most horrible experience anyone could ever have, but a sudden death on vacation, when everything is supposed to be so perfect. Let's hope that they made some wonderful memories of their little boy at WDW to cherish forever. If they can ever bear to think of Disney again.

You are right losing a child is very hard, we lost our DD(15) four years ago. She had Cystic Fibrosis, we do have some wonderful memories of her at WDW. To lose a child so young on vacation must be really hard. My prayers and best wishes go out to the family and friends of this child.

 

[momto2inKC]

Oh my goodness, how tragic My thoughts are with the family