Child's Death at Epcot

[brandip22]

Wow- this is horrible. Last night Dh and I were talking about which rides we will or won't be able to take DS on when we go in Sept- he be just 1 month over 3 then. We were talking about how much he loves rides but will probably still be too short to ride most of the thrill rides. DH suggested getting some type of lifts since DS will probably be only 1 inch too short. But, after reading here so much, I told him that, no, the height restrictions are there for a reason. Now, I am so glad I said that! I agree that we, as parents need to use great judgement as to what our children ride. But, every child is different. There are big and small 4 year-olds. That's why it's usually a height and not age restriction. I certainly don't blame the parents or Disney in this case- at least not with the little information we have.
I do think that we all will probably be a little more cautious in the future, won't we? The DIS boards are great for learning all kinds of valuable information- this is some of that in my book.
My heart and prayers go out to that family. Also, I'll pray for the staff of Disney who had to witness this tragic even unfold- what a way to ruin the magic- even with no fault.

 

[Aneille]

Why is it NOT Disney's fault? This is shameful and Disney is 110% responsible! If this attraction was too intense for adults, then little children should not be allowed on it at all. They need to shut it down all together! I let my 6 year olds ride it, NEVER EVER EVER again! If this is going to cause deaths, they need to SHUT IT DOWN!

Its probably not Disney's fault because the child probably had a pre-existing condition. Or it could have been heat related.

Children die everyday due to accidents and not always are they someones fault.

If they find out that the child did not have a pre-existing condition that the parents were not aware off and the parents followed all of Disney's rules for the ride then yes it may then be deemed Disney's fault and the ride will change or be shut down.

But no one knows what caused this childs death.

 

[cheyita]

Why is it NOT Disney's fault? This is shameful and Disney is 110% responsible! If this attraction was too intense for adults, then little children should not be allowed on it at all. They need to shut it down all together! I let my 6 year olds ride it, NEVER EVER EVER again! If this is going to cause deaths, they need to SHUT IT DOWN!

At this point, we have no idea what caused this child's death. Like someone else mentioned (I don't know if it was on this thread or the other), there have been people who have died from choking on gum on a ride, there are people with undiagnosed brain aneurysms, unknown heart conditions, etc.

If it is discovered to have caused the child's death purely because of the intensity on a normal, healthy child - I completely agree with you.

 

[kona-kraft]

My parents and nephew were supposed to ride MS this morning. My dad said on the phone that the ride was closed down.

What a shame.......I definately will NOT be going on MS in September....not with my heart condition !!!

 

[ReggieB]

This is such a tough one, increasing the height requirements will stop younger children from riding (my son is very tall for his age, he would have been able to ride it at 3 1/2, he didn't though) but the intensity of it obviously effects people of all ages. Obviously there are a lot of people that ride and have no ill effects, what does/should Disney do?

This is a real tragedy for all involved. If there is an underlying undetected medical condition at the bottom of this how can you protect against this happening again? My sympathy goes out to the family involved, it must have been heart wrenching for the CM's and medical team involved. I hope that a compassionate resolution is achieved.

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

Why is it NOT Disney's fault? This is shameful and Disney is 110% responsible! If this attraction was too intense for adults, then little children should not be allowed on it at all. They need to shut it down all together! I let my 6 year olds ride it, NEVER EVER EVER again! If this is going to cause deaths, they need to SHUT IT DOWN!

Jeez. Chill out. Nobody can say who's fault it is at this point. What if the parents knew about a medical condition and ignored the warnings, would it still be "110%" Disney's fault.

 

[LoriZH]

Its probably not Disney's fault because the child probably had a pre-existing condition. Or it could have been heat related.

Children die everyday due to accidents and not always are they someones fault.

If they find out that the child did not have a pre-existing condition that the parents were not aware off and the parents followed all of Disney's rules for the ride then yes it may then be deemed Disney's fault and the ride will change or be shut down.

But no one knows what caused this childs death.

I understand, but they are responsible, they put the height requirement down, most children don't know of a "pre-existing" heart condition because they are too young to relate the symtoms to their parents. So, we as parents need to take resposiblity too, however, Disney should just not allow kids under 8 or 10 to ride such an intense ride, no matter what the circumstances are. I would NEVER allow anyone in my family to ride that ride again, under no circumstance. The mother made a fatal mistake and allowed her young child to ride such an intense ride (no matter if it was a heart condition, chocking on vomit, dehydration, etc.) no matter what Disney signs stated. I made the mistake of letting my 6 yo's on and will never do that again.

This is such a tragedy, my heart goes out to that poor woman and her family, I just can't imagine how they feel at this moment, horrible, just horrible. I will keep them in my prayers.

I think if they don't shut it down, then they need to have paramedics or a doctor on scene if they are going to still allow young toddlers on this ride.

 

[LoriZH]

Jeez. Chill out. Nobody can say who's fault it is at this point. What if the parents knew about a medical condition and ignored the warnings, would it still be "110%" Disney's fault. You're making an assumption and you know what they say about assuming, right?

Yup I know what they say about assumptions, and you are assuming that I am writing this in anger, and I wasn't. It was more out of sadness and the fact that people tend to immediately stick up for Disney and say it's not their fault, they need to take resposibility and I know they will. I use capitals and exclamation point, not to be mean, but just to emphasize on my stance. So, you're right, we should all not use assumptions.

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

Yup I know what they say about assumptions, and you are assuming that I am writing this in anger, and I wasn't. It was more out of sadness and the fact that people tend to immediately stick up for Disney and say it's not their fault, they need to take resposibility and I know they will. I use capitals and exclamation point, not to be mean, but just to emphasize on my stance. So, you're right, we should all not use assumptions.

Fine. I took that comment out.
I'm not sticking up for Disney, I'm stating the unknowns.

 

[kruggel2004]

My heart truly goes out to the parents of this young boy. No one is able to predict these type of things and any sort of amusement attraction poses a known risk. I attempted to ride MS two years ago and it broke down several times while riding it. I'm 27 years old and after that experience I chose to not try it again..DH and I will be returning in September and have decided to leave the ride alone. That is my choice and that choice is no different than that mother allowing her son to ride MS when he met the requirements for the ride...Once again my thoughts and prayers go out to this family during this tragic time..

 

[michaelwilliammidd]

I read this on another thread: "Deputies in Orange County, Fla., are investigating the drowning of a 10-year-old boy who was found floating underneath a raft in a pool filled with people, according to Local 6 News.
Investigators said Cody Devers, 10, was playing with kids in a pool at the Sheraton Vistana Resort located off state Road 535 when he went under the water."

I wouldn't imagine that anyone is willing to blame Sheraton for having a swimming pool and allowing a 10 year old to swim in it. I think it's terribly unfair to blame Disney for this tradgedy, which is exactly what news outlets such as yahoo are trying to do with statements like

"A 4-year-old boy died after passing out while aboard Walt Disney World's "Mission: Space" attraction — a ride that has caused previous concerns because of its intensity."

The only concerns about the attraction were motion sickness which in fact I feel on rides like the teacups (which I'm not able to ride) but, have never had a problem with Mission Space. No one is to blame in this horrible situation...this child had a medical condition that obviously the parents were not aware of or they would have never put their childs life at risk, I think we at least owe it to the parents to speculate that much.

 

[TIFFANY&CO]

DH and I just got back from WDW 2 weeks ago and we rode MS. I am usually really good about coasters and rides that warn you about motion sickness, but this tops the cake. I'm 24 and in good health, but I have never experienced an after effect like I did on MS. I was useless for 2 hours after the ride. I can only imagine how this little boy was. It is such a tragedy.

 

[jennypenny]

I think we all forget how little *most* people know about disney before they go. We are DISers and have plenty of information to judge what is appropriate for our families when we go. Most people have no idea what to expect when they go to WDW. I remember the first time we went to AK (pre Disboards). Someone told us to go to the "bugs life show" so we did--with our preschoolers. They were petrified. If I'd know more (and knowing our kids were easily scared) I would have skipped it.

What scares me about this incident is the idea of an "unknown pre-existing condition" in the boy--I worry about my kids all the time when I read about teenage athletes collapsing during soccer games, etc.

I just hope they find out what caused his death. So sad.
Jenny

 

[Ratpack]

Why is it NOT Disney's fault? This is shameful and Disney is 110% responsible! If this attraction was too intense for adults, then little children should not be allowed on it at all. They need to shut it down all together! I let my 6 year olds ride it, NEVER EVER EVER again! If this is going to cause deaths, they need to SHUT IT DOWN!

I disagree, this is not Disney's fault simply because they did not put the child on the ride. Their responsibility is to warn people of possible effects. It is the decision of the riders whether they get on or not. Disney simply cannot know how the ride will affect each and every person in the world. MS is tame compared to other rides in this country. There are people that have problems and die all the time related to thrill rides because of some pre-existing condtion or simply their body cannot handle it. So shutting this ride down is not the answer. Thousands of people have ridden this ride many times, myself included, without the slightest problem, why should we be punished. With all the deaths on the highways today, should we shut them down as well? Sorry, but I just don't think Disney is to blame for this.

 

[poohluvrs]

With the endless amazing attractions for youngsters at Disney, why in the world do such young kids need to visit these scary rides?

My heart is breaking for this family

 

[JJsmama]

so tragic. I am sick thinking of it. You know what it brings to mind to me? Just about every year there is a story of a high schooler who suddenly dies during a basketball game or football game due to a heart condition no one (including himself or his parents) knew he had.

May God be with that family.

 

[LisaR]

Why is it NOT Disney's fault? This is shameful and Disney is 110% responsible! If this attraction was too intense for adults, then little children should not be allowed on it at all. They need to shut it down all together! I let my 6 year olds ride it, NEVER EVER EVER again! If this is going to cause deaths, they need to SHUT IT DOWN!

Just curious: If the results show that this child suffered from some pre-existing condition or was dehydrated, would you still feel Disney was 110% at fault? Would you still feel Disney needed to close the ride down?

You are jumping to conclusions. Nobody knows for sure why this poor family lost their son yesterday. However, the fact remains that MANY, MANY children ride MS every single day and they are fine.

Lisa

 

[married@wdw]

Why is it NOT Disney's fault? This is shameful and Disney is 110% responsible! If this attraction was too intense for adults, then little children should not be allowed on it at all. They need to shut it down all together! I let my 6 year olds ride it, NEVER EVER EVER again! If this is going to cause deaths, they need to SHUT IT DOWN!

I think this is an overly extreme reaction. The ride is not too intense for adults. I don't personally find the ride intense at all. People who are susceptible to motion sickness have a problem, but I find ToT and the launch of RnRC to be much more intense. Star Tours and the tea cups bother me. MS does not.

This is a horrible thing to happen and rushing to judgement is not right. If the child had a unknown pre-existing condition this tragedy could have happened on any "intense" ride at any park. Didn't someone have an aneurism on Indiana Jones at DL a few years ago?

How many people die of heart attacks each year never knowing they had a problem? Would those people ride MS? Some definitely would, still never knowing they had a problem. Is their condition Disney's fault? No.

The ride is not for everyone and common sense must prevail.

I feel terrible for this family -- for such a tragedy to happen so suddenly when you're supposed to be making special memories! Just so sad!

 

[JJsmama]

There are people that have problems and die all the time related to thrill rides because of some pre-existing condtion or simply their body cannot handle it. So shutting this ride down is not the answer. Thousands of people have ridden this ride many times, myself included, without the slightest problem, why should we be punished. QUOTE]

Well I certainly think shutting down the ride temporarily is appropriate even just as a matter of respect to the family of the deceased and as a precaution while an investigation takes place. It would be unthinkable to go on as if nothing had happened. This wasn't a twisted ankle. A very young, innocent child died. That's more important than a few people being inconvenienced by the ride being closed for a couple days.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

This is beyond sad. Heartbreaking.

I can't imagine taking my 4 year old step-son on that ride. No way.

I agree. I said the same thing on the comm. baord and got flamed. I think 5 is way too young to be riding MS, regardless of whether or not the height requirement is met.