Stupid Guest Impact?

[Vexorg]

A couple of years ago my DD and I were on Spaceship Earth at EPCOT. We got about half way up the incline when the woman in font of us panicked and jumped out of the car. Because it was so dark and she panicked, she fell down the evacuation stairs head over heels. They stopped the ride for about 10 minutes before starting it up again. I'm not sure what happened to the woman, but that was the scariest experience I've ever had at any park.

If someone panicked like that on Spaceship Earth, I can't think of any ride in that park that would be suitable for them. I'm pretty sure Spaceship Earth rates pretty close to a zero on the panic-o-meter.

Then again, Epcot does seem to have developed a bit of a reputation these days as being the Meltdowniest Place on Earth...

 

[Vexorg]

Here in Sweden where I live at Liseberg park they have a simular log ride and a woman in a panic jumped out just before the log went down the hill. She slipped and dangled in the water for a bit, hanging on then fell down the shoot and her log came down after her, striking and killing her. Can you believe it?

According to the Wikipedia article, she was critically injured but did survive.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incidents_at_European_parks#Liseberg

 

[Patrick in Oregon]

Sat behind a lady who started having a panic attack on the Disneyland Railroad when it went into a tunnel. She was talking about how she couldn't handle it and wanted off and looked like she was about to attempt an exit. The older members of her family consoled her well but the little kids were confused. Sad day


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[JD698]

Was on Soarin at WDW in January and we had to tug on the yellow strap. I remember the same thing for Star Tours as well.

Why anyone would think riding a ride would be less scary than getting out of a moving ride, in the dark or otherwise is completely beyond me.

 

[SomeDude78]

Sat behind a lady who started having a panic attack on the Disneyland Railroad when it went into a tunnel. She was talking about how she couldn't handle it and wanted off and looked like she was about to attempt an exit. The older members of her family consoled her well but the little kids were confused. Sad day


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LOL I've done this personally except (A) it was at Magic Mountain and (B) I did it BEFORE boarding the ride The extended family I was with all goaded me into boarding the ride anyway, but they learned their lesson as I puked the very second I got off. Taught them the hard way that I don't lie when I say my stomach doesn't take roller coasters well Sucks for other people on the ride but I can relate to the "getting freaked out in the middle of a ride" feeling

 

[redrocks]

If someone panicked like that on Spaceship Earth, I can't think of any ride in that park that would be suitable for them. I'm pretty sure Spaceship Earth rates pretty close to a zero on the panic-o-meter.

Then again, Epcot does seem to have developed a bit of a reputation these days as being the Meltdowniest Place on Earth...

Yeah, I kind of thought the same thing! Spaceship Earth is a pretty mild ride. I think that anxiety disorders can sometimes seem irrational to a casual observer, though. It kind of makes me wonder if all rides should have some type of restraint system that can't be tampered with while the ride is in motion.

 

[ArchOwl]

I'm having thoughts of a malfunctioning seatbelt and/or idiot deciding not to wear a seat belt on ToT..... ::shudders::

Someone actually did video themselves not wearing a seatbelt on TOT. I have no idea how they got past the safety checks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsUWLqB68No

 

[Badge]

Someone actually did video themselves not wearing a seatbelt on TOT. I have no idea how they got past the safety checks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsUWLqB68No

Its stupid people like this that ruin the experience for everybody else. I am sure if this was a more common thing, Disney would install lapbars onto the ride which would take away the real thrill. The best part of the ride is lifting out of your seat (just slightly with the seat belt on), which would be ruined with a lapbar (just like SM at WDW and Dudley Do Right at Universal Orlando).

Of course, if disney ever did a seat belt optional on ToT, I think I would give it a try, lol. Can't get enough of ToT and the thrill you get while riding it. But there is NO WAY I would ever fake that my seat belt was on or jump out of a movie ride. I don't even know how people pull this off? The only thing I can think of for this ride was the person knew the CM and the CM let him do this since not all of the belts have to be locked for the ride to start. Of course, I hope the CM was fired for risking this guest life, and I hope the guest was banned from Disney for endangering other guests.

 

[amyamya]

I feel bad for her because I have tried to ride Soarin, I really want to ride and I'm normally not afraid but something about the seating and how you feel so free with just the belt gives me a panic attack. I've had to call, loudly, for the CM to release me twice .

I finally rode Soarin for the first time this month. I am terrified of heights and falling and flying and have tried to ride before but walked through to exit. I was pretty nervous but asked to go in the third row since that row is the lowest. My heart was racing and I had to use my Rescue Remedy and I held my DS5's hand. I'll admit I had a mild freak out when the ride starts. I was surprised how fast they lift you up. I did not really enjoy the ride until the Malibu beach scene at sunset. Then I relaxed and started to breathe. I did close my eyes on several parts. I hope you can experience it someday. It is only 4 minutes out of your life and is pretty incredible. Good luck!

 

[Kristina]

I hope you can experience it someday. It is only 4 minutes out of your life and is pretty incredible. Good luck!

Thank you, I hope so too! Glad you were able to ride and overcome that fear . That's always a good day!

 

[NorthernCalMom]

Every time you get to the point where you think you have seen it all, someone new walks in to apply for the position of Village Idiot...

My favorite version of this saying/truth is:
Every time somebody invents a more idiot-proof procedure, nature invents a better idiot...

 

[Carolynleanne]

On any ride that has a seat belt, I have ALWAYS been asked to pull on the yellow strap at both WDW and DL years before the soarin issue. This is nothing new and is standard for all Disney rides with seat belts and always has been (at least for the past 10-15 years).

Me too. I thought that was pretty standard practice.

 

[hootey]

I should have kept a daily log of all the silly and stupid things I was asked or observed over the years. If I had written it it all down, I could now write a best selling book that very few people would believe. It would have been a FICTION masterpiece, based completely on fact. Oh well, live and learn...

 

[BecBennett]

Recently retired from dealing with the public everyday for years. One thing I learned after all the years is quite simple:
Every time you get to the point where you think you have seen it all, someone new walks in to apply for the position of Village Idiot....

My favorite version of this saying/truth is:
Every time somebody invents a more idiot-proof procedure, nature invents a better idiot...