the young boy who died on mission space?

[Poohsmommi]

His height had nothing to do with it. Anyone could have gone on that ride with a heart condition 4 or 102. I hate when parents need to find someone to blame... I think it was just an unfortunate accident. I'm not a fan of Mission: Space, but I'm sure that kid had some sort of pre-existing heart problem for him to pass away like that.

You don't know that any more than the rest of us - and for the record, I would never criticize a parent who lost a child. You never know how YOU would react in that situation.

 

[Pats Dragon]

I think I need a flame suit for this but here goes: Knowing what I now know and hearing comments from md's about the undeveloped brain, burst aortas, and such (yeah I've heard other md's say its ok) I wouldn't risk death for a ride. I would wait until my child was 18 and then let him decide. I know that is super cautious but I just can't imagine losing my child for an amusement ride. Every parent has to make their own decision though and I wouldn't judge someone else even if a tragedy occurs. I never get sick on rides but was very sick on ms and was sick for an hour. It wasn't just motion sickness.

 

[Codie]

I thin k the ride should have an age limit, not a height limit. It is IMHO very realistic and more "serious" than any other ride in the parks. The first time I rode it I was scared too. They really make you think your going to Mars...just imagine being in a 4 year old's head!

Rides should not need age limits--that is what adults are for. You know if your child is mature enough to handle it. You DON"T know if the ride is safe for your 40" child. That is why there are height limits and not age limits.

 

[DisOrBust]

I agree with the NICU RN "premie" had nothing to do with his death. Possibly, an unknown medical condition, ie anyuresm, however initial autopdy result showed no "gross abnormalities". I personally thought brain bleed but I was wrong not the first time. I have also wondered where the "further testing "results are.

Its up to each parent if they can ride

 

[pandora174]

HUH?? What does the fact he was born premature have to do with the ride unless he had a specific health issue as a result? My oldest was 7 weeks premature and is perfectly healthy. Simply being a preemie without an underlying health issue is irrelevant.

I agree, without an underlying health issue this would not prevent a preemie from riding a ride another full term baby could ride. My DS was 6 weeks premature & now he's 2 1/2 & already 39 " & perfectly healthy.

 

[mhingher]

I feel so bad for the parents of that little boy. I don't have kids yet so I can only imagine what they are going through... At the same time, I don't think I would let a 4 year old on that ride, regardless of his/her height. Especially with all of those warnings, I think I would see for myself and then decide. And if that were the case-- I would have never allowed a child that young to ride. Again, that's just me. Regardless, the family still lost their child no matter what the cause.

 

[Poohsmommi]

I think I need a flame suit for this but here goes: Knowing what I now know and hearing comments from md's about the undeveloped brain, burst aortas, and such (yeah I've heard other md's say its ok) I wouldn't risk death for a ride. I would wait until my child was 18 and then let him decide. I know that is super cautious but I just can't imagine losing my child for an amusement ride. Every parent has to make their own decision though and I wouldn't judge someone else even if a tragedy occurs. I never get sick on rides but was very sick on ms and was sick for an hour. It wasn't just motion sickness.

I completely agree. Adults are passing out on this ride ... I just wouldn't chance it with my child ... and she's 8.

 

[Amyg]

This is one ride I will NOT be going on, just the description of the ride makes me quesy (sp?)!

My heart goes out to these parents who lost this little boy at Disney, it being such a magical place and all...

 

[beattyfamily]

My girls rode it last November with no issues. They were just turned 5 and 8 1/2 at the time.

They loved it. To ths day, my 5 year old (almost 6 now) always says "Don't move a muscle!" She also says she wants to ride it again. Of course, I'm a bit nervous and hesitant with what happened but I'll let her if she wants to. I don't want to live in fear that something could happen. Something could happen on any ride. Something could happen anywhere, anytime. I don't want them to be afraid either. They've already been on it. I'm not going to change things now because of this unfortunate accident.

 

[minijeanie]

however the final results turn out,

one family is shy there most precious child and for that I feel for them

What a horrible and unfortunate incident. I blame no one but just fate

 

[muffyn]

Rides should not need age limits--that is what adults are for. You know if your child is mature enough to handle it. You DON"T know if the ride is safe for your 40" child. That is why there are height limits and not age limits.

too bad we have seen & read about MANY adults who drag their kids kicking & screaming on rides ,, which will forever imbed terror in them! I don't know what the answer is...... but for sure there are many parents who do NOT think of their kids welfare......

fwiw,, my kids were always adventure-ests,(sp),,, they happily went on any ride they could, when younger .

 

[beebles]

His age, height and premature birth (4 years ago at that) had nothing to do with that little boy dying on that ride. MS did not kill him; he had to have some underlying condition that was not diagnosed previously. I personally think he had some sort of seizure maybe induced by MS or went unconscious. It is very, very sad to lose a child at any age for any reason and my heart goes out to that family who were "on vacation" having the time of their life and this occurs. You can imagine the guilt they feel and the "what if" they are going through. My prayers go out to that family in need right now

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I think the boy died from pre-existing conditions that were bothered by the ride. Mission Space is NOT like Soarin.

Soarin is a peaceful, calm ride. The only danger to a kid I could see on Soarin is possibly being too little to ride properly and safely in the seats and falling. Maybe getting a bit dizzy or afraid of heights. But it is not very strenuous on the body in a physical way.

Mission Space is a high thrill ride. Your body is put into a strenuous condition to simulate blast off and zero gravity. You physically feel the effects on yourself as the ride takes place.

I just wanted to point out that comparing the effects on the body of these two rides is like apples and oranges.

 

[Kae]

I know there is nothing official, so I am asking for opinions.

My son is 8, will be 8 1/2 by the time we go. He is a dare-devil & will ride anything he can. He can't wait to ride this. He is definitely tall enough.

Should I let him? I know, when it comes down to it, it's a personal call. What have others with very brave and, thankfully, very healthy 8 year olds done? TIA.

DS7 went on MS this summer & did fine & loved it. And I should add he was on MS about 1 before the little boy was. Before he went on MS his favorite ride at WDW was Splash Mtn. Will I let him do MS again, Yes if he chooses to do so.

Kae

 

[minnie61650]

This is what Mouseplanet said about the incident:
"Disney stated that the autopsy results are in, and that no link has yet been found between the current minimum height and the boy's death. Final autopsy results may not be available until November."
So I guess we still have a little while.

 

[DiznNut]

I also have a 12 year old that was born a preemie and has been on this ride several times without a problem. Also, his sister rode MS at 6yrs old and not a problem. Each parent should do what they think is best for their child. I had my reservations before I let my 6 yr old go on, because she was frightened by the dinosaurs at the Animal Kingdom's Dinosaur ride. The dinosaurs were more scary to her than going to space. From then on I just asked how she felt about each ride, reviewed the restrictions and went with my best parental judgement. That being said we all still as of yet, none of us have been on Tower of Terror, maybe when I am 40, then again it might not be good for my blood pressure. Oh well, we may never ride it.

 

[Big Fat Disney MaMa]

too bad we have seen & read about MANY adults who drag their kids kicking & screaming on rides ,, which will forever imbed terror in them! I don't know what the answer is...... but for sure there are many parents who do NOT think of their kids welfare......

fwiw,, my kids were always adventure-ests,(sp),,, they happily went on any ride they could, when younger .

Muffyn I am one of those parents that drags my dd10 kicking & screaming on rides (okay just maybe a few tears and nausea), well actually only two TOT and RNR. The reason being that she has ridden both of these rides several times and loves them, but every year the first time we ride them she just very anxious and especially RNR, the noise when it blasts off really scares her. However, the minute it is over she is the one running to get back in line.

I would caution those who have felt the need to chastise me every year during this first ride time that perhaps they should keep their comments to themselves because I am her mother and I am not imbedding terror in her. She actually does want to ride the ride, and she recognizes that she does this but she just can't stop.

The funny thing is that she doesn't get scared about MS. I am the one that she drags kicking & screaming on that ride because I get motion sick and am claustrophobic.

 

[Suzanne74]

Also - I do remember hearing the the mom said right BEFORE the ride started, when they were in their seats and secure, that his arms and legs were out straight and stiff - sounds like a seizure to me and not triggered by Mission Space.

I for one will not have any problems with taking my dd on the ride when she is ready. For DH and I - both of us thought it wasn't thriiling at all - boring if you ask me, so we don't even kid swap her on that ride anymore.

As for dragging kids on kicking and screaming, it makes me laugh. I know the parents are only doing it because they know their kids will like it. Maybe some aren't but oh well - nothing I can do about it. Anyway, I took dd on Splash Mountain without showing her the drop. Why? Because if she saw it, she woundn't have gone on it. Did she love it - TOTALLY!! I remember my parents forcing my wimpy sister on rides and she was first back in line when it was done. Its the same thing with parents lashing out at their kids at Disney. So many people here say, oh I saw this parent just yelling and grabbed their kids arm etc.. - well maybe it isn't the best way to handle things but did you know for sure what the kid did? What has occured up to that point?? Nope. Parents know their kids best - who am I to judge anyone but myself.

 

[Danthesand]

HUH?? What does the fact he was born premature have to do with the ride unless he had a specific health issue as a result? My oldest was 7 weeks premature and is perfectly healthy. Simply being a preemie without an underlying health issue is irrelevant.

Ever since the death, the local papers in and around Sellersville, Pa. (where the deceased Daudi Bamuwamye was from) have been full of stories about how Daudi had chronic respiratory problems that started with his premature birth.

 

[BluesTravlr00]

if i've learned anything since i've been in law school, it's that the defendant (disney here) has to anticipate "thin-skulled" plaintiffs, i.e. clients who have prior existing disabilities/defects, and either alter the ride or provide adequate warnings. i wonder what'll happen from a legal standpoint.