Woman Dies after Mission: SPACE Ride
Thursday April 13, 2006
In sad news, for the second time in as many years, a guest who rode Mission: SPACE, the ride simulator at Walt Disney World's Epcot, has died. According to the Orlando Sentinel, a 49-year-old German tourist became dizzy and felt ill on Tuesday after the ride, and was taken to a nearby hospital. Late Wednesday, her condition worsened, and Disney shut the ride down. She passed away during the night. After determining that Mission: SPACE was operating properly, Disney reopened the ride today. Last June, the chief medical examiner of Florida's Orange County concluded that a four-year-old boy who died after riding the attraction had a rare, undetected heart condition that killed him. Mission: SPACE, which I consider to be among Disney's finest achievements, is a highly themed ride that uses spinning centrifuges and motion simulator trickery to conjure a journey to Mars. I don't think Disney has ever released stats for the attraction, but it has been widely reported that the centrifuge doesn't exceed 35 mph and delivers about 2Gs of force. While the ride's G-forces are less than typical roller coasters, they are of considerably greater duration. After experiencing the unique ride, some passengers have reported adverse reactions, including headaches and nausea. Disney has gone to great lengths throughout the attraction to warn guests about rider requirements and risks.
Mission: SPACE Ride Review
Mission: SPACE Photo Gallery
Six Flags Roller Coaster Safety Study
Mission: SPACE Ride Review
Mission: SPACE Photo Gallery
Six Flags Roller Coaster Safety Study
Comments
DO NOT RIDE THE MISSION TO MARS RIDE FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY…. BEFORE I BOARDED THIS RIDE I ASKED THE OPERATOR IF IT HAD AN EMERGENCY STOP BUTTON OR A WAY TO SIGNAL AN EMPLOYEE IF I PANICKED AND THEY SAID NO !!! I WAS STUCK ON THAT RIDE AND HAD TO ENDURE THE G FORCE THAT MADE ME ILL ALL NIGHT…. THEY NEED TO CLOSE THIS RIDE , FAMILIES DO NOT NEED THIS KIND OF THRILL EXPERIENCE, PEOPLE ARE DYING ON IT FOR GODS SAKE.
First off know that the ride is called Mission:Space not Mission to Mars…Mission to Mars was the movie that Mission:Space was conceived from. Second, Mission:Space is one of the safest rides at Disney, but it is true that once you are in the capsule there is no way of getting out until the ride is over. Lastly, Disney has done there part in warning you that the ride is not for people with certain conditions. They have “Launch Tickets” that everyone is required to have to enter the ride, and if they do not have a “Launch Ticket” they have to read the warnings in front of a cast member. Mission:Space is a very good ride and should not be closed.
I was surprised at how many people have died from this ride! I went on it and I honestly did not feel anything too thrilling like the ride is described. I think this ride is a good ride, and obviously people that do have health issues should not ride it but I don’t understand how people who got in it and were in good condition died because it really is not that bad, it’s actually a very fun and exciting ride. It still baffles me though how healthy people could have died.
?????????????????????????????????????????????
It sounds like both of these people might have had pre-existing conditions that contributed to the subsequent tragedy. 2Gs of force is pretty mild, unless you have health issues.
Just got back from Disney and had to comment on Mission Space. I personally will never go on it again—felt very motion sick for about 10-15 minutes after. That said, they DO give you MULTIPLE warnings about motion sickness, etc, and numerous times to opt out, so let the rider beware. They also offer 2 rides, one less extreme (green ride) and one very extreme (orange ride). I chose the orange so I feel I have only myself to blame. Some of my party loved it! So if you do suffer from motion sickness this is NOT the ride for you!