Disney Reopens Mission:Space

[dxwwf3]

This is one example of why you can't always use wait times as an indication of the popularity of an attraction. M:S wait was very low during my trip last summer, but there were always people there.

60 minutes is unusually high, but I guess not for this time of year though.

 

[dimebagdarrel]

very unusually high! Haven't seen "60 minutes" since opening

 

[Timmay]

Please stop making personal attacks on me. This isn't about me or you. It's about the fact that this is the second tradegy on MS and the ride has become a threat to the saftey of the guests. Disney was founded on having a family environment where saftey is a #1 priority. If the saftey of a ride comes into question in any way, the ride should be changed or removed.

I think it can be said that the ride, like many others, is a threat to people that either ignore the warning signs or are not aware of a medical problem they have.

Just because something "comes into question" it needs to be changed...without any investigation or furhter follow up?? Odd.

 

[phillyaj]

Once a few more people die on MS, and once laws are passed for state regulation of thrill rides...leading to less intense rides across the board, we will see how many people wish that MS was addressed when it should have been.

GREAT!!!! A park full of "It's a Small World".... :hammer: or Peter Pan's Flight. Disney does rides for the purpose of telling a story not to shock and awe. Watch the recenlty aired show on the Buliding of Expedition Everest. It's the Story First, then the ride. Can't really show the experience of going into space without some physical experience. SO....If someone can't swim, should they go on IT's a Small world or Splash Mountain, or does WDW need to have Lifeguards and floatation devices supplied...just in case someone falls in. Is it just me??:veryconfu Kinda like the HOT Coffee and McDonalds. "I didn't know HOT coffee would burn me if I spilled it on my crotch".

 

[DMC-12]

very unusually high! Haven't seen "60 minutes" since opening

Uh... ok. I was down there the first 2 weeks this past DEC, and 60min and upwards, was not "unusual". :wave:

 

[WhyteAL]

Darrel, dude, maybe you should move to nickel-bags. 4 G's..... not even close.

It's funny I was thinking the same thing....LOL because tomorrow is Friday, we ain't got no work, and we ain't got "Sugar Honey Ice Tea" to do...:lol:

 

[WDWPassHolder]

When you are in the queue, THEY PLASTER YOU WITH WARNINGS. Even before you get on the ride, THEY PLASTER YOU WITH WARNINGS. Really people, no one has an excuse if they get hurt because of high blood-pressure, or if you have heart problems. If they knew about it before hand, its their fault. Sure, its very sad to hear about this, because it makes me feel sad for the family of the lost one. Also, it hurts Disney's rep. This is a great attraction, but you can't ignore the warnings before the ride.

Uh... ok. I was down there the first 2 weeks this past DEC, and 60min and upwards, was not "unusual".

I agree with you, i was there last sunday, and it was PACKED. The only time i haven't seen M:S packed, was during lunch time. During mornings and dinner time, they are packed.

 

[dimebagdarrel]

I think it can be said that the ride, like many others, is a threat to people that either ignore the warning signs or are not aware of a medical problem they have.

Just because something "comes into question" it needs to be changed...without any investigation or furhter follow up?? Odd.

Here's your investigation
http://www.wesh.com/news/4614321/detail.html



Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">Designer Questioned Mission: Space's Safety, Testing
Suit Claims Disney Never Allowed Company To Conduct Final Safety Test

POSTED: 6:32 pm EDT June 15, 2005
UPDATED: 7:13 pm EDT June 15, 2005

ORLANDO, Fla. -- WESH 2 News has uncovered serious questions about the safety and testing of the ride Mission: Space.


Mission: Space's Designer Questioned Safety, Testing In Lawsuit

The questions come from the company that designed and built the attraction.


The questions are raised in a 2003 lawsuit filed by Entertainment Technology Corp., of Pennsylvania -- the company hired personally by Michael Eisner to design and build Mission: Space.

The bottom line -- ETC said Disney never allowed company engineers to conduct a final safety inspection for Mission: Space's before guests began riding it.

Mission: Space has been touted as one of the innovative, realistic and exciting rides of all time. It's a space flight simulator, which spins guests fast enough to create the feeling of weightlessness in space.

ETC designed and built Mission: Space, so who better to answer questions about the attraction's safety? But now, WESH 2 News has obtained a 2003 federal lawsuit questioning the ride's safety and the suit was filed by ETC claiming "Disney refuses to allow ETC to participate in the safety testing and analysis" as outlined in its contract.
ETC claims Disney prevented their engineers from conducting final safety tests on the ride. The lawsuit also claims Disney took over responsibilities for the completion of the attraction after the project fell behind schedule.

The pending lawsuit says, "If ETC is prevented from using its years of experience with human centrifuge systems to participate in the safety testing and analysis ... then there are increased risks of injury to the public at-large."
Despite those concerns, Mission: Space opened to the public and has been operating since 2003. More than 8 million guests have ridden it, and Disney engineers say it is operating normally. The ride was back open Wednesday.

"I think it's a safe ride. I've ridden it personally," said Jerry Aldrich, an expert in amusement park rides. He also worked for Disney for 27 years.

WESH 2 News asked him about the lawsuit's claims, specifically whether this is a safety issue.

"No, I don't believe so. I don't see where that's founded," he said.

The lawsuit asks for millions of dollars in damages and an order allowing ETC to inspect Mission: Space to assure that it is safe.

Disney has counter-sued, alleging failures in ETC's performance and design. Because of that, neither side will talk to WESH 2 News about the pending lawsuit.

ETC also has a financial agenda. The lawsuit also alleges that Disney failed to honor a $26 million contract. It asks for $15 million in damages. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Timmay]

Here's your investigation
http://www.wesh.com/news/4614321/detail.html



Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">Designer Questioned Mission: Space's Safety, Testing
Suit Claims Disney Never Allowed Company To Conduct Final Safety Test

POSTED: 6:32 pm EDT June 15, 2005
UPDATED: 7:13 pm EDT June 15, 2005

ORLANDO, Fla. -- WESH 2 News has uncovered serious questions about the safety and testing of the ride Mission: Space.


Mission: Space's Designer Questioned Safety, Testing In Lawsuit

The questions come from the company that designed and built the attraction.


The questions are raised in a 2003 lawsuit filed by Entertainment Technology Corp., of Pennsylvania -- the company hired personally by Michael Eisner to design and build Mission: Space.

The bottom line -- ETC said Disney never allowed company engineers to conduct a final safety inspection for Mission: Space's before guests began riding it.

Mission: Space has been touted as one of the innovative, realistic and exciting rides of all time. It's a space flight simulator, which spins guests fast enough to create the feeling of weightlessness in space.

ETC designed and built Mission: Space, so who better to answer questions about the attraction's safety? But now, WESH 2 News has obtained a 2003 federal lawsuit questioning the ride's safety and the suit was filed by ETC claiming "Disney refuses to allow ETC to participate in the safety testing and analysis" as outlined in its contract.
ETC claims Disney prevented their engineers from conducting final safety tests on the ride. The lawsuit also claims Disney took over responsibilities for the completion of the attraction after the project fell behind schedule.

The pending lawsuit says, "If ETC is prevented from using its years of experience with human centrifuge systems to participate in the safety testing and analysis ... then there are increased risks of injury to the public at-large."
Despite those concerns, Mission: Space opened to the public and has been operating since 2003. More than 8 million guests have ridden it, and Disney engineers say it is operating normally. The ride was back open Wednesday.

"I think it's a safe ride. I've ridden it personally," said Jerry Aldrich, an expert in amusement park rides. He also worked for Disney for 27 years.

WESH 2 News asked him about the lawsuit's claims, specifically whether this is a safety issue.

"No, I don't believe so. I don't see where that's founded," he said.

The lawsuit asks for millions of dollars in damages and an order allowing ETC to inspect Mission: Space to assure that it is safe.

Disney has counter-sued, alleging failures in ETC's performance and design. Because of that, neither side will talk to WESH 2 News about the pending lawsuit.

ETC also has a financial agenda. The lawsuit also alleges that Disney failed to honor a $26 million contract. It asks for $15 million in damages. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Yep, looks like a story that is almost a year old and then never went anywhere. Maybe you should ask where the follow up to the story is.

I have no problem with a ride being closed or changed if it is proven to be unsafe. A lone local news story doesn't quite cut it with me.

Ohhhh, yeah...looks like you didn't give the last line much thought, did ya??

 

[dimebagdarrel]

how many more deaths on MS do you think Disney can write off as "the guest's fault"? Believe it or not, Disney didn't let the designers complete their job.

 

[executivechef]

I'm 42 years old. I've been very active all my life. Jock in school and pretty much in shape. I had a MI when I was 40. They had to hit me twice with the paddles to bring me back. I didn't know I had a "Heart Problem". I've been on rides all my life from Disney, 6 Flags...etc. So as far as the sign goes, not all are aware of "Heart Problems". That sign is for the people who are aware they do have the troubles and a warning. Just like the poor boy, and maybe this poor woman had no idea. Either way, I do not blame Disney, nor the woman if in fact she had no idea of her health.
How many of the people posting on this site have had catherization of the heart, or Stress Test to see if they have blockage or muscle damage to the heart? Those are actually the only ways of knowing if you have a heart condition. And not 100% mind you.
Sad to say, it's a very hard loss for her family and friends. My prayers go with them in this time.
Guy

 

[peter11435]

Believe it or not, Disney didn't let the designers complete their job.

That isn't true. And proof of that is in the fact that ETC's allegations against Disney were thrown out by the judge. ETC's lawsuit had nothing to do with the attractions safety. They wanted more money, nothing more. They simply used the safety allegation in an attempt to gain more publicity.

 

[PlaneJane]

Dude, I puked after a Gravitron that was one mean ride and it lasted forever. Mission Space is a kiddie ride after Gravitron

 

[wannab@dis]

Bingo! This ride pushes people through like play-doh through a fun-factory...
It's neighbor Test Track, on the other hand, is like molasses up a hill on a cold day.

:lol:

Thanks for the laugh! :wave:

 

[dimebagdarrel]

That isn't true. And proof of that is in the fact that ETC's allegations against Disney were thrown out by the judge. ETC's lawsuit had nothing to do with the attractions safety. They wanted more money, nothing more. They simply used the safety allegation in an attempt to gain more publicity.

yet it seems that ETC's allegations are starting to become a reality...even if the courts couldn't find enough evidence to back up the claims...

 

[WhyteAL]

I'm 42 years old. I've been very active all my life. Jock in school and pretty much in shape. I had a MI when I was 40. They had to hit me twice with the paddles to bring me back. I didn't know I had a "Heart Problem". I've been on rides all my life from Disney, 6 Flags...etc. So as far as the sign goes, not all are aware of "Heart Problems". That sign is for the people who are aware they do have the troubles and a warning. Just like the poor boy, and maybe this poor woman had no idea. Either way, I do not blame Disney, nor the woman if in fact she had no idea of her health.
How many of the people posting on this site have had catherization of the heart, or Stress Test to see if they have blockage or muscle damage to the heart? Those are actually the only ways of knowing if you have a heart condition. And not 100% mind you.
Sad to say, it's a very hard loss for her family and friends. My prayers go with them in this time.
Guy

So is it safe to say that when it's your time to go it's your time no if ,ands, or butts about it? I feel your pain my pops went through the same thing you think I would learn and get tested but nah I let my ignorance take over. :hammer:

 

[peter11435]

yet it seems that ETC's allegations are starting to become a reality...even if the courts couldn't find enough evidence to back up the claims...

No they are not. There is no proof that M:S is not a safe ride.

 

[Tigggrl]

I'm 42 years old. I've been very active all my life. Jock in school and pretty much in shape. I had a MI when I was 40. They had to hit me twice with the paddles to bring me back. I didn't know I had a "Heart Problem". I've been on rides all my life from Disney, 6 Flags...etc. So as far as the sign goes, not all are aware of "Heart Problems". That sign is for the people who are aware they do have the troubles and a warning. Just like the poor boy, and maybe this poor woman had no idea. Either way, I do not blame Disney, nor the woman if in fact she had no idea of her health.
How many of the people posting on this site have had catherization of the heart, or Stress Test to see if they have blockage or muscle damage to the heart? Those are actually the only ways of knowing if you have a heart condition. And not 100% mind you.
Sad to say, it's a very hard loss for her family and friends. My prayers go with them in this time.
Guy

Well said. Another exmple of this was when the Russian Pairs skater Sergei Grinkov, a phenomenal athelete since a young age, Died while in rehersals for Stars On Ice...due to heart failure.

 

[wdwmagic]

how many more deaths on MS do you think Disney can write off as "the guest's fault"? Believe it or not, Disney didn't let the designers complete their job.

Disney determined the designers were not completing their job to spec, and took control themselves. I know I would much rather be on an attraction tested and certified by WDI than any other organisation.

 

[dimebagdarrel]

Even if WDI has no experience in building a ride system of that kind? I'd much rather have the people who built the ride do all the inspecting themselves. WDI is never going to say "hey this ride isn't safe" because if they did, they would stand to lose millions of dollars and even there jobs.