Mission: Space... Is this too much for kids?

[Disneyfan1981]

2 Cents

Okay, what happened on Mission: SPACE was a horrible event but Disney wasn't even proven at fault, there showed no signs of trauma and it looks like it was a pre-existing condition that was only aggraviated by the ride.

That aside, its up to parents and guardians to make decisions on what they think their little ones can handle. Is 4 too young for M:S IMO yes. What if the kid is well above the height requirement? Still no go. That was a decision that I made right there to keep my imaginary kid off the ride. With all the warnings about motion sickness and being enclosed in dark spaces, that was enough to advise my 42 year old cousin against it because I knew he wouldn't be able to handle it.

Disney can list an age suggestion but what it comes down to is that sometimes people have to be responsible enough to make the decisions and stand by them if they fail. Does that take away from the tragedy in FL? No. Its a sad thing and my heart goes out to the family but let's not turn this into something bigger than it is. ​

 

[MCBRIZZ5]

49-0 in favor of keeping it open. I think we can all agree.

 

[PixiePower]

Height requirements are the only way to go. The physical size and maturity of children varies greatly. My kids(now 7 and 9) have been ridding MS since it opened. They were both physically big enough and knew all about the ride because we had explained it to them and read about it while it was being built. They KNEW to look straight ahead! And they did just that. They have ridden so many times with NO effects they have grown quite bored with the ride and are hoping Imagineers come up with a new video! I agree!

I know my children. They are mature for their age, in good health and daredevils. They have not met a ride they don't like. My youngest can't wait to be tall enough to ride the REALLY big coasters at BG and Universal.

As for it being a violent or jerky ride-did you ride the same ride I did?! It is very smooth. I get more beat up on Primeval Whirl and Test Track then MS.

Every child is different and every parent deserves the right to make the decision for their child. What is safe and right for mine may not be right for yours. And that is ok.

What happened in very sad but it is not the fault of the ride. No changes are necessary. Parents just need to know their own kids and make a decision based on their maturity not their age...there can be a BIG difference in maturity at 4,6,8 even 10.

Don't let your kids ride if you feel it is not right for them but don't condemn others for allowing their children to ride. Freedom of choice is still alive and well in the USA.

 

[GSpiff]

This is such a double edged sword to battle here. No matter how anyone looks at this, there will never be a solution that satisfies everyone. Is it too much for kids under a certain age? Heck yeah, ask any pediatric physician or child developmental psychologist. A child's body really can't assume the same amounts of stress that an adult's can as children aren't just little adults. But how do you solve the problem? Age restrictions come off as making it sound like this is now some sort of "adults only" ride. Sounds kind of dirty to me. Age suggestions are a better idea, but let's face it, there were dozens of warning signs posted in the building prior to getting on the ride that weren't followed in the first place. Sad as it may seem, this incident may have been the best way of deterring parents from taking their kids on the ride, or at least getting them to think twice about it. It was run so much on the news that I'm willing to bet most parents heard at least something about it, and hopefully will pay more attention to the already posted warnings if they go on the ride.

 

[imagineergurl]

Why is this even a question? MS is safe. We all know it is. Don't punish all the guests who enjoy the ride for the misjudgement of a situation.

Can we please just lay the topic to rest now?

 

[PixiePower]

I have read many reports from various educated "experts" and there are just as many on the side that say kids bodies can actually handle it better then adults and that it is perfectly safe for kids that meet the height requirements to be safe in the restraint.

No matter what the issue there will always be 2 sides. Choose what you want to go on and what you will allow your minor children to ride and have fun! Just don't stand around the parks and talk about the dangers of the rides. If you don't want to go on...walk on by and let the rest of us enjoy the even shorter lines!

And where do you make the break of child/adult? When they reach a certain weight? Some adults weigh less and are shorter then some very young children(10-12). There are so many variables...use common sense and do what works for the individual...regardless of age.

 

[djlb16]

jeje

New Signs To be Posted at the Entrance to Each Park:

WELCOME!

FAILURE TO USE PROPER JUDGEMENT AND COMMON SENSE ON OUR ATTRACTIONS MAY RESULT IN DEATH!

PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK!

HAVE A MAGICAL DAY!

:wave:

jajaja

 

[colleen2997]

Mission Space NOT for young kids

You couldn't pay me a million dollars to allow my 6 year old on Mission Space, no matter how much she wanted to. I think that it is unintellegent and careless for a parent to put a 4 year old on Misson Space. There are enough signs in front of the ride to make it clearly apparent that it is too intense for children. I feel Disney should even suggest in a sign that this ride may be too intense for children under a certain age, for those that don't have as much common sense to figure it out on there own.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

You couldn't pay me a million dollars to allow my 6 year old on Mission Space, no matter how much she wanted to. I think that it is unintellegent and careless for a parent to put a 4 year old on Misson Space. There are enough signs in front of the ride to make it clearly apparent that it is too intense for children. I feel Disney should even suggest in a sign that this ride may be too intense for children under a certain age, for those that don't have as much common sense to figure it out on there own.

WOW. I let my five year old ride so am I also careless and unintelligent? You really need to be careful about throwing these generalizations around, especially the insulting ones.

Disney warns the ride may be too intense for some people. It was intense and exciting and perfectly safe for my child. She didn't have to beg me to take her on. Disney said it was SAFE for a child her size and she wanted to go. My child can handle intense. She fit the size and good health requirements. The ride was safe. That's the only thing that mattered. If Disney finds it is not safe for a child that size they will raise the restrictions.

 

[righttrack]

Its my six-year old's favorite ride! Would I put any six-year old on it? No. But for mine, it works. YMMV.

 

[ImagineAtl23]

errr..........

I wen on it twice i liked it, but im not going on it again, anyway, it may be too much, since that kid died a week or so ago.....

 

[snoopi_grl]

I went on it once last year in mid June, and i don't think i want go on it this year when I go to Disney World in August again.
It is pretty intense, and it got me a little dizzy and sick a little bit.

 

[CaptainMichael]

Mission:Space can be considered "too much" for many people regardless of age. It is best that one exercise proper judgment when deciding whether or not to experience an attraction. My goodness there sure are enough warnings before you enter the capsule.

Stupidity is a growing problem in this country and that my friends is unfortunate!

 

[snoopi_grl]

i hope i'm not going too off track, but is Mission:Space open right now?

 

[CaptainMichael]

i hope i'm not going too off track, but is Mission:Space open right now?

Yes, it is indeed open. It opened back up the day after the death. Inspectors weren't able to find anything wrong with it.

 

[snoopi_grl]

Yes, it is indeed open. It opened back up the day after the death. Inspectors weren't able to find anything wrong with it.

I really hope they aren't gonna close it down.

 

[CaptainMichael]

I really hope they aren't gonna close it down.

I do not believe that that would ever happen. At the worst, they'll tone it down which would suck!

 

[snoopi_grl]

I do not believe that that would ever happen. At the worst, they'll tone it down which would suck!

Yeah, i like the intense-ness!

 

[CaptainMichael]

Yeah, i like the intense-ness!

Well without that, there is no point to it and then Mission:Space becomes a lame ride like Test Track...

 

[Siegemon]

We road the ride the next day after the incident, my boys 17 and 14 loved it, my wife got a little upset in the belly but a cold drink of water afterwards cleared it right up, myself I was moving my head and looking around the capsul during the ride and got a little dizzy (my fault). Other than that I would go on it again in a heart beat.