Youngster Dies after Riding Epcot's Mission: SPACE
In sad news, after passing out while riding Mission: SPACE at Walt Disney World's Epcot yesterday, a four-year-old boy was later pronounced dead. According to an AP story, Agnes Bamuwamye, of Sellersville, PA, was aboard the ride with her son, Daudi, when she noticed that his body went stiff. When the ride finished, he was unresponsive. Disney cast members and paramedics tried to resuscitate him, but he was declared dead at nearby Celebration Hospital.
An autopsy on Tuesday did not indicate any trauma. A spokesperson for the area's Medical Examiner's Office said it will conduct further tests, and that it may take several weeks to determine the cause of death.

"We are saddened by this highly unusual event," said Jacquee Polak of Walt Disney World's Public Affairs Office in an official statement sent via email. "Our first concern is for the family and we are doing everything we can to help them during this difficult time."

Mission: SPACE, which I consider to be among Disney's finest achievements, is a highly themed attraction 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 ride, but it is widely believed that the centrifuge doesn't exceed 35 mph and delivers less than 3Gs 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.

Polak says, "The safety of our Guests and Cast remains our top priority, and 8.6 million guests have enjoyed Mission: SPACE without incident since it opened in 2003." Disney shut the ride on Monday, but reopened it on Tuesday after its in-house engineers determined that it was operating safely.