8mm Forum: Theme Park Dangerous Rides

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Topic: Theme Park Dangerous Rides

Paul Adsett
Film God

Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted July 14, 2005 11:05 AM

A British teenager is in critical condition after suffering cardiac arrest on the Tower of Terror ride at Disney/MGM studios here in Orlando. She had no prior medical condition. This follows the death of a young boy last month on the Epcot Mission Space ride on June 13. So what is going on here? Have the rides become so extreme that the acceleration, shock, and vibration forces are at a dangerous level for some people? Have ride designer's pushed the envelope just a little too far? I have been on the Tower of Terror several times. It simulates a malfunctioning elevator in an old 1920's hotel, and the finale is a free fall through about 20 stories. I can certainly believe that this would possibly precipitate a hidden medical condition. So if any of you are coming to Orlando I would recommend that you study the ride notices very carefully, because today's rides are definately more stressful to the body than just a few years ago. If you have high blood pressure, heart or back problems, choose your rides very carefully! There are thrill rides here in Orlando that I would certainly not go on.

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Michael De Angelis
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1261
From: USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted July 14, 2005 01:07 PM

Paul,
Where is the Epcot Mission Space Ride located? Is this a new one or something that has been remodeled from a previous ride?

I don't understand what has happened to good rides such as Space Mountain?
The Tower of Terror is very well planned and the special effects prior to the 'drop' are very realistic.

In all, I miss the tribute to World of Motion, which was designed by Disney Animator Ward Kimball. It had a very nice whimsical history of the automobile in America.
However it has been replaced by the GM Test Track at speeds of up to 60mph?

Incidentally, Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson New Jersey has opened a new steel roller coaster that soars higher than the Statue of Liberty?

It all seems insane to me.

Michael

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Tom Photiou
Film God

Posts: 4837
From: Plymouth U.K
Registered: Dec 2003

posted July 14, 2005 03:08 PM

I'd say as the tower of terror ride has been around for many years,( my children and i have all had several goes) i'd suggest these are isolated cases. tens of Thousands of people have been on these and other much faster rides in the past. The media will now blow it out of all proportion.

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Paul Adsett
Film God

Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted July 14, 2005 03:09 PM

Hi Michael,
The Mission Space ride is located at Disney's Epcot park. It simulates a space launch by mounting groups of 4 people into enclosed modules. The modules have a TV type monitor and simulated controls. All the modules are mounted onto the arms of a centrifuge (unseen by guests) which spins up during "launch" and produces the G-loading as the monitor displays a simulated view of leaving earth and approaching Mars. The centrifuge is said to produce a continuous 2-g loading, which means if you weigh 160 lbs as I do, you feel like a 320 lb person. Lots of people have become quite disorientated and sick on this ride, so each module has barf bags. Astronaut's from the Cape have said that it is a pretty realistic simulation of what a shuttle launch feels like.

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Jean-Marc Toussaint
Film God

Posts: 2392
From: France
Registered: Oct 2004

posted July 14, 2005 07:08 PM

OK, let's not get too sensationnal here. These things happen, unfortunately, despite planning, safety calculations and all the engineering. The large warning signs at the entrance of each ride are there for a good reason. Most people respect them. Some people don't. Other people just don't know that they might have a particular physical condition...

Keep in mind that more than 95% of the accidents happening at amusement parks are foul-play-related. People forcing themselves out of safety restraints is a classic. The largest number of accidents usually occur on small kiddie rides. The rides are safe. People... Well, that's a different story.

ToT has been open for ten years. 2000 people ride this attraction every hour. The park is open 8 hours per day (average), 365 days per year. Do the math. This is the first time that such an accident happen.
As Tom says, this is an isolated case.

Rides in Florida are nice and thrilling but they are not of the extreme type.

Michael: the coaster in Great Adventure is KingdaKa. It's 456 feet tall and launches you at 128 mph. It's still being fine-tuned, so down-time is frequent.
A 200ft version is coming to Thorpe Park (near London) next year.

JMT

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Michael De Angelis
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1261
From: USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted July 15, 2005 12:09 AM

Jean-Marc,

Thanks for the analysis and insight on the rides, it was helpful and appreciated.
[Smile]

Michael

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Jan Bister
Darth 8mm

Posts: 2629
From: Ohio, USA
Registered: Jan 2005

posted July 15, 2005 06:16 PM

As an Akronite, I've been to Cedar Point in Sandusky (OH) many times with my wife... and we love going on all the extreme rides (mostly rollercoasters). The one ride, however, that truly scares the wits out of me everytime is the one with the little carriages slowly moving on a rope high above ground (each one seats 4 people). I always imagine that somehow, someday, either the roller is gonna jump off the rope or the whole carriage is gonna snap off its center rod and fall to the ground!! [Eek!]

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Jean-Marc Toussaint
Film God

Posts: 2392
From: France
Registered: Oct 2004

posted July 16, 2005 04:41 AM

Jan, interesting comment as I (kinda) feel the same.
I try to test everything, ride the spin'n'spews at least once to "see what they do", did skycoasters, slingshots and bungee several times, aiming at freefalling within the next few months but still feel uneasy with chairlifts... [Smile]

Have you been to KIngs Island and Geauga Lake?

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Jan Bister
Darth 8mm

Posts: 2629
From: Ohio, USA
Registered: Jan 2005

posted July 16, 2005 11:30 AM

CHAIRLIFTS! Thank you, I could not think of the word for these things. (It's rather telling when a Frenchman has to help me out with my English. [Big Grin]

)
Have not been to Geauga Lake (yet), and I don't even know where King's Island is... [Confused]

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Michael De Angelis
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1261
From: USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted July 16, 2005 12:38 PM

I believe that Kings Island is in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Michael

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Jean-Marc Toussaint
Film God

Posts: 2392
From: France
Registered: Oct 2004

posted July 16, 2005 07:07 PM

Yes KI is in Cincinnati...
Jan, you're actually closer to Kennywood, in Pittsburgh, PA. Fantastic traditionnal park.

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