Orlando, Fla. – Walt Disney World reopened its “Mission: Space” attraction Thursday, a day after a woman who became ill after leaving the ride died at a hospital.
It was the second death in less than a year related to the Epcot Center ride, which spins riders in a centrifuge that subjects them to twice the normal force of gravity. It is considered so intense it has motion-sickness bags and signs warning people with heart, back and neck problems not to board it.
The 49-year-old German woman who died Wednesday had reported dizziness and nausea after stepping off the ride Tuesday, Disney officials said.
The medical examiner’s office identified the victim Thursday as Hiltrud Bleumel and said an autopsy was planned. Disney spokeswoman Kim Prunty said Thursday that the woman’s family didn’t want any information about her released.
Disney had told state officials that the woman may have had high blood pressure and other unspecified health problems.
“Walt Disney World engineers and ride-system experts completed a thorough inspection of the attraction overnight and found it to be operating properly,” the theme park said Thursday in announcing the reopening of the ride.
The $100 million ride, one of Disney World’s most popular, was also closed in June after the death of a 4-year-old boy who passed out while aboard. An autopsy concluded he died of a heart condition that a medical examiner said can cause sudden death in stressful situations.
