LISTEN: 9-1-1 Call From Epcot Ride (MP3 file)

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Disney's CEO talked about the "Mission: Space" tragedy for the first time Wednesday, and Michael Eisner went on the defensive about the company's decision not to close the ride for extensive testing.

Disney World likes to bill itself as the happiest place on earth. But, because of the death at Mission: Space, Eisner says that doesn't fit right now.

"Oh, it was horrible. We feel terrible; we feel terrible for the family," Eisner said Wednesday.

Still, the ride was not closed for extensive testing. The next day it was open for business and the lines were again long Wednesday.

"I'm not there in Orlando. I am told the ride has been thoroughly checked out, as it always is. But here, it's been checked out and the decision was made to put it back in service," Eisner said.

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Inside 'Mission: Space'

Eisner is in New York promoting a book. WFTV Eyewitness News' questions, though, centered on the four-year-old's death, where there are still lots of questions.

"We don't really know that much. Almost 9 million people have ridden that ride before and we're just waiting to find out what happened," Eisner said.

Industry trade publications say pressure to attract guests has made theme parks spend millions to attract thrill seekers. Eisner claims that is not what they are doing.

"First of all, it's very premature to talk about this. It's not the kind of company that we are. We are a themed attraction," Eisner said.

Mission: Space was brought to Epcot to help jump-start a park that had lost some of its steam. Admittedly, they wanted something never done before.

"This is a very creative ride simulation of weightlessness, tested and worked on for years, and I think we just have to wait and see what the issues were," Eisner said.

The major theme parks do not have to have their rides checked and approved by the state or federal government. Instead, the parks have their own inspectors who must submit annual affidavits certifying they are meeting safety standards.