Flooded POTC boats

[Buttrcp16]

We rode twice last month, once on a MNSSHP night and once on a regular park night. Neither time were we cramped or the boats overloaded. We didn't get wet at all, and the bottom of the boats I examined were basically bone dry. It probably depends on the CM in charge of loading and also peak times of the day when they are pressured to fill boats to increase ride capacity and alleviate wait times. My suggestion? Avoid peak times to ride, and request the middle or back to be safe.

 

[Julylady]

So, it sounds like if you don't want to get wet, you ask to sit in the last two rows in a dry boat? How do the CMs react when you ask for that? Can you also ask that your family sit alone in a row? We have 2 adults, 2 small kids. I personally, would NOT step into a boat if I could tell it had three inches of water in the bottom of it, so I would just be holding up the line. I've got to wonder how much of that is slowing the process? I have the same problem with Splash Mountain and don't ride due to that issue.

 

[ArwenMarie]

In the past, CMs never asked guests whether they wanted to be "wet or not wet." [At least you were warned.] The type of boat and the cramming of passengers is contributing to the problem of standing water in the boats, a situation which is unacceptable on a number of levels.

And the increasing girth of passengers is a factor as well.

We rode twice last month, once on a MNSSHP night and once on a regular park night. Neither time were we cramped or the boats overloaded. We didn't get wet at all, and the bottom of the boats I examined were basically bone dry. It probably depends on the CM in charge of loading and also peak times of the day when they are pressured to fill boats to increase ride capacity and alleviate wait times. My suggestion? Avoid peak times to ride, and request the middle or back to be safe.

Yep, seems to be the takeaway here.

So, it sounds like if you don't want to get wet, you ask to sit in the last two rows in a dry boat? How do the CMs react when you ask for that? Can you also ask that your family sit alone in a row? We have 2 adults, 2 small kids. I personally, would NOT step into a boat if I could tell it had three inches of water in the bottom of it, so I would just be holding up the line. I've got to wonder how much of that is slowing the process? I have the same problem with Splash Mountain and don't ride due to that issue.

They have no problem with asking for a row in my experience. You may have to wait for the next boat or whatever. I don't think they will put more people in your row with 2 Adults and 2 Kids.

 

[scrappinginontario]

This is too bad. We're going in December and have FP+ reservations but I don't want my dad to walk around with wet feet all day (he'd be the only one in socks and shoes) so I'm guessing we might pass on this ride right now. Before I change anything I'll let my parents decide and if we do end up riding I'll be sure to request 3rd or 4th row.

 

[wilkeliza]

I believe Disney has worked to cover their butts from anyone who may be concerned about infection etc from getting wet. After the first reports of people getting soaked the next day there were signs up that said caution you may get wet. That is all that is needed to protect them as long as they are also treating the water.

It all seems to be a lose lose honestly. With the way the ride is designed and the amount of people they want to be able to ride at a time combined with the ever growing weight issue in American we get either stuck boats or wet riders. Even Its a Small World had to redo their boats because of weight issues and getting stuck. At least at that attraction there is no drop so they also can put in stronger pumps to move boats along. The problem with Pirates is lighter boast plus stronger jets equals wet guests. With out the faster drop into stronger jets boats would still be getting stuck on a daily basis.

 

[Brocktoon]

We rode during MNSSHP last night. They were skipping some boats when loading. It looked like the skipped boats had some sort of red ribbon across the front row. Maybe a coincidence, but I noticed the boats being skipped looked to have ~ 6 inches of standing water in the bottom.

Our boat was dry ... rode back row and had no water issues.

 

[BC1836]

I believe Disney has worked to cover their butts from anyone who may be concerned about infection etc from getting wet. After the first reports of people getting soaked the next day there were signs up that said caution you may get wet. That is all that is needed to protect them as long as they are also treating the water.

Alas, that sign would not be accurate since boats have inches of standing water in them.
A more accurate sign would read: You may get wet before you even sit down!

 

[LJSquishy]

We rode it on 10/22 and were in the 2nd row (4 adults) and did not get wet, but the people in front got moderately wet. The people in the front were 2 obese adults and 1 obese child around age 7-9. There was no standing water in our boat.

 

[Buckeye218]

My wife and I rode it on 10/12, relatively early in the morning...around 9:30 or so. We were the only passengers in row 2. I had been prepared to get wet after reading these boards, but there was no standing water in our boat. There were two adults and one small child in the first row. The rest of the boat was full, but I can't remember how many they put in each row. We did not get wet at all (nor were we asked if we minded getting wet).

I think there is some merit to the possibility that this becomes more of a problem as the day goes on and the water starts to accumulate faster than it can drain...plus the reports of over-packing the boats when the lines become longer during peak times.

Perhaps the best idea is to try to ride it early in the day before the water has built up and before the Cast Members are urged to overcrowd the boats to keep the lines moving.

 

[CAS239]

Rode a couple days ago. None of us got wet, seats were rather dry (little water on far left side), definitely no standing water.

And even with an hour wait for standby, and about a 10 min wait for FP, none of the boats were overly crowded. The CM's usually do a good job about not putting too many in the same row

 

[mgentry210]

We asked for row six and were initially placed in that row (I'm tall and don't like to sit in the other rows because I'll block the view of some of the folks, especially small in size, behind me); however, once we were seated a CM added two additional people. We were all pressed together and I couldn't extend my legs to the side. It was not only physically uncomfortable but sitting with our feet in the standing water made it worse.

To be sure, we are aware of WDW CMs/managers who view the DISboards. But posting our concerns here is not enough: we are at WDW now and will express our concern formally to Guest Relations. POTC boats should not be operating with significant amounts of standing water in them.

I would like to thank you for your self awareness and kindness of those of use who are vertically challenged. Your thoughtfulness is in the minority. Much appreciated even if I personally have not benefited from your kindness.

We even purchased the premium package at Star Wars weekend and staked out our "premium" viewing spot. Everyone pushing forward, coupled with the heat, I eventually took the little one way to the back and watched it from the jumbo screen. Not fun for me, and really not fun for a 5 year old to stare at someone't butt in 95 degrees and 100% humidity. So again thankful for looking and being aware of those around you!

 

[Eastern]

This has been happening for quite some time. It was definitely an issue on our January trip. We purposely asked for at least the second row. The people in front of us on one ride got absolutely soaked, and they were not happy.

If I saw a boat with 6 inches of standing water in it, I would simply refuse to get in that one. Send it on... I also have no problem requesting a back row. I will wait. There is no reason at all for a CM to get mad at you or to refuse you.If they do, I would ask for a manager right there.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

This is a shame. It's DS's favorite ride but we're going in December. I was also hoping to take ride pics of the new designs with my good camera (no I don't use flash).

 

[BigAlsGal]

I always hear about this standing water in the boats problem but have yet to experience it. I've probably ridden PotC 12 times this year and every boat I get in is bone dry. Maybe I'm just getting lucky. Lol

 

[lugnut33]

People are complaining because Disney is giving guests free water?

 

[littleblackegg]

Huh. Is this (the splash) a deliberate change? Has the signage changed to the usual "wet ride" warnings (you will get wet and possibly soaked)? I went last week but we had FP's and literally ran through the line so I didn't notice any changes. We were in the back and I noticed the amount of fluid you would see if someone had spilled a jumbo sized soda. Not a ton, but certainly more than usual. We didn't get splashed. I'm interested in knowing what is a deliberate change and what may be incidental. A splashy, soaking ride seems silly indoors.

 

[BC1836]

I think there is some merit to the possibility that this becomes more of a problem as the day goes on and the water starts to accumulate faster than it can drain...plus the reports of over-packing the boats when the lines become longer during peak times.

Perhaps the best idea is to try to ride it early in the day before the water has built up and before the Cast Members are urged to overcrowd the boats to keep the lines moving.

We have ridden POTC for decades; our hundreds of rides have taken place at about every possible hour of the day, including post-midnight EMH, but we have never experienced the flooded boats until very recently. Alas, the boats are unable to "drain" per se. Clearly, though, if no action is taken to reduce the water level the boats will, no doubt, get even more filled with water as the day progresses.

The flooded boats situation is a responsibility issue that if ignored (and if some injury, for example, occurs) could result in a charge of negligence. And when CMs instruct passengers to place their back packs and purses on the floor, i.e., in the water, rather than on their laps (which happened yesterday afternoon, the word incompetence immediately comes to mind. One expects better maintenance, supervision and oversight at WDW.

[spelling edit]

 

[ArwenMarie]

We rode it on 10/22 and were in the 2nd row (4 adults) and did not get wet, but the people in front got moderately wet. The people in the front were 2 obese adults and 1 obese child around age 7-9. There was no standing water in our boat.

I would think it's not about how obese the people in the front row are...it's about the total weight of the boat. That would be an easy fix, they could just send skinny people to the front row

We have ridden POTC for decades; our hundreds of rides have taken place at about every possible hour of the day, including post-midnight EMH, but we have never experienced the flooded boats until very recently. Alas, the boats are unable to "drain" per se. Clearly, though, if no action is taken to reduce the water level the boats will, no doubt, get even more filled with water as the day progresses.

The flooded boats situation is a responsibility issue that if ignored (and if some injury, for example, occurs) could results in a charge of negligence. And when CMs instruct passengers to place their back packs and purses on the floor, i.e., in the water, rather than on their laps (which happened yesterday afternoon, the word incompetence immediately comes to mind. One expects better maintenance, supervision and oversight at WDW.

I seem to remember reading somewhere that they had a CM using a shopvac to get the water out of the boats. Not sure when that was, afterhours or not. Makes sense though, they would have to get the water out somehow.

I agree with your comment, standing water in the boats is really unacceptable. Wait until someone slips getting out, yikes.

 

[AngiTN]

I think Disney is using MB data to track Dis Boards users and purposely splashing them on the ride. Sort of like how some here find every dirty bathroom or resort room at Disney yet others only find totally spotless ones. Maybe it's all in the tracking

 

[Pally]

Not necessarily. If you have an open wound on your foot (like a blister) and walk around for hours in socks soaked with unsanitary water, you definitely could get an infection. THAT would be my concern, rather than some sort of illness.

This is something I think about a lot because my husband is diabetic and he developed cellulitis within 24 hours following a broken ankle surgery. Always, a concern when you are a diabetic. This can even happen if you have a small scratch.