Flooded POTC boats

[joelkfla]

Just out of curiosity, does the Florida version usually only load one boat at a time? The DL version has a double loading dock which I'd think significantly increases the ride's capacity.

No, 2 boats, one loaded from the FP+ line on the right, and the other from Standby on the left.

Anyone else remember the good ole days, when cm's would actually squeegee off wet seats before loading? (Or maybe I'm remembering the log ride at Busch Gardens.)

 

[mmmears]

I am so sad reading this thread. POTC at DL is my all-time favorite ride, and I also like the one at WDW. We were planning to get a FP+ for POTC for our upcoming trip, and now I'm thinking that we might not ride it at all. This has never been a "you will get wet" ride, and I've been in the front more times than I can remember. A little splash is fine, but walking around drenched in wet shoes is not my idea of a good time. I expect this from Splash Mountain, but clearly something is wrong with the "updated" version of POTC and I really hope they address it soon.

 

[BC1836]

I am so sad reading this thread. POTC at DL is my all-time favorite ride, and I also like the one at WDW. We were planning to get a FP+ for POTC for our upcoming trip, and now I'm thinking that we might not ride it at all. This has never been a "you will get wet" ride, and I've been in the front more times than I can remember. A little splash is fine, but walking around drenched in wet shoes is not my idea of a good time. I expect this from Splash Mountain, but clearly something is wrong with the "updated" version of POTC and I really hope they address it soon.

WDW is noted for its seemingly instant reactions to incidents, concerns, issues, etc. A broken glass, food on the ground, a missing item, an ill guest, you name it, a WDW cast member is there to provide assistance. That's why this POTC boat situation is surprising. It reflects apathy, an attitude that has always been absent from the WDW playbook. Until now.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

WDW is noted for its seemingly instant reactions to incidents, concerns, issues, etc. A broken glass, food on the ground, a missing item, an ill guest, you name it, a WDW cast member is there to provide assistance. That's why this POTC boat situation is surprising. It reflects apathy, an attitude that has always been absent from the WDW playbook. Until now.

The difference in all of the things you mentioned is that they are inexpensive fixes. The issue at PotC has everything to do with the desire to hype quarterly profits over guest experience. People aren't going to stop going to Disney over getting wet on PotC and even if they give out a few hundred free tshirts that's nothing compared to what they save by not fixing the problem. Remember this is the new Disney and the only thing that matters to them is how empty your wallet is when you leave.

 

[wilkeliza]

Just rode a few hours ago. Water in ever boat but not nearly 6 inches. It was probably a quarter of an inch if that. CMs were not asking wet or dry but I did inform them that we wanted the back. Since the wait was 10 minutes my friend requested 2 rows for the 4 adults. We got the back two, then an empty row, then two jam packed rows.

 

[bryanb]

I rode on this a couple of nights ago. It was very late during EMH and they were only loading from one side (FP+ was completely unnecessary at this time). There were about 3 adults in each row, and nobody got more than a small splash, I did notice a minor puddle on the right of the boat.

The boat definitely feels lighter than what I remember, and did a bit more of a jerking motion on the water after touching down from the drop.

I don't think this situation reflects apathy, to answer a previous post. I am guessing that e solution is not so simple as just bringing back the old boats. Someone asked about it on Yik Yak, and the answer came back that the CMs know its not an easy solve and it's going to take time.

 

[Planogirl]

I rode on this a couple of nights ago. It was very late during EMH and they were only loading from one side (FP+ was completely unnecessary at this time). There were about 3 adults in each row, and nobody got more than a small splash, I did notice a minor puddle on the right of the boat.

The boat definitely feels lighter than what I remember, and did a bit more of a jerking motion on the water after touching down from the drop.

I don't think this situation reflects apathy, to answer a previous post. I am guessing that e solution is not so simple as just bringing back the old boats. Someone asked about it on Yik Yak, and the answer came back that the CMs know its not an easy solve and it's going to take time.

I don't think that it's apathy on the part of the CM's. I think that they are simply doing what they're told by Management. I believe that they could quit packing the boats so much because those seem to splash more.

 

[ArwenMarie]

The official stance seems to be that it is a water ride. I guess they aren't going to fix this.

 

[poison ivy]

The official stance seems to be that it is a water ride. I guess they aren't going to fix this.

I disagree or the same theory would apply to IASW.


I agree with everyone here who stated Pirates never used to drench a guest even with the small drop at the beginning of the ride. In fact, splash mountain has 2 similar drops prior to the big plunge that have always managed to keep guests pretty dry. I believe these boats were over packed and overloaded. What I'm trying to figure out is if the new boats also have one less row than what they replaced. I'm sure I have a photo somewhere.

 

[Hudson Hornet]

I don't think that it's apathy on the part of the CM's. I think that they are simply doing what they're told by Management. I believe that they could quit packing the boats so much because those seem to splash more.

Absolutely. When we rode it the first time, there was no swell over the side because it was only 2 people per row. Our feet got wet because of the standing water, but no new water came over the sides. The second time, we were sitting three to a row for adults and 4 for my family (2 adults and 2 small children), and we got drenched. I got hit in the side with a wave that covered out bench in water. Just don't load down the boats until a fix can be made. That seems to be the logical, temporary solution.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I disagree or the same theory would apply to IASW.

I agree with everyone here who stated Pirates never used to drench a guest even with the small drop at the beginning of the ride. In fact, splash mountain has 2 similar drops prior to the big plunge that have always managed to keep guests pretty dry. I believe these boats were over packed and overloaded. What I'm trying to figure out is if the new boats also have one less row than what they replaced. I'm sure I have a photo somewhere.

I don't disagree with you, but this is the stance that management is taking regarding Pirates. They have signs up and as reported on this thread, when people request a certain row, some people are being told by CMs that "it is a water ride." It is not being presented the same as IASW.

 

[poison ivy]

I don't disagree with you, but this is the stance that management is taking regarding Pirates. They have signs up and as reported on this thread, when people request a certain row, some people are being told by CMs that "it is a water ride." It is not being presented the same as IASW.

I don't necessarily agree that forcing guests into certain rows is a management directive at this point. There are a healthy amount of College Program kids who started in Aug/Sept and were given minimal training to work attractions. They would not be equipped to handle a guest on an issue like this and could easily go off script under pressure to try and seat us in every row.

 

[maryj11]

Oh that is great! I really like this ride and hoped the refurb had made it better.

 

[Lisann]

Just finished my email to guest services. Hope they listen. POTC is my absolute favorite ride at WDW.

 

[phillymummer]

Just to let everyone know... the back row is NOT safe.... especially if you are on the right side of the boat. We rode on Wed 11/4. We got the back row. I went into the boat first, followed by my hubby, and then my daughter. The row in front of us had three adults. The rows ahead of them had 3-4 people. The boat was definitely listing to right side. I did not get wet on the drop. But a couple minutes late, while the boat was making the right hand turn into the room with the cannon fight (I think that is the scene after the drop?) , a huge wave came over the side of the boat and drenched me. Seriously, my shorts were dripping when I got off of the ride! We think what caused this was the boat behind us coming down the hill and pushing water forward towards our boat. Since the boat was already leaning so far over to the right and then making a right turn, the water just came in. I was wetter after PotC then after Splash Mt and I was in the front row of the log on Splash!!

It really kind of ruined the ride for me. I was distracted by my soaking wet shorts and my foot being in a puddle of water (I was wearing keens so I could really feel the water splashing around). I was really concerned about how far the boat was listing to the right. The boat also seemed to have issues moving. I thought we were going to get stuck! I didn't let it ruin my day though. This is the reason why Iw ore my keens and quick-dry shorts!

 

[Planogirl]

Just to let everyone know... the back row is NOT safe.... especially if you are on the right side of the boat. We rode on Wed 11/4. We got the back row. I went into the boat first, followed by my hubby, and then my daughter. The row in front of us had three adults. The rows ahead of them had 3-4 people. The boat was definitely listing to right side. I did not get wet on the drop. But a couple minutes late, while the boat was making the right hand turn into the room with the cannon fight (I think that is the scene after the drop?) , a huge wave came over the side of the boat and drenched me. Seriously, my shorts were dripping when I got off of the ride! We think what caused this was the boat behind us coming down the hill and pushing water forward towards our boat. Since the boat was already leaning so far over to the right and then making a right turn, the water just came in. I was wetter after PotC then after Splash Mt and I was in the front row of the log on Splash!!

It really kind of ruined the ride for me. I was distracted by my soaking wet shorts and my foot being in a puddle of water (I was wearing keens so I could really feel the water splashing around). I was really concerned about how far the boat was listing to the right. The boat also seemed to have issues moving. I thought we were going to get stuck! I didn't let it ruin my day though. This is the reason why Iw ore my keens and quick-dry shorts!

That listing to the side is so strange. I've seen several posts stating that and it's not something I'd be happy about.

Disney, have you collectively lost your mind?

 

[phillymummer]

I think the listing makes it difficult for the boat to travel over the tracks. There were many noticeable "bumps" as we went through the ride. I think these boats need to be sent back to Disney land!!

 

[BC1836]

I think the listing makes it difficult for the boat to travel over the tracks. There were many noticeable "bumps" as we went through the ride. I think these boats need to be sent back to Disney land!!

Listing was one of the concerns that "inspired" this thread [see post #1].

 

[Jennygt]

That listing to the side is so strange. I've seen several posts stating that and it's not something I'd be happy about.

Disney, have you collectively lost your mind?

It does sound like a real
Problem
Waiting to happen

 

[phillymummer]

Listing was one of the concerns that "inspired" this thread [see post #1].

Oh, I forgot that listing was mentioned in the original post! I haven't read it in a while.