Flooded POTC boats

[wilkeliza]

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.

Please don't blame college program workers. They receive the same exact training as every other cast member for that attraction goes through. There is no secret fast track for CP cast members.

 

[BC1836]

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

No apologies necessary. The listing problem has been mentioned by others along with other concerns.

 

[larryz]

They receive the same exact training as every other cast member for training rough heir attraction goes through.

Regardless of training, when they're told to pack the boats, they pack the boats...

 

[wilkeliza]

Regardless of training, when they're told to pack the boats, they pack the boats...

That is a management thing though. CP's aren't protected by the union so most do as they are told because their job is on the line more than someone who can deviate and have the union fight to show they used their best judgement.

 

[MouseMum]

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

Did you tell them to read all the posts on our Disboard? I'm sure they monitor.

 

[poison ivy]

Please don't blame college program workers. They receive the same exact training as every other cast member for that attraction goes through. There is no secret fast track for CP cast members.

No amount of "training" could prepare anyone for this situation - least of all a new hire. Pirates has NEVER had anything remotely close to this problem occur.
I find it really hard to believe management gave the directive to cram and force guests into rows they objected to. Whether those CM's are new recruits or not, my point was it could have easily been someone simply going off script under pressure.

 

[wilkeliza]

No amount of "training" could prepare anyone for this situation - least of all a new hire. Pirates has NEVER had anything remotely close to this problem occur.
I find it really hard to believe management gave the directive to cram and force guests into rows they objected to. Whether those CM's are new recruits or not, my point was it could have easily been someone simply going off script under pressure.

If you point was any new CM then you could have stated that instead of saying a healthy batch of CPs who would not have training for this situation.

We had a CM try to put 4 adults in one row. We would have fit but not comortably. We polietly asked if we could have 2 and our request was granted. I don't know how long the CM had been there as I didn't ask. Of course we went during the party when the wait was 10 minutes and not today when the wait was much higher.

 

[Welovedisney!]

We rode a couple evenings ago in the fourth row. When we got in the boat he said there was about an inch of standing water at his feet. Then right after the drop there was this loud noise. I ignored it as it wasn't on my side of the boat. After the ride DH said that the loud noise was the boat getting caught up near the rail and then proceeded to take on water. He was not impressed and POTC is one of his favorite rides. I will add that we rode second row earlier in the week and didn't experience any water issues.

 

[BC1836]

One wonders if the Orlando Sentinel might be interested in investigating and reporting on this situation?

 

[ArwenMarie]

No amount of "training" could prepare anyone for this situation - least of all a new hire. Pirates has NEVER had anything remotely close to this problem occur.
I find it really hard to believe management gave the directive to cram and force guests into rows they objected to. Whether those CM's are new recruits or not, my point was it could have easily been someone simply going off script under pressure.

You don't believe it's possible that management is telling CMs to pack the boats to a certain level? And to respond to concerns about getting wet with "It's a water ride."?

 

[phillymummer]

I wonder how many people have sent emails, called, and talked to management in the parks? I think people need to emphasize the listing of the boats and water coming over the sides. Even on a "water ride" the boats should not be leaning so far to one side and bringing in water from the sides. What is the email for guest relations? I'd like to do my part to maybe help fix this issue.

 

[poison ivy]

You don't believe it's possible that management is telling CMs to pack the boats to a certain level? And to respond to concerns about getting wet with "It's a water ride."?

I said I found it hard to believe but sure anything's possible. This comment which was made less than a wk ago if I'm not mistaken, just strikes me as something a new hire would be more inclined to blurt out in response to a difficult guest. IMO that sounds more plausible than the theory management decided to ignore all guest complaints going on and go ahead and instruct CM's to continue to cram/force guests into rows and use the ridiculous argument about this being a water ride knowing full well such a directive defies company policy. We're talking about a safety issue at this point.

 

[Retro Magic]

I rode last night. Aside from the mist with Davy Jones and BlackBerry being broken.....AGAIN, I definitely noticed a very wet boat which I have never seen before. However, we were in the 2nd row and other than the drop where we got a very little splash, we didn't get wet.

Upon entering, the boats appear more drenched than Splash Mountain and the exit ramp to the gift shop after, was drenched as well.

 

[poison ivy]

If you point was any new CM then you could have stated that instead of saying a healthy batch of CPs who would not have training for this situation.

I don't mean that in a negative way and I'm sorry if it's being misinterpreted. I am a big fan of the DCP. All I was trying to say was that given Sept/Oct are the months new hires working attractions are predominantly CP participants; and that this is happening in OCT when their on the job training has been at a minimum up to this point, and non-existent on the Pirates attraction that we could be experiencing some off scripted actions to deal with an unprecedented situation vs "management told us to do it".

 

[pattyw]

I wonder how many people have sent emails, called, and talked to management in the parks? I think people need to emphasize the listing of the boats and water coming over the sides. Even on a "water ride" the boats should not be leaning so far to one side and bringing in water from the sides. What is the email for guest relations? I'd like to do my part to maybe help fix this issue.

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

Good idea- we all need to do so.

 

[BC1836]

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

Good idea- we all need to do so.

Sent to Guest Communications at the aforementioned email address this morning (edited):

We've never had a bad experience at Walt Disney World until our most recent visit a few weeks ago. The Pirates of the Caribbean boats had inches of standing water in them. Our feet got soaked before the boat left the dock. Overcrowded, the boat listed to one side and the folks in the first row got drenched following the drop. The boat got stuck on one of the guide rails and water almost poured in along the length of the entire boat on the starboard side. This had never happened before. Even the moving exit ramp was wet. Something is terribly wrong with this classic attraction and it needs to be corrected. Pirates of the Caribbean has never been a "wet water ride" attraction. Without warning, it is now.

 

[piccolopat]

Perhaps it is time to deluge (pun intended) customer service with complaints. If everyone on DIS emailed them daily for a week or even once a week for a few months maybe someone would take notice and fix this.

 

[BC1836]

Perhaps it is time to deluge (pun intended) customer service with complaints. If everyone on DIS emailed them daily for a week or even once a week for a few months maybe someone would take notice and fix this.

My automatic reply from several minutes ago:

Greetings from the Walt Disney World Resort!

Thank you for writing to us. We sincerely appreciate your loyalty to Disney and value the time you took to share your thoughts.

I personally assure you that your message has been received. Depending on the nature of your request and the amount of research required, our response time may vary; however, a member of my Guest Experience Services Team will contact you within five days.

If you are visiting the Walt Disney World Resort within the next seven days and need immediate assistance, please call us at (407) 560-2544, Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00am and 5:00pm (EST). We may also be reached Sunday and Saturday between the hours of 10:00am and 5:00pm (EST).

Again, thank you for your message. We look forward to assisting you soon.

Sincerely,

Debbie Bellavia-Hart
Director, Guest Experience Services
Domestic Theme Parks and Resort

 

[Brian Noble]

POTC is now off our list - we do not want to be water logged

Pirates is off my list as well, unless I'm willing to be wet---and I mean Kali-level wet, which is how wet I got last December in the front row. The new boats have been such a disappointment.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

I said I found it hard to believe but sure anything's possible. This comment which was made less than a wk ago if I'm not mistaken, just strikes me as something a new hire would be more inclined to blurt out in response to a difficult guest. IMO that sounds more plausible than the theory management decided to ignore all guest complaints going on and go ahead and instruct CM's to continue to cram/force guests into rows and use the ridiculous argument about this being a water ride knowing full well such a directive defies company policy. We're talking about a safety issue at this point.

Why would you think this defies a company directive rather than supports one? The water is too shallow for the boats to sink or capsize so it's just wet feet and butts. Loading less people just jacks up wait times which is already an issue as we know the current management believes time not spent in line equals gift shops and restaurants.