Heads Up if you are Planning to Ride POC

[summerskye]

Thank you both! I love on-ride photography but do worry that one day all the flashers out there will force them into a "no photography" policy completely.

Maybe they will start requiring a FP+ for camera use...

 

[declansdad]

I have ridden PotC dozens of times since the boats were changed out. You get more wet now, without doubt. But more wet means more than almost not wet at all, not soaked. I have never seen a person get soaked with the new boats. I guess it is possible if you have really heavy people loaded in just the wrong way but that would be a result of the heavy people, not the ride. The same has always applied, even with the old boats.

You also get hit with splash from the water cannons, but you do not get soaked - or anything close to soaked.

As for getting knocked around - you don't get any more knocked around than before. No one has been thrown from a boat. If it was a realistic possibility, it would have happened by now.

But it is much more fun to embellish a story.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I have ridden PotC dozens of times since the boats were changed out. You get more wet now, without doubt. But more wet means more than almost not wet at all, not soaked. I have never seen a person get soaked with the new boats. I guess it is possible if you have really heavy people loaded in just the wrong way but that would be a result of the heavy people, not the ride. The same has always applied, even with the old boats.

You also get hit with splash from the water cannons, but you do not get soaked - or anything close to soaked.

As for getting knocked around - you don't get any more knocked around than before. No one has been thrown from a boat. If it was a realistic possibility, it would have happened by now.

So a whole bunch of folks on here are lying?

 

[handicap18]

Thank you both! I love on-ride photography but do worry that one day all the flashers out there will force them into a "no photography" policy completely.

This is what happens when someone uses a flash and at the same time someone else is NOT using a flash. Guy behind me ruined my shot.

 

[mom2rtk]

Maybe they will start requiring a FP+ for camera use...

But it sits quietly in my lap!

This is what happens when someone uses a flash and at the same time someone else is NOT using a flash. Guy behind me ruined my shot.

Yikes. I've had that happen before too. Really stinks.

 

[bexter12]

I have ridden PotC dozens of times since the boats were changed out. You get more wet now, without doubt. But more wet means more than almost not wet at all, not soaked. I have never seen a person get soaked with the new boats. I guess it is possible if you have really heavy people loaded in just the wrong way but that would be a result of the heavy people, not the ride. The same has always applied, even with the old boats. You also get hit with splash from the water cannons, but you do not get soaked - or anything close to soaked. As for getting knocked around - you don't get any more knocked around than before. No one has been thrown from a boat. If it was a realistic possibility, it would have happened by now.

I rode it on Friday in the front row and was soaked with a wall of water after the drop. Soaked from the waist down. I had everything in bags, but wished I had had some warning about it. I always expect a cannon shot, but nothing more than a spray in the face on the drop.

 

[summerskye]

This is what happens when someone uses a flash and at the same time someone else is NOT using a flash. Guy behind me ruined my shot.

Look like you need sunglasses for the "new" experience...

 

[delgrec]

I guess I missed the boat on this thread when it first got posted (you're welcome for the corny early morning pun). I rode last August right after the new boats were put in and sat in the front row a few times (we ride POTC a lot, DHs fave ride). I did notice that some water did come in (which I never recalled it happening before), but in no way did we get soaked and I also don't recall a problem with our knees getting hurt. I'm kinda surprised to be reading that this is such a big issue? I guess I'll see again this summer since I'm sure we'll be on it a few times.

Same here! We will be going in December for just one day so the weather will depend on if I will ride again! Although, it is a family favorite so I can't imagine I will be able to resist.

 

[*TheWigs*]

In the minority here...we LOVED the extra bumpiness and getting wet on POC! It added a new "thrill" to a ride we have been on dozens of times. It's Disney, guys...lighten up! If you got hurt, wet, don't like the new boats, etc...ride something else!

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I do not understand how this could not be noticed and addressed immediately!!!!! That is so super scary and worries me for all the children in the boat! I would completely freak out if my daughter fell out of a ride... um... just...no! They need to do something asap...! Makes me nervous about riding this now...

I would be nervous too IF I were going to wdw (which I won't be for a while). There's no excuse for this.

I may be in the minority, but I don't think this is a big deal. I can understand the thread in order to give people the heads up, but I don't think it's a big enough reason to get upset about.

People getting bruises on a family ride isn't a big deal?

For those who felt the ride was a little more dangerous than usual (coming up out of the seat), I hope you are all writing into Disney to let them know so that they can get it resolved.

Yes, I agree. Please voice your complaint so something can be done about this.

That's the solution?

Yeah, I thought the same thing. I'm sure they could do better than some signs.

So is there a safe seat/place to sit? Away from the cannon splash, hard knocks/splash on the front row and back.

Apparently not.

In the minority here...we LOVED the extra bumpiness and getting wet on POC! It added a new "thrill" to a ride we have been on dozens of times. It's Disney, guys...lighten up! If you got hurt, wet, don't like the new boats, etc...ride something else!

Ride something else? Why should someone not go on a ride that they enjoy because of the fear they might fall out of the boat, have dirty water splashed in their face and get bruised knees? Its unacceptable. Every ride should be safe for anyone to go on (of course other than height restricted rides). POTC is one of my favorites, but after reading all this, it makes me nervous to go on especially with little children.

 

[ZiPaD3doDAH]

I see many concerns and complaints but remember, you must speak up and let the CM’s working the ride know you are worried or it will not get fixed/looked into

 

[BuckeyeBama]

So a whole bunch of folks on here are lying?

I would say being overly dramatic. It is the Dis, after all.

 

[HallGirl]

Do you know if that water is treated or tested, as Splash is? Seems like a health hazard if not.

The water is treated, but since there is metal rails to guide the boat, I don't recommend drinking it.

I see many concerns and complaints but remember, you must speak up and let the CM’s working the ride know you are worried or it will not get fixed/looked into

The CMs working at the ride are aware of the complaints, and they really can't do anything about it. They've been told that the problem is getting worked on, but like I said before, any major fixes have to be done with a long (many month) refurbishment. Higher ups are the ones that can make the decision to fix it and because it is a popular ride and a people eater, it's probably going to keep being pushed back.

 

[ajwolfe]

Interesting...We just rode this 3 times last week and never got more than a little sprinkle. No bruises and no one fell out.

 

[*TheWigs*]

We rode this several times our last visit and although it was a little bumpier and wetter than usual, I don't recall seeing mothers grabbing at their young ones to keep them from falling out of the boat or anything else that seemed dangerous. There have been lots of times I bumped a knee or got otherwise jostled on a ride I wasn't prepared for... For instance, IASW can get a little rough when boats bump into each other and get backed up. Also, I hit my hip on the side of the BTMRR car when I wasn't prepared for the turn. I wrenched my neck on TSM when the person next to me got startled and screamed. The Dis is a great place to get information, but also a great place for dramatics and getting people hyped up and anxious over nothing. For those that won't be riding POTC until "something" is done about this "dangerous thrill ride"-, my family and I will gladly take your place in line!

 

[ArwenMarie]

The water is treated, but since there is metal rails to guide the boat, I don't recommend drinking it.

The CMs working at the ride are aware of the complaints, and they really can't do anything about it. They've been told that the problem is getting worked on, but like I said before, any major fixes have to be done with a long (many month) refurbishment. Higher ups are the ones that can make the decision to fix it and because it is a popular ride and a people eater, it's probably going to keep being pushed back.

Thanks for responding, good to know the water is treated.

 

[sbux7645]

It's not the flash, it's the light from the camera or phone that ruins the attraction for everyone.

 

[SoarinSC]

Hehe..happened to us back in May...was so excited to ride the front row for the first time...then woosh..soaked from waist to toe! A shock at first because it was so unexpected but laughed it off and considered it another new experience.

 

[mom2rtk]

It's not the flash, it's the light from the camera or phone that ruins the attraction for everyone.

I turn my review screen off when I'm in dark rides. I would love if more people would do the same.

 

[declansdad]

It's not the flash, it's the light from the camera or phone that ruins the attraction for everyone.

My screen is never on and a dark ride means no flash photography not no photography.