No "Last Chance" Exit

[scarslegalcounsel]

The last time I was at Pirates of the Caribbean there was a father with a young child who got scared by the darkness and loud noises and they decided to not ride once getting right up to the front of the line. Unfortunately, Pirates of the Caribbean doesn't have any way to exit from that point except for hopping on a boat or heading back of the (crowded) line from whence you came.
I'm planning a trip soon with a kiddo who is a little nervous about dark and scary rides - are there any other rides with no "last chance" exit at the front of the line?

 

[BrianL]

Well, technically, there is an exit, it's just back the way you came. I am not sure which other rides handle it this way (except at the water parks where they all involve walking back down the stairs). They will never force you to ride though. At least the queue for POTC has a fairly wide walkway should you need to turn back.

 

[PanamaMike]

Splash Mtn, Big Thunder Mtn, It's A Small World are among the rides that require getting in the ride vehicle and then getting out the other side to exit or turning around and walking back through the entrance path

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

There was a exit on the POC at least 3 years ago when my grandmother decided not to go on the attraction.

 

[Quellman]

Haunted mansion does have an exit, but you have to wait until after the stretching room. Peter Pan is darkish, but not scary, same with Pooh and Little Mermaid. While it's a Small World might be terrifying to you, it does include an easy bail out by simply walking across the boat. You can walk across the logs for Splash (if you tell them in advance), you can easily walk across the train for Big Thunder as well. Space Mountain has an easy exit behind the control tower where the lines split into the Alpha and Omega tracks. You can safely exit theater style shows. Since you say young, you likely won't have to worry about ToT or Rockin Roller (both of which you can bail). For Star Tours, before the ride starts you can just walk across the car. You can easily leave Tough to be a bug or Muppets 3d. EPCOT doesn't really have scary.

 

[scarslegalcounsel]

I watched the Father and his son have to go back up the line to exit in October 2014, if that's any help.

 

[BrianL]

Right. I think the thing here is that there is not a dedicated exit that can be used, but rather a less convenient "turn back the way you came" for POTC. I don't find it to be that big of an issue personally. As posted above, some rides just have you cross the vehicle to exit (rides where load/unload happen in the same location). It will vary by attraction, but you will never be forced to ride.

 

[scarslegalcounsel]

I guess I should have worded this differently - are there any other rides where there isn't a convenient last-minute exit? I know that on some rides (like ToT and EE) it's really easy to exit and non-riding party members can enjoy the queue and pre-show and then exit easily while the rest of the party boards.

 

[kiramay]

Splash Mtn, Big Thunder Mtn, It's A Small World are among the rides that require getting in the ride vehicle and then getting out the other side to exit or turning around and walking back through the entrance path

Splash Mountain actually does. There's a staircase that goes over the boats and out the exit. We had to leave once we got to the boats due to an untimely nose bleed. (The CM was very nice and gave us a FP to come back after his nose bleed stopped.)

 

[mickeyluv'r]

For PotC:

There's always been an exit. Guests didn't have to go full back through queue, only a short way to the exit door. At least for guests initially entering the left side of the entrance. I think there's one on the right as well, but I've only seen guests escorted to the left side exit.

More recently, the PotC queue was reconfigured for FP. I imagine that's the new way out, as it would be very easy.
Quellman's post is solid. I think mostly it is the older rides that are trickier. Peter Pan comes to mind, but I haven't been on since the new queue.
If you chicken out on Astro Orbiter, you have to wait for next elevator ride down from the platform. Not sure about Buzz. that might have a way out other than queue, but it might not. It isn't scary though. I think to exit TTA, CM can let you access to down ramp- but you might have to wait. Again, that's not a ride most would exit.

If DD has any reservations about riding any Tomorrowland attractions, I suggest TTA first, though some parts are in the dark. Very dark, but very tame.

Once you enter the CoProgress, you are expected to stay for the full show. Trying to leave mid show causes big problems.

Energy is 45minutes. You can leave before you go on the ride, but once you are on it- I don't think there's any easy exit until it is over.

One more thing- only since we are on the subject- in many cases- attempting to leave the ride vehicle would be very dangerous. Someone was once killed trying to exit a Splash flue when it stopped (before I had lap restraints). The safari is also no exit.

The Nemo ride might be tricky to exit. Again not remotely scary.

Probably avoid Tough to Be A Bug and DINOSAUR.

Passporter has a great guide to address special needs/phobias. Also try the DISabilities area of this site. Guest services might also have handy guides available.

 

[disnut8]

Well, Pirates opened in 1973 so alternative exits weren't really thought about back then.

But, when we took our then five yer old granddaughter on her first Disney World trip, we thought this would OK with her as she liked pirates and I explained that they sang silly songs, etc. So, she wanted to go. Once we entered the queue, it was dark already and she said absolutely not so we grandparents stayed out with her. So I think, for this attraction, you will see the affects, you will see it before you get too far down the queue.

Now, Dinosaur - yeah, we did the "cross the vehicle and exit" thing because of the skull she saw. That one is light just about the entire way through.

Kids are funny so you might want to talk to your child about how to exit and to follow the Cast Member instructions.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Well, Pirates opened in 1973 so alternative exits weren't really thought about back then.

Not chicken exits, but fire exits have always been required.

I'll grant the options in P Pan, and a few other older rides are not great, but they've always existed.

I don't post to be snarky...rather, it is something I have considered for quite some time. Given the number of oblivious guests WDW gets, I wonder sometimes how many folks actually pay attention to emergency exit sign locations.

I don't think the percentage is likely to be very reassuring. Still, count me in the % that does think about such things.

 

[cigar95]

(The CM was very nice and gave us a FP to come back after his nose bleed stopped.)

And did the CM call you to let you know when his nose-bleed stopped? (Baddum, CHING!)