Pirates of the Caribbean

[halssister]

I just watched the video of POC with DS to see if he would be ok to ride it. He's not a fan of anything "scary" (which could randomly mean fast, dark, loud, etc depending on his mood!!). It doesn't seem too bad, but I'm wondering about the part near the beginning where the video just got dark. What happens there?

I've read about this ride having a "drop". Is that the dark part? How extreme is the drop? Like, a small log flume kind of ride drop (picture something half the size of Splash Mountain?) or less than that? And what is the likelihood of getting wet? DH is freaking out about the possibility of riding something that may get his phone wet. Yes, he should just put it in a plastic bag and not worry, but I think the ride makes him nervous too and it's an excuse . So, will we get wet, and will the drop be scary?

 

[rteetz]

I don't find POTC scary. It is darker but its not that dark. It's not that loud either.

The drop isn't bad at all. You might get a small splash but no major soaking or anything.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

It's a very very very very very minor drop.
ABSOLUTELY NOTHING LIKE SPLASH MOUNTAIN.
For a while after the refurb a couple years ago it was getting people pretty wet. I went in December 2015 and there was standing water in the boats and I did get a bit wet but in September 2016 and April 2017 there was zero standing water and I got just the few sprinkles that I used to get.

 

[Moxiepup]

The drop is a small one, only lasting a couple of seconds. No more than the tiny dips encountered on Splash Mountain before you get to the big dip. You only get a sprinkling of water at the most.

 

[halssister]

Thanks everyone for the quick responses!
My 60 days for FP is next Wednesday and I'm trying to nail down our MK rides before then, so this really helps!!

 

[LaBelleVie]

You generally stay pretty dry on Pirates...provided you're not in the front of the boat. After riding it before the boat change (and not knowing about the boat change), we were extremely surprised to find ourselves with soggy shoes the next time we rode.

 

[michelle06]

There are some canon blasts which cause explosions in the water. If your boat is passing at the right time, you can get wet. I've ridden several times and only got wet once and it was not bad. I would keep my phone put away and not worry about it.

 

[mousefan73]

The dark part at the beginning can be scary. You see a scene with a mermaid skelloton and a ghost pirate projected in mist as you go by. Drop is not scary but for first timers who dont know you think for a split second "here we go!" And then a split second later " that was it?" If child is scared of dark tunnels. Cuddle the first minute. After "drop" you enter the ship scene. It's dark but not dark tunnel dark. There action and an awesome pirate ship to focus on.

 

[Klayfish]

How old is DS? Also, it really depends on his definition of "scary". You posted a pretty wide variety of possibilities...loud, dark, fast, etc... Pirates is certainly never fast, so you can rule that out. Dark...yes, it's pretty dark. Not "I can't see my hand in front of my face" dark, but fairly dark. I think the beginning part you're referring to is a part that does get a bit dark...the boat rounds a gentle curve and passes through a fog coming down from the ceiling...the fog has a hologram projected onto it. It's pretty cool. Loud? Not consistently intense loud noises, but a few loud noises at times. There's also a room that is supposed to look like everything is on fire. It's not exceptionally realistic, but could be enough to scare a young child who is very easily frightened.

As for getting wet, no, you won't get wet. Front of the boat, back of the boat, doesn't matter. You won't get wet. You can get a few drops from the cannon splashes, but you won't get soaked. DH will need a better excuse.

Overall, I love PoTC and don't think it's scary whatsoever, but I can see where it could scare a very sensitive child.

 

[HopperFan]

Beginning is the scariest part in terms of visual, darkness, creepy music. When it's dark you will drop off down something no where near Splash Mountain (you are in big boat with no restraints) but I think the fear kicks in with the unknown. Because it's dark you don't know how far it will go, let him know it's not far. Then you land in "open sea" area with pirate ship and cannon explosions and sometimes splashes. Some of these blasts can get folks on right side wet as well. All about timing.

Yes you absolutely may get wet, there is even a sign out front that says so, it seems to be just random who it gets. We have gotten in boats with standing water on floor and wet seats. We have gotten off with shirts and shorts wet. Nothing soaking like Splash Mountain but enough someone would notice we are wet. Take a baggie if he truly is concerned or put it away.

Disney doesn't post signs lightly, be forewarned.

 

[stephd219]

My DS 10 finds the beginning extremely scary. He goes on the ride, but he keeps his eyes closed and burrows in my arm. He is fine with the drop, but the music, darkness and skeletons freak him out.

 

[DVC_Princess]

I've taken my kids on since they were infants. My 7 year old is easily spooked, but doesn't find it scary. Yes, the beginning is dark, but we just smile and point out interesting things in the beach scene, wheee as we go down the "slide", just make it fun

 

[bumbershoot]

DH is freaking out about the possibility of riding something that may get his phone wet. Yes, he should just put it in a plastic bag and not worry

That phone could easily get wet during a daily storm. He needs to have it protected in a case or a plastic bag etc.

Yes you absolutely may get wet, there is even a sign out front that says so, it seems to be just random who it gets. We have gotten in boats with standing water on floor and wet seats

Thank you Hopper. I was thinking that surely my family isn't the only one that has gotten a bit wet.

 

[TravelingTotMom]

My son refused to ride it when he was 2, but he tried again on his third birthday trip.

He's fine with the skeletons and the dark drop (it's over quickly), but he doesn't love when we go through the fog with the projection of Capt. Barbosa talking. He's also not a fan of the first scene with the cannon balls launched from the ship b/c of the noise. I just covered his ears during that part, and he was fine. We did get splashed from a cannon ball, but you don't get soaked.

And now if you ask him what his favorite Disney ride is... Pirates.

 

[DisneyAnytime]

If DS thinks pirates in general are cool at all, he will enjoy the ride. I have to say I didn't even realize there was a "drop" until I read something about it on here and we had ridden numerous times! LOL As for getting wet, you might and you might not. Even if you do, you probably won't get "soaked". You might have one big wet spot and the rest of you completely dry; nothing to worry about a phone over unless you drop it over the side and it gets completely submerged.

Pirates is one of our favorites. As everyone else has said, the "scariest" part would be the very beginning until you go through Captain Barbosa. Just be prepared to distract him or snuggle him close and it will be worth it.

 

[halssister]

Thank you all for the input!

DH has said he may just watch some people get off the ride and see if they look wet. Honestly, I'm ready to ride without him regardless - he sits out our multiple trips on Soarin' every trip, so if he's worried, he can wait behind!

DS is 15, but he is autistic and has a lot of anxiety, so I try to prepare him really well, and also make sure he truly wants to ride something rather than feel like I'm pushing him into it, otherwise he may decide next time that he doesn't trust ANY rides. He seems a little anxious about going through the "fog" at the start, but when I told him it was just fog, he seemed fine. I think we will chance it!!

 

[HopperFan]

Thank you all for the input!

DH has said he may just watch some people get off the ride and see if they look wet. Honestly, I'm ready to ride without him regardless - he sits out our multiple trips on Soarin' every trip, so if he's worried, he can wait behind!

DS is 15, but he is autistic and has a lot of anxiety, so I try to prepare him really well, and also make sure he truly wants to ride something rather than feel like I'm pushing him into it, otherwise he may decide next time that he doesn't trust ANY rides. He seems a little anxious about going through the "fog" at the start, but when I told him it was just fog, he seemed fine. I think we will chance it!!

My DS is disabled with severe anxiety and I know everyone is different but he loves it. He likes to watch videos by Big Fat Panda, he does a great job with attractions etc and when he does talk he is very calming.

Here is his video he shot with NIGHTVISION so the dark areas are easier to see AND you can totally see the drop and how big it is.

 

[Lothlórien]

It's a very very very very very minor drop.
ABSOLUTELY NOTHING LIKE SPLASH MOUNTAIN.
For a while after the refurb a couple years ago it was getting people pretty wet. I went in December 2015 and there was standing water in the boats and I did get a bit wet but in September 2016 and April 2017 there was zero standing water and I got just the few sprinkles that I used to get.

In December 2016, people were still getting wetter than they should have.

 

[kniquy]

It think the drop is very short and certainly not scary. It is dark, but not complete darkness. I would say this is one of the less scary rides to go on.

 

[halssister]

My DS is disabled with severe anxiety and I know everyone is different but he loves it. He likes to watch videos by Big Fat Panda, he does a great job with attractions etc and when he does talk he is very calming.

Here is his video he shot with NIGHTVISION so the dark areas are easier to see AND you can totally see the drop and how big it is.

Oh, that's a better video! I've watched some of those Big Fat Panda videos before, they seem to be the best but I'd forgotten about them, I'll have to look for other ride videos by him!
I don't think that will be an issue at all, thank you!