Pirates question...this is really bugging me!

[timbud1]

O.k. I have been wondering about this for too long! I have many memories of MK from my visit in around 1980. I am thinking that Pirates of the Carribean used to dump you outside down a short slide at the end. Does anyone know if this is correct? It's driving me nuts, and my family does not think so. I even THINK I remember noticing in 1991 that you could see the old doors on the outside of the building even though there were no more slides outdoors. I know I could be crazy, but I'm not crazy enough to make this up...maybe it was another ride somewhere else! If anyone can put my mind at ease, that would be GREAT!

 

[Pammy_from_WI]

As far as I can remember there is a small drop at the very beginning of the ride, but it's never been on the outside. I don't think it ever was outside or at the end, first trip was in '76. Could be a ride someplace else tho, but I can't remember anything that might resemble it.

Pammy

 

[Joan S.]

timbud1, Have you ever been to DL?? I know that the POTC is different there but I cannot remember WHAT exactly is different? Joan

 

[Eeyore2003]

Was Epcot open when you were there??? The only ride that comes to mind is Maelstrom, at Norway. It's a water ride, in a darkish place, (little trolls and stuff), toward the end of the ride there's a door where you can see out and then there's a little drop. You can see the door and watch the people from the outside as they do the ride.

 

[Eeyore2003]

You can't see the whole ride or the drop from the outside, just the door as the people ride by. The two rides have a very similar dark interior and "tone".

 

[Feralpeg]

If I remember correctly, the drop used to be at the end. It never did go outside, however. I also seem to remember that there used to be a restaurant down near where the large ship resides. It seems like they turned the whole thing around a few years ago. I'm not positive, but I have a recollection of it being different.

 

[MelissathePooh]

WDW POTC has been the same since I can remember going (starting in 1973 or 1974). The drop has always been at the beginning and the incline walkway at the end. I believe that the ride has been rehabbed, but never redone.

The DL Pirates has a restaurant where the Pirates ride boats float by. The drop is also in the beginning of this ride as the ride has to go under the train tracks. I think, but can't remember completely that the end of the attraction has a slight decline as the boats come back into the main que area and loading dock. They are always inside, but come close to the ride entrance.

"I also seem to remember that there used to be a restaurant down near where the large ship resides."

What large ship are you referring to? WDW has a steamboat, and DL has the Steamboat and the Columbia? The steamboat is no where near WDW's Pirates.

 

[kitnrose]

Good memory, Melissa! I kinda grew up in DL's Pirates so I think I can ride through it in my mind ... Oh, this is fun! The DL Pirates has TWO drops (both shorter than the WDW one) the first you go down right after cruising by the Blue Bayou restraunt which is indoors but LOOKS like it's in the backyard of an old southern plantation home. That first drop takes you 'back in time' to see pirate skeletons. Then comes the second drop and you go more back in time to see the actual pirates. Most riders don't get this but it's what Walt said in a special on the ride! Ride through, see the pirates, watch the town burn, definately time to escape back to our own time... so the way you go forwards in time is by going UP a waterfall. There's a small "drop" at the top of the lift waterfall and at that point your in the open of the indoors loading area. Is any of this sounding familiar Timbud? If not, oh well, thanks for letting me escape from this office and riding through Pirates DL anyway.

 

[Feralpeg]

Kitnrose, thanks. It was DL's POTC that I was thinking about. It's been a long time since I was there.

 

[timbud1]

O.K. Now I know. I still can't figure out where I'm getting this memory from. We went to lots of eastern U.S. theme parks when I was a kid, but most just don't do those types of rides. Ugh! Maybe I dreamed the whole thing! Thanks guys!

 

[dBugged]

DLs version of the Pirates ride has a very small drop at the very end that runs you right past the line of people waiting to get onto the ride. It is visible to everyone waiting to ride, however it is inside the main ride complex, but outside all of the main ride (if that is what you meant by "outside"). I used to live in CA and would visit DL about 5 times a year because of relatives and friends.