POTC with mobility issues

[Moose66]

How easy do they make it for those with mobility issues to get on POTC? I will be on a ECV but can walk short distances.

 

[RoseGold]

One of the worst, IMO. No wheelchair boat, and you have to transfer down. If you need assistance to get into a seat or are a person of size who needs help, this one can be tough.

They can get you close, but you have to get down into the boat somehow and back up out of it.

My wheelchair-bound relative is pretty small, and we still skip this one.

Obviously depends what you mean by "mobility issues."

 

[Lewisc]

To be clear you need to transfer to a courtesy wheel chair prior to entering the queue

 

[Her Dotness]

And it's one heckuva trip up the lengthy ramp to where you board the boat.

The Disney wheelchairs are typically heavy and some not in good shape. Unless you've pretty substantial upper body strength and can propel yourself up a loooonnng ramp in a manual chair, I wouldn't recommend even considering POTC.

I used to push DH (235 lbs) up there but won't anymore. Those wheelchairs are too unpredictable. "Discourtesy" wheelchair is more accurate for most of those.

 

[fabfemmeboy]

Honestly, POTC is the hardest I can think of. No ECVs allowed, the loaner/beater chairs aren't very good, there's both a long ramp up and a short but steep ramp down that either you or your person will have to wheel you on in the aforementioned junky loaner chair, and every boat has the big step down in and big step back out. Unlike other rides where mobility devices can board the boat itself, or they have a version without the big step down, etc. We've tried it once since I've used a mobility device, and never again.
Sorry not to have better news!

 

[Moose66]

Honestly, POTC is the hardest I can think of. No ECVs allowed, the loaner/beater chairs aren't very good, there's both a long ramp up and a short but steep ramp down that either you or your person will have to wheel you on in the aforementioned junky loaner chair, and every boat has the big step down in and big step back out. Unlike other rides where mobility devices can board the boat itself, or they have a version without the big step down, etc. We've tried it once since I've used a mobility device, and never again.
Sorry not to have better news!

 

[Moose66]

I can walk short distances. Would they let me walk the ramp?

 

[MinnieMSue]

When I need my walker I can take it in the line and they have an elevator to get back up at the end of the ride. They do have you transfer to a manual wheelchair if you can’t walk through the ride line. Like everyone else said the hardest part by far is getting in and especially out of the boat. I may be misremembering but I was thinking the exit ramp is a moving belt you can stand on to go up but obviously not with a wheelchair. It is fairly steep. I don’t ride it often because of how hard it is to climb down into and especially out of those boats.

 

[SueM in MN]

I can walk short distances. Would they let me walk the ramp?

I think what people are calling the ‘long ramp’ is the regular queue. It is a pretty long queue inside the building and parts are fairly steep. So, it’s not really a question of whether they will let you walk it; it’s the pathway used by all guests.

Guests using ECVs or power wheelchairs will be directed to park them outside of the queue. As others mentioned , the attraction does have loaner wheelchairs for guests who can’t walk the line.
Guests using their own manual wheelchairs can use them in line, but they prefer all guests to use an attraction wheelchair if possible - the load and unload areas are in different buildings and the exit is down one floor from the entrance. it can be difficult for CMs to get people’s personal wheelchairs to the exit in time to get out.
At the exit, there is a steep moving ramp (think a escalator without steps). Guests using wheelchairs or who can’t navigate that can use a small elevator.
This is what I had written up for the disABILITIES FAQs thread:

• Pirates of the Caribbean - This attraction has a very long queue - even without a wait, you will be walking a long distance if you don’t bring a wheelchair into line. Guests with ECVs can park the ECV and borrow a wheelchair to use in the line. About a 6-8 inch step over the side of the boat, about 6 inches down to the seat and another 8-12 inches down to the floor. Steep moving walkway to get back up to ground level at the unload area. There is an elevator down a small hallway to the left

 

[SueM in MN]

When I need my walker I can take it in the line and they have an elevator to get back up at the end of the ride. They do have you transfer to a manual wheelchair if you can’t walk through the ride line. Like everyone else said the hardest part by far is getting in and especially out of the boat. I may be misremembering but I was thinking the exit ramp is a moving belt you can stand on to go up but obviously not with a wheelchair. It is fairly steep. I don’t ride it often because of how hard it is to climb down into and especially out of those boats.

Your memory is correct.

I have a photo of the Pirates boat, but couldn’t find it; this one is from Touring Plans


Guests using wheelchairs/walkers, etc. usually are boarded from this side in the back row and can bring their mobility device fairly close to the boat. The picture shows the step over the side and down into the boat.

Many people have another member of their party board first so they can offer a hand/some stability for the disabled guest. Most step over the side of the boat onto the seat, then from the seat to the floor; then reverse that process to get out.
Getting in is easier for most people than getting out. On the way in, gravity helps you, but on the way out, you are fighting gravity.

 

[Her Dotness]

I can walk short distances. Would they let me walk the ramp?

Depends what you term a short distance and what the nature of your walking issue is. (No, I'm not asking)

Of course, you'll be allowed to walk it. The question for you would be whether or not you can. There's no bailout if you got partway up and couldn't continue. You'd have to manage to walk back down or hope a kind person might offer to bring up a Disney wheelchair and push it for you to get you out of the queue. CMs aren't allowed to help like that. (ETA: Actually, I don't think you could get one of those dreadful wheelchairs back out of the queue. There wouldn't be room to get past the people coming in, I don't think. I'm not at all sure what would be done if you walked partway and weren't able to walk further--call paramedics, possibly.)

I couldn't even guess how far it is from the entrance to the point where you board the boat. Been too long since we last rode it. I don't know of any videos... ETA: Found one. See post #14 for specifics.

 

[MICKIMINI]

It's the getting in the boat and getting out that is the killer! If you have two helpers it is easier as one gets in first, then you, then your other helper. With one, it's probably best to have them get in first and while standing, help you in. That way, they can get out first and assist you out. I always have my cane handy which helps steady me. It's been quite a few years since we've been brave enough to venture in. Good luck!

 

[Groot]

I’m glad to see that I’m not the ONLY ONE who HATES the “Loaner Wheelchairs” at POTC.

Those chairs are really old and 99% of them are on their last legs (ha-ha). Every time I get in one, it’s either the rear wheels are flat, (the model they use has pneumatic tires instead of solid ones, which give a much nicer and smoother ride, especially on uneven surfaces.), the caster wheels in front feel like they’re about to fall off, the footrests don’t flip up right (which can pose a tripping hazard), or they’re just impossible to push by myself (I prefer to self-propel).

I would love to see Disney upgrade the loaner chairs to a much newer and nicer model over the Invacares they’ve had since forever. Preferably a chair that has solid tires, more dependable footrests, and flip up/removable arms for those of us who prefer to push ourselves rather than depend on someone else.

 

[Her Dotness]

Aha! We found a complete ride video that does show all the back and forth required to get to the boarding point.

It's MUCH longer now than when we last rode POTC, probably 8 years ago. Undoubtedly, lots of back and forth winding along is today's standby, compared with nearly walking right up to the boat we used to do. We go in November so often had no wait at all for POTC.

The YouTube video is by 4K WDW, title is Pirates of the Caribbean at Magic Kingdom--Complete Ride Experience. Published on Aug. 16, 2021. It's 19 minutes long--that one for the full queue view of a person walking.

 

[Groot]

I think that one of the big reasons why Pirates doesn’t have a wheelchair accessible boat is because of the waterfall. Would be kinda time consum to get the wheelchair on the boat and tie it down. It would be kinda scary going down and hope that your $20,000+ custom powerchair doesn’t roll over to the side.

Also, a common workaround to getting on and off the boats easier is to use the bench as a “step” and if needed a person in front of you and/or a cane for support.

 

[ttintagel]

I remember one time I was using an ECV, and the CM at the door asked, “Can you walk a few steps on your crutches?” I said yes, assuming that there was some accessible entrance I didn’t know about that would only take a few steps. Apparently, his idea of “a few steps” was the entire queue. And then the cast member at unload, who looked like a College Program kid on his first day, kept insisting he wasn’t allowed to send us up in the elevator to ground level. Oh, and the exit speed ramp wasn’t even working. Eventually a supervisor came along and sent us up in the elevator. So, if somebody tries to give you instructions that don’t make any sense, be prepared to be firm!

 

[Groot]

I remember one time I was using an ECV, and the CM at the door asked, “Can you walk a few steps on your crutches?” I said yes, assuming that there was some accessible entrance I didn’t know about that would only take a few steps. Apparently, his idea of “a few steps” was the entire queue. And then the cast member at unload, who looked like a College Program kid on his first day, kept insisting he wasn’t allowed to send us up in the elevator to ground level. Oh, and the exit speed ramp wasn’t even working. Eventually a supervisor came along and sent us up in the elevator. So, if somebody tries to give you instructions that don’t make any sense, be prepared to be firm!

Yeah, the walk back to the scooter area can just be as long if not longer than the line itself!