Soft Opening...Pirates?

[ScottieDog]

Hello All,

Question....what do you folks know about "soft openings"?

We're going in June, arriving on the 25 and leaving the day before POTC is schedualed to open "ugg". It's THE RIDE my little nephew most wants to experience.

Anyone know how an average family might get a sneek peek?

Thank you,
Cathryn~

 

[clonetothebone]

As an average family, I asked the same question a few months ago. The answer I got from DISer's was they usually don't have soft opening for existing attractions that are just being updated, only the new rides, etc.

If they are 'testing' it you just have to show up and hope. I'll hope for your family if you'll hope for mine. We're in the same situation.

 

[tmt martins]

We got on Space MT in DL for testing about the week or so before the re-opening .That was down for awhile and might have had something to do about it.

I say keep up your hope but don't let it ruin your trip Just keep checking.

 

[Lorelai]

Hello All,

Question....what do you folks know about "soft openings"?

We're going in June, arriving on the 25 and leaving the day before POTC is schedualed to open "ugg". It's THE RIDE my little nephew most wants to experience.

Anyone know how an average family might get a sneek peek?

Thank you,
Cathryn~

I know it's not the same as the ride, but the gift shop is still open. And they have the coolest pirate gear in there. My sons always want to spend their Disney Dollars in that gift shop. Maybe he can get a cool pirate sword, or a playset - unless he's older, than maybe a shirt and a wall hanging or something. I hope it's open for you! Good luck!

 

[ScottieDog]

Thanks all!!!

 

[disneygal55]

We'll also be there from June 25-July1st. When is the tentative opening? I hope that it will open sooner..it's one of my favorites! By the way...my DH was in the WDW area for a business trip and was at MK Saturday..I think he said that POC was running.

 

[Goofy4WDW1964]

they still want you to spend your money even though you can't ride the ride.

Does anyone know who to call to complain about this? Refurbishments should be done in the off season. Not during peak season.

 

[jennyl772003]

Does anyone know who to call to complain about this? Refurbishments should be done in the off season. Not during peak season.

There is a reason that it is down now and opening when it is. It's to coincide with the next POC movie.

 

[Markstudy]

Does anyone know who to call to complain about this? Refurbishments should be done in the off season. Not during peak season.

I thought about that also.

But I guess that the off-season is so slow..... closing rides would just kill it all together.

They always close something in January which is one of the two slowest months (it was Buzz & Test Track last Jan.)

I think the slowest month of the year is September. Don't see anything sceduled to be closed then?

 

[cxcelica]

Sorry about your disappointment, but am not sure what complaining will actually do. I was there in March and it was closed then, and it is one of my favorite rides but you get distracted with so many other things that it wont ruin your trip. To their credit, Disney does post when refurbishments are being done. I knew before I planned my trip that the ride was going to be down.

This apparently must have been a big job since if you subtract the opening for the Easter peak, the ride will still be closed for over 3 months. So no matter when you started it was going to be interferring with a large portion of the year. Additionally the whole point is to coincide with the opening of the new movie, so I guess there was no option to wait till the peak season ended.

Anyway it seems really bad now, but once you get down there you will have so much fun you will forget about it!!

 

[Goofy4WDW1964]

I am fully aware of why it is closed now instead of later. I guess I just miss the Disney I was used to. It used to be that WDW guest experience was more important than a PR opportunity. Refurbishments were NEVER done during peak tourist times unless they were going to take an exessively long time. And, if this isn't peak season, then why am I being charged peak resort rates?

And yes, I am going to let them know that I am not happy. I am not a sheep. I will not just go to Disney and hand over my money and say "thank you for allowing me to visit your park".

 

[civileng68]

they still want you to spend your money even though you can't ride the ride.

Does anyone know who to call to complain about this? Refurbishments should be done in the off season. Not during peak season.

First of all, if you've been to disney lately, you'll realize there really is no "offseason". it's been pretty busy year around lately.

Also, they are doing this in relation to the opening of the new Disney movie, "Pirates of the Caribbean".

I understand it's frustrating but, the rumors of this happening have gone on for a couple years now (since the first movie came out, whenever that was).

It's been in the works for a very long time I believe.

 

[cxcelica]

And yes, I am going to let them know that I am not happy. I am not a sheep. I will not just go to Disney and hand over my money and say "thank you for allowing me to visit your park".

When did you book this trip????Noone is saying you have to be a sheep but this refurbishment was announced at least a few months ago, and there have been rumors even before that.

This is one of the smaller issues/problems that exist with Disney.
Disney probably decided that the reward to updating the ride now, was worth the disappointed visitors for these months....can't say that I don't agree with them.

What else should they do wait to September and then do all the work to the rides at once??? Disney has been pushing to increase volume all year round, and that would not help.

 

[Goofy4WDW1964]

When did you book this trip????Noone is saying you have to be a sheep but this refurbishment was announced at least a few months ago, and there have been rumors even before that.

This is one of the smaller issues/problems that exist with Disney.
Disney probably decided that the reward to updating the ride now, was worth the disappointed visitors for these months....can't say that I don't agree with them.

What else should they do wait to September and then do all the work to the rides at once??? Disney has been pushing to increase volume all year round, and that would not help.

Yea, there have been rumors for years. I've read them on here. And I agree, this is one of the smaller problems with Disney lately. But, there isn't enough room on this board to go into all of them.

Yes, they should have waited until September to start this rehab. Right now, no rides are scheduled for rehab in September. The ONLY reason for it being now is so they could have it done for the movie premier. Never before would a PR opportunity had taken priority over guest experience.

 

[TinkLover101]

We'll also be there from June 25-July1st. When is the tentative opening? I hope that it will open sooner..it's one of my favorites! By the way...my DH was in the WDW area for a business trip and was at MK Saturday..I think he said that POC was running.

This ride is having a major overhaul. They are adding Jack and Barbosa, also changing the ship over to look more like the Black Pearl, also redoing some cannon, even ading some fog to more parts of it more spooky. Then they are changing the pirates some too. This take some time and like most of you this is my favorite ride and I hate to see it down so long but they have said in print that it will not open in WDW untill the 2nd pirate movie open on July 7th.

 

[Goofy4WDW1964]

I am aware of the rehab of the ride and that it will take some time to do. It should have been done in September, which by the way has no rides down for rehab at that time. But, guest experience is not as high a priority as a PR opportunity. That is a problem. Will they open it if it is done before July 7th?

 

[Luv4Mickey]

I know that if they can do a "soft" opening then they will. We were there in Feb. and were disappointed all during our planning because Buzz was to be shut down for refurb. Low and behold it was open and operating fully! We were pleasantly surprised.

I know that one poster had a thread about going recently and they had it open one day and they even posted pics. It looked like the dog (with the infamous key) got a new coat!

So, don't lose hope just yet!

 

[MinnieM3]

Wow I didn't even know POTC was being redone! Sounds like we may get to see the new version on our July trip! cool!