Originally Posted By demderedoseguys Just got a call from my brother in law, who just got off POTC a few minutes ago and said it looks like all systems are go for it to remain open. Just an FYI.
Originally Posted By Skylardad SPOILERS - SPOILERS - SPOILERS - SPOILERS - If you want to be completely surprised, do not proceed. I went out this morning (7/1/06) to see if it was opened and it was. It looks like we (WDW) got the short end of the stick. From the queue line to the end... The turnstiles are gone in favor of a slightly wider, infrared sensor turnstile. No changes to the queue line were obvious (if any). I went down the left sided (the sided without the chess match). The boats are the same with fresh coats of paint. The caverns are darker and are missing the original Yo-Ho song (as is the rest of the ride - more details on that in a moment). The great waterfall on the rocks is more like a trickle in favor of the projected image of Davy Jones that you pass through (and depending on the position of your boat in the float through you may get all of his speech). The effect has merit but it is out of place, kind of small, and "looks" like modern special effects in a vintage style attraction. In all honesty the effect is ruined when you go through Davy Jones because you are blinded by the projection light. The best Disney SFX are the ones that make you say "how did they do that?" This one leaves nothing to the imagination - the answer to how did they do that is literally in plain sight! I really thought this effect would have been off to the side just before the drop - IMHO a prime location for the storytelling aspect and it would have kept all of the original elements to the scenery together. The storm sequence with the skeleton pirate before the drop has been diminished by the lack of storm effects that were once there. The drop is in total darkness (whereas before you could see the water rushing downward if you were in the front). While this may be cool for older riders it may give parents with younger ones that brief freak-out moment a parent dreads on a ride. There are a couple of improvements that follow the drop - the sound for the cannons firing are driven by some nice subwoofers. You feel their rumble. The change from the original captain giving the firing orders to Barbosa really isn't necessary since he is not the captain selling off the wench in the scene that follows. Keeping the original captain would have been fine with just a change in dialogue. The music in this scene has been replaced with original music from the film. While it heightens the intesity of the battle, it sets the tone for the music for the rest of the attraction which is missing the sing-along version of Yo-Ho that made the song so famous. Yo-Ho is now more of a spoken song rather than the centerpiece of the attraction. Had the ride originally opened with the underscore it has now, Yo-Ho would be concidered more of an afterthought. No matter how much you love or hate the song, it is noticeably absent. Captain Jack makes his first appearance during the dunking scene (just as expected). His likeness is remarkable - an awesome job by the sculpter(s). The "wenches" are back and the politically correct version has been somewhat returned to its original piratey version. The ride from this point on is virtually unchanged (except the last scene) with the excption of seeing Captain Jack two more times. I was expecting to see improvements on the fire effects (this change has been all over message boards, etc.), better lighting, and better sound. The fire effects use the same stage trickery as they did 30+ years ago, the materials have just been replaced. The lighting may use more efficient fixtures, but they do not really have an impact on the ride. The dialogue is more clear when you can hear it. The volume levels are too low - and with the lack of the Yo-Ho song being prominently played you would think they could raise the levels of the dialgue so we can "get" the enhanced storyline. Captain Jack makes his final appearance in the treasure room (which has a more enclosed feeling). There seems to be less treasure in the room than before. In this scene you get to hear Captain Jack singing Yo-Ho, but again, at a very low volume level. Overall the attraction looks spruced up with clean costumes and paint, etc. - the things you would expect from any other refurbishment. However, this version of the classic attraction is missing the soul and fun of the original. It's almost as if the attraction is taking itself too serious now. Personally I prefer the original version - which could have been kept while only adding Captain Jack to a couple of scenes (almost like a hiden Mickey). I think Disney would have had more buzz on the attraction by surprising guests with Captain Jack. His character is campy enough to fit in with the original Pirate crew without altering the storyline at all. Now, to give WDW some leeway... Perhaps the audio levels and some of the nuances of the changes will improve over the next few days as it is tweaked for the grand opening of 7/7/06. I certainly hope so. What I want to know is where are all of the spreadsheet data collectors, etc. to poll the exiting guests to get their opinion. Is WDW afraid of criticism? I went in to this ride with excitement and anticipation. Unfortunately, I had no desire to turn around from the gift shop and re-ride the attraction despite its meager 20 minute queue line.
Originally Posted By Chelledun Thank you so much for the review, Skylardad! I'm not going til October so I decided to go ahead and "spoil" myself. I'm sorry you don't have better news. I hope, as you suggest, that maybe at least the audi will be tweaked before my visit! If guest response is really negative to the changes, then hopefully WDW will be forced into action.
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 I hope that after a few months that the sound will inprove. My fav.POC is still in DL.
Originally Posted By Coachbagfanatic1 Skylardad - Thank you for your post. I felt like I was actually on the ride. I am saddened to hear that the ride is not up to par as I hoped it would be. Also, that the song is not a prevalent as before. I do like the song. I think that's one of the parts that make the ride. Oh Well, I guess I will just have to sing the song when we go this December. LOL Well, like you said, maybe they will do some more tweaking.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Just one question: did you really think WDW was going to get the kind of quality redo that DL has apparently gotten?
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Let's take the same road the management at WDW takes on a daily basis... "What they don't know, won't hurt them". What? did you think I was talking about Rt 535?? Of course, I too would go out the backdoor if a park under my direction was in such state.
Originally Posted By Skylardad Spirit, no, I didn't think we were going to get the same treatment as DL. It was very well publicised that they were getting more, including props from the films, etc. However, I thought that we might get some thought put into the changes that we were getting. My biggest disapointment was that the promises that we were made about "changing" the ride were only half true. The ride did not change much physically (as far as quantity goes, the additions were pretty even with the subtractions)or in story; however, this version's subtractions do cause it to lose the soul of the original - and that is the change that I thought Disney would leave alone - especially after all of the voices of "Pirates" fans were heard. The following is not a comment on Sprit's post #7, but a comment I want to share with those who may be looking for the rave review on this attraction... I really did not want to have a negative spin on this eagerly anticipated update. I wanted to wear the rosey glasses on this ride, but it unfortunately fell short of expectations. The ride in its current state is not a bad ride, but it is not an improvement on the original storytelling and experience. My opinion is just that - my opinion. But like most topics of controversial change at WDW (or any other park) is that I, like many others, have the original to compare it to - the same as my very STRONG feelings about the Epcot of the 80's and early 90's versus today. So, let the debates begin (which they should in a forum designed for debate).
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<The ride in its current state is not a bad ride, but it is not an improvement on the original storytelling and experience.>> And that's exactly what I though/feared would happen. They just don't care at WDW. The attitude is Pirates? We got some robot pirates here. They really have got people who have it all wrong in O-Town ... and worse, the numbers they pull out of their behinds are used to justify the lesser product. <<My opinion is just that - my opinion. But like most topics of controversial change at WDW (or any other park) is that I, like many others, have the original to compare it to - the same as my very STRONG feelings about the Epcot of the 80's and early 90's versus today.>> I have many of those strong feelings and enjoy reading your well-thought out posts. Keep 'em coming. I'll let you know what I think of PoC after I ride.
Originally Posted By LadyandtheTramp "However, this version of the classic attraction is missing the soul and fun of the original." And now the contrary perspective. As was pointed out, very little was changed in the ride - different music in sections, the addition of Capt. Jack in three locations, the addition of a mist screen, a redo of the treasure room. I don't think these minor changes (and overall they are minor) are significant enough to delete the "soul and fun" of the ride - you may or may not like them, but the ride is still the same ride for the most part, and IMHO the ride still remains one of the best Disney has done.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Would you^^^ be respectful of others and start your own POTC review thread if you feel the need to be a WDW Pollyanna??
Originally Posted By Labuda I don't think L&T is being disrespectful at all, TDLFA. C'mon, dude - cheer up! Go spend some time in that groovy Disney room of yours!
Originally Posted By TDLFAN You are correct Labuda. I am the one being disrespecful.. Apologies sent via UPS to LadyandtheTramp.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros There's nothing wrong with being a Pollyana. I mean, it kinda works, so why not?
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I'm looking forward to riding PotC. I think the "new" changes are going to be fun. After I ride I will then decide if I think its better or not.
Originally Posted By LadyandtheTramp WDW Pollyanna?? WDW Pollyanna?? WDW Pollyanna?? 'tis time to protest the slander! While I disagree with your assessment of the changes, I did opine that the tresure room is definitely not an improvement. I just didn't want anyone who cares to think that the changes to the POTC were on a par with the changes to Imagination.
Originally Posted By Kimrue Um wait a minute...the YO ho Yo ho, song has been REMOVED?????? What the...????
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Well..Kim and L&T.. that's partly the reason why I gave a somewhat ho-hum review. The changes were minimal enough for the ride to survive mostly intact but honestly... I feel they were unnecesary, and what really needed to be done: technical improvement ALL OVER the ride, didn't. That's my point of view.
Originally Posted By Kimrue TDLFAN, I read your review and appreciated your honesty. You didn't trash the ride relentlessly, you just gave an honest and factually based opinion which I found quite refreshing. While I am excited to ride the new version, and will try to contain myself from hopping out of my boat to get my hands on jack sparrow (ok, that was creepy...)I am so very disappointed that yo ho is GONE...how could they?!?!
