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Major 2015 Pirates of the Caribbean Refurbishment Watch/Rumor.
- Thread starter Sped2424
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- magic kingdom
betty rose
Well-Known Member
I have the same memories.
TheGhostWithTheMost
Well-Known Member
It's a combination of more boats on the river, boats moving slower, and an increase of guests with disabilities/wheelchairs. Mainly the last one. The boats obviously cannot dispatch at proper times at unload unless boats are hitting dispatch times at load. There is a rise of things like obesity where is takes longer for guests to step on and off boats. And there are guests who have to be physically transferred by members of their parties from their wheelchairs. These things take time and they take time at load and unload. This is a big reason that boats backup more than they used to.
dstrawn9889
Well-Known Member
didnt they also unload boats two at a time before? i seem to remember also loading 2 at a time on separate canals that merged under the tower
kandyman
Member
I'm pretty sure it had dual loading/unloading when it began and then was changed to single loading in the '90s.
Yes and yes. 1998 IIRC.
betty rose
Well-Known Member
I don't remember that, but I'm always focused on getting out of the boat, and not taking spill, as in SPLAT, ha ha.
JediMasterMatt
Well-Known Member
To be fair with the whole stacking thing, it's really a byproduct of there being no space between the last show scene and unload. Even Disneyland's PotC has a chain of boats waiting to unload; but, rarely does that create a significant delay create a significant backup in the show scenes since they can stack in the "cooldown" section at the top of the lift.
The only way to get rid of it or reduce it significantly would be to have more buffer space to get more boats out of the show zone. Of course that would mean pushing unload further up the flume; which the only spot to do that would be going to a flush loading system.
Flush loading systems are the best/fastest way of getting people on and off attractions as those anxious to get on have a tendency to push those debarking out; but, they run the risk of a delay on load or unload causing the backup. Split load and unload can offset some of the risk of a delay at ingress or egress because they typically have the ability to serve as a buffer.
Honestly, the best thing for MK's Pirates to fix this issue would be a hybrid return to its original state. Return to dual channels at load; but, go with flush load/unload and have a dispatcher release each side when ready. If one side is slow, the other can bypass its spot in line. Of course, with ADA concerns this would be a logistical nightmare as you'd need to get people in and out of the middle of the two flumes. No worries though, as it would never happen as it's too expensive to even consider.
An extra item to add to the list of why backups are more common these days and one that I think is more of an issue with Disney Parks attractions than the disabled - the amount of stuff people are carrying around with them these days. If you watch closely, the slowest people to load and unload are the ones carrying around enough equipment to bog down a Sherpa.
dstrawn9889
Well-Known Member
ok, ok tower is the wrong word, they did merge below the show control area.
Indeed. One unload with two stations, and duel load.
FutureWorld1982
Well-Known Member
No doubt on that, don't worry!
betty rose
Well-Known Member
Monorail_Red_77
Well-Known Member
True the back row is in use. I got to ride in it back in January and got pretty soaked along my left side, lower back area, as I was on the outside left position. However, I did notice that in either December or September that the back row was roped off during one of those visits. Can't remember which visit specifically though.
WDWtraveler
Well-Known Member
Photo discovery as of Tuesday, Mar 10. Riding the Epcot monorail you pass by a construction/staging area where the old airstrip used to be in the mid-20th century (east side of monorail). Two towers are being constructed in this area, only visible for a few seconds. My first thought is they could be replacement towers for the Spanish fort inside Pirates of the Caribbean, since they have that shape and turret top, which is why I posted these photos here. However, someone else might have a better clue (i.e., movie prop, future attraction, something completely different). The tower on the left is still metal framework. The tower on the right has a outer covering.
in this photo, you see the right tower with the "turret top" shape.
Members of the forum....I have moved my post/photos for these towers to the hub redevelopment forum, as I am now convinced that is their purpose. I recommend continuing the discussion at that forum, vice cluttering the Pirates of the Caribbean forum topic. Thanks for your help and suggestions.
in this photo, you see the right tower with the "turret top" shape.
Members of the forum....I have moved my post/photos for these towers to the hub redevelopment forum, as I am now convinced that is their purpose. I recommend continuing the discussion at that forum, vice cluttering the Pirates of the Caribbean forum topic. Thanks for your help and suggestions.
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Mike S
Well-Known Member
Curiouser and curiouser...........
Sage of Time
Well-Known Member
That actually looks more like what they're going to put in the Hub, by the castle, doesn't it?
WDWtraveler
Well-Known Member
I like this thought. Perhaps my post and photos should be relocated to the hub redevelopment thread. I will let wdwmagic decide.
Mike S
Well-Known Member
Nah, looks too dark for the hub. Plus those are supposed to be topped by blue right?