Toocherie
12-17-2007, 06:16 AM
Yesterday morning at approximately 9:15 we got on POTC. There was absolutely no wait (and we actually went through the handicapped access because we had someone on an ECV with us--got on the first boat).
Everything proceeded normally until we got to the first waterfall and . . . . stop. We were the second boat back from the waterfall entrance. After about 15 minutes a voice came over the loudspeaker indicating that they were having "technical difficulties" (I think we figured that one out!) After a few more minutes the lights went on, the sound went off (we were beneath the talking pirate skull) and the loudspeaker person again came on and said we were not going to be evacuated yet, that a boat had become stuck down the line and no other boats could come through. About 15 minutes later a CM came out from an exit door near our boat and again apologized and started telling us "pirate" jokes. Someone in the boat in front of us asked if they could just get off, and he said no, that regulations required there be two CM for any evacuation. He said he did not have further info and went in the back again. Pretty soon he came back with another CM and I thought: "uh-oh--this is it--evacuation time." Just as it looked as if they were ready to start getting us off the boats the loudspeaker came on again and said "CMs, cancel evac and pick up the phone"--then they left again. A couple of more minutes and the loudspeaker announced that our boats should be moving momentarily. Sure enough, in about three minutes the boat in front of us went down the waterfall. There was quite a lag, and then we went down too. The lights were still on and the sound off at this point. By the time we got to the pirate ships the lights went off and the sound came back and we enjoyed the remainder of the ride. We finally got off around 10:00. They gave us a fastpass admission for up to 5 people (which we actually never used), and at that point were not letting anyone else on the ride (although it was open--with a long line--later in the day).
A very interesting experience as I had never (and I've been going to Disneyland a long time) had this happen to me! My only concern was my Mom who cannot walk long distances, but I had warned the CM that she had an ECV back at the dock that she would need.
When we got to the dock, this same CM was so nice--he'd actually pulled her ECV over next to the boat for her!
Everything proceeded normally until we got to the first waterfall and . . . . stop. We were the second boat back from the waterfall entrance. After about 15 minutes a voice came over the loudspeaker indicating that they were having "technical difficulties" (I think we figured that one out!) After a few more minutes the lights went on, the sound went off (we were beneath the talking pirate skull) and the loudspeaker person again came on and said we were not going to be evacuated yet, that a boat had become stuck down the line and no other boats could come through. About 15 minutes later a CM came out from an exit door near our boat and again apologized and started telling us "pirate" jokes. Someone in the boat in front of us asked if they could just get off, and he said no, that regulations required there be two CM for any evacuation. He said he did not have further info and went in the back again. Pretty soon he came back with another CM and I thought: "uh-oh--this is it--evacuation time." Just as it looked as if they were ready to start getting us off the boats the loudspeaker came on again and said "CMs, cancel evac and pick up the phone"--then they left again. A couple of more minutes and the loudspeaker announced that our boats should be moving momentarily. Sure enough, in about three minutes the boat in front of us went down the waterfall. There was quite a lag, and then we went down too. The lights were still on and the sound off at this point. By the time we got to the pirate ships the lights went off and the sound came back and we enjoyed the remainder of the ride. We finally got off around 10:00. They gave us a fastpass admission for up to 5 people (which we actually never used), and at that point were not letting anyone else on the ride (although it was open--with a long line--later in the day).
A very interesting experience as I had never (and I've been going to Disneyland a long time) had this happen to me! My only concern was my Mom who cannot walk long distances, but I had warned the CM that she had an ECV back at the dock that she would need.
When we got to the dock, this same CM was so nice--he'd actually pulled her ECV over next to the boat for her!