Pirates of the Caribbean Magic Kingdom
Yo Ho! Yo Ho! A Pirates Life for Me! Travel back in time to the West Indies of the 1700s, when Spain brought gold from the New World back home and Pirates ruled the waters! Pirates of the Caribbean is located in Adventureland, in the Caribbean Plaza. The architecture resembles the 18th Century West Indies. Pirates of the Caribbean opened in Walt Disney World on December 15, 1973.
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN — As you enter the attraction, the walkway to the boats is long and winding. Be sure and take a look at the theming inside the queuing area.
Wind your way through a cave with the sounds of cannon fire off in the distance. Board 15 passenger boats, go down a small drop and find yourself in the midst of the port of a Caribbean city under attack by a pirate frigate.
Around the riverbend, into the town, you find a rowdy group of pirates in search of gold and adventure. Pirates chasing women, women chasing pirates, pirates in jail, and a final scene with drunken pirates surrounded by gold treasure!
The eight and a half minute ride is over way too quickly! There’s lots to see with 125 Audio-Animatronics® figures including 65 pirates & villagers and 60 animals and birds.
This is a classic Walt Disney attraction and should not be missed!
This is a great attraction when it’s hot outside since most of the waiting queue is indoors.
Be sure to say hello to Peglegged Pete, er Parrot, who sits above the entrance to Pirates of the Caribbean.
There is a small drop (14 feet) in the beginning of the ride.
The turnstiles here are probably the smallest in all of Walt Disney World. Don’t hesitate to use the wheelchair gate to enter!
Hidden Mickey Alert: Treasure Room—iron work on the bottom of four lamps on the left side, one located on each of two columns and two more located on either side of the archway walls.
Captain Hook and Mr. Smee are occasionally sighted in these parts!
Donna S writes: My kids have visited PotC yearly from ages 6 months to 5 years, and never been frightened. Maybe it’s because of their mother’s inordinate fondness for this ride, but I would suggest the following to other parents —
— Early in the ride is an area with a skeleton on the right, and a beach scene on the left. Stress the beach scene! They can look for the crab and the seagull. If they do notice the skeleton, I tell my children it’s “just pretend” like Halloween.
— The gentle drop of the waterfall is a great time to say Wheeeeeeeeee!” and see if you get a little bit wet
— Stress that the pirates are funny, and encourage the kids to look for the silly things the pirates are doing (sleeping with a pig, sitting on a bridge etc). There are lots of other animals to look for: a cat, a dog, a donkey, maybe even some chickens.
— Sing along with the soundtrack. It’s a great song!
DINING
Also nearby for dining is Sunshine Tree Terrace, home of the Citrus Swirl. It’s a good spot for parents to stock up on water bottles, fruit juices and coffee drinks for the adults. The menus at nearby El Pirata Y el Perico and Pecos Bill are very kid friendly.
Counter Service is offered seasonally at El Pirata Y El Perico Restaurante where you’ll find tacos, hot dogs, snacks and beverages.
A little further away is the Pecos Bill Cafe which offers a large area of indoor seating. Food items include burgers, wraps, salads and more.
You can also head back towards the Crystal Palace for a cool Dole Whip!
INTERESTING FACTS
The House of Treasure, which you must pass through after the ride in order to get back outside, is where you’ll find Pirates of the Caribbean logo merchandise.
In the late 1950s, Walt Disney introduced the concept of a pirate adventure to his staff at Walt Disney Imagineering. Like so many other of his ideas, it was far ahead of the current technology needed to achieve the desired effects. It was not until the mid 1960s that the show moved closer to reality. Pirates of the Caribbean opened at DISNEYLAND® Park in New Orleans Square in February, 1967 and in Walt Disney World on December 15, 1973.
The flat-bottomed boats are propelled by jets of water. Lift pumps in the staging area create a current that carries the boats through the channel.
There are 4 cannons on the roof of the attraction and 15 inside. They were all manufactured by Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI).
The drawbridge at the entrance to the Pirates of the Caribbean is non-operational.
The waterfall may be 52 feet long, but the actual drop is only 14 feet.
“Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life For Me),” music by George Bruns, lyrics by X. (Xavier) Atencio.
The black pirate flag, which flies just outside the entrance to the attraction, features a white skull and crossing swords. This type of flag is representative of ones flown by Caribbean pirates from the 1500s to the early 1800s and holds no additional special significance.
As of the 1700s, pirates began using flags sporting a variety of symbols to include the skeleton, flaming swords, and the hourglass. The most popular design was that of a white skull and crossbones on a black background. This symbol is known as the Jolly Roger.
Paul Frees voices many of the rogues in the attraction. Guests can also hear him as the Ghost Host in The Haunted Mansion. X. (Xavier) Atencio also lends his voice to the talking skull and crossbones (JollyRoger) that issues a warning prior to the waterfall drop in the attraction.
