Pirates of the Caribbean

Adventureland
Magic Kingdom

Captain Jack Sparrow Joins the Audio-Animatronics
Crew of Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean Attraction

Pirates of the Caribbean, the classic Disney theme park adventure brought to the big screen in "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl," has added new characters and features from the blockbuster entertainment franchise that debuted Jully 2006 along with "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest."

The attraction now features Captain Jack Sparrow and his nemesis Barbossa. Below are some official
Disney images from the new attraction.

Click HERE for a Review and Photos of the Rehab!

Sparrow Looks for Treasure -- The real scene brought to life from the artist's rendering at right.	Sparrow Looks for Treasure -- Jack Sparrow makes his first appearance before Walt Disney World guests in the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, lurking behind a dress maker's form.
Jack's Treasure -- In this artist's rendering of the Walt Disney World treasure scene, Jack Sparrow discovers the hidden treasure in his final appearance in the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.	Davy Jones Appears -- In this artist’s rendering of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, the ghostly Davy Jones from the second film in the series, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, materializes before Walt Disney World guests in a waterfall.
Early concept for new entrance	Concept Art for Barbossa aboard the Wicked Wench

Introduction | Attraction | Touring Tips | Kids and Characters | Dining | Shopping | Interesting Facts | Photo Gallery

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.

ATTRACTION

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.

Read about Disneyland's version of this classic attraction HERE.

TOURING TIPS

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.

There is a small drop (14 feet) in the beginning of the ride.

The turnstiles here have been updated as part of the latest rehab -- they are now the photo-electric cell type with a couple of columns that you can walk through or wheel a wheelchair through.

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.

KIDS AND CHARACTERS

Captain Hook and Mr. Smee from Peter Pan are often sighted in these parts. Check your daily Times Guide for the schedule.

Donna S. writes: My kids have visited PotC yearly from ages 6 months to 5 years, and have 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 --

DINING

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.

Also nearby for dining is Sunshine Tree Terrace, home of the Citrus Swirl. It's a good spot to stock up on water bottles, fruit juices and coffee drinks for the adults.

You can also head back towards Aloha Isle for a cool pineapple Dole Whip!

SHOPPING

The Pirates Bazaar, 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.

INTERESTING FACTS

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.