Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure in English!

Ever wondered what the Imagineers full story was behind Shanghai Disneyland's groundbreaking Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure? What tale were they trying to tell? How many times would Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow appear in the ride and why? Just check out this video below for the first ever English voice ride through courtesy Ben Laurence:

After the ride through, listen to Ben tell us exactly how it was created. Great job I say!

(Top photo by TripSavvy.com)

When Reality is Better Than Imagineering Art: Magic Kingdom's Pirates of the Caribbean

To hardcore Disney theme park fans, Walt Disney World's Pirates of the Caribbean has long been considered the lower class version of the iconic Disneyland attraction, but that does not mean it is without its own charms or great design detail! Here above is the original ending scene, courtesy CardCow.com. Those poor soldiers protecting the treasure are overtaken by the rowdiest group of pirates ever to assemble in a Disney park.

When the gold standard of attractions made its debut at Disneyland in 1967, there was nothing like it- and there still isn't to this day! 

Never, ever had anyone in the entertainment industry created a theme park attraction that was almost 15 minutes of one stunning seaworthy discovery after another. Unbelievably, when the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971, it was not on the opening day attraction roster at Walt Disney World! 

As us Disney geeks know, the expansion plan for the Magic Kingdom included a full scaled Wild West styled version of the pirate adventure, Western River Expedition. The Marc Davis imagineered area Thunder Mesa included many other attractions built into one magnificent and very expensive structure.  

There were no plans for this until Magic Kingdom guests demanded it.

It'd be easy to blame it on the energy crisis or the wait and see attitude of Disney accountants, but Western River Expedition and all the attractions at Thunder Mesa were not to be. Park guests won out with their numerous complaints. Executive Card Walker made the decision to toss out Davis' unbuilt masterpiece in favor of a sure bet where most of the hard design work had already been accomplished.

Construction in full swing.

See this concept art in full size! Just click on it.

When it came time to add the Pirates attraction for Florida's Magic Kingdom, Imagineer Marc Davis wanted to add elements that would bring the rowdy story to light in different ways than the one found in Disneyland's New Orleans Square. In Florida, the fan favorite would find its home in an expansion of Adventureland known as Caribbean Plaza. The pirate story would begin as guests entered an old Spanish fort El Castillo (later renamed Castillo del Morro). Good beginning!

Starting in the queue, there would be hints of what was to come, like the dueling pirate skeletons at the dust covered chessboard locked in an eternal stalemate. The biggest change overall would be the brand new conclusion. I've always loved the original ending in Florida. There the Spanish soldiers protecting the fortress are tied up while the pirates grab all that glittering treasure. The concept art was good, but the final execution was just brilliant!

Nothing they could do about it!

Over the years, the attraction lost its steady stream of visitors, but it didn't take long to regain them. Once the films based on the attraction became very popular, both the Disneyland original and the Florida version added Johnny Depp aka Captain Jack Sparrow to the mix. Purists scoffed, but fans of the Black Pearl series and Mr. Depp loved it. Crowds returned to the Florida attraction, filling the queue once again.

Photo by Mike Thomas at Magic and Memories. 

Changes are constantly in play with the attraction. Additions have included other characters from the film and even a hint of deadly mermaid activity in the caverns. Those have been installed and subsequently removed. 

In 2027, Pirates of the Caribbean celebrates its 60th Anniversary at Disneyland. I wouldn't be surprised if the Imagineers are planning for some new surprises to celebrate and honor this landmark attraction. 

(Unless denoted, art and photographs copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Epcot: Saturday in Mexico Two Ways

Saturday morning at the Mexico pavilion in Epcot. What a great way to spend it! A beautiful skyline looking across World Showcase Lagoon. Music in the air from the Mariachis. Fresh blooms of flowers all through the area, and the stunning nighttime sky inside the iconic pyramid. 

Without a moment's hesitation, I'd reply "EPCOT Center" if asked which Disney park had the most spellbinding Imagineering art. Much of it was created by the legendary Herb Ryman. Not all, but quite a bit. And the pieces created for Future World are just as stunning as the ones created for Mexico, France, and others. 

Oftentimes reality is not as good as Imagineering artwork. Sometimes, reality is better! (See Cars Land at Disney California Adventure for example.) Every once in awhile, concept art shares details we wish Disney had included. Above is one such piece. 

The original and enchanting El Rio del Tiempo took riders through sets both elaborate and simple as they explored the history and culture of Mexico. (I'd still take it over The Gran Fiesta Tour any day- but that's a whole different story.) If you look closely at some of El Rio's great concept art, you'll notice the boats were to be more like the classic flower adorned ones of Xochimilco than the plain and ordinary ones they are. A little change like that, however, would have necessitated a much more grand scale than what was built. Due to budget cuts because of overages throughout the park, the lovely boat ride that was supposed to be more on the scale of Pirates of the Caribbean became a lot less ambitious. 

Unfortunately, it also became the new standard when it came to ride length of future boat ride attractions. From Norway's Maelstrom to Animal Kingdom's Na'vi River Journey, traditional water attractions are now shorter in time, making it more difficult to fully immerse riders in the story and in the landscapes. They are still very popular, though! Maybe one day, elaborate and lengthy trips on the waterways will make their return. Disney Imagineering seems to be bringing back Audio-Animatronics after years of moving away from their use, so who knows what will happen.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Cursed Pirate Hector Barbossa Finds His Way to Disneyland Paris' Pirates of the Caribbean

In 2003, the debut of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl brought the famous and beloved Disney attraction to the silver screen. And fans couldn't get enough- which of course led to Disney releasing many sequels, all of various quality and box office success. Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow made Disney edgy and cool once more. Nemesis Hector Barbossa played but Geoffrey Rush was the perfect villain of villains- witty, charming in an odd way, and therefore, quite likable. Naturally, the theme parks would be affected.

Just three years later- quite the quick turnaround for the slow to move Disney- Disneyland's original attraction added the film's main two characters to the New Orleans Square attraction. Then, the rest of the parks followed suit.

Stateside, Barbossa had a star turn of sorts appearing on the huge ship while it was attacking the town's fortress, but he appears in a very different spot at Disneyland Paris' version. There, Barbossa comes into play after the explosion scene. And as a bonus, he appears both in his  natural state and in his cursed form once the lightning strikes. This rather rare piece of concept art sets him in place. It's one of many differences that makes the French Pirates attraction different and worth a trip to the most beautiful Magic Kingdom of them all.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Coco Boat Ride Area Expanded for Disney California Adventure

Disney CEO in the making Josh D'Amaro spoke about the Coco boat attraction for Disney California Adventure as one that would take its inspiration from Disneyland's classic Pirates of the Caribbean. That's a great piece of marketing fluff! What part of this could actually be real? We know there's severe space limitations in California, but Fantasyland is filled with them, and look how beautiful that area is!

So, what are those great Disney Imagineers actually up to? What will they build? 

Imagine if you will an entire land dedicated to the part of California that was influenced by the beautiful culture of Mexico. Its art, its architecture, its food, its music. Now imagine it all as an area of expansion for Disney California Adventure. It could be the equivalent of New Orleans Square in Disneyland.

What do I wish they would build? An indoor restaurant and an Epcot-ish mini Mexico pavilion with perpetual nighttime.  

Directly above is the official concept art for the Coco expansion. At the very top of this post is a piece I created with the help of several AI engines. One of the major differences between the two is my inclusion of a restaurant on the banks of the lagoon's boat ride. Think classic  Blue Bayou in California's New Orleans Square or even the San Angel Restaurante at Epcot's Mexico pavilion. The Gran Fiesta Tour may be the attraction there, but the true calling card draw is the waterside dining under a beautiful moonlit sky. Something like this will probably not happen as space is severely limited back in that corner of the park. But I wish it would. Don't you?

 

But let's imagine even more! How about making the Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta area into an extension of the Coco themed area? At the very top of this article is the new Los Amigos Plaza Restaurante. The elaborate courtyard is shown above.

Last but not least, let's re-Imagine Goofy's Sky Skool as The Three Caballeros Sky School, adding to attractions themed to this expanded land in the park. The new colors of the flight tower and the beautiful new arch lend a bit of flare to the surroundings. As far the ride itself, it's time to enclose a part of it and add in the three friends in Audio-Animatronic form. Donald Duck, and friends Panchito and Jose Carioca could sing and serenade us away from danger. Or so we think! It could be a total upgrade from what's there now and without too much work.

The little sister park next to Walt Disney's original castle park needs something this spectacular and this charming! The suits seem to have lost their way when it comes to making this park feel richly cohesive. Cars Land is a no contest smash, but the rest of the additions since have seriously been lacking, at least in my opinion. Not one single addition since 2012 has become a must-see for me, even though I love the film Big Hero 6. Will a Coco attraction do the trick to make me come back? Yes, maybe, but the ride and expansion had better be good! And an indoor restaurant will certainly affect my opinion on it, and a fully rethemed area would only make it better!

(Official concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Design Detail: New Orleans Square

The beautiful New Orleans Square at Disneyland is the very best example of Imagineering art in Walt's original kingdom. The newer Galaxy's Edge may contain the most impressive E Ticket attraction ever, but the area is still developing and not worthy of the crown. Every single detail in New Orleans Square was designed to reinforce a story of elegance and exploration. The place feels alive. It's charming, layered, and seems lived in. 

This piece of concept art of the French Market area is by a Disney artist unknown to me. From the style, it's neither Herb Ryman or Dorothea Redmond, the two Imagineers that most influenced the look of this land, both on the outside and on the inside of the shops and restaurants. Everywhere you look, the design detail is lovingly crafted, and it shows. From the railings to the signage to the subtle changes in texture and color, nothing is left to chance, and it all works together seamlessly. When you toss in the beloved Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion, it's tough to name another land that is so enjoyed after almost 60 years. Just incredible really. New Orleans Square remains the ultimate Disney land in any park anywhere.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Imagineer Eddie Sotto Has Passed- and Here's One of His Amazing Disneyland Concepts

The great Imagineer Eddie Sotto had died. His work on Disneyland Paris' Main Street is unbelievable, but he also worked on many other projects for Imagineering. To honor him today, here's my favorite posts on some of his unfinished work for Disneyland and the ties that bind Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. It was first published on Easter Sunday many years ago.

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Disney park fans, have you ever been to the real New Orleans? If so, the blend of charming mansions, lush vegetation, and incredible places to dine, shop, and listen to live music, make it a must see destination. So do the sacred places found in the wide variety of old churches and cathedrals. Of course, any place the sacred is found, the dark side of the spiritual world co-exists with the light. 

Disneyland's New Orleans Square is the epitome of Imagineering brilliance. When the brand new land finally opened at the park in the mid-60's, fans were amazed that theme park designers could create something so authentically charming and accurate, very faithful to the original. Here was a beautiful rendition of the city, calling visitors to explore its alleys and destinations. Watching the Mark Twain riverboat cruise the Rivers of America only added to the atmosphere.  

The masterpiece work still is Pirates of the Caribbean with its swashbuckling journey through grottoes, a burning village, and a bit of the ethereal. The opening of  The Haunted Mansion in 1969 filled out the land's roster, bringing some more obvious spirited fun for guests who dared to venture beyond its front door. Placed close to each other, Pirates and Mansion deliver the very best Imagineering has ever offered. In some ways, no other Magic Kingdom park delivers the Art of Imagineering as does this land. Even Tokyo Disneyland's mini land cannot compare to the original.

Concept Art by Eddie Sotto for the unbuilt original attraction.

It's a credit to the old school Imagineering team that folks like Bob Gurr, Marc Davis, Herb Ryman, Claude Coats continued to look for ways to further deepen the richness of the experiences found at the park. For New Orleans Square, however, it took a next-generation great, Imagineer Eddie Sotto, to come up with another thrilling attraction for an area so limited in acreage. 

These pieces of concept art reveal Eddie's proposal to add a walk through attraction into the crypt of famed Pirate Jean Lafitte. Think of Paris' famed catacombs, and you will not be too far off the mark from was proposed but never built. The mystery and stories of his exploits are still told today. Imagine exploring the creepy tomb with decayed bodies, leading to unknown adventures! 

It had been quite awhile since I thought about this project. There's  an interview with him on the subject. Go to this Imagineering Disney post to see a number of photos and the story in full.  Walt himself would have been thrilled to add this to the park. He always loved bringing some history into his kingdom.  In his day, the parks were viewed as living artwork to be enjoyed by families together, not solely a tool to increase profits and tie into the latest movies for merchandise sales. 

I found this to be the perfect piece for today! Imagine exploring the empty tomb of Jesus the Christ, His crucified body risen back to life to the glory of God the Father. Proving Jesus' own words that He would rise again- fully paying the price for my sin and yours. Owning this as eternal truth deep inside your heart leads to untold adventures of spirit and soul. It was truly a very Good Friday! His story is told to this day all over the world- and in spite of any opposition, it has never been able to be stopped.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8) 

This video, above, is the absolute best visual presentation to be found. It's fairly recent, as fans of the attraction will know by observing the attic scene, but it's a complete tour with plenty of opportunities to stop the video and discover some secrets. 

Want more about the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean? Being these are my two favorite park attractions, this blog of more than 1800 posts contains dozens of articles, rare pieces of concept art, photographs, and more. Browse around and check it out!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

The Beauty of Disney's Westcot at Night

The long lost Disney Imagineering project that should have been built in place of Disney California Adventure. They call it Westcot. A new version of EPCOT Center improved upon by learning from mistakes from the past. It has always seemed that the Imagineers were at their most creative point when they were forced to deal with Disneyland's space limitations. Obvious case in point: Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion. Both attractions benefit from the restrictions they had to work around. Such would have been the case with Westcot. By design, the nations of World Showcase would have the be grouped into continents and the Future World pavilions reorganized into more effective layouts. This AI created image shows what could have been.

Want a deeper look with many more real pieces of concept art? Go here and here.  Both are different, and Imagineer Tony Baxter detailed all the plans for Westcot on the second article. Still another missed opportunity by Disney. By hey, we got Pixar Pier and SanFransokyo, right?

 

The Beauty of Disney's Westcot at Night

The long lost Disney Imagineering project that should have been built in place of Disney California Adventure. They call it Westcot. A new version of EPCOT Center improved upon by learning from mistakes from the past. It has always seemed that the Imagineers were at their most creative point when they were forced to deal with Disneyland's space limitations. Obvious case in point: Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion. Both attractions benefit from the restrictions they had to work around. Such would have been the case with Westcot. By design, the nations of World Showcase would have the be grouped into continents and the Future World pavilions reorganized into more effective layouts. This AI created image shows what could have been.

Want a deeper look with many more real pieces of concept art? Go here and here.  Both are different, and Imagineer Tony Baxter detailed all the plans for Westcot on the second article. Still another missed opportunity by Disney. By hey, we got Pixar Pier and SanFransokyo, right?

 

They Went to Disneyland with Bob Iger

"The Rest is History" so they say. Well, in this case, the guys from The Rest is History vlog were accompanied by none other than Robert Iger on a tour of The Walt Disney Company headquarters and then on to Disneyland. Of course, Bob was the perfect host as they visited various attractions- everything from Walt Disney- A Magical Life to Pirates of the Caribbean to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and beyond.

So what did Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook think? You'll have to watch for yourself. But love him or loathe him, Mr. Iger is the perfect gentleman and a true lover of the genius of Walt Disney and his accomplishments.

Pirates of the Caribbean: 58 Years! From Disneyland to Florida, Tokyo to Paris and onto Shanghai- History, Concept Art and More!

Walt Disney World's Pirates of the Caribbean opened 58 years ago, but its story spans many more years than that! The impact continues on with the latest incarnation of the attraction being with Captain Jack Sparrow in Shanghai Disneyland. But let's take a voyage back in time beginning with Walt Disney's plans for a little expansion at his Anaheim park...

It's an epic story! And why wouldn't it be? Walt Disney Imagineering's groundbreaking Pirates of the Caribbean is the most celebrated of all theme park attractions and rightfully so. (Perhaps, Haunted Mansion comes close, but for this fan, it's a Yo Ho! world.)

Yes, fans are rightly thrilled over Shanghai's Jack Sparrow.

There are more detailed articles on this blog about our beloved Pirates adventure than any other Disney Imagineering attraction. The history behind Pirates- and the exploitation of it- makes for a fascinating tale that never gets old.

Walt meets a new cast member.

When this incredible attraction debuted at Disneyland in 1967, Walt and his team knew they had created something at once cutting edge and timeless, a real crowd pleaser. Little did they know it would become the enduring standard for theme park adventures. Disney's original and some say best Imagineering team had created the grandest "E Ticket" of them all, the ultimate dark ride, and my personal favorite of everything Imagineering has built.

A new "E Ticket" standard is born!

Imagine a Pirates of the Caribbean as a walk through interactive wax museum. It almost happened. Really. Thanks to the overwhelming success of The Enchanted Tiki Room and the public's favorable response to Audio-Animatronics, Walt and company embraced the challenge to expand on the original concept and create the masterpiece cruise through treacherous Caribbean waters. Imagineers were off to work.

Pirates finally take up residence in New Orleans Square.

Once the story was firmly established, sketches were drawn and humorous gags by the great Marc Davis were sprinkled throughout to keep the perfect balance between threatening and inviting, realism and fantasy- to a point. An iconic song, "Yo Ho (A Pirates Life for Me) was created to tie it all together and make it a memorable experience. Glad they added it, but they didn't need to worry!

Above photographs copyright The Walt Disney Company.

At opening, the unprecedented 15 minute boat ride would encompass highly detailed sets and showcase almost 130 Audio-Animatronic humans and animals. The elaborate story determined a need for wide open spaces for battle on the open sea, large caverns, a burning village, and backstage facilities for maintenance of both the attraction and its vehicles. No one would forget this, but where could they house such an ambitious and space consuming project?

The brilliance of Marc Davis

found in this beautiful character concept.

In some very significant ways, the space limitations in Walt's original kingdom forced the Imagineer's hands in its eventual design. The small amount of space within the park and the unprecedented magnitude of the scope and scale for the lengthy cruise were at odds. Never one to avoid a challenge, their ingenious solution takes guests under the tracks of the Disneyland and Santa Fe Railroad, accessing open space beyond the park's perimeter. It would be a trick the Imagineers would use on the upcoming Haunted Mansion as well.

It's best to obey the captain.

The end result of taking boats over a waterfall with two drops into mysterious caverns in the dark created thrills as well as appropriately setting the emotional tone of the show. What the lack of extra land at the park was seen by some as shortsightedness by Walt and a problem for future expansion became an incredible advantage. 

Advertising the new ride in Disneyland's Spring 1967 Guide Book.

While it was a planning, design, and engineering nightmare, the space limitation was one of the attractions greatest strengths. The extra time needed to get guests from the landing dock to the waterfalls also gave them time to be fully immersed into the story, removing them from the real world. The smaller acreage of Disneyland forced creativity but also begat charm, intimacy, and vitality, demanding Imagineers struggled with new ways to get every attraction built with the final result they desired.

Deluxe book celebrating the attraction (front).

And the back.

The a new cover and inside map from

the "making of" souvenir book

once it arrived at

Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

When New Orleans Square opened in 1966 shortly before Walt's untimely death, the art of Disney Imagineering was displayed at its finest. The beautiful wrought iron work, the delicate colors, and the foliage, blended with unique shopping and dining experiences true to the original city and new to the west coast. Disneyland was no ordinary theme park, and the bar for excellence had once again been raised. Wonderful food, unique shopping, and true to form jazz music enveloped guests in another world. The pirate adventure would debut a bit later, later creating guest anticipation- and guaranteed return visits to the park. Once word got out what was built behind that relatively understated exterior doors, the crowds would come. Little did the park planners understand how these large numbers of guests would impact the kingdom. To this day, crowds continue making the Pirates of the Caribbean entrance a pinch point of the masses. 

The epic pirates attraction entrance coyly hid behind a very normal looking facade. A most elegant sign gently announced the experience within. Curious park guests venturing beyond these doors encountered small watercraft silently gliding along under a moonlit Louisiana bayou filled with fireflies. Instant atmosphere, instant mystery, and again, instant crowds.

Artwork showing the gorgeous Blue Bayou Restaurant.

It was an adventure designed to embrace all the senses: unbelievable sights, captivating sounds, untouchable but desirable props and atmosphere, musty smelling caverns and waters, and taste in the form of delectable dishes at the adjoining Blue Bayou Restaurant. 

Original entrance in Florida.

Enhanced exterior treatment post Captain Jack Sparrow.

The new enhancements to Florida's fortress

look even better in person.

(Photographer unknown.)

So popular was Pirates of the Caribbean, that its lack of presence at the 1971 opening of Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom created quite the stir among guests. Complaints came in droves to Main Street's City Hall, and the effect changed the course of Walt Disney World's future. The park's Frontierland became a shadow of what was intended, but Adventureland gained another major E Ticket attraction.

Master model for the Magic Kingdom

with Thunder Mesa on the right,

and not a hint of Caribbean Plaza

where it would eventually arise

behind the Sunshine Pavilion.

The new direction derailed plans for building Master Imagineer Marc Davis's epic- and very expensive- Thunder Mesa with its Cowboy and Indians focused Western River Expedition. With its own theme song, majestic soundtrack, and immerse sets, it was destined to be a smash. Although once thought to be the more grand and ambitious daughter of its predecessor, plans for its completion were ultimately shelved. The area's multi-attraction project eventually died a slow death. Remnants of what was once to be remained in Imagineer Tony Baxter's take on Davis' Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Even Epcot would hold its own Western River Expedition tribute in the form of Future World's (sadly destroyed) World of Motion. One of the key scenes was a direct life of what Davis had planned for his Thunder Mesa centerpiece attraction.

"No, ma'am. No Pirates here."

Back to the story. Going with a proven winner, Pirates was quickly approved by the suits and put into place to please the demand of the Florida crowds. Debuting on this day in December of 1973, it was quite the Christmas gift!

Set sail from Caribbean Plaza!

With its unlimited land, you might think the Imagineers would create something very elaborate and even more impressive, a new Pirates attraction that would surpass the original. They did not. Money may have been a factor as Walt Disney World had just opened, draining the company of its resources. There was also the urgency to quickly please guest demand. In the end, I believe this was the real reason the cruise itself felt rushed through the design process and is ultimately all the worse because of it.

Florida's Pirates adventure is not without its unique differences or its charms. But it is the complex which houses it versus the boat ride itself which stuns. The beautiful setting here is Caribbean Plaza, a newly created subdivision within Adventureland. Walking from the hub of the Magic Kingdom, guests come into the plaza as they pass the Jungle River Cruise and the Sunshine Pavilion, home to those Enchanted Tiki Room birds.

A Magic Kingdom with Pirates circa 1974.

It's a fairly jarring transition from the African inspired then tropical, Polynesian feeling area to the islands of the Caribbean, but somehow its worked until Aladdin's Magic Carpets invaded the land. The sound of steel drums, the stucco walls and the red tile roofs draw visitors forward and signal their transition.

Every pirate has his parrot- even at the Magic Kingdom!

The very prominent Castillo Del Morro is found at the end of this area, just around the corner from the far end of Frontierland. (Unknown to me prior to research for this post, the castle's clock tower has its own name, Torre Del Sol.)

An "E Ticket" smash!

The building for the Magic Kingdom version of this attraction is much more impressive than what houses the California original. Traveling through the halls of the ancient fortress, guests are increasingly removed from the sunny outside world and into the darkness. A brilliant design move! Menacingly, the fortress also houses a prison, and guests quietly walk past captured pirates left to rot. One of Imagineer Marc Davis' most macabre gags resides here: two skeletons play a game of chess, hopelessly locked in an eternal stalemate.

This decidedly non-family friendly scene is thankfully removed from the youngest of eyes, only visible by much taller tourists. Much like Disneyland's later Haunted Mansion and its stretching room and art gallery, (or even the detailed queue of the Indiana Jones Adventure or the equally foreboding hotel lobby of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror), this lengthy maze of a queue brings guests into the story long before boarding the boats, making it an integral part of the overall experience. 

Finally arriving at the landing, guests boarding watercraft can't help but notice the storm ahead- and notice the lack of returning passengers who have made the journey before them. The dim lighting of the dock and the lightning ahead provide no assurance of safety. Creepy caverns lie ahead. It's a much darker, more sinister world than what travelers encounter in New Orleans Square, with its happy diners across the way at the gorgeous Blue Bayou restaurant.

Whether it makes up for where the actual ride is lacking is debatable. From here, the beginning of the cruise is shortened compared to the earlier west coast incarnation and minus one waterfall drop. The waterborne portion of the attraction experience is half as long as that in California. It's strange and noticeable to those who have experienced the Disneyland version but not nearly as important to guests who have not. Going forward, the bulk of the story, sets, and characters remains mostly the same. There are a few differences, the biggest one being the end of the attraction.

Concept art from my 1972 Walt Disney World

souvenir book. Click on it to see it larger.

In California, we go into the underground prison and wind up being target practice for a small crew of drunken scallywags. Here at the conclusion of the Florida story, we stumble upon a brand new and very impressive scene: the pirates have discovered the treasure room, and the guards commissioned to protect the shimmering loot are the captives, bound and gagged. Of course, all this changed once Jack Sparrow took over. 

The same scene realized.

A Walt Disney World postcard from CardCow.com.

It's a very effective and startling ending to our pirate adventure. What's even more startling is that the dock to disembark is seen by us even as we are finishing our journey. Even though it is a minor detail, this breaks the flow of the story and reminds us we are in a theme park. Up a speed ramp we go back into the Florida daylight.

Making its Tokyo Disneyland appearance.

When it came time to build Tokyo Disneyland, the Japanese executives were smart enough to demand a Pirates of the Caribbean attraction all their own. Choosing between the Disneyland version and that found in the Magic Kingdom, they opted for the longer, more elaborate cruise over the Magic Kingdom's truncated one. 

Entrance sign at Tokyo Disneyland.

From 8-Bit Theme Park Japan.

In an odd twist, Tokyo's Pirates is found in a mini New Orleans Square, a subdivision in their Adventureland. The ride itself mirrors California's minus one waterfall drop and is also shorter in length than the original. I'll never fully understand why they didn't choose Florida's exterior and queue with California's actual boat adventure. You can bet things would be different today after the success of the park and especially Tokyo Disneysea.

Oui! Pirates invade the City of Lights.

Given that Imagineer extraordinaire Tony Baxter was at the helm of designing EuroDisneyland, it is no surprise that Pirates of the Caribbean would become the centerpiece of a new Adventureland incarnation. The entire park would be the most beautiful Magic Kingdom ever built, learning from all the successes and failures of each previous kingdom.

Tony Baxter with the Disneyland Paris model.

Pirates of the Caribbean is behind him

at the center left side of the photograph.

There's a well-known story of a very young Mr. Baxter riding the attraction long before its debut in California. It is said this was when Tony decided that he must become an Imagineer, so Pirates must hold a special place in his heart.

Pirates real and imaginary together- blasphemous!

Purists may wince at the fact the attraction is found next to a Peter Pan and its Neverland inspired Adventure Isle, but they may cringe even more so with the changes to the beloved journey. Or maybe its just the thought of Disneyland Paris itself.

A large model of the area courtesy Disney and More.

Buy the book- amazing!

The white stoned fortress that houses the attraction is a magnificent piece of work. Majestic and alluring, it demands to be noticed with slivers of precious Parisian sunlight landing on it and the surrounding sandy beach. No qualms here, its inside that counts, and it is here that the debate is born.

My first look and first photograph of it.

It's even better than the model!

Guests walk through its courtyards and enter the weathered fortress, wandering down its halls much the same as in Florida. The atmosphere becomes rich and dark. Lighting is minimal. Boarding the bateaux, guests round the bend and stumble upon visitors enjoying patio dining in the evening moonlight. Learning from the success of California's Blue Bayou and the penchant for fine dining in Europe, Imagineers made sure Paris' attraction included a Caribbean inspired Blue Lagoon restaurant with a seafood inspired menu. Diners may get to watch the boats glide by, but those on the attraction get to view some creatures of the sea emerging just outside the sight lines of those watching from the shore.

It's up we go!

Rounding a darkened corner, long time guests familiar to going down the waterfall at the American and Japanese versions on the attraction are surprised to find themselves going up the ramp like ship's cargo instead. This dramatic beginning and the first change to the classic version of the ride signals one of many, marking the beginning of the "Which is better?" discussion.

Reaching the top of the fortress, a swinging pirate on a rope glides overhead while prisoners remain inside a cel, still trying to convince that dog to bring them the key. Sounds of battle- and words of war in French and English- fill the air while the realization hits that the building is on fire. From the view high above, adventurers can see that pirates are taking the town as a battle ensues between their ship and the folks on the island. Suddenly, the boats plunge downward, heading straight into the battle between them. Cannonballs fly overhead.

Into the town, much is the same as in the previous three takes on the attraction. However, there's a new scene here, one so vital, so essential to every pirate story that we realize it is missing in other versions the minute we see it: Sword fighting. At the opening, one pirate is challenged to a duel by a villager, defending the woman at risk. (Now, there's a female pirate in the sword fight.) It is an excellently rendered addition, with the footwork of each man impressive and the swords clashing even more so. Kudos to the Imagineers who chose to take this on and to the ones who took the time to make it actually work.

Here is a "flow through" map of Disneyland Paris' version.

The burning town is in full swing by now, and guests enter the arsenal. This time, all that dynamite finally explodes, and boats are plunged down another waterfall into the grottoes below. Skeletons abound, reminding us "Dead Men Tell No Tales", while guests aboard the railroad have a chance to look into the scenery from the safety of their seats. 

From Inside the Magic.

Jack Sparrow and company are here in Paris too, with an eerie Captain Barbossa scene sure to make riders sit up and take notice. 

Our multilingual Parisian pirate adventure ends similarly to the way Anaheim's begins but with a twist. The very alive skull and crossbones overhead gives riders the exit spiel in several languages, the English version spoken by a John Wayne imitator. A nice little tribute to the fine man who loved Orange County and made it his home. (And a great idea should Western River Expedition ever get built!)

To answer the debate, although the French take on the attraction is one third less in length than that in California, I find this version of Pirates of the Caribbean may just surpass the original. That is, perhaps, until I ride the one at Shanghai Disneyland.

Planned for Hong Kong, shipped to Shanghai!

In between Hong Kong Disneyland and the premier of the first Disney park in mainland China, Walt Disney Pictures announced a little film in development based on the Pirate attraction. Many folks expressed disdain for the project and predicted its failure. That is until its starring role was given to an actor by the name of Johnny Depp.

The influence of the films is felt!

Captain Jack Sparrow now decorates Disneyland's queue.

Captain Barbosa takes over the ship!

Jack meets Johnny.

Its hearty success would mean many sequels. This would change the face of Pirates of the Caribbean attractions worldwide, those built and those to come. New effects and three Audio-Animatronic Jack Sparrows were added to the attraction. Everywhere but in Paris- for now.

Jack seeks treasure while Barbosa seeks Jack...

...and he finds it after all.

Tampering with a classic is risky business, but the Imagineers did not destroy its original flavor. Instead, they chose to introduce the attraction to an audience only familiar with the films.

Want more proof it was meant for the park?

Just enlarge the image.

Oddly, Hong Kong Disneyland was built without its own high voyage on Caribbean waters, although there were plans. You can find them on this blog. Some will say it was a cultural consideration due to real pirates still being in the area, but I would venture to guess its absence is due to the greedy actions of Disney's corporate pirates who tried to build yet another park as cheaply as possible. This incredibly huge blunder, and other shortcuts to the park, brought much less treasure into the company storerooms. 

Disney executives did not make the same mistake in Shanghai. When the attraction line up was finally announced, that park's Pirates of the Caribbean was the very first to be designed around the storyline of the films and its main character Jack Sparrow.  In fact, Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure is this park's masterpiece. Fans the world over cannot get enough of the groundbreaking special effects and a new thrilling voyage that takes them under the water before concluding with an epic battle at sea.

In Shanghai, Pirates is found in Treasure Cove, 

a single IP based land. Photograph copyright JoJo's World.

China may be the home of the newest and flashiest pirates attraction, but the original adventure in Walt's park in Anaheim remains its heart. There's something special about riding Pirates of the Caribbean in beautiful New Orleans Square and knowing that although he didn't ride the completed attraction, Walt did in fact cruise down the very same swampy waters.

A recently rebuilt entrance handles the continued crowds.

An attraction so celebrated, its even art!

Commemorative plaque at Disneyland in California

The beautiful plaque at the entrance to the Disneyland original attests to the attraction's iconic status and its enduring popularity. Although Jack Sparrow and company now make an appearance and update the show for today's audiences, the fact is, Disneyland and this attraction are a national treasure.

More posters attest to the adventures ongoing popularity.

Concept for an undeveloped Pirates themed water park.

The ride still impresses and inspires. From Lego sets to Vinylmation and family games and all the merchandise imaginable, Pirates of the Caribbean is the ultimate Disney creation from both a creative and financial standpoint. As an attraction, it remains among the Imagineers best efforts, period. Decades later and in Disney parks all over the world, this swashbuckling cruise is still the ultimate attraction, a measurement tool in which all other themed attractions are compared.

(Artwork copyright The Walt Disney Company. Most photographs by Mark Taft.)