Several animatronics went missing this weekend from Disneyland Paris Resort’s version of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. It’s unclear whether this is part of a larger overhaul or simply routine maintenance.
On Sunday, August 3, a guest at Disneyland Paris Resort shared a photo on X (formerly known as Twitter) that showed two dueling pirate animatronics absent from their usual spot on the ride. @PixiedustDLP posted a picture of the empty space where the animatronics once stood:
No dueling pirates tonight. 🏴☠️ #DisneylandParis.
It appears this may be a temporary change, as the two male pirates were confirmed to be in place just a few days earlier. Another guest, @White_Stu, wrote:
They looked very unwell on Friday!
The animatronics’ disappearance seems to follow a pattern of temporary updates at Disneyland Paris Resort. Guests have noticed similar removals in the past, with animatronics vanishing and returning without any public announcement from the park. This practice appears to be part of routine maintenance done in stages, ensuring that the ride can remain operational without a full closure. While Disney hasn’t confirmed when the missing animatronics will return, the pattern suggests they could be back in action sometime this month.
This isn’t the first time Disney has made subtle updates to the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. Over the years, the ride has seen numerous changes, including the addition of Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) animatronics and the feminist update to the controversial bride auction scene. Objectified women became independent female pirates.
Some Disney Parks fans have called for more changes to the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. In 2023, a TikTok video went viral, with a guest claiming that the ride felt “a little bit rapey” and uncomfortable for women. The backlash to that opinion was swift, but many agreed with the sentiment that some elements of the attraction could be seen as outdated or uncomfortable by modern standards.
“It feels like we’re the entertainment for them and I do not like it,” another woman said about the male pirate animatronics.
Despite the controversy, Disney hasn’t announced any future updates to the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.
Have you noticed any missing audio-animatronics at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, or the international Disney parks? Let Disney Fanatic know in the comments!
