Walt Disney World Resort has temporarily blocked off part of the exterior of Magic Kingdom Park’s iconic Pirates of the Caribbean ride. While the specific details of the work being done remain unclear, it appears unrelated to the ongoing construction of a Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge set to open later this year.
Pirates of the Caribbean has long been one of Disney’s most popular and controversial attractions, often sparking debates about its portrayal of piracy and its evolution over the years. The original version of the ride first opened at Disneyland Park in 1967, with the Magic Kingdom version debuting six years later in 1973. Over the years, the ride has been replicated at various Disney parks, including Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris.
Though much of the ride’s original charm remains intact, Pirates of the Caribbean is far from the same experience guests enjoyed when it first opened. Many original animatronics are still in place, but certain scenes have been modified and reimagined over time.
Changes Over Time
In the early 2000s, Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) was added to the ride, thanks to the success of the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise. Later, in the late 2010s, Disney made another significant change, reimagining the outdated bride auction scene, where objectified women were turned into independent female pirates.
Many welcomed this change, though others felt it didn’t go far enough to address concerns about the ride’s portrayal of piracy.
The Ride’s Controversy
As with any major change, Pirates of the Caribbean has sparked controversy. While some Disney fans have praised the more inclusive version of the ride, others felt it was wrong for Disney to sanitize the reality of piracy for the sake of entertainment.
In 2023, a viral TikTok video reignited the debate when a user expressed discomfort about riding the attraction, claiming that parts of it felt “weird” and “a little bit rapey.” While the video received backlash from some, it also found support among others who agreed with the sentiment.
“I always felt violated on this ride,” said one commenter.
Despite the heated debate among Disney Parks fans, Walt Disney Imagineering has not announced any further updates or changes to Pirates of the Caribbean at Magic Kingdom Park or Disneyland Park. However, there has been some exciting news for Pirates fans: Walt Disney World Resort is set to open a Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge near the attraction later this year. This new dining location will offer pirates of all ages a chance to enjoy a “sea-worthy selection of grogs and grubs” in a family-friendly setting.
Mysterious Construction Near the Pirates of the Caribbean Ride
While much of the excitement around Pirates of the Caribbean has been about the new lounge, there have been some other mysterious developments near the attraction. On Tuesday, WDWNT reported that rolling planters were being used to block off part of the ride’s exterior near the clock tower, an area that is usually open to guests.
A black scrim has been placed over the blocked pathway, suggesting maintenance work is being done on the pavement. However, Walt Disney World Resort has not publicly confirmed what exactly is happening. For now, Pirates of the Caribbean remains open for guests to enjoy.
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