Walt Disney World Resort guests found themselves trapped on Pirates of the Caribbean after one person said they didn’t believe in the ghost that allegedly haunts the ride. The breakdown came amid ongoing discussions about the Magic Kingdom Park attraction’s themes, which some Disney Park guests find outdated and offensive.
Why Is Pirates of the Caribbean “Offensive?”
The controversy around the Pirates of the Caribbean ride began in the late 2010s when Walt Disney Imagineering announced plans to remove a sexist bride auction scene. Objectified, enslaved female animatronics became independent, swashbuckling pirates in their own right!
This wasn’t the first significant change to the classic Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, and Disneyland Paris Resort dark ride. In the mid-2000s, Walt Disney Imagineers added Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) animatronics throughout the attraction as a nod to the films it inspired.
Nevertheless, some nostalgic Disney Parks fans felt the company went too far in removing the bride auction scene.
Some supporters of the feminist update feel Walt Disney Imagineering didn’t go far enough. In 2023, a Disney Park guest said she felt gawked at by the male pirate animatronics in a now-deleted viral video.
“I just think this is kind of a weird ride,” she explained. “I don’t know… It’s just a little bit rapey.”
Though the Disney Park guest received widespread backlash, many women agreed with her.
“It feels like we’re the entertainment for them and I do not like it,” one commenter wrote.
“I always felt violated on this ride,” said another.
Recent Incident on the Pirates of the Caribbean Ride
Walt Disney World Resort guest and TikTok user @mybloodygalentine recently got stuck on Pirates of the Caribbean. The Disney Park guest jokingly blamed their friend for saying he didn’t believe in “George,” the ghost many Magic Kingdom Park cast members say haunts the Adventureland attraction.
@mybloodygalentine I believe you now #haunteddisney #disney #piratesofthecaribbean #waltdisneyworld #ghost #george #spooky #creepy #waltdisneyworld
Unlike in other Pirates of the Caribbean breakdowns, the overhead lights remained off, and animatronics continued moving during this downtime, indicating that the guests likely weren’t evacuated. A Disney cast member did remind guests to remain seated as boats moved backward throughout the ride.
Some Disney Parks fans said it was their dream to get stuck on Pirates of the Caribbean, but the guest said it wasn’t as magical as one might think.
“The impact from the collisions may make you rethink that,” they wrote.
It’s unclear what caused the recent breakdown of Pirates of the Caribbean–unless you believe in ghosts! The Adventureland ride has since reopened and operated normally at the time of this article’s finalization.
Is Pirates of the Caribbean an offensive ride? Share your thoughts with Disney Fanatic in the comments.
