In a surprising twist today, Walt Disney World has backtracked on its earlier announcement that Tortuga Tavern would be reopening next week. Just hours after confirming operating hours for the seasonal quick-service restaurant, Disney has since removed those details from their official website. As of now, it appears that Tortuga Tavern will not be reopening anytime soon, leaving fans and visitors in limbo about its future.
Earlier today, the official Walt Disney World website posted that Tortuga Tavern, located in Adventureland and across from the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, would be resuming operations starting January 1, 2025. The restaurant, which has been closed since June 2024, was slated to remain open through at least February. The news was welcomed by many who had been hoping for the return of the popular pirate-themed dining spot.
However, the excitement was short-lived. Hours after the operating hours were published, Disney quietly removed them from the website. As of now, the website makes no mention of the tavern reopening, leaving many to wonder if the initial announcement was a mistake or if Disney has changed its plans entirely.
The uncertainty surrounding Tortuga Tavern’s future has fueled ongoing speculation about the area’s broader transformation. Earlier this year, rumors circulated that the tavern might be reimagined as a Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge, extending the popular attraction’s story into a dedicated space. Chris Beatty, Chief of Walt Disney Imagineering, confirmed this initiative earlier this year, stating that a new lounge would be added to Magic Kingdom, the first of its kind for the park.
The idea of an immersive Pirates of the Caribbean lounge seemed to make sense, especially given the ongoing changes in Adventureland. Earlier this year, the Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar gift shop, located at the exit of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, closed for refurbishment. Merchandise from the store was temporarily moved to Tortuga Tavern, which was then renamed “Tortuga Treasures” to reflect its new role as a pop-up shop for pirate-themed goods. While this shift was seen as a temporary change, many believed it could be a precursor to the larger transformation of Tortuga Tavern into a full-fledged lounge.
Disney’s expansion of the Pirates of the Caribbean story has already resulted in visible changes to the attraction’s surroundings. The closure of the Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar and the creation of the Tortuga Treasures shop show a clear intention to integrate the Pirates franchise into every corner of the area. The addition of a new lounge would certainly continue this trend, allowing fans to immerse themselves even further in the world of Captain Jack Sparrow.
At the same time, however, there has been little communication from Disney about whether Tortuga Tavern will indeed be reimagined as a lounge, or whether its status as a quick-service restaurant will remain intact for the foreseeable future. While it seems unlikely that Disney would reverse plans for such an exciting expansion, the sudden removal of the reopening details suggests that things may still be in flux behind the scenes.
Despite the uncertainty, Disney continues to move forward with several major projects across the park. These include major updates to other areas like DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the planned revamp of Frontierland’s Tom Sawyer Island. Meanwhile, the Pirates of the Caribbean area remains one of the most beloved corners of Magic Kingdom, and it’s clear that Disney plans to enhance it even further as part of their larger strategy of enhancing their theme park offerings.
The removal of the Tortuga Tavern operating hours is undoubtedly a setback for fans hoping to enjoy the tavern’s signature pirate-themed atmosphere once again. But for now, Disney fans will have to wait for further updates to find out if this beloved Magic Kingdom location will return as a tavern, or if it will evolve into the next big Pirates of the Caribbean experience.
Stay tuned as we continue to monitor this developing story and bring you the latest news from the Magic Kingdom.
