Walt Disney World Resort has temporarily concealed part of the exterior of Pirates of the Caribbean at Magic Kingdom Park, leaving many guests wondering what changes are being made to the iconic ride. Although Disney hasn’t publicly confirmed the details, it seems this move is not directly related to the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge set to open later this year.
Pirates of the Caribbean has a long history as one of the Disney parks’ most adored and controversial attractions. It opened in 1967 at Disneyland Park, followed by the Magic Kingdom Park version in 1973, and it wasn’t long before this classic ride was replicated across the globe at Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris. Over the decades, Pirates of the Caribbean has undergone numerous updates, keeping the attraction fresh and sparking debates among Disney Parks fans.
Changes to Pirates of the Caribbean Over Time
Since its opening, the Pirates of the Caribbean ride has undergone several major changes. In the early 2000s, Captain Jack Sparrow (as portrayed by Johnny Depp) was added to the ride following the success of the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise. Then, in the late 2010s, Disney reimagined the infamous bride auction scene, swapping the objectified women for a group of independent female pirates. This shift was welcomed by many, though it sparked debates about whether it was enough or too much.
Despite these updates, Pirates of the Caribbean has continued to face scrutiny. While some Disney Parks fans applauded the more inclusive auction scene, others felt it was wrong to sanitize piracy for the sake of family-friendly entertainment.
The ride’s controversy reached new heights in 2023 when a TikTok went viral after its creator expressed discomfort with the attraction, calling it “a little bit rapey.” While the influencer received backlash, other viewers shared their discomfort with the ride, saying things like, “The way people COMPLAINED abt the forced brides scene being removed…Automatically on a list.”
Despite this renewed conversation, Walt Disney Imagineering has not announced any further plans to update Pirates of the Caribbean in Magic Kingdom Park or Disneyland Park.
Unexplained Blockage and Construction
There’s some mysterious construction happening near Pirates of the Caribbean that seems unrelated to the in-progress lounge. On Tuesday, WDWNT reported that rolling planters were being used to block part of the ride’s exterior near the clock tower. This area, usually accessible to guests, has now been sealed off.
The blocked area also features a black scrim covering the ground, suggesting crews may be working on the pavement. However, Walt Disney World Resort has not officially confirmed the specifics of the project. For now, the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction remains open.
What do you think of the current Pirates of the Caribbean auction scene? Disney Dining would love to hear from you in the comments!
