Disneyland ResortFeatured

After 56 Years, Pirates of the Caribbean Ceases Operations at Disneyland

A beloved Disneyland Park ride, Pirates of the Caribbean, abruptly closed its doors on December 11, 2024. Known for its timeless charm and deep ties to Disney Park history, the attraction has captivated guests for 56 years.

A Ride That Defined Disneyland Park

pirates of the caribbean disney world
Credit: Disney

First opening in 1967, Pirates of the Caribbean was one of the last attractions personally overseen by Walt Disney himself. Nestled in New Orleans Square, the ride transports Disney Park guests into a world of plundering pirates, fiery ship battles, and the memorable tune “Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me).”

Over the years, the attraction has undergone updates to remain relevant to modern audiences. In the 2010s, Walt Disney Imagineering reimagined the bride auction scene, transforming it into a display of adventurous pirates bartering goods rather than women. While some guests embraced the change, others argued for preserving the ride’s historical elements. Despite differing opinions, the attraction continues to draw millions yearly at Disneyland Park, Magic Kingdom Park, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris.

What Happened to the Pirates of the Caribbean Ride?

pirates of the caribbean disney world
Credit: Disney

On December 11, Redditor u/Recovery37 shared an image of guests evacuating Pirates of the Caribbean after the ride abruptly shut down due to unknown “issues.” Dozens of theme park guests were stranded on boats as Disney cast members worked to address the issue.

Pirates got shut down 

Pirates got shut down
byu/Recovery37 inDisneyland

The cause of the closure remains unclear, but technical malfunctions or guest mishaps, such as dropped items in the water, are common culprits for ride downtimes at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. Pirates of the Caribbean eventually reopened later in the day, causing massive crowding during the busy holiday season.

“I don’t think the posted 20-minute wait is right,” Redditor u/whyisreplicainmyname noted. “Queue is packed.”

Are you a fan of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride updates? Let Disney Dining know in the comments. 

Jess Colopy

Jess Colopy is a Disney College Program alum and kid-at-heart. When she’s not furiously typing in a coffee shop, you can find her on the hunt for the newest Stitch pin.

5 Comments

  1. This happens daily, not hardly worth mentioning along with the Matterhorn and others that close abruptly on a daily basis.

  2. Why would you say ceased after 56 years when it came back that same day 😭 I really thought they were going to shut it down

    1. I agree. I Quickly went to read the story about “closing after 56years” just to read it was a temporary event that some rides go through daily for the Safety of passengers.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Articles

Back to top button