The quiet closure of a longtime New Orleans Square retail space may hint at bigger changes coming to Disneyland’s most iconic water-bound attraction. With Port Royal Curios and Curiosities shuttered, speculation is swirling that the historic building could be repurposed as part of a long-needed expansion to the Pirates of the Caribbean queue.
A Shop Steeped in Disneyland History
Port Royal wasn’t just a place to buy Haunted Mansion t-shirts — it was a deeply themed, atmospheric retail experience, one of the last of its kind in a park increasingly defined by larger, franchise-driven shops. Known for its macabre charm, the store featured rustic cabinetry, faux-cobwebs, and seasonal overlays that gave a tactile richness to the corner of Royal Street where it sat. From collectible ornaments and villainous décor to Nightmare Before Christmas exclusives, it served as a sanctuary for fans of Disney’s darker side.
But the building’s legacy goes back even further. Originally opened as The One-of-a-Kind Shop in 1966, the space was personally influenced by Walt Disney, who created it for his wife Lillian as a vintage-themed boutique. The space later became Le Gourmet before transitioning to Port Royal in 2006 — aligning itself with the gothic tone of its Haunted Mansion neighbor.
With its closure this week, Disneyland loses one of its most storied shops — but possibly gains new room to solve an ongoing guest-flow issue.
An Attraction Outgrowing Its Space
Pirates of the Caribbean debuted in 1967 as a monumental leap in themed storytelling and remains a top-tier draw. But in the decades since, Disneyland’s infrastructure hasn’t scaled at the same pace as its crowds.
Today, the queue for Pirates regularly spills out into walkways, congesting New Orleans Square and often causing operational friction between nearby food locations, stroller parking, and general foot traffic. The introduction of Lightning Lane has only increased the pressure on standby guests, who now find themselves herded through increasingly complex switchbacks or extended queues that bisect public space.
It’s become clear: the original footprint can no longer accommodate the demand.
The Haunted Mansion Set a New Standard
In 2024, Disneyland completed a significant queue overhaul for The Haunted Mansion, just a few steps away from Pirates. What was once a cramped exterior path became an immersive outdoor garden complete with shade, lore-rich décor, and an expanded footprint — along with a brand-new exit gift shop that finally gave the Mansion a proper merchandise presence.
The expansion was praised not only for relieving bottlenecks but also for enhancing the story before guests even boarded a Doom Buggy. The success of that project now casts a spotlight on Pirates as the next logical candidate for enhancement.
A Logical Next Step for Pirates
With Port Royal’s closure, Disneyland has opened a valuable piece of real estate immediately adjacent to the Pirates of the Caribbean entrance. According to reporter Scott Gustin, the space will temporarily function as a seating area, but internal expectations suggest it may eventually be incorporated into a redesigned Pirates queue.
The Port Royal Curios shop, located next to Royal Street Veranda at Disneyland Park, has now closed. In the short term, the space will serve as a seating area. And later on down the road, the space will likely be part of potential project to expand the Pirates queue. https://t.co/vHE8astd88 pic.twitter.com/i4VnLb4qbY
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) April 29, 2025
That move would follow the pattern set by Haunted Mansion: repurpose a former shop into queue support, improve guest flow, and enrich the story experience. Imagine a queue that winds through a pirate’s dockside outpost, or a New Orleans jailhouse. Add themed audio, props, or references to pirate lore — perhaps even subtle nods to the films — and the queue itself becomes an extension of the ride’s immersive promise.
A Delicate Balance of Nostalgia and Necessity
For preservationists, the closure of Port Royal is bittersweet. It marks the end of an era — another piece of original Disneyland history making way for guest flow logistics. But it also presents an opportunity. If handled with the care and creativity demonstrated in the Haunted Mansion expansion, a new Pirates queue could honor the ride’s legacy while solving one of its most pressing operational challenges.
No formal announcement has been made by Disney, but as the crowds continue to grow, it seems likely that the park will need to take action. And with Port Royal’s doors now closed, that action may already be underway.
