Pirates of the Caribbean Ride Shut down at Disney for Large Refurbishment

Disney’s classic Pirates of the Caribbean attraction has closed down.

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Despite a long list of classic rides, Pirates of the Caribbean is arguably Disney’s most iconic and legendary attraction ever. Filled with incredible theming, dozens of animatronics, and a catchy main song, Pirates of the Caribbean has become a staple of the Disney parks and is a must-do for many guests.

The ride first opened at the Disneyland Resort in 1967. In the years since, a version of Pirates of the Caribbean has been built at practically every other Disney resort on Earth, including Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Shanghai Disneyland.

However, as is the case with all theme parks, rides and attractions must close occasionally, and Pirates of the Caribbean is no exception, no matter how legendary or famous it might be.

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On July 5, Pirates of the Caribbean closed for refurbishment at the Tokyo Disney Resort. Owned and operated by the Oriental Land Company, Tokyo Disney has become one of Japan’s most prominent tourism destinations, attracting millions of guests annually.

Tokyo Disney is split into two separate parks, Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. The resort features several iconic attractions across its theme parks, such as Pirates of the Caribbean.

Tokyo Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean is scheduled to remain closed until July 31, reopening to guests on August 1, 2024.

It’s unknown what this refurbishment entails, but given the rather lengthy closure, it’s possible several upgrades will be made to the iconic boat ride.

Twitter/X user Zip A Disney shared a video of Royal Street, an area near Pirates of the Caribbean, revealing how empty and relaxing it was now that the ride is closed.

Royal Street outside Pirates of the Caribbean  I really love the atmosphere at night  I want to go to the Blue Bayou Restaurant

カリブの海賊の外にあるロイヤルストリート????‍☠️☠️????
夜の雰囲気めっちゃ好き☺️
ブルーバイユーレストラン行きたい????‍????????‍???? pic.twitter.com/EDUgQ59tKd

— 塩素不足のりゅうじくん (@Zip_a_Disney) July 11, 2024

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Despite its legendary status, change is nothing new for Pirates of the Caribbean. The ride is actually somewhat controversial, with several scenes being toned down and adjusted over the years.

One of the biggest changes came in 1997 when some of the animatronic women were given pies to hold so that the pirates were chasing food rather than the women themselves.

In 2017, the ride received its most substantial alteration yet, with Disney changing the “Red” character. Previously, this female character had been part of the ride’s infamous bride auction scene, with pirates bidding on several tied-up women.

This scene was changed entirely, making Red the main character. The female pirate now leads the town auction, listing off traditional pirate goodies like treasure and rum.

Do you enjoy Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean?