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New construction activity spotted in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride queue offers the clearest look yet at what Disneyland Resort has been up to since closing the New Orleans Square attraction almost a month ago.
Paint Buckets and Fresh Colors in the Pirates of the Caribbean Ride Queue
Credit: Disney
On Tuesday, WDWNT reported that a Disney cast member had been spotted actively repainting sections of the Pirates of the Caribbean queue area at Disneyland Park. The alternating tan and terracotta rectangular panels lining the queue beneath the black metal railings were visibly brighter in the recently worked sections. Tarps spread across the ground nearby protected the pavement from drips, and paint buckets were visible in the area, confirming the work in progress.
The exterior queue work is the first visible sign of progress on an attraction that has been closed since May 4, 2026. Disneyland Resort has offered no reopening timeline, with the official website telling guests only to “check back soon.” That open-ended language suggests the refurbishment could extend well beyond a standard turnaround window for a ride of this scale.
Credit: John Penniston, Flickr
What Disneyland Resort actually has planned for the 59-year-old New Orleans Square classic remains officially unconfirmed. The resort has shared no details about the scope of the refurbishment or what Southern California Disney Park guests can expect to find when it eventually reopens.
Blue Bayou Is Open, But Different
The Pirates of the Caribbean closure has had a direct effect on one of Disneyland Park’s most iconic dining experiences. Blue Bayou Restaurant — whose entire atmosphere is built around watching Pirates of the Caribbean boats drift through the bayou setting just beyond the dining room — closed for its own refurbishment around the same time as the ride. It has since reopened, but the experience has been significantly altered: plywood walls now block the view into the attraction, removing the signature element that has defined Blue Bayou for generations of Disneyland Resort guests.
Credit: Disney
The full menu is available, and service continues as normal… but the current setup is a meaningful departure from what the restaurant is known for. That won’t change until Pirates of the Caribbean comes back online.
Have you noticed any other changes around Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park? Disney Tips would love to hear from you in the comments!
