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Disney World Shuts Down “Offensive” Pirates of the Caribbean Ride

Pirates of the Caribbean Magic Kingdom
Credit: Disney

A Walt Disney World Resort guest recently shared their experience evacuating the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Magic Kingdom Park after it suddenly shut down. Dozens of Disney Park guests were stuck on the attraction for almost an hour–thankfully, Disney cast members turned on the lights and shut down the noisy animatronics partway through the breakdown.

This is the latest incident to spark public conversation about the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. Both rides have undergone several changes over their decades in operation, from the addition of Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) animatronics to the modernization of the bride auction scene. Once brides-for-sale, the female animatronics are now independent pirates in their own right.

Jack Sparrow at the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction in Disney World

Credit: Lee (myfrozenlife), Flickr

Any change to such a classic attraction is controversial, especially when some Disney Parks fans argue the company is wrongfully sanitizing the realities of piracy. However, amid backlash about the changes to Pirates of the Caribbean, some Disney Park guests feel the changes didn’t go far enough.

In 2023, a Disney Park guest went viral for saying she felt uncomfortable as a woman under the gaze of the male pirate animatronics. “I just think this is kind of a weird ride,” she said. “I don’t know… It’s just a little bit rapey.”

Auction scene featuring Pirate Redd, the auctioneer, and townspeople in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World Resort

Credit: Ed Aguila, Inside the Magic

Although she amassed widespread criticism, the Disney Park guest also found some support from other women. One social media user said the pirates gawking at her made her feel “violated.” “It feels like we’re the entertainment for them and I do not like it,” another wrote.

Almost two years later, Pirates of the Caribbean still entertains thousands of Magic Kingdom Park guests daily. But on Wednesday, one guest spent nearly an hour trapped on the Adventureland attraction after it stopped unexpectedly.

Animatronics in jail

Credit: Inside the Magic

On May 21, Reddior u/Brandodude shared these photos while stuck on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. The guest explained that after a while, Disney cast members turned on the attraction’s overhead lights and shut off the animatronics, making the wait much quieter and calmer.

Pirates broke down

Pirates broke down
byu/Brandodude inWaltDisneyWorld

Eventually, Disney cast members donned waders and walked through the ride’s water to pull each boat backward to an emergency evacuation platform. The guests were taken through a backstage area before returning to Adventureland.

“Saw a cool deer next to the raggedy porta potties out back,” the guest recalled.

A group of people wait in line under hanging lanterns at the entrance to the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. The ride's sign, featuring tattered black cloth with orange text, is prominently displayed above the queue. The architecture is themed with arches and wooden beams at this Disneyland Resort attraction in California.

Credit: Inside the Magic

Disney cast members gave the evacuated guests two complimentary Lightning Lane passes as compensation. Even though the skip-the-line passes weren’t good for the best Magic Kingdom Park attractions, the guest said evacuating Pirates of the Caribbean was a worthwhile experience.

About 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. The current “Woke” society finds things offensive if it does fit into to their rules of acceptance.
    The rest of normal society is being erased. If you erase history tgat offends you , you are doomed to repeat it.
    Sad comment on society.

  2. Janet MacFarlane

    If people are offended by it…then don’t ride it. Nobody is forcing them to go on the ride or even go to Disney. It is their choice. I personally liked the old scenes and miss them.

  3. Agree nobody is making them come to Disney so just stay out french fries

  4. OMG an animatronics made some idiot feel violated???!!!! WTF is this woke world coming to…….Why the heck dont these do-gooders insulted at everything just stay home an wash their dishes an leave the rest of us FEMALES out of your dreams….I cant wait to go on Pirates an glare back at the bad bad men glaring at me …..

  5. Don’t like it , Don’t ride. Simple. Almost as Simple as those who complain about it 😉🏴‍☠️

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