At the D23 Expo last weekend, Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, revealed some major changes to the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at Walt Disney World Resort. The attraction at Magic Kingdom Park has caused controversy in recent years as cultural changes make the attraction’s salacious themes uncomfortable for some Disney park guests.
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The controversy surrounding Pirates of the Caribbean began in 2018 when Walt Disney Imagineers reimagined an outdated, sexist scene from the attraction: instead of men selling women as brides, independent female pirates sell stolen goods. The reimagining premiered at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, and Disneyland Paris Resort. The original auction scene still exists at Tokyo Disneyland.
Some nostalgic Disney Parks fans were upset by the change, while others felt Walt Disney Imagineering didn’t go far enough. Last year, a woman went viral after claiming the male animatronics stared at her and insulted her.
“I think it’s a pretty weird ride,” the Disney park guest explained. “I don’t know… It’s just a little bit rape-y.”
Disney Parks fans have long wondered if Walt Disney Imagineering would update Pirates of the Caribbean and remove Captain Jack Sparrow, who was added to the attraction in the 2000s. The speculation began amid several legal battles between Johnny Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard, who accused the actor of domestic violence.
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Depp lost a libel case against The British sun; a judge ruled that the newspaper could legitimately call him a “wife beater.” He won a defamation case against Heard in 2022; the Virginia jury found that Heard damaged Depp’s career and reputation when she described herself as a victim of domestic violence The Washington Post Comment.
During the trial in 2022, plans from Walt Disney Studios revealed that Margot Robbie was ready to play Johnny Depp in the pirates of the Caribbean film series. News of the film in development has stalled, but many Disney Parks fans feared that Robbie’s animatronics would replace Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.
On August 10, D’Amaro announced that previously promised changes to Pirates of the Caribbean would be made at Magic Kingdom Park – but nothing would change to the attraction itself.
The Walt Disney Company first announced that a Pirates of the Caribbean lounge would be coming to Adventureland at Magic Kingdom Park in 2023. During the Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase, D’Amaro showed concept art for the tavern and revealed that it is slated to open in 2025.
“This wild watering hole will be a welcoming haven for all pirates, big and small, and everyone in between,” Disney Parks Blog wrote. “Here, bandits and aspiring privateers from all corners of the seven seas are welcome to come together and toast the pirate life! In the newly released artwork, X marks the place for a seaworthy selection of grogs and food in this tavern.”
Inside the Magic previously reported that the Pirates of the Caribbean gift shop was temporarily closed, denying access to thousands of Disney resort guests. The adjacent Tortuga Tavern fast-food restaurant was also permanently closed and now houses a temporary gift shop. Both closures are reportedly related to the construction of the Pirates of the Caribbean lounge.
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D’Amaro did not announce the exact opening date of the Pirates of the Caribbean Tavern at Walt Disney World Resort. Follow Inside the Magic for updates on this and other construction projects at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.
What food and drink options would you like to see in the Pirates of the Caribbean lounge? Share your ideas with Inside the Magic in the comments.
