Posts Tagged ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’

Dark rides; few experiences have greater power to transport us.  We enter and we are whisked away to another place; another time.  In Adventureland at the Magic Kingdom, we find one of the most well-loved of all the dark rides – Pirates of the Caribbean.

Even before we enter, we are entranced by the architectural details of the building.  There are beautiful elements everywhere – grillwork and tiles, arches, scrolls, and turrets, and wonderful lighting.

The atmospheric queue, with its twisting pathways, caves and caches, only hints at the “treasures” waiting beyond.

We climb into seaworthy vessels and head out on our adventure.  The darkness intensifies the senses.

We feel the cold sea wind blowing; the ghostly voices cause a shiver of anxiety about what may lie ahead.

Then, suddenly, we are in the midst of a battle with muzzle flash and splashing cannonballs which seem to miss our fragile boats by the smallest of margins.  Around the bend and we sail into an amazing nighttime scene.  There’s music and mischief, commerce and cavorting, grime and gold as the pillaging crew makes its way through the town.

Disney likes to point out the fact that the attraction inspired the movies of the same name, which in turn inspired enhancements to the original ride.  Amongst its dozens of audioanimatronic figures, Pirates of the Caribbean now features several encounters with a strikingly realistic Captain Jack Sparrow.

There’s also a spooky image of Davy Jones that emerges from a curtain of water at the beginning of the voyage.

To complete the adventure, we have the perfect song, one that will play happily in our heads each time we relive our voyage to the Caribbean – Yo Ho!!

 

Pirates of the Caribbean

Magic Kingdom, Adventureland

Approximately 9 minutes

Guests must transfer from wheelchair and ECV to ride vehicle

No flash photography allowed

FastPass available

Handheld captioning available

Park admission required

 

 

It was a theming opportunity too good to miss – Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort has gone pirate!  Not all guests will take advantage of the wonderful Pirate Rooms with their masted headboards, shipping-crate-and-barrel furnishings, and walk-the-plank carpeting.  But, everyone staying at the resort can enjoy the atmospheric Old Port Royale complex based on the “Pirates of the Caribbean” attraction and movies, with its amazing pool.

Styled after a Spanish fort with domed turrets, “crumbling” stone walls, rambling staircases, and hidden passageways, the pool now has a zero entry feature making it easily accessible to all guests. Rustic window grilles, balconies, iron gates, and lookouts add to the fortress ambience.  Significantly larger than the previous theme pool, it boasts hot and cool spas, two slides, a shower, and ample seating.

A “shipwreck” feature in the children’s play area includes three slides and some extra water fun as the large barrel fills and then dumps its contents.

Each of the six villages that make up Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort also has its own quiet pool.  Main pool and spa hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. with the lifeguards, slides, and aqua play area available until 8:00 p.m.  The quiet pools are open 24 hours.

Disney gives dog lovers a lot to smile about.  Great dogs are not only the stars of many animated features, but they pop up in unexpected places at every Disney destination.  We thought we’d share a few of our favorites!

The famous jailhouse dog delights us in Pirates of the Caribbean.

Everyone feels a tug of sympathy seeing the poor little emaciated pup slinking by in the gloomy graveyard of the Haunted Mansion.

Although he’s not very furry, RoboDog at Space Mountain certainly has more than his share of personality.

Visitors to Downtown Disney always enjoy seeing the wonderful Lego dogs strolling along the sidewalk.

Our top pick?  The sweet dog in the Carousel of Progress who stays by his master’s side through generations of kitchens, his head bobbing and his tail wagging softly.