Disney World Celebrates 50 Years of Pirates of the Caribbean

One of Disney World’s most iconic attractions celebrates 50 years now! Look at these rare photos of this beloved attraction through the years and learn more about it.

Beginnings

Pirates of the Caribbean debuted at Florida’s Magic Kingdom Park in 1973 and was one of the park’s first significant additions after its 1971 opening. Look at the first rare photo from Disney’s archives, and you’ll see what future Disney World Imagineers saw: the chance to sail the high seas with pirates.

Behind the walls in the image above, history was in the making at the spot where riders would board a weathered barge for a treacherous voyage to the 17th century when rowdy rogues and rapscallions ransacked Caribbean seaport towns. 

Popular Attraction

Once the attraction opened, Disney World guests would find themselves sailing past Dead Man’s Cove, navigating cannon fire between a Caribbean fort, singing along with pirates to their anthem, “Yo Ho, Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me)” and enjoying other unforgettable pirate experiences, like the famous redhead and the addition of Jack Sparrow.

The first Pirates of the Caribbean attraction opened at Disneyland Park in 1967. It was one of the last attractions Walt personally oversaw the creation of in the 1960s. It remains one of the most immersive attractions ever created for a theme park!  And if you love Pirates, check out these must-do Disney activities HERE.

Learn More

If you’re a fan of Pirates of the Caribbean or want to learn more about this attraction, check out the Pirates of the Caribbean episode of the Original series “Behind the Attraction,” now streaming on Disney+.

To learn more interesting facts, watch the Pirates of the Caribbean episode of the Original series “Behind the Attraction,” now streaming on Disney+.

The Disney+ episode explores how Walt loved adventure stories, especially those that featured swashbuckling pirates. It features exciting stories, such as how the attraction was initially conceived as a wax museum. Still, technological advances convinced Walt that a more sophisticated attraction could be created using state-of-the-art Audio–Animatronics figures.

New Experience Coming

Also, there’s more to come at Disney World with a first-of-its-kind experience that’ll extend the story of Pirates of the Caribbean. At Destination D23, Disney shared the exciting update that a special Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge is coming to Adventureland at Magic Kingdom Park.   

There’s a new Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge coming to Adventureland at Magic Kingdom Park.

Is Pirates of the Caribbean a must-do attraction? What is your favorite part of this ride? Please let us know in the comments and share this post with a Pirate-loving friend.