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In march of 1967, Pirates of the Caribbean made it’s debut at Disneyland, becoming
an instant hit, and one of the parks most popular attractions
[Pirate talking]
And almost 4 decades later, in 2003, Walt Disney Pictures released Pirates of the Caribbean,
the Curse of the Black Pearl, which had been directly inspired by the attraction, and was
both a critical and commercial success, escalating the ride to an even higher level of popularity.
[Clip: If you see Johnny Depp and get him to come over here, are you willing to shake
your pirate booty for him?
Oh yes!
Oh yeah!
Oh my gosh, I would go to jail for him.]
3 years later, in March of 2006, shortly before the sequel to the smash hit had it’s premiere
at Disneyland, the attraction had been closed for a major refurbishment and to make alterations
to further tie in the movie with the ride, resulting in some of the most controversial
changes to a classic attraction in Disney’s theme park history.
A year earlier in 2005, rumors began to circulate within the theme park community, that Disney
was in the process of working on integrating characters from Pirates of the Caribbean the
movie into the beloved attraction,
and in February of 2006, Disney officially announced that Pirates of the Caribbean would
close the following month, in which they would be enhancing the attraction with new characters
and new technology, bridging the gap between the classic attraction, and the pirate film
franchise.
[Movie clip: Yo ho yo ho a pirates life for me!
I love this song!]
While many believed this move was solely to capitalize on the movie’s massive popularity,
another factor at play, as guest services in City Hall had begun to receive a growing
list of complaints from new visitors,
who were disappointed to see how just how little the ride tied in with the movie, specifically
the lack of the now iconic Jack Sparrow, with newly appointed CEO Bob Iger, believing the
future of the attraction lay with the successful integration.
[Singing clip: This is the tale of Captain Jack Sparrow, pirate so brave on the seven
seas.
What?]
But this wasn’t the first time Pirates of the Caribbean had a major update, as less
than 10 years earlier in 1997, a refurbishment took place that attempted to make the ride
more politically correct, and while I explored the most controversial changes in detail in
a previous video
They also included a new ending to the ride, relocating the slurring and obviously drunken
pirate nicknamed Thur, to the updated cantina scene, and was replaced with 2 pirates attempting
to make off with the cursed treasure, followed by a display to bring the story full circle.
Regardless, the cries of those opposed to the movie tie ins fell on deaf ears, as on
March 6th, the classic attraction was closed for it’s major refurbishment, one that would
attempt to please both die hard fans of the original, and those wanting to see more of
the movie in it’s source of inspiration.
And three months later On June 25th, pirates of the caribbean dead man’s chest had it’s
premiere at Disneyland, and the next day the attraction was re-opened, and reactions to
the changes were mixed to say the least.
[Movie clip: No!
Not good.
Stop!
Not good.]
The first sign of change could be found upon entering the attraction, which now featured
new wall paintings of the film’s characters, and an updated queue display replacing the
glowing pirates of the caribbean title, with a detailed treasure map.
And it wasn’t long after setting off that while it never went beyond the conceptual
phase, the first movie tie in would have been one of the skeleton crew members from the
film to appear alongside the iconic figure at a destroyed ships helm, however just around
the corner the implemented changes were about to begin
As the treasure room had been completely gutted during it’s refurbishment, and replaced
with over four hundred thousand pieces of gold and additional treasure, making the scene
look better than ever.
Only it now featured the aztec treasure chest actually used in the film, and immediately
after as you entered the cavern, the once eerily atmospheric and pitch dark section
with a haunting voice over.
Was replaced by a projection effect on a wall of mist, of Davy Jones from Dead Man’s Chest.
[Clip: If ye be brave or fool enough to face a pirate’s curse, proceed.]
But the most drastic changes had yet to come, as where the once iconic Blackbeard commanded
his crew to fire upon the town’s stronghold, with the only audio being voices and sound
effects, had been replaced with an animatronic of Captain Barbossa, with the movies theme
blaring in the background.
Almost immediately after in the well dunking scene, the dialogue here was altered as well,
with the pirate much like Barbossa, now looking for Jack Sparrow.
Only seconds later, Jack Sparrow himself made his appearance as stunningly realistic animatronic
with an uncanny resemblance to Johnny Depp’s character.
Though curiously, especially in light of the 1997 PC alterations, the Bride Auction scene
was left intact,
[Clip: We wants the red head!
We wants the red head!]
But in the following show scene, Jack Sparrow made another appearance.
With the gluttonous pirate who had once been the controversial lustful pirate, changed
to a treasure hunter.
And the cat in the barrel, which had replaced another aspect of the 90’s controversy,
now featured the mischievous pirate in another instance of the dialogue being reworked to
mention Jack Sparrow.
To the relief of many, the only changes to the next several showscenes were updated visual
effects and lighting, in which the redigitized original audio tracks could be fully appreciated
However the final movie tie in could be found at the ride’s conclusion, in which Jack
Sparrow has found the treasure, and the voice of Davy Jones bid guests farewell.
[Clip: Unbelievable.
I’ve always loved the ride.
I’m very proud.
I’m honored.]
Overall, while the rides non-movie updates and touch ups received unanimous praise, the
rest of the new additions had fans of the attraction divided.
As some felt they seamlessly blended into the attraction, while others were enraged
that Pirates of the Caribbean had become what some referred to as Pirates of the Caribbean:
The Search for Jack Sparrow.
in which the once non-linear story of the original that simply immersed guests into
the time of the pirates, had been changed to revolve around a plot that drove all focus
to the Pirate movie icon.
With some complaining that Jack Sparrow’s animatronics, while a stunning display of
top notch imagineering, were so lifelike that it contrasted too much with the older technology
and more cartoonish design of the others.
It wasn’t long after this new version debuted, that Pirates of the Caribbean in the Magic
Kingdom followed suite, with the other incarnations receiving variations these movie tie ins over
the following years.
With Shanghai Disneyland’s 2016 version having very little to do with the original
from which the movies were based, with only brief homages made to the original ride, and
the primary focus on elements of the film franchise, and it’s starring character.
Today, as evidenced by the changes made to the bride auction scene, it’s clear Pirates
of the Caribbean is an attraction that will continue to change with the times, and remain
in the center of debate of when the alterations of classic attractions goes too far, and where
exactly the line should be drawn.
[Clip: Look what you’re clucking.
The gentlemen want the rum.
Don't ya, boys?]
So what about you?
What are your thoughts about the altering of classic attractions?
Also, if you would like to support the channel, check out my patreon and merchandise shop.
And as always, thank you all so much for watching, hit those like and share buttons, and I’ll
see you next time.
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