In the Parks Series - Pirates of the Caribbean: New and Improved, or a Disappointment for Fans?

Those of you who call Walt Disney World your second home know all about the beloved classic ride, Pirates of the Carribean. The ride, which opened in 1973 (1967 in Disneyland) has been going strong for decades.

We will discuss the history of the ride and merchandise in another segment. Today, I want to discuss the changes made to the ride in 2018 and my take on it now that I’ve seen these changes in person. Is this a notable change for the better, or a disappointment for fans?

Why were changes made?

Unlike the changes made in 2006 to add in Jack Sparrow’s storyline after the debut of a successful movie franchise based on the ride, more notable changes made this time around were made for a slightly more PC reason.

As you may well be aware, there used to be an auction scene where eligible pirate bachelors could take a wench for a bride.

“We wants the redhead!”

Some fans were not necessarily happy with this scene, as it connotes women as property to be bought. Personally, I take no offence at this - the ride is based on the pirate days of old where purchasing a bride could have been perfectly acceptable. It’s not depicting violence towards women, which I could see a change being warranted over. In all honesty and speaking as a woman, changing it seems to be a half-hearted gesture to sweep this view of women under the rug.

That being said, what’s done is done. Looking at the changes with this in mind, the new auction scene is pretty great in its own regard. I would say that I don’t believe it takes away from the ride whatsoever. Take a look below, and let me know what you think:

“Send them hens to Davy Jones - it’s the rum they want! Don’t cha, boys?” "Yeah! We wants the rum!"

As you can see, the auction scene is now more of a good ol’ rum-loving pirate scene. While not a necessary change in my mind, the redhead is a lot more interesting now to say the least. And she drinks rum too! My favourite.

Moving on to less notable changes, there is also a new PhotoPass opportunity. Right before the drop, a talking skull captures you as you embark on your journey.

My husband kept trying to make the most ridiculous faces every chance he got. We’re in row three.

Now, this photo opportunity is pretty cool (he captures you with a flash of his ghostly eye - aye matey!) but also not great in quality. When you need to fit in so many rows of people, it’s difficult to get a good-quality photo.


Here’s another one for your amusement:

Another difference is the removal of the mermaid skeleton near the beginning of the ride. Although we initially speculated that this may be for similar reasons to the changes made to the auction scene, a little more research has given us another theory. The mermaid skeleton and additional ones in the water were added for the Pirates movie, On Stranger Tides in 2012. Therefore, this change could just be due to the ride now having to incorporate the most recent movie, Dead Men Tell No Tales.

In the pirate ship scene where the pirate ships are blasting off cannons at one another, there also appears to be more cannon blasts - I definitely got a bit more wet this time than my last visit! If you’re going to make changes, might as well add just a little more magic at the same time, I suppose.

In all, the changes seem to add positively to the ride. I enjoy the fact that the redhead now has a speaking part and the new talking skull PhotoPass opportunity, which is whimsical if nothing else. Even if you’re on the fence about it, you can just make funny faces like my husband next time you go!


What do you think of the new changes to the Pirates of the Caribbean ride? Comment and subscribe :)



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