When folks are asked about their favorite attractions at Walt Disney World, quite often Pirates of the Caribbean tops their list. This is true with my family as well. This attraction is a dark boat ride through the days of pirates – you even ride thru a pirate battle with cannons exploding around you.
Pirates of the Caribbean is the last attraction that Walt helped design but it didn’t open at Disneyland until after his passing. This classic attraction opened at Walt Disney World in 1973.
There may be a few details you don’t know about this attraction. While waiting in line you may see skeletons playing chess. That chess game has been set up to end in a stalemate. It seems these ’people’ have been playing this game since 1973.
One of the surprises of this attraction is an unexpected drop. This 14’ drop over a waterfall is not only for entertainment value. This waterfall drop is there so the boats can safely pass under the railroad tracks that surround the Magic Kingdom.
I have only been able to see it once, but there is a hidden Mickey on the heel of one of the pirates. As you pass under the bridge there is a “dirty foot” pirate with his leg dangling over the edge. If you look closely you might be able to spot it on the heel of his foot.
In 2006 refurbishments were made to this attraction to add Captain Jack Sparrow. He now appears in every scene. When on this attraction, pay close attention to the very last scene. That scene has Jack Sparrow sitting in a chair surrounded by his treasure. Take note of the location of the hat in this scene. It will either be on Jack Sparrow’s head or on the back of the chair. There is an unconfirmed rumor that if the hat is on Jack’s head, Johnny Depp is in the park. All I know is I have seen it both on his head and on the chair, but have never seen Johnny Depp.
I hope you enjoy this attraction as much as my family does when visiting Walt Disney World.
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Denise has loved Disney as far back as she can remember. She has two teenage girls who were raised with Disney. Their rooms were decorated, and their closets were filled with Disney articles. Denise’s house now has Disney on every wall. Her wardrobe is made up mostly of Disney clothes. She feels that being surrounded by Disney keeps the memories and magic alive! Her friends affectionately call her “the crazy Disney lady”. Denise was born and raised in Oregon. Currently she lives in both Oregon and Florida splitting her time between both parts of the country. She lives with her youngest daughter (15) and her roommate. Her daughter goes to high school In Oregon. Denise and her roommate sneak away to Florida several times a year, as often as possible. Her daughter tags along when she can, without missing too much school. Her oldest daughter (20) doesn’t make it to Florida much anymore, but hopes to again very soon. Denise’s first trip to Walt Disney World was for her birthday in 2009. She fell more in love with the magic of Disney that day! Ever since then, Denise and her kids have been annual passholders. Last spring she upgraded to a premier pass to include Disneyland. Over spring break her youngest daughter had the pleasure of her first visit to Disneyland. With Denise helping them plan, her brother and his family enjoyed their first family trip to Disneyland at that same time.
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