For quite sometime, I’ve been posting about the upcoming changes to Walt Disney World and Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. Following the phenomenal success of Disney’s film, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, the classic attraction enjoyed a second wind of popularity.
And just as the ride inspired the film, the film now inspires the ride. Walt Disney Imagineers have been hard at work for the past year creating new animatronics and special effects that have now been added to the popular attraction.
So, what is the consensus among those that have experienced the updated attraction? The overwhelming response is that the new additions are a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of the Walt Disney Imagineers. Disney World and Disneyland guests have almost unanimously agreed that the new animatronics truly bring the ride into the 21st century with their amazing lifelike characteristics and movements.
Joining the three Jack Sparrow and lone Barbossa animatronics is a new special effect: a mist curtain bearing the moving, talking image of the series newest villain, Davy Jones, played by the extremely talented Bill Nighy (Love Actually, Still Crazy). As guests travel through the caverns leading to the infamous island pillaging, they will seemingly travel through the apparition of the villainous Davy Jones.
Throughout the summer, “Captain Jack” will be on hand to teach young pirates the ways of buccaneering near the ride’s entrance. For those who’ve always wanted to have their photo taken with “Captain Jack,” here’s your chance.
In September, I will be embarking upon my first journey through the new Pirates ride and will be back here with my own review of the recent changes to the ride.