Pirates of the Caribbean
Disneyland, Anaheim, California (March 16 1967 – present)
The original boat / dark ride, which inspired the movie series.
Originally planned to be a walk-through wax museum, about real-life historical pirates, this idea was quickly scrapped once Audio-Animatronics technology, first used in The Enchanted Tiki Room, became workable.The boat ride was a proven technology following the It’s A Small World attraction, which premiered at the New York Worlds Fair in 1964.
The bulk of the ride takes place in a show building beyond the ‘berm’ surrounding the park. The first waterfall takes the boat under the beam and into the show building.
The original ride remains tremendously atmospheric, and still a wonderful experience after years of being open. Guests board a boat, which travels back in time (by waterfall) back to a time of pirates. Some gorgeous lighting and wonderful animatronics (upgraded to include a Johnny Depp ‘Jack Sparrow’ animatronic in a few places) complete the illusion.
The Blue Bayou restaurant, in the Pirates building, is a great place for a meal after the ride.
1967
Creation & Construction
Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure
Shanghai Disneyland (June 16 2016 – present)
A totally upgraded and incredible-looking experience, incorporating some amazing illusions and wonderful huge-scale projections.