Countdown - 86 Days to Go!

🏴‍☠️ 86 Days to Go: Pirates of the Caribbean and the Ride That Came Before the Movie!

The legendary Black Pearl? Not quite—but this glowing ship sets the tone for adventure.Photo Credit: JillianWallin

Alright, probably the title of the BIGGEST ride-related blockbuster belongs to—yep, you guessed it! Pirates of the Caribbean. It’s wild to think we first met Will, Elizabeth, and Captain Jack 22 years ago, but like many of you, I was already sailing through this iconic attraction long before Jack Sparrow swaggered into Adventureland.

And while It’s a Small World may have a divided fanbase, we actually owe its success to the fact that Pirates is a boat ride! Could you imagine if they’d left it as a walk-through wax museum? 😱

So hop aboard the Black Pearl and let’s dive into Davy Jones’ locker for some swashbuckling history!

🌍 Pirates Around the World

From Paris to Tokyo, every version of Pirates brings its own flair. This lively village scene is a fan favorite.Photo Credit: JillianWallin

Park	Opening Date	Notes
Disneyland (CA)	March 18, 1967	That New Orleans Square exterior + bayou intro = pure Disney magic.
Magic Kingdom (FL)	December 15, 1973	Totally worth the ride! But let’s be honest—it’s not Disneyland. 😉
Hong Kong Disneyland	—	Sadly, this park is missing Pirates entirely!
Tokyo Disneyland	April 15, 1983	A near replica of Disneyland’s version—and that’s part of the charm.
Disneyland Paris	April 12, 1992	Heard amazing things… it’s on my TBR (To Be Ridden 😉) list!
Shanghai Disneyland	June 16, 2016	A tech-forward reimagining that’s truly next-level.

📸 Ride Moments & Magic

Dead men tell no tales… but we sure do! Caught mid-ride with pirate flair and Minnie ears. Photo Credits: MemoryMaker and JilianWallin

🧭 Fun Facts You Might Not Know

1. 🏗️ Pirates at Disneyland was the last ride Walt Disney personally oversaw.

2. ⬇️ The double drops at Disneyland take you outside the park’s berm into the show building.

3. 🕵️‍♂️ Captain Jack was added later—there are at least 3 spots in the U.S. parks where he appears!

4. ⏱️ Disneyland’s version is almost 15 minutes long… Magic Kingdom? Just 8 minutes.

5. 🌴 Imagineers originally thought Florida guests wouldn’t want a Caribbean-themed ride… they were wrong.

6. 🎭 Johnny Depp has appeared in full Jack Sparrow gear inside the ride area!

🐘 Final Thoughts

While I’m partial to the double drop and that dreamy bayou float at Disneyland, I truly don’t think there’s a bad version of this ride. Each one has its own charm, and I love that it’s still evolving while staying true to its roots.

What’s your favorite version? Or better yet—what’s your favorite scene?

📚 Resources

📚 Resources

1. 10 Facts and Secrets about Pirates of the Caribbean – DisneyLists

2. 11 Fascinating Secrets of Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean Ride – Mickey Visit

3. 7 Hidden Details You Didn’t Know About Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean – Disney Tips