PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN

(March 18, 1967 —Present) BACKSTORY: Envisioned in the late 1950’s as a walk-through wax museum, it evolved into a boat ride through complex show scenes with Audio-Animatronics characters (possible due to advances in technologies from the 1964 NY World’s Fair). Real historic pirates were replaced with Imagineer Marc Davis’ humorous fictional ones. Upon its debut, POTC was Disneyland’s largest AA project and the last attraction Walt Disney worked on. The painting of the female pirate above the Captain’s Quarters’ bar is by Davis. The Auctioneer was a test AA; many innovations were tried on him first, making him the most realistic.

The lusty pirates chasing shapely females in circles (figures on hidden turntables) and the comic reversal of an overweight woman chasing a pirate offended some, so Disney gave the hefty woman a rolling pin. The scene changed again in 1997: pirates chased women with pies and the large woman chased a pirate with a stolen ham. Another pirate was once shown exhausted from his pursuit of an unwilling female, holding her petticoat and uttering suggestive lines like “It’s sore I be to hoist me colors upon the likes of that shy little wench,” and “I be willing to share I be.” The woman popped her head out from a barrel behind him. The “Pooped Pirate” was renamed the Gluttonous Pirate and recast in 1997 as a hungry rogue. His dialogue included “Me belly be feeling like galleon with a load of treasure” and “I be looking for a fine pork loin I be.” A cat replaced the woman in the barrel.

In 2006, Imagineers made changes inspired by the “POTC” films to coincide with the sequel’s release. This time the turntables feature pirates chased by women with a broom, rolling pin, and a pitchfork. The “Pooped Pirate” character now holds a treasure map & vault key while Capt. Jack Sparrow observes from the barrel. The refab also included other AA figures of Capt. Jack and one of Hector Barbossa (who replaces Blackbeard on the Wicked Wench), along with new special effects, improved lighting & audio, and a ghostly appearance by Davy Jones, all voiced by the original actors. The final Jack Sparrow in the Treasure Room was supposed to roll a coin on the back of his hand, but the Imagineers were unable to get the effect to work properly, thus causing this Sparrow’s hand to be dubbed “The Million Dollar Hand.” The skeleton beach and hurricane scenes are now accompanied by an instrumental version of "Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me)” written by George Bruns and Xavier Atencio. As the boats are lifted back to ground level, guests see Capt. Jack with his new treasure.

Photos presented in order you’d see them if you were on this attraction. Most available for purchase as enlargements; email your request. To view photos, allow popups in your web browser & click thumbnails below.

Construction/Exterior

POTC model
Model
POTC model
Model
Aerial view of construction, Feb. 22, 1966
Aerial view of construction, Feb. 22, 1966
POTC Attraction building, May 1967
May 1967
Pirates of the Caribbean attraction building, December 1968
Dec. 1968
Pirates of the Caribbean attraction building, December 1968
Dec. 1968
Pirates of the Caribbean Attraction Building at Disneyland 1969
Attraction Building, 1969
Pirates of the Caribbean Attraction Building at Disneyland 1993
Attraction Building, 1993
Pirates of the Caribbean Attraction Building at Disneyland
Attraction Building, May 2006
Pirates of the Caribbean Sign
Attraction Sign
Pirates of the Caribbean Sign
Attraction Sign
Pirates of the Caribbean Sign
Underpass entrance, March 2008

Pirates of the Caribbean photo

Fountain/Plaque outside in the queue area

Pirates of the Caribbean photo

Fountain/Plaque outside in the queue area

Lion statue visible in line queue, February 2007

Lion statue visible in line queue, Feb. 2007

Pirates of the Caribbean photo

Sign outside entrance

   

Line Queue

Captain Barbossa
Captain Barbossa
Pirates of the Caribbean Jack Sparrow line queue mural photo, June 2008
Jack Sparrow
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Anne Bonny & Mary Read
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Ned Low
Pirates of the Caribbean Charles and Henry mural photo
Charles and Henry
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Capt. Charles Gibbs
Pirates of the Caribbean Sir Henry Mainwaring line queue mural photo, June 2008
Sir Henry Mainwaring
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Sir Francis Verney
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Contest winner, Jenifer Greenwell, March 2008
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Contest winner, Jenifer Greenwell, March 2008
   

The Ambiguous Confabulation Collection

Ever wanted to see Pirates of the Caribbean with the lights on? Ever wanted to go play inside the attraction and get real close to all the audio-animatronics? If scene-spoilers and "how’d they do that" photos don’t distress you, click here to see some amazing behind the scenes photos. But I warn you...if you don’t want to ruin the magic, don’t go to this page.

Blue Bayou

Pirates of the Caribbean photo

Blue Bayou*

Laffites Landing Sign

Laffite’s Landing Sign

Laffites Landing Sign

Laffite’s Landing Sign

Pirates of the Caribbean photo

Blue Bayou Restaurant, Jan. 2007

The Blue Bayou

The Blue Bayou

Pirates of the Caribbean photo

Blue Bayou*

The Blue Bayou

The Blue Bayou

Oh Susannah

The Blue Bayou

Boat on the Blue Bayou

Boat on the Bayou, Jan. 2007

Houseboat on the Blue Bayou

Houseboat on the Bayou, Jan. 2007

The Blue Bayou

The Blue Bayou

Oh Susannah

Oh Susannah on a bayou front porch, Feb. 2007

POTC Bayou
Jan. 2008
POTC Bayou
Jan. 2008
POTC Bayou
Jan. 2008
POTC Bayou
Jan. 2008
POTC Bayou
Jan. 2008
Oh Susannah
Oh Susannah on a bayou front porch
Oh Susannah
Oh Susannah on a bayou front porch, Jan. 2007
Oh Susannah
Oh Susannah on a bayou front porch
POTC Bayou porch, September 2007
Sept. 2007
     

Grotto/Captain’s Bar

Pirates of the Caribbean photo, October 1995
Pirate Skull Warning, Oct. 1995
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Pirate Skull Warning
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Dead Men Tell No Tales!
Pirates of the Caribbean Jolly Roger Talking Skull, June 2008
Jolly Roger, June 2008
Caves after the waterfall
Caves after the waterfall, Jan. 2007
Waterfall grotto in Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, June 2008
Cave after the waterfall, June 2008
Pirate Skeletons and crabs
Pirate Skeletons and crabs
Pirate Skeleton on the beach
Pirate Skeleton on the beach, May 2007
Pirate Skeleton on the beach
Pirate Skeleton on the beach, Sept. 2007
Pirate Skeletons and crabs
Pirate Skeletons and crabs
Pirate Skeleton on the beach
Pirate Skeleton on the beach, Sept. 2007
Pirates of the Caribbean attraction skeleton on the beach, June 2008
June 2008
Pirate skeleton and seagull, July 2008
Pirate skeletons, July 2008
Pirate skeleton and seagull, July 2008
Pirate skeletons, July 2008
Pirate skeleton and seagull, Aug. 2008
Pirate skeletons, Aug. 2008
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Skeletal Captain (pre-Jack Sparrow version)
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Sailing a ship during the storm
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Sailing a ship during the storm
Sailing a ship during the storm, May 2007
Sailing a ship during the storm, May 2007
Sailing a ship during the storm
Sailing a ship during the storm, May 2007
Disneyland POTC Pirate skeleton steering ship, July 2008
July 2008
Disneyland POTC Pirate skeleton steering ship, September 2008
Sept. 2008
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Stow yer weapons!
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Thar Be No Place Like Home!
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Game Time
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Game Time, Oct. 2007
Pirates of the Caribbean Captain's Bar photo, June 2008
Game Time, June 2008
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Captain’s Bar (Panavue Slide)
Pirates of the Caribbean photo, October 1995
Captain’s Bar, Oct. 1995
Captains Bar
Captain’s Bar
Captains Bar, May 2007
Captain’s Bar, May 2007
POTC Marc Davis painting, April 2008
Marc Davis painting, April 2008
POTC Marc Davis painting, May 2008
Marc Davis painting, May 2008
Disneyland POTC Captain's Bar, July 2008
July 2008
   

Captain’s Quarters

Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Captain’s Quarters, Dec. 2006
Pirates of the Caribbean Captains Quarters, May 2007
Captain’s Quarters, May 2007
Pirates of the Caribbean Captain's Quarters photo, December 2007
Captain’s Quarters, Oct. 2007
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Captain’s Quarters
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Captain’s Quarters (Panavue Slide)
Pirates of the Caribbean Captain's Quarters photo, June 2008
June 2008
Pirates of the Caribbean Captain's Quarters photo, December 2007
Captain’s Quarters, Oct. 2007
Pirates of the Caribbean Captains Quarters photo, May 2008
May 2008
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Captain’s Quarters
Harpsichord in the Captains Quarters
Harpsichord in the Captain’s Quarters
Harpsichord in the Captains Quarters
Harpsichord in the Captain’s Quarters
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Pirate Treasure (Panavue Slide)
Pirates of the Caribbean attraction treasure, June 2008
Pirate treasure now
Pirate treasure now
Pirate treasure now
Pirates of the Caribbean treasure photo, December 2007
Oct. 2007
Pirates of the Caribbean treasure photo, January 2008
Jan. 2008
Pirates of the Caribbean treasure photo, June 2008
June 2008
Pirate treasure now
Pirate treasure, Dec. 2006
Pirate treasure, October 2007
Pirate treasure, Oct. 2007 (note Aztec Chest from movie)
POTC photo, January 2008
Jan. 2008
Leaving the treasure cave
Leaving the treasure cave, Jan. 2007
Warning from Davy Jones
Warning from Davy Jones
Pirates of the Caribbean attraction warning from Davy Jones, June 2008
Warning from Davy Jones, June 2008
Pirates of the Caribbean attraction warning from Davy Jones, June 2008
July 2008

Attack on Spanish Town

Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Pirate Ship “The Wicked Wench” attacks a Spanish Town (Panavue Slide)
Pirate Ship attacking a Spanish Town
Pirate Ship attacking a Spanish Town, Dec. 2006
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Pirate Ship attacking a Spanish Town
Pirate Ship Attack
Pirate Ship Attack
Pirate Ship Attack
Barbossa leads the attack, Jan. 2007
Pirate Ship Attack
Barbossa’s Ship, Jan. 2007
POTC Wicked Wench Attack, June 2008
June 2008
Pirate Ship Attack, February 2007
Pirate Ship Attack, Feb. 2007
Pirate Ship Attack
Pirate Ship Attack
Pirate Ship Attack, February 2007
Pirate Ship Attack, Feb. 2007
POTC Wicked Wench Attack, June 2008
June 2008
Fortress defense, 2006
Defense from the Fortress
Canonfire at a Spanish Town
Canonfire at a Spanish Town (Panavue Slide)
Canonfire from the fortress, Dec. 2006
Canonfire from the fortress, Dec. 2006
Canonfire from the fortress, Dec. 2006
Canonfire from the fortress, Dec. 2006
Fortress
Fortress Tower, Jan. 2007
Fortress
Fortress Tower, Jan. 2007

Dunking Carlos, The Mayor

Waiting to get dunked
Waiting to get dunked
Waiting to get dunked
Waiting to get dunked, May 2007
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Carlos don’t be chicken! (Panavue Slide)
Carlos getting dunked
Carlos getting dunked
Carlos gets dunked
Carlos gets dunked
Carlos gets dunked
Carlos gets dunked, Feb. 2007
Carlos No! No! No!
Carlos No! No! No!
Watching Carlos getting dunked
Watching Carlos getting dunked, Dec. 2006
Watching Carlos getting dunked
Watching Carlos getting dunked
Overview of dunking scene, Jan. 2007
Overview of dunking scene, Jan. 2007
Disneyland POTC Carlos the Mayor gets dunked, July 2008
July 2008
Disneyland POTC Carlos the Mayor gets dunked, July 2008
July 2008
Disneyland POTC Carlos the Mayor gets dunked, July 2008
July 2008
         

Jack Sparrow at the Costurera

Jack Sparrow hides behind dresses

Jack Sparrow hides at the Costurera

Jack Sparrow hides behind dresses

Jack Sparrow hides at the Costurera, May 2007

Jack Sparrow hides behind dresses

Jack Sparrow hides at the Costurera, May 2007

Jack Sparrow hides behind dresses

Jack Sparrow hides at the Costurera

Jack Sparrow hides behind dresses

Jack Sparrow hides at the Costurera

Jack Sparrow hides behind dresses

Jack Sparrow hides at the Costurera

Jack Sparrow hides behind dresses
Jack Sparrow hides at the Costurera
Jack Sparrow hides behind dresses
Jack Sparrow hides at the Costurera
Captain Jack hides at the Costurera
Jack Sparrow hides
Captain Jack hides at the Costurera
Jack Sparrow hides, Dec. 2006
Captain Jack Sparrow hides at the Costurera, July 2008
July 2008
 

Wench Auction

Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Wench auction
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Security at the Auction, Dec. 2006
Wench Auction Security
Wench Auction Security, 2006
Wench auction
Wench auction
Pirates of the Caribbean Wench auction, December 2006
Wench auction, Dec. 2006
Disneyland Wench auction early still
Publicity still
Wench auction
Publicity still, July 1967
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Wench auction
Pirates of the Caribbean Wench Auction photo
Red-headed wench
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Red-headed wench
Red-headed wench
Red-headed wench, Dec. 2006
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Red-headed wench
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Wench Auction
Pirates of the Caribbean Wench Auction photo, May 2008
Red-headed wench, May 2008
Pirates of the Caribbean Wench Auction photo, May 2008
May 2008
Pirates of the Caribbean Wench Auction photo, June 2008
June 2008
Pirates of the Caribbean Wench Auction photo, June 2008
June 2008
Pirates of the Caribbean Wench Auction photo, June 2008
June 2008
Pirates of the Caribbean Wench Auction photo, June 2008
June 2008
Pirates of the Caribbean Wench Auction photo, June 2008
June 2008
Pirates of the Caribbean Wench Auction photo, August 2008
Aug. 2008
Pirates of the Caribbean Wench Auction photo, August 2008
Aug. 2008
Pirates of the Caribbean Wench Auction photo, August 2008
Aug. 2008
Pirates of the Caribbean Wench Auction photo, August 2008
Aug. 2008
Pirates of the Caribbean Wench Auction photo, September 2008
Sept. 2008
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Auctioneer (Panavue Slide)
Auctioneer
Auctioneer, Dec. 2006
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Auctioneer
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Auctioneer
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Auctioneer, Feb. 2007
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Auctioneer, Feb. 2007
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Auctioneer
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Security at the Auction, Dec. 2006
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Watching the wench auction
Wench auction onlookers
Wench auction onlookers
Wench auction onlookers
Wench auction onlookers, July 2007
Wench auction onlookers
Wench auction onlookers, July 2007
Heckling from the Bridge
Heckling from the Bridge (Panavue Slide)
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Drunken pirate
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Drunken pirate
Pirates of the Caribbean photo, June 2008
Drunken pirate, June 2008

Pirate & Maiden Chase • Sparrow in a Barrel

Scenery along the way, Jan. 2007

Scenery along the way, Jan. 2007

Scenery along the way, Jan. 2007

Scenery along the way, Jan. 2007

Chased with a broom

Chased with a broom

Chased with a broom

Chased with a broom

Chased with a broom

Chased with a broom, Dec. 2006

Chased with a broom

Chased with a broom

Pursuing a Bride
Pursuing a Bride (Panavue Slide)
Pursuing a Bride
Pursuing a Bride, Jan. 2007
Pursuing a Bride
Pursuing a Bride, Jan. 2007
Drunken Pirates
Drunken Pirates
Drunken Pirates
Drunken Pirates
Drunken Pirates
Drunken Pirates, Jan. 2008

Chase with a pitchfork, February 2007

Chase with a pitchfork, Feb. 2007

Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Original “Non-PC” gluttonous pirate & maid in barrel (Panavue Slide)
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Original “Non-PC” gluttonous pirate & maid in barrel
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Gluttonous pirate
Drunken Pirates
Scene overview, Jan. 2007
Pirate, Treasure Map, and jack
Pirate, Treasure Map, and Jack, Feb. 2007
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Gluttonous Pirate, May 2007
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Gluttonous Pirate
Jack Sparrow in a barrel
Jack spies on a pirate with a treasure map, Dec. 2006
Jack Sparrow in a barrel
Jack spies on a pirate with a treasure map, Dec. 2006
Gluttonous Pirate and Jack Sparrow photo
Gluttonous Pirate and Jack Sparrow
Gluttonous pirate and Jack Sparrow
Gluttonous pirate and Jack Sparrow
Gluttonous pirate and Jack Sparrow
Gluttonous pirate and Jack Sparrow, Jan. 2007
Gluttonous pirate and Jack Sparrow
Gluttonous pirate and Jack Sparrow, Jan. 2008
Jack Sparrow in a barrel
Jack Sparrow in a barrel, Dec. 2006
Pirates of the Caribbean photo
Jack Sparrow
Pirate, Treasure Map, and jack
Pirate, Treasure Map, and Jack, Feb. 2007
Jack Sparrow in a barrel
Jack Sparrow in a barrel, Dec. 2006

Jack Sparrow in a barrel

Jack Sparrow in a barrel, Dec. 2006

Jack Sparrow uncovered photo

Jack Sparrow uncovered, May 2007

Pirates of the Caribbean photo

Maiden chasing Pirate (Panavue Slide)

A rolling pin has been added to the chase

A rolling pin has been added to the chase

A rolling pin has been added to the chase

A rolling pin has been added to the chase

Lustful Maiden

Lustful Maiden

Lustful Maiden

Lustful Maiden, Dec. 2006

Chased by a rolling pin

Chased by a rolling pin

Pirate chased by woman with rolling pin

Pirate chased by woman with rolling pin, May 2007

Chased by a rolling pin

Chased by a rolling pin

>>click for pg. 2 of Daveland’s POTC photos<<

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