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Pirates of the Caribbean East Coast version is as good as the West Coast version (my humble opinion)

Walt Disney World: Consider the following...

From Daniel Etcheberry
Posted April 15, 2011 at 6:40 PM
1) Disneyland's version is longer, but Magic Kingdom's version has the most important and famous elements (the main show with the animatronics is almost the same)

2) Disneyland's version has two drops vs only one at MK. But the drop at MK has more magic because it is the transition from the skeletons to the animatronics.

3) Mk doesn't have the Blue Bayou, but nearby at Epcot one can have the same experience with the Mexican boat ride; the backdrop of the Mexican restaurant with the pyramid and the volcano is pure magic.


Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond.

From Randall Peek
Posted April 16, 2011 at 1:29 AM
The Disneyland version has much better pacing. It starts out in the idyllic bayous of the South, and there is a magic to being in the boat passing by the Blue Bayou Restaurant with a single banjo playing lazily in the background. There is the transition to the canals, which give a sense of foreboding, and then the drops, which signal the arrival in another world, another time. Again, even here, we have the build-up from the massive cavern to the scenarios with skeletons, and finally the cursed treasure, which leads us directly into the animatronic portion of the ride. Florida just doesn't have that type of build-up. It seems to be lacking layers of storytelling, just jumping right into the story partway through. Not the same experience at all. It isn't that the portions of the ride can be found in other areas, it is how these missing portions of the ride add so immeasurably to the experience of the Disneyland Pirates ride.

From Anthony Murphy
Posted April 16, 2011 at 7:02 AM
I am sorry, but I am going to have to disagree as well! After going on DLs, there is no comparison and I have been on DLPs and WDWs.

Its also considered the classic version I guess since its the oldest. Also WDW did not start with POTC.

From KJ Simpson
Posted April 16, 2011 at 12:34 PM
I think Daniel's playing with us with that title- especially since none of his three points back up the title ;) (#3...come on, really? Something somewhat similiar...on a different ride...in a different park? That's when I was pretty sure you were pulling our legs)

POTC @ DL is far superior to WDW (in my humble opinion...)

From Daniel Etcheberry
Posted April 16, 2011 at 2:38 PM
Maybe instead of saying (my humble opinion) I should say (I wish)

Ok, maybe it is not as good, but I still stick to my 3 points; the drop at MK is a great transition; the main show is almost the same; the Mexican boat ride portion next to the restaurant gives us Floridians the experience that was denied to us in our Pirates ride.

I do have though a huge complaint with our ride; they took out the talking skull!!!

From Joseph Catlett
Posted April 16, 2011 at 4:38 PM
No doubts about it, Disneyland's is better.....however, and this is a BIG however. The best Pirates of them all is at Disneyland Paris.
Points:

Incorporates a restaurant, The Blue Lagoon Restaurant.

Amazing drops including the final that drops you into an exploding armory.

Dueling Pirate animatronics, battling pirates locked in sword combat and also make contact with said blades.

Amazing queue with loading area set in a lush jungle atmosphere.

My wife who is a self described "Disneyland Kid", upon her first visit to Disneyland Paris could NOT stop talking about their Pirates. She was really impressed and kept on mouthing "wow".

From Raul Araoz
Posted April 16, 2011 at 7:27 PM
It's not even a debate. The Disneyland Pirates is superior in every single way. Okay, I'll give WDW one advantage. I prefer the facade and queue at MK.

From Brandon Mendoza
Posted April 19, 2011 at 2:36 PM
I definitely want to check out the Paris version! from the explosion causing a drop to the octopus to the sword duel... I'm so intrigued!

But I would have to say that the DLR version is still better than the WDW version. Haunted Mansion on the other hand... a whole different story! WDW has so many enhancements that I like... MC Escher-esque crazy stairs, audio in the stretching room... BUT then again, I love Nightmare. So torn I am!

From Anthony Murphy
Posted April 19, 2011 at 8:57 PM
DLP and WDW is similar

From Sylvain Comeau
Posted April 20, 2011 at 8:38 PM
The Disneyland version is much better. It has a great build up to the major show scenes, a full developed experience instead of the abridged version at WDW. AND it still has the talking skull and crossbones!

From Dominick -_-
Posted April 25, 2011 at 1:43 PM
The only reason why Disneylands is longer is because there are 2 drops, and you get off where you came on (and ive never been to DL! :P). I prefer MK better, even without being on DL.

From Anthony Murphy
Posted April 25, 2011 at 8:14 PM
They are bascially the same, but the DL version has some extra scenes which appears to have inspired the movies.


Now I am a BIG fan of WDW, but I gotta give DL this one. Pirates at DL is like visiting a work of art. That and the Tiki Room are MUCH better at DL.

From Russell Meyer
Posted April 28, 2011 at 8:54 PM
The DL version is vastly superior. Even the new effects and Jack Sparrow animatroics are better in the DL version. You get to ride up the lift hill (waterfall) in the DL version, and the opening section around the Blue Bayou is simply classic. Comparing that to EPCOT's Gran Fiesta Tour is like comparing apples to lemons.

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