Theme Park Insider

Pirates of the Caribbean reviews

Theme Park Insider readers offer their ratings and reviews for Pirates of the Caribbean, a dark ride in Adventureland at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

Written by
Theme Park Insider Editor
Posted: September 14, 2011

Walt Disney World's Pirates of the Caribbean opened in 1973, two years after the rest of the Magic Kingdom. Originally, Disney Imagineers had planned to build an elaborate "Western River Expedition" dark ride in the Magic Kingdom, figuring that Floridians would have no interest in a Caribbean-themed boat ride.

They were wrong. Disney World visitors demanded their own version of Pirates of the Caribbean, and Disney obliged. Walk through the Spanish fortress and step into a bateau for your ride into a mysterious cavern. Be sure to keep your ruddy hands in board, though, for there be rough seas ahead, ones that will drop you into a musical pirate adventure.

The Magic Kingdom's 10-minute Pirates ride omits several scenes from the Disneyland original, but retains its most famous moments, including the attack on the Spanish Fort, the auction, the chase scene and the burning city. Not to mention X Atencio and George Bruns' famous theme song, "Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Pirate's Life for Me." In 2006, Disney added Captain Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean films to the ride.

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Readers' rating:

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
128 votes, so far

Amazing ride. This classic will never disappoint you but young kids might be frightened - Andrew Dougherty

Amazing ride. This classic will never disappoint you but young kids might be frightened - Andrew Dougherty

Walt's classic never disapoints! Going through caverns, a mild drop, and a caribbean village with drunks galore, what more could someone ask for! 9/10 - Eric Cartman

Yo ho ho ho! A pirates life for me! This is a timeless classic not to be missed. 9/10 - Dominick D

Definetly one of Disney's best attractions. While not as grand as Disneyland's version, this one still satisfies. Despite what everyone says, the recent additions make this ride even better. Jack Sparrow is by doubt one of my favorite animatronics ever. 9/10 - Christopher Sturniolo

a unique ride a classic and with jack sparrow the ride is an awesome ride and with a catchy tune you will never get it out of your head, YO HO YO HO a Pirates life for me!!!!!!!!!! - Manny Rodriguez

This ride is a must-do every trip and, considering that it's a Disney classic, it's usually a no-wait ride for us which is ideal. - Keith Forrest

Really good ride love that they add Jack Sparrow he looks just like Jonnhy Deep. - Giovanny Cruz

I love this attraction especially since they've added characters from the Movie. Great fun makes me want to watch the Movie series over and over! - Giacomo B.

Although not my favourite ride at Disney World, it is one of my favourites in Magic Kingdom. Much improved with the inclusion of Jack Sparrow, this attraction never loses its charm. Its nice for kids now as they can relate to it as they've seen the films. Classic ride at MK - James McGee

Queue- A Great queue, nothing like the other 3 editions(except for paris) Ride- It felt weak compared to the other ones because it was missing out on some of the scenes. My son enjoyed it a lot. My daughter was scared at the grotto but she enjoyed the ride after the drop in the dark. I really liked the blackbeard effect. - Brendan Harrison

Pirates of the Caribbean is a classic and it looks as though it has been updated since our last visit. Blackbeard was projected onto the 'waterfall' instead of Davy Jones and the effects were more seamless. Queue - Pleasant; well themed and indoors so a good place to escape the sun for a while - Mark Williams

How can you not ride pirates when your in disney?!?!? Wish it was as longas Disneylands and i dont get why everyone complains about Jack Sparrow, i think the way hes only seen once or twice adds to the ride, not detract from it, Barbossa and Davy jones appearance kinda overdid it for me... - travis traymoore

Fantastic attraction let down in recent years by management's never-ending quest to market films in the parks. The caverns are an absolute triumph of themed design: only Marc Davis could stage violent murderers in such a way as to make you feel sorry for them! - Man-Eating Sharks

Wouldn't be the greatest ride but it's worth a try. Don't wait more than 30 minutes for this! - D H

It's a classic. Must ride! - Sarah Durden

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