On June 28, several Disneyland Resort guests were forced to push their boat through Pirates of the Caribbean after the ride broke down. One of the Disney Park guests shared her experience in a video on social media.
The original Pirates of the Caribbean ride opened in New Orleans Square at Disneyland Park in 1967. Versions were later added to Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris Resort, and Tokyo Disneyland at Tokyo Disney Resort. In its decades of operation, the attraction has entertained millions of Disney Park guests around the world.
Pirates of the Caribbean has undergone several changes over the years, from the addition of Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) animatronics to an overhaul of the bride auction scene. This late 2010s change saw brides-for-sale become independent female pirates, causing a divide among Disney Parks fans. Some nostalgic fans felt the original Pirates of the Caribbean shouldn’t change, while others thought it was beneficial to make the ride more inclusive. Still, another subset of Disney Park guests felt the attraction didn’t change enough.
In 2023, a Disney Park guest went viral after posting a video about her discomfort with the male animatronics on Pirates of the Caribbean. “I just think this is kind of a weird ride,” she said. “I don’t know… It’s just a little bit rapey.”
Other women agreed. “It feels like we’re the entertainment for them and I do not like it,” one commented. “I always felt violated on this ride,” another replied.
Despite the backlash, Walt Disney Imagineering hasn’t announced any more changes to Pirates of the Caribbean. The ride continues operating normally at Disneyland Resort—well, most of the time.
Last month, TikTok user @cynthiaa822 shared this video after getting stuck at the top of a hill on Pirates of the Caribbean. Disney cast members forced the guests to rock the boat repeatedly until it dropped.
@cynthiaa822 we got stuck on pirates of the Caribbean 😭😭😭😹 they made us go back n fourth till we pushed down #disneyland #piratesofthecaribbeanridedisneyland #disney #fypシ #ridesatdisney #fyp
“They made us go back n fourth till we pushed down,” the TikToker recalled.
After forcing their way down the hill, the guests’ ride on Pirates of the Caribbean continued.
It’s unclear what caused this attraction malfunction, as Disneyland Resort rarely issues public statements about minor issues like this one. However, Pirates of the Caribbean eventually reopened and operated normally in the days following the incident.
What’s your silliest memory from Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort? Share it with us in the comments!
THIS RIDE HAS BEEN AND ICONIC ALL TIME FAVORITE FOR DECADES
THE SOLUTION TO YOUR NOT LIKING THE RIDE OR FEEL IT IS OFFENSIVE THEN DO NOT RIDE IT WHAT DON’T YOU UNDERSTAND?????
No one forces you to ride any specific ride at the parks period!!! If you don’t like it then go ELSEWHERE
So what scene is offensive? The lady pirate scene? I mean, there were lady Pirates in real life (Anne Bonney for instance). I be they watch Pirates of Caribbean movies and don’t take offense to Elizabeth Swann running around with her cleavage hanging out and being drooled over by Jack and others. But this is a ride. As Doris said above, if you don’t like it, don’t ride it. Easy.
People offended by what pirates were actually like are wild. Its insane that Disney pandered to weirdos that were offended by audioanimatronics.