Disney is shutting down Pirates of the Caribbean in both Walt Disney World and Disneyland from March to July to add in a bunch of scenes from the Pirates of the Caribbean films. I liked those films, but they never struck me as having the long term, repeatable appeal of the ride they're based on; I can (and do) ride Pirates hundreds of times. The films are something I could watch a couple-three times max. I have a bad feeling about this. Also: if there's no Pirates ride the next time I hit Disneyland, I'm gonna be pissed.
The attraction will feature the addition of two of Hollywood's most
infamous buccaneers, Captain Jack Sparrow and his nemesis Barbossa. Joining
the wildest crew that ever sacked the Spanish Main, Captain Jack and Barbossa
add an exciting new twist to the attraction's original storyline as they race
to be the first to claim a cache of plundered treasure."Successfully adding the popular characters from the 'Pirates of the
Caribbean' films with the mythology of our classic attraction is an example of
Disney synergy and Walt Disney Imagineering at its finest," said Jay Rasulo,
chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "These additions will result in an
exciting new chapter for the attraction and an unforgettable experience for
our guests, giving them another reason to come and be a part of our continuing
50th anniversary celebration."Woven into some of the attraction's most memorable scenes, the rival
swashbucklers will be seen interacting with some of the more familiar
Audio-Animatronics buccaneers found inside the ride-thru adventure. Also
making a guest appearance is the ghostly Davy Jones from the second movie in
the series, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest." But new characters
are only the beginning. New special effects will also be added to enhance the
"Pirates of the Caribbean" theme park experience.
(Thanks, Steve and via The Disney Blog)
