The first major scene places passengers squarely in the middle of a raging buccaneer battle. Pirates, apparently attempting to ransack a town under the cover of night, are firing their cannons. The townspeople are firing back however, and the water around the guests' boats reverberates from the blasts.
Moving into the town, the pirates have rounded up the mayor and are trying to get him to reveal the location of the booty by dunking him in a well. The extraordinary detail of the attraction comes to life here. Disney literally and figuratively set the stage for future theme park attractions with Pirates by incorporating lighting, music, dialogue, costumes, set design, and other techniques to tell the story. Some are borrowed from film and theater; other techniques are unique to attraction development.
The next scene, featuring the "wench" auction, may be the most elaborate. The potential "brides" pose for the leering pirates, while an auctioneer presides over the event with authority and startling clarity. According to Disney's Marty Sklar, Imagineers updated the auction figures through the years to give them more fluid and sophisticated articulation.
Traveling on, guests see woman with rolling pins and brooms chasing pirates in an endless circle. Originally, the pirates chased the women, but in the politically correct 1990s, Disney altered the scene. I guess it's still OK to portray public drunkenness, looting, prostitution, and arson, however.
Things take a turn for the worse as fire rages through the town. The oblivious pirates seem more interested in drinking their rum than escaping danger. The famous "hairy leg" pirate sits idly on a bridge above the guests as fire consumes the village. A trio of pirate prisoners is intent on escaping the inferno. They try, unsuccessfully, to coax a dog into bringing them the key to their cell.
The attraction ends just as the fire threatens to detonate a storehouse of powder kegs. Then it's on to the REAL booty: Disney's huge gift shop stuffed with Pirates doodads.
Previous page: Yo Ho, Yo Ho, the Pirates' Ride for Me
Going Below Deck with the Pirates
Background and insight from Disney legend Marty Sklar
Pirates of the Caribbean Photo Gallery
