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Credit: DisneyPirates of the Caribbean fans, beware – one Disney park is not feeling particularly pirate-friendly right now.
There are dozens of Disney rides scattered across the globe, but few have reached the same level of acclaim enjoyed by Pirates of the Caribbean.
One of Walt Disney’s final projects at Disneyland Resort, the water ride produced the now-iconic tune of “A Pirates Life For Me” and spawned the hit franchise starring Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow.
Popular though the attraction may be, it’s not totally without controversy. Starting in 2017, every version of the ride (except for the version found at Tokyo Disneyland) altered the scene in which pirates at an auction for brides declared, “We wants the redhead,” with the decidedly less offensive new version showing the woman as a pirate auctioning off loot.
More recently, the franchise, in general, has generated controversy thanks to Johnny Depp himself. The actor was fired by Disney following his legal battles with ex-wife Amber Heard, who has repeatedly accused Depp of domestic abuse.
Despite Depp’s removal from the franchise (which may soon continue without him), Captain Jack Sparrow is a permanent fixture on the attraction, which continues to operate worldwide – with the exception of one park.
Earlier this week, Disneyland Paris closed its version of the ride, Coffre du Capitaine, along with its gift shop and themed restaurant inside the attraction, Captain Jack’s Restaurant. According to the Disneyland Paris website, “As part of our continuing efforts to exceed the expectations of our Guests, this attraction is closed today.”
Images shared by DLP Report show that the entire Pirates of the Caribbean ride area is blocked off by walls.
Quite a few walls are up at Pirates of the Caribbean. The Attraction, Coffre du Capitaine shop and Captain Jack’s Restaurant are closed June 3-21.
🔧 Quite a few walls are up at Pirates of the Caribbean. The Attraction, Coffre du Capitaine shop and Captain Jack’s Restaurant are closed June 3-21. pic.twitter.com/rhbgJ7tkyM
— DLP Report (@DLPReport) June 7, 2024
Fortunately, this isn’t a permanent closure. As per the Disneyland Paris operating calendar, the attraction, gift shop, and restaurant are all scheduled to reopen on June 21.
Closures are part of the package with any Disneyland Paris trip right now. The neighbouring park to Disneyland Park, Walt Disney Studios Park, is currently undergoing a massive makeover that will eventually see it rebranded Disney Adventure World.
Related: Pirates of the Caribbean Nears Uncertain Future Following “Woke” Complaints
Once complete, this will see the park welcome its own version of World of Frozen, a one-of-a-kind Tangled (2010) attraction, and a new lake area that will (theoretically) host its own nighttime spectacular. The park will also receive a new entrance, with Studio 1 closing for good in April.
In 2022, the park also welcomed its take on Avengers Campus. This included Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure – which is identical to the ride found at California Adventure – and a rethemed version of Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster known as Avengers Assemble: Flight Force (which hasn’t exactly proven popular with parkgoers).
What’s your favorite part of Disneyland Paris? Let us know in the comments!