Credit: Inside the MagicThe Walt Disney Company has again solidified its position on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, releasing new merchandise featuring the attraction despite ongoing complaints about its themes.
Related: Space Mountain Closed Forever, Tokyo Disneyland Ride Ends Operations After 40+ Years
Controversy about updating Pirates of the Caribbean began in the late 2010s, more than a decade after Walt Disney Imagineers added Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) animatronics to the Magic Kingdom Park and Disneyland Park attractions.
Fans were divided when Walt Disney Imagineering revealed that it would remove the original bride auction scene and replace objectified female animatronics with independent lady pirates.
A now-deleted TikTok revitalized debate about Pirates of the Caribbean’s offensiveness in 2023: in the video, a woman said the male pirate animatronics made her feel gawked at.
Related: Guests Held Hostage at Disneyland Paris Hotel, Rescue Initiated
“I just think this is kind of a weird ride,” the Disney Park guest said. “I don’t know… It’s just a little bit rapey.”
In the months since Disney Parks fans have argued over whether Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort will update Pirates of the Caribbean as part of ongoing cultural sensitivity changes.
Walt Disney Imagineering recently updated another historical attraction, Peter Pan’s Flight, to remove offensive depictions of Native Americans. This followed the transformation of the racist Splash Mountain ride into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Nevertheless, The Walt Disney Company hasn’t indicated that it plans to scrap Pirates of the Caribbean. It’s quite the opposite—Walt Disney World Resort is building a lounge inspired by the Adventureland attraction.
Last week, the Disney Store revealed an all-new, glow-in-the-dark LoungeFly backpack inspired by the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. It features the iconic skull and sword crossbones from the attraction, drawings of various pirate animatronics, and a metal plate engraved with “Disney Parks” and “Loungefly.” Black Pirates of the Caribbean fabric reading “Dead Men Tell No Tales” lines the inside of the bag.
Related: Haunted Mansion Ride Canceled Again for “Sinister” Theming, Fans React
The backpack costs $79.00 and is available here and at the Disney parks. Use code “SHIPMAGIC” for free shipping on most Disney Store orders of $75 or more!
Do you have a favorite souvenir from the Disney parks? Share it with Inside the Magic in the comments!