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Credit: Ed Aguila, Inside the MagicA shameful incident recently put the iconic Disneyland attraction Pirates of the Caribbean at risk of a sudden closure.
While Disneyland Park is home to many beloved classic attractions, Pirates of the Caribbean is one of the most popular (and divisive) rides in Walt Disney’s Original theme park.
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Located in New Orleans Square and being one of the last attractions that Walt Disney oversaw before passing, Pirates of the Caribbean sends guests on a swashbuckling adventure plagued by scoundrels along Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow.
Pirates of the Caribbean shut its gates in July for a previously unannounced ride refurbishment. Additionally, the attraction recently puzzled thousands of families after being erased from Disneyland indefinitely.
Unfortunately, a guest’s shameful and reckless behavior recently jeopardized the beloved ride again.
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The Disneyland attraction has been embroiled in multiple rumors and debates, including the polarizing scenes sexualizing women and depicting attempts of sexual assault by the pirates and their reimagining.
Fortunately, Walt Disney Imagineers took notice of these heavily misogynistic, outdated, and inappropriate behaviors and decided to reimagine the attraction in 2018. The most notable change in the attraction was removing the “bride auction” scene and introducing Pirate Redd.
If you didn’t have a chance to experience the attraction before these scenes were removed, you can take a trip back in time through the lens of Inside the Magic in the video below or click here to watch our video.
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Additionally, during the legal battle between Johnny Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard, rumors about the removal of Captain Jack Sparrow from the attraction plagued the internet and concerned fans of the actor. Fortunately, the rumors were debunked and the rum-loving Captain Jack remains in the beloved ride.
Regardless, the attraction was recently put at risk of an indefinite closure, with a reckless guest taking matters into their own hands.
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TikTok user @jerendelle recently posted a video showing a guest shamelessly dipping their hand almost shoulder-deep in the water of Pirates of the Caribbean near the ride’s exit, standing up and nearly putting their face in the water too.
“You’re kidding me, right?” the user said in disbelief. “Even if you dropped something super valuable, this is not the way to handle it. Go to a cast member, finish the ride. Because not only are you risking your safety, you’re risking everybody else’s safety trying to do something like this. This is not a stunt anybody should ever do on any ride at the park, period.” @jerendelle added.
You can see the video below or click here to watch it.
Somethings you are NOT prepared to see at Disney. This is NOT DEMURE behavior! Do NOT do this! Ask Cast Mambers for help! Stay safe and be magical! #disneyland #notdemure #CapCut
@jerendelle Somethings you are NOT prepared to see at Disney. This is NOT DEMURE behavior! Do NOT do this! Ask Cast Mambers for help! Stay safe and be magical! #disneyland #notdemure #CapCut
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Viewers were just as shocked at the scene. One viewer asked if the guest had dropped something, to which @jerendelle responded, “I was watching for a LONG time and I did not see anything drop into the water but it’s possible.”
One user commented, “Who knows what machines and parts are in the water.” Another added, “FR, I am always terrified of touching the water on a water ride, like something will malfunction and I get electrocuted or caught in something under the water.”
A viewer pointed out, “Usually the cast members in the surveillance room will scream at the top of their lungs to tell u to sit down so I’m surprised that didn’t happen here.” The original poster responded, “I know they saw it and wanted to leave it to them to handle it the way they see fit.”
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Luckily, the iconic New Orleans Square attraction continued operating normally following the incident. However, the guest’s reckless actions could have triggered and immediate emergency stop on the ride, ceasing its operations and closing indefinitely while guests were evacuated, ruining the magic for hundreds of families, theirs included.
Additionally, the guests could have been forced out of the park and even banned for life for endangering themselves and other guests, and most importantly, they could have suffered severe injuries as the ride has complex mechanical structures underwater.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported following the incident.
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Pirates of the Caribbean’s popularity has motivated Disney to recreate the attraction at Disney Parks worldwide, reimagining the attraction with an updated storyline and improved effects.
Disney has also relied on Pirates of the Caribbean’s iconic boat ride format for several attractions, including the newly opened Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival at Fantasy Springs in Tokyo DisneySea and Na’vi River Journey in Pandora — The World of Avatar in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
During this year’s D23 in Anaheim, Disney revealed a first look at an upcoming boat ride attraction coming to Disneyland Resort’s Avatar-inspired land, immediately stirring fan debate.
Theme park and entertainment journalist Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) shared the first look at the attraction, which you can see below:
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) August 11, 2024
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Fans quickly pointed out the similarities between the potential Avatar-themed boat ride and Shanghai Disney Resort’s version of Pirates of the Caribbean, Pirates of the Caribbean Battle for the Sunken Treasure. This creates high expectations for the ride since Shanghai Disneyland’s ride is truly breathtaking compared to Disneyland’s and Disney World’s.
While Walt Disney Imagineers could be working on a new reimagining of the beloved Pirates of the Caribbean ride format, details for the upcoming Avatar-inspired attraction remain unknown. Inside the Magic will update you as soon as more information is released.
Don’t forget to share your opinion on this shameful incident with Inside the Magic and our readers in the comments below!