Credit: Inside the MagicEarlier today, Walt Disney World appeared to confirm that Tortuga Tavern, the seasonal quick-service dining spot at Magic Kingdom, would be reopening next week. However, just hours after the announcement, Disney has since removed the previously listed operating hours from its official website, leaving fans and visitors confused and disappointed.
Originally, the Walt Disney World website listed operating hours for Tortuga Tavern starting January 1, 2025, with the restaurant expected to remain open through at least late February. This led many to believe the popular Adventureland dining location was preparing to welcome guests back after months of closure, which began in early June 2024.
Tortuga Tavern has long been a fan-favorite, known for its tropical pirate-themed atmosphere and serving as a go-to spot for quick bites near the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.
However, with the removal of operating hours, it seems the reopening of Tortuga Tavern is no longer happening as initially thought. Disney has not provided an official reason behind this sudden change, leaving fans speculating on the future of the tavern and its place within the park. We’ve reached out to Walt Disney World for clarification, but as of now, the park has not responded to our inquiry.
The mystery surrounding Tortuga Tavern’s future is further compounded by the ongoing transformation of the area surrounding Pirates of the Caribbean. There had been rumors this summer about the tavern potentially being repurposed into a Pirates of the Caribbean-themed bar, which would serve as the first-of-its-kind lounge at Magic Kingdom.
This would be part of a broader effort to extend the story of the iconic attraction and enhance guest immersion. Chris Beatty, Chief of Walt Disney Imagineering, confirmed the development earlier this year, stating, “A new Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge is coming to Adventureland at Magic Kingdom Park. Imagineers are in the design process now—more details to come in the future!”
The Pirates of the Caribbean area has already seen significant changes, including the temporary closure of the Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar gift shop at the exit of the attraction. While this shop is undergoing refurbishment, guests have been directed to Tortuga Tavern, now known as “Tortuga Treasures,” to purchase Pirates of the Caribbean-themed merchandise.
This addition of the “Tortuga Treasures” pop-up shop coincides with Disney’s ongoing efforts to expand the storytelling around the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise within Magic Kingdom.
The decision to transform Tortuga Tavern into a lounge and incorporate more of the Pirates narrative into the space is consistent with Disney’s broader strategy of enriching the experiences around its classic attractions.
The changes made to Adventureland’s Pirate area, including the removal of the Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar, reflect Disney’s commitment to creating immersive environments that tie back to beloved films and franchises.
As of now, there is no official word on whether the Pirates-themed lounge will be ready to debut soon or if other plans are in the works for Tortuga Tavern’s future. For now, guests will have to wait and see how Disney moves forward with this highly anticipated expansion.
In the meantime, visitors to Magic Kingdom may have to contend with a slight shift in their expectations. With no further updates on the tavern’s fate, it’s clear that Disney’s focus may currently be on the broader changes happening across the park.
This includes other projects like the revamp of DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and the redesign of Frontierland’s Tom Sawyer Island for the upcoming Cars Land.
Fans of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, however, can take solace in the fact that Disney is committed to expanding this iconic attraction in new and exciting ways.
As the magic continues to evolve, there is no doubt that more thrilling updates will come, though fans will have to wait a little longer for more details on the future of Tortuga Tavern and its potential transformation into a full-fledged Pirates lounge.
Until then, we’ll keep you updated on all developments regarding Tortuga Tavern and the latest at Walt Disney World.