Walt Disney World has introduced a Pirates of the Caribbean lounge coming to Adventureland in Magic Kingdom. This submit shares every part we all know up to now, with idea artwork and full particulars–plus complete commentary about how this compares to Oga’s Cantina and the place this tavern is more likely to be positioned. (Up to date September 8, 2024.)
A brand new Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge is coming to Adventureland at Magic Kingdom. This primary-of-its-kind expertise will lengthen the story of Pirates of the Caribbean. Imagineers are within the design course of now and extra particulars are coming sooner or later.
This was first introduced throughout Vacation spot D23 final 12 months. Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro provided a sneak peek at idea artwork for the longer term as well as and teased what was to come back in just a few years.
The one huge element that was shared by Imagineer Chris Beatty throughout Vacation spot D23 is that the Pirates of the Caribbean lounge will deliver again the Barker Hen, often known as Peg-Leg Pete. The Barker Hen was an Audio-Animatronics determine stationed outdoors the doorway to the attraction that, as its identify suggests, was a ‘barker’ who used strains and lyrics to draw visitor consideration.
The Barker Hen was eliminated in 2006 through the journey reimagining that added Jack Sparrow and different components from the hit movie franchise. The Audio Animatronics determine’s return has been rumored many instances through the years, however that is the primary time that Imagineering has said the Barker Hen will make its triumphant return to Pirates of the Caribbean.
Right here’s new idea artwork launched by Walt Disney World in Fall 2024 that comprises numerous little particulars that benefit nearer inspection:
This was shared through the 2024 D23 Expo, with Walt Disney World additionally including that this rambunctious watering gap will supply a welcoming haven for all pirate-kind, huge and small, and everybody in between.
Inside this Pirates of the Caribbean tavern, bandits and buccaneers-to-be from each nook of the seven seas are welcome to affix collectively and lift a toast to the pirate life! Within the newly launched art work, X marks the spot for a seaworthy number of grogs and grub inside this tavern location coming to Magic Kingdom.
Walt Disney World additionally introduced that the Pirates of the Caribbean lounge will open someday in 2025. No particular date (or perhaps a month or season) was given. Our expectation is that Disney will open it ASAP, because it’s a direct income generator–there’s no cause for delay.
Along with this, we’ve seen a number of adjustments within the final couple months that recommend work is starting on the Pirates of the Caribbean lounge. Partitions went up across the reward store area on the exit to Pirates of the Caribbean, whereas close by Tortuga Tavern closed. This resulted in lots of followers assuming that Tortuga Tavern would quickly be remodeled into the Pirates of the Caribbean lounge.
Much more particulars and building permits have come to gentle, and now it’s all beginning to make sense. A couple of month after closing, the Tortuga Tavern restaurant has been renamed Tortuga Treasures and reopened as a present store. It’s unclear whether or not that is non permanent, however our guess is that it most likely is–not less than in its present incarnation.
In the meantime, building has kicked into excessive gear on the primary reward store on the exit to the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction within the Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar throughout the walkway. With partitions up encompassing a big swath of this space, there’s much less area for merchandise–therefore the Tortuga Treasures reward store.
Right here’s a take a look at building across the exit space and reward retailers of Pirates of the Caribbean as of September 2024:
Though Walt Disney World hasn’t formally introduced a location, it’s all however sure that the Pirates of the Caribbean lounge will probably be on the exit to the attraction. It’s doubtless that more room is required than is obtainable by the somewhat intimate former Pirates League area (see under). Accordingly, work is being accomplished to create an expanded seating space that may enhance the footprint of the lounge and reduce the retail area.
Other than Pirates League, there’s numerous unused area in Caribbean Plaza, so it’s doubtless that there’s enough area for the lounge and reward store on this facet of the promenade as soon as the mud settles and building is accomplished. As such, it most likely is not going to be crucial for Tortuga Treasures to exist in the long run.
We expect it’s doubtless it is a multi-phase challenge, and one that may finally contain reimagining or not less than gentle refreshes to the Pecos Invoice/Tortuga Tavern advanced along with the Pirates of the Caribbean lounge. Whether or not that’s Tiana’s Palace Restaurant, Nation Bear Jamboree BBQ or one thing else totally stays to be seen.
By way of commentary, my response to that is pleasure. Partly for the lounge itself and what I feel will probably be a preferred addition to Magic Kingdom and a very good love letter to the attraction. It’ll virtually definitely be like Dealer Sam’s Grog Grotto with tie-ins to S.E.A. and nods to different extinct sights, however largely a tribute to Pirates of the Caribbean.
Past that, I’m additionally excited for what the Pirates of the Caribbean lounge represents. That is one other latest instance of treating the theme parks as their very own mental property, and increasing that universe or no matter you wish to name it.
Parks IP isn’t inherently good and the outcomes bear that out–and there will be points with extreme fan service. However normally, I’m so comfortable to see the corporate begin treating the parks as their very own factor of worth, somewhat than only a promotional car for Disney+ or the studios.
I additionally know that there are a ton of tremendously gifted Imagineers who even have nice appreciation for the long-lasting sights. Passing the baton to this youthful era and letting them work on initiatives for which they maintain nice reverence could be very a lot an excellent factor.
Belief me on this–Imagineers are largely not the issue. (Typically there are artistic shortcomings, however that’s normally not the rationale for dangerous outcomes.) There’s nonetheless a ton of expertise at WDI and the present era of Imagineers are greater than able to artistic and superior issues. If given the prospect, I feel the can nail a Pirates of the Caribbean lounge. However it most likely additionally helps that this must be comparatively low-hanging fruit.
There’s loads that may be mined from the Archives, with the Pirates of the Caribbean lounge drawing upon volumes of Marc Davis artwork and a treasure trove of unused or retired concepts for Adventureland and different lands prefer it. Once more, loads like Dealer Sam’s and even close by Skipper Canteen. Then there’s the Barker Hen, who will principally be this lounge’s model of DJ R-3X at Oga’s Cantina, the centerpiece leisure of the expertise. Mainly, numerous alternatives for pulling from the previous and current, whereas additionally bringing to life new concepts and lore for Pirates of the Caribbean.
The massive query is the place the Pirates of the Caribbean lounge will go. Imagineers have referred to this as a tavern, resulting in the logical inference that it might substitute Tortuga Tavern. Frankly, even within the absence of that suggestion, Tortuga Tavern is the apparent location for the Pirates of the Caribbean lounge.
Nonetheless, there are a few different prospects based mostly upon nearer inspection of the idea artwork. The primary is that the Pirates of the Caribbean lounge would substitute the again eating room of Pecos Invoice–the one which abuts the bottom of Tortuga Tavern. That is truthfully a bit outlandish, and I’d put the possibilities of it taking place at underneath 5%.
The opposite is that the Pirates of the Caribbean lounge will substitute the Pirates League, which was principally Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique…for boys! It opened at a time when Walt Disney World was huge on the pirate/princess dichotomy.
Pirates League’s closure was introduced again in January 2020 (so this was not a COVID minimize). We reported on the time that it was “unclear what’s motivating the Pirates League closure, or if Walt Disney World has totally different plans for this location.”
I’m considering that now we would have the reply to that. There’s a fairly good probability that the Pirates League is about to carry out one ultimate transformation…itself! My cash is on this for just a few easy causes. First, the idea artwork appears like the within of Pirates League greater than anything, so there’s that.
Second, the inside of Pirates League is already stunning and it’s the identical sort of intimate area as Dealer Sam’s Grog Grotto or Oga’s Cantina. That is actually the massive one. The opposite apparent choices–Tortuga Tavern or a portion of Pecos Payments–all have logistical hurdles. Though Tortuga Tavern may simply be transformed right into a Pirates of the Caribbean-themed restaurant, it’s completely large.
One “resolution” to that might be letting Pecos Invoice annex extra of Tortuga Tavern. And truthfully, I feel that’s more likely to occur. Though it wasn’t introduced at Vacation spot D23 for some cause, there’s a excessive chance that Pecos Invoice will grow to be Tiana’s Palace Restaurant.
When that inevitably happens, Walt Disney World may need extra seating for it–and that would simply be pulled from the Tortuga Tavern facet (it’s a shared area/kitchen). That’s additionally why it’s loopy to suppose that this Pirates of the Caribbean lounge is a eating room in Pecos Invoice. It simply isn’t.
That additionally hints at why the Pirates of the Caribbean lounge most likely isn’t Tortuga Tavern. Though it’s underutilized now, turning that colossal counter service venue right into a lounge can be shortsighted. Magic Kingdom wants extra eating capability, and that could possibly be doubly true when Automobiles Land and Villains Land open.
Setting apart Tortuga Tavern for future improvement or maintaining it as a seasonal area might be savvy. In all chance, this Pirates of the Caribbean lounge received’t really want the infrastructure that Tortuga Tavern may supply. That is very a lot going to be following the Oga’s Cantina blueprint, with mass-produced drinks and solely the lightest of snacks. It definitely received’t want a full kitchen.
Not solely that, I query what kind of “love” Tortuga Tavern would get if remodeled right into a Pirates of the Caribbean lounge now. It’s a enjoyable restaurant with nice bones, structure, and themed design…but it surely simply doesn’t strike me as lending itself nicely to a lounge.
Once I take into consideration this, it jogs my memory of the Diamond Horseshoe. That after-great venue has been diminished to a shell of its former self by being misused and underutilized as, primarily, overflow for Liberty Tree Tavern.
I can’t assist however suppose that Tortuga Tavern as a Pirates of the Caribbean lounge can be an analogous story. As a substitute of becoming themed design in an immersive and enjoyable setting, I’m guessing it’d really feel like a retrofit. It might doubtless solely use a portion of the seating space, with non permanent partitions, view of the surface world, and a scarcity of intimacy.
I simply can’t see Walt Disney World taking the time or spending the cash to show Tortuga Tavern into a very well-done Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge. Maybe I’m unsuitable. Frankly, hopefully I’m unsuitable, as Tortuga Tavern has the dimensions benefit and if it had been reimagined proper, it presumably could possibly be one thing particular.
The factor is, Pirates League already is one thing particular. Including the Barker Hen to that may take that to the following degree–loads just like the Adventureland reply to Oga’s Cantina, proper right down to the Audio Animatronics centerpiece. Producing an ornately-themed, detailed, and flat-out enjoyable Pirates of the Caribbean lounge must be comparatively low-hanging fruit for Imagineers.
Frankly, Walt Disney World may spend just a few months and a comparatively insignificant sum of money to rework Pirates League into an intimate lounge with spot-on themed design that really felt like an extension of the attraction’s story…as a result of it sort of already is. They should add the bar space, create backstory, and supply extra props to bolster the brand new lore. The inspiration is all there. It’s a house run concept that would flip right into a grand slam with the correct artistic execution.
The largest query for me is capability. Regardless of the way you slice it, Pirates League is way smaller than Tortuga Tavern. With that stated, there is likely to be the potential for it to be bigger. I do know there are a bunch of merchandise inventory rooms over on this space, so it’s actually a query of whether or not there’s the flexibility and urge for food to relocate them and convert them into seating for the Pirates of the Caribbean lounge.
I can already hear the grousing about this to come back when ADRs for the Pirates of the Caribbean lounge are extraordinarily aggressive and visitor curiosity far outstrips capability. That Disney was “too low cost” or “oblivious to demand” and would’ve made far more cash by investing a bit extra at first.
On the one hand, all of that’s (probably) true. Then again, that is all a fragile steadiness. A lounge themed to Pirates of the Caribbean is a distinct segment idea, and recognition is a self-fulfilling prophecy. However so too is an abundance of availability. Put the very same factor into Tortuga Tavern and have capability for everybody who desires to do it…and perhaps it’s not very fashionable. However make it unique and a highly-coveted ADR, and the hype machine does its factor.
The underside line is that I can admire Walt Disney World’s place right here in the case of capability choices and making an attempt to drive demand. Additionally, all of that is totally speculative, and I don’t have any inside data telling me that that is coming to Pirates League.
Suffice to say, I’m bullish on the thought of a Pirates of the Caribbean lounge in Pirates League, and actually excited to step foot in right here. A giant a part of that’s the potential for restoring not less than a few of what’s been misplaced to time in Caribbean Plaza at Magic Kingdom. Up to now, we’ve lamented how most of the stunning fountains in Caribbean Plaza that existed from the Seventies by way of 90s have grow to be planters or are hid totally from visitor view.
This lounge received’t essentially repair that by itself, however probably repurposing area that has been underutilized or totally deserted for many years may breathe new life into Caribbean Plaza. It’s not simply getting again inside these former retailers–a lot of which nonetheless retain their unique Imagineering to at the present time–though that definitely is an enormous factor.
It’s additionally about restoring an space of Magic Kingdom that was purpose-built for the Florida model of Pirates of the Caribbean. So many diehard Disney followers complain concerning the shorter model of the attraction, but it surely wasn’t imagined to be “simply” a journey. This entire space as much as Frontierland was conceived as its personal Pirates of the Caribbean mini-land within the Seventies, and was actually nice in its prime. (So yeah, Imagineering has been constructing one-ride minilands for some time!)
Finally, the Pirates of the Caribbean lounge has numerous standalone potential and will additionally deliver new life to uncared for areas of Caribbean Plaza. I don’t wish to let myself get too carried away, however I may see this resulting in a bonafide buccaneeraissance.
Is it actually an excessive amount of to ask for reside pirate performers and a metal drum band, retail revival, in addition to a full transformation of Tortuga Tavern and the addition of this Pirates of the Caribbean lounge? Okay, maybe so. However it is a good step in the correct path, particularly given every part on the horizon for this facet of Magic Kingdom.
This sleepy nook of Adventureland may quickly grow to be a lot busier. Investing in Caribbean Plaza to enhance its capability and utilization can be a savvy forward-thinking, however nonetheless comparatively low-cost transfer for the corporate. It’s additionally one thing friends and diehard Walt Disney World followers would love, so additionally there’s that!
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Your Ideas
What do you consider Magic Kingdom getting a Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge? Would you like to see this substitute Tortuga Tavern and have an abundance of seating that might make it simpler to entry? Or would you like the intimacy, exclusivity, and difficult ADRs that might include the Pirates League? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions—even while you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
