Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean is my all-time personal favorite ride at Disney. For those who haven't Yo-Ho-ed, I'll take you step-by-step through the entire swashbuckling experience.

A talking parrot squawks at guests who approach the Spanish-flavor building outside. Inside, making your way through dimly, fire lit passages, you arrive to sloshing water and a docked boat - your ride around the Caribbean.

The boat ride takes you slowly through the skinny waterway. As the boat slowly drifts peacefully, you pass by a desolate beach when, all of a sudden, strong swells shake the boat. Repeated words are heard from a distance... "Dead men tell no tales"... A skull hangs above you and foreshadows what is to come. The boat then dives down a small, but thrilling, slope and you find yourself smack dab in a heated battle between a pirate ship and a fort on land.

Shots whiz by and explosions in the water spray the boat. You hurry off into a recently-ransacked town to see pirates celebrating their victory over the townspeople, with the help of a little rum. A sober businessman is auctioning off a red-headed woman to a gang of drunken pirates. One particular pirate has had his share of alcohol for the evening and is already sleeping in the company of pigs and empty liquor bottles. In a nearby house, one woman chases a curious pirate with her broom as the buildings around them burn down in flames. "YO HO YO HO A PIRATE'S LIFE FOR ME" is cheerfully sung by the whole lot of them. As you continue on, you see some of the townfolk tied up. Ohers are locked in jail cells amd holler at a devilish dog, just inches away, holding the jail keys. The sound of freedom jingles right in front of them. The final sight of the town, a massive treasure room of gold coins, are guarded by more trigger-happy pirates.

The attraction has everything: catchy music, funny moments, a little bit of thrill, and great memorable characters. An absolute blast.

THEME: 10/10
THRILLS: 6/10
FUN: 10/10
OVERALL: 10/10

Media

Adventures in the Magic Kingdom: Pirates of the Caribbean

I have to give it to Capcom, this time they didn't do half bad on the game's conversion of the ride. And before I begin, yes, the ride song has been changed unfortunately. But "Yo ho, Yo ho" is replaced with an equally catchy tune.

The goals are twofold in this level: first is to rescue all six captive women and second is to start a fire to signal for help.

 

 
1. The first maiden is found on the second floor of the last building. Travel from rooftop to rooftop and use the bridge. Time the barrels right and rescue her, then jump off to the right. 2. The second is on the last platform of the jumps by the burning houses. Jump halfway to trigger the fire balls, then glide your way back to the left platform. After the last ball of fire is out of sight, run and jump to get to her.

To make your way on the land platform to the third girl, run all the way to the very edge and you should be able to make it. (This might take a little practice.)

 

 
3. Time the coins that the skeleton throws. Save her then jump onto the last platform to get the candle.

4. The first building has the fourth maiden. Climb the ladder and jump onto the second platform and take out the gunner. Then jump down and jump up to reach the woman.

Tip: Well, maybe not so much a tip, but a really neat little trick. See those cannons? After you take out the pirate on top of one, head to the back of it and then throw a candle. The flame will ignite the cannon and shoot out a cannon ball. Yo ho!
5. Walk to the end of the the same building and jump to the next burning house to get her. 6. The final is found in the last house. Save her and jump down to the logs to set them ablaze.

 

RIDE CONVERSION 7/10