If Pirates of the Caribbean Burned Down, Would Disney Rebuild It?

[Poseidon Quest]

I've recently been doing research on Europa Park in Germany and I was interested to see that much of it is largely inspired by Disney. They have a sphere similar to Spaceship Earth that contains a Space Mountain-esque rollercoaster inside. There's a lengthy Ghost Castle dark ride that has a stretching room like the Haunted Mansion and there was even a previous attraction known as the Universe of Energy, taking riders back in time to encounter dinosaurs. Following this trend, the park had a boat-based dark ride known as Pirates in Batavia, located in the Netherlands area of the park and depicting a pirate raid on the Indonesian trade city of Batavia during the Dutch colonial era. It's clearly inspired by Disney's Pirates and even has an indoor restaurant that allows you to look at riders going by. Still, this attraction which was built in 1987 eventually burned down in an accident in 2018. Quickly, the park rebuilt it and the attraction reopened with significant updates in 2020. Europa Park from what I could see, clearly prioritizes guest experience and is full of ridiculous, intimate detail and has far more attractions than you could possibly even do over a few days.

It makes me wonder if Pirates of the Caribbean burned down tomorrow, whether at Disneyland or Magic Kingdom, if current Disney leadership could even be bothered to rebuild it. Does the legacy and culture of the Disney parks matter to a CEO and board that only care about immediate return on investment? I'm inclined to think that no, they wouldn't. The space would either sit vacant for decades, or at the very least be replaced with the Shanghai version of the attraction. It's concerning to me that a park smaller than Disney is willing to quickly rebuild an expensive legacy attraction of theirs, but I doubt that Disney would do so the same if they found themselves in that situation.

Here's a video of the ride for reference:

 

[James.Green]

Disneyland? Maybe. Disney world? No. I would guess it would be replaced by a Moana or Encanto ride.

 

[bhg469]

I agree with james. Disneyland probably. Disney world? At least make is as good as disneyland after?

 

[drizgirl]

I mean, it’s been on fire for years and nobody has needed to rebuild it yet.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

This is a tad of an odd question…we gettin cagey around here?

 

[ᗩLᘿᑕ ✨ ᗩζᗩᗰ]

Taking a Tiki Room Under New Management approach?

 

[John park hopper]

No ----they would rename it Pirates Torch the Caribbean ---claim its a new ride

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

No ----they would rename it Pirates Torch the Caribbean ---claim its a new ride

Which princess would be the hero of that? My money is on Mulan

 

[WishIWasRetired]

If they decided to rebuild the ride it would more than likely take them 10 years to do it.

 

[Disstevefan1]

Interesting question. Whatever the replacement would be, we know there would be a lot less animatronics and a lot more screens that’s for sure.

Don’t give them any ideas. An accidental fire would allow them to replace the aged maintenance heavy attraction with a new, mostly screens, politically correct attraction.

 

[mf1972]

i think they will rebuild it, but i doubt it’ll be the same ride. something tells me they’ll be cheap about it. but if the current auction scene is heavily damaged, i wont be shedding any tears.

 

[MissViv]

YES!

 

[Goofyernmost]

i think they will rebuild it, but i doubt it’ll be the same ride. something tells me they’ll be cheap about it. but if the current auction scene is heavily damaged, i wont be shedding any tears.

Compared to the original in DL they already cheaped out on it when they built it in WDW. Seriously, yes they would rebuild and unless they wanted a riot they would build it almost exactly like it is now.

 

[JIMINYCR]

I'd bet they would rebuild. The current admin would still want it running because it produces. Its a major part of MK and a guest favorite. The attraction is still relevant, it continues to be a top draw for guests, has a large hourly capacity for guests, and even with the woke changes it still brings enough that it doesn't disappoint.

 

[AndyS2992]

I feel they would, and would make it exactly the same as it was prior instead of updating it lol

 

[TheGuyThatMakesSwords]

Yes - and it would be ready by Spring, 2084.

 

[bennyw01]

I think it would be replaced with the Shanghai effects.

 

[monothingie]

I mean technically a good portion of the ride has been on fire since it opened in the 70’s yet it’s still here.

 

[NickMaio]

This is a tad of an odd question…we gettin cagey around here?

Right...........................?

 

[Pepper's Ghost]

This is a tad of an odd question…we gettin cagey around here?

Quite right. Such an odd way to pose a replacement theory. Sure the ride at that Europa park may have burned down, but there's just no way that PotC could given safety systems and a parks-dedicated fire brigade. It's more likely to be blown up, than burn down.

All that said, yes they'd rebuild it with changes no doubt. Why would they rebuild a ride with 70s tech. Doesn't make sense. I don't know if they'd go as far as Shanghai's version, but probably more like Na'vi River Journey. Obviously it would be pirates themed rather than Avatar. I just think they'd model the special effects that way. It'd be worse for it, and far less popular. Just my opinion anyway.