New POTC article, new details released

[imagineersrock]

YO HO, YO HO -- RIDE TO LIE LOW Disney will close Pirates of the Caribbean while it adds characters and special effects.
Orlando Sentinel (FINAL) - February 03, 2006 - p C1, CENTRAL FLORIDA BUSINESS
By Scott Powers, Sentinel Staff Writer

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Johnny Depp is coming to Walt Disney World's Pirates of the Caribbean -- or at least his likeness is coming.

Disney will make changes this spring in the mainstay Pirates ride at both Magic Kingdom and Disneyland -- adding characters from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and updating some of the special effects.


To do so, Disney will close both rides in early March for four months. The attractions will reopen just in time for the release of the sequel movie, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, in late June in California and July 7 at Walt Disney World.

The movie character Capt. Jack Sparrow, portrayed by Depp, will be mixed in with the 120 robotic performers in the ride. Barbossa, Sparrow's nemesis in the first movie, Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, also will appear. So will a ghostly figure from the new movie, Davy Jones.

"We're adding some new characters and some exciting new special effects to really make it more familiar to today's generation of kids who grew up seeing the movie or the DVD before they came to the theme parks," said Eric Jacobson, senior vice president of creative development for Walt Disney Imagineering.

But cautious that many Disney fans react negatively anytime old standards are changed, Jacobson added, "It's still the classic ride it always was. We're just adding more."

The ride was the last attraction created under Walt Disney's supervision. It premiered at Disneyland March 18, 1967, and at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom Dec. 15, 1973.

It features a slow boat ride through caverns populated by singing, fun-loving, brawling and menacing robotic pirates and other characters.

Movie and theme-park cross-promotion is now working both ways, ________ Cook, chairman of the Walt Disney Studios, pointed out in a news release. The ride spawned the first movie in 2003, and many of the scenes in the movie were derived from scenes on the ride. Now scenes on the ride are being changed to draw more from the movie.

Jacobson said minor changes have been made periodically through the years to update and improve characters and effects. But this is the first time changes have been made that affect the ride's story.

A new plot line derived from the movies will be woven in: The evil pirates are looking for Sparrow, he's trying to stay one step ahead of them, and both are looking for treasure. Sparrow will make his first appearance at the ride's well scene.

"The captain at the well is dunking the mayor, asking him if he knows where Jack Sparrow is," Jacobson said. "In the shadows, just outside of the scene, is going to be the figure of Jack Sparrow."

The Davy Jones character will be "a brand new special effect and a brand new way of presenting a character in the ride," Jacobson said.

Other changes will involve updating the decades-old sound and lighting systems with 21st-century technology, he said.

The sequel, produced by Walt Disney Pictures, is set to premiere at Disneyland in late June, with a gala opening. Disney spokesman David Brady said it is too early to say whether any special events, such as personal appearances by Depp or other stars of the movie, would be held at Disney World when the film opens here and nationwide July 7.

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Copyright 2006, Orlando Sentinel. All Rights Reserved.

 

[dizneycrazy09]

I'm happy to see PotC getting a good refurb. but they're messing with the story? I don't think I like that very much, and I bet Mr. Disney wouldnt be very pleased either.

 

[uklad79]

And what makes you think that? I am sure Walt said things would always be changing so if he were alive maybe he would have gutted this ride years ago. The word classic is used to explain why they have never bothered to spend the cash to change the attraction. This attraction could be made a million times better today and if I was to chat to old dead Walt I am sure he would say why the hell haven’t we made this better we have the people so create the technology! That’s what imaginering was set up to do. It wasn’t set up to build rides and leave them the same forever, it’s not a museum it’s a theme park!:brick:

 

[lunalovegoddess]

I'm willing for the ride to change with the times. I've been lucky enough to be able to visit frequently over the past few years and look forward to the addition of the characters. When I was 14, I visited the Magic Kingdom for the first time, and then not again until I was 27 with my own kids. While I treasure the old attractions, I don't see any problem with the refurbishments and updates. Disney has long been known for being innovative and on the edge of the next big thing, so it makes sense to adjust to the times.
Just my two cents...

 

[KevinPage]

All those additions sound excellent. Upgraded special effects and a minor change to the story.

Heck, it's still pirates raiding a village for treasure, now we just have a subtext of Barbossa looking for Sparrow as well. To me that ADDS to the attraction, not taking away.

I never knew why they were dunking that guy in the first place til I read it online years ago.

YES, we still want hairy legs, drunk pigs & fat redheads. But doesn't sound like those will be tinkered with.

 

[DisneyJill]

I'm happy to see PotC getting a good refurb. but they're messing with the story? I don't think I like that very much, and I bet Mr. Disney wouldnt be very pleased either.

*sighs*

Can we PLEASE not turn this into a debate on what Walt would have wanted? Times, they are a changin, and things must be moved forward with the times. I think they call that progress-something that Mr. Disney was all for, yes?

:wave:

 

[lunalovegoddess]

*sighs*

Can we PLEASE not turn this into a debate on what Walt would have wanted? Times, they are a changin, and things must be moved forward with the times. I think they call that progress-something that Mr. Disney was all for, yes?

:wave:

*that's why it's called the Carousel of Progress, m'dears!*

I totally agree. Sadly, Walt Disney was not immortal, but his legacy lives on.

It's like reading a favorite book that is adapted into a movie... the director tries to stay true to the spirit of the novel but wants to give the viewer something more, a few original touches that add to the appreciation of the experience. The Imagineers are trying to find ways to stir up interest in POTC and all of the "classic" attractions. I feel that those attractions, whose rehabs/ refurbs are causing such a varied response on the forums, are long overdue for some attention. The Imagineers are not letting things remain stagnant, but, rather, are trying to be creative while staying true to the spirit of Walt Disney.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

I find this interesting. not going to say good yet. If this is a subtle story weave in, I think it can be GREAT! However, if they make it blatant, I do think that will drift away from the reason POTC works so well. There are several scenes that are somewhat unclear, well being one of them. So, having some different subtext there could be great. However, I don't want a spoonfed story at all.

Guess we'll see in a few months.

 

[Misscmac]

Bummer...its going to be closed during my trip

 

[dizneycrazy09]

I think my opionion was taken the wrong way. I do think updates to the ride are good, and if Captain Jack and Barbosa are just a subtle addition to the story then I think it's a good thing. I just hope they dont revolve the classic attraction around the popularity of the film franchise. I know Walt was all for progress, but Pirates was the last ride he created. And I think the story should stay the same. Whatever new animatronics or special effects or technology they add is great.

 

[Buford]

"WHERE BE THE SPARROW??"
"Do not tell him, Carlos! No no no no!"
"I will not talk...I will not talk!"

 

[Alztybrn]

OK...here's my question...what are the chances that if the refurb is completed early, will they open it early or will they wait until July 7 becasue of the movie release? This is a significant factor to me becasue we are checking out on July 5th and really want to be able to ride POTC while we are there. Will be the first time for my son and daughter.

 

[MichRX7]

I'm sure we can all agree that since we aren't Walt (well except KevinPage who looks like him in a strange heavy metal rocker sort of way) we don't know what Walt would think about these changes. But, I would submit the following quotes in defense of what the Imagineers are doing to "his" ride:

"It's (Disneyland) something that will never be finished. Something that I can keep developing...and adding to."—Walt Disney

"Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world."—Walt Disney

"In this volatile business of ours, we can ill afford to rest on our laurels, even to pause in retrospect. Times and conditions change so rapidly that we must keep our aim constantly focused on the future." —Walt Disney

"My business is making people, especially children, happy." —Walt Disney

"Get a good idea and stay with it. Dog it, and work it until it's done and done right." —Walt Disney

"You don't build it for yourself. You know what the people want and you build it for them." —Walt Disney

"I can never stand still. I must explore and experiment. I am never satisfied with my work. I resent the limitations of my own imagination." —Walt Disney

So with these quotes in mind, I might not always like changes that occur to classic attractions I grew up loving, but I can make a pretty good argument for why they occur. As long as the attractions are IMPROVED I am ok with changes. Plus I have all these rides on video so many times that if I'm truly feeling nostalgic I can throw them in on the big screen tv at any time.

Finally, as far as I'm concerned a little spicing up of Pirates (even with new movie characters added) is pretty exciting. My 5 and 6 year olds are not that excited to go on it anymore. I'd like them to be as excited to ride it as I was at that age.

 

[Goofy36]

Most of the attractions at Disney parks are based on Disney movies, although POTC is a classic ride changng it fits right in with the Disney idea - promote Disney movies and characters and allow us to live Disney movies through Disney rides.

I'm all for the change as long as its done respectfully and not out of character with the original ride. Adding new experiences can be a good thing!

 

[imagineer boy]

I'm feeling a little bit better about the rehab now. Its not going to be that horrific. However, does anyone know if they're gonna change the exit area?! Instead of getting off at the treasury area, you get on a lift and get off at the top?

 

[RonAnnArbor]

No, it's not...we've discussed that before. They can't chage the exit without a complete overhaul of the load/exit dock - do a search and you will even find pictures posted of why that can not be done (unless someone is willing to give them 50 million dollars and another 9 months to rebuild)...

 

[the-reason14]

Well, what about the, "Don't tell him Carlos,,ahhhhhhh, no no no no no," lady, is she still going to be there, and if she is, why would she be telling the mayor to not tell the captain where sparrow is? Arent they dunking him because he supposedly knows where the treasure is?

Also, I really dont mind them somewaht tinkering with the attraction, Im just kinda down that they're doing it to DL's which is far superior than MK and seems as though it can stand on its own. I never have and never will be able to experience the Potc at DL, and if I ever go, Ill be seeing the newer versian.

 

[Ghostbuster626]

Well, what about the, "Don't tell him Carlos,,ahhhhhhh, no no no no no," lady, is she still going to be there, and if she is, why would she be telling the mayor to not tell the captain where sparrow is? Arent they dunking him because he supposedly knows where the treasure is?

Also, I really dont mind them somewaht tinkering with the attraction, Im just kinda down that they're doing it to DL's which is far superior than MK and seems as though it can stand on its own. I never have and never will be able to experience the Potc at DL, and if I ever go, Ill be seeing the newer versian.

I went on the DL potc this summer and its already different then the original version. They added a bunch of stuff from Epcot's World of Motion to the ride.

 

[Magicot]

Also, I really dont mind them somewaht tinkering with the attraction, Im just kinda down that they're doing it to DL's which is far superior than MK and seems as though it can stand on its own.

I don't know about anyone else here, but I've wondered why a website that's so devoted to WDW, often has members that say, "DL's PotC is so far superior to MK's" so many times?? WDW's version may be not as long or exciting- but by God- have some pride in it people! If I could choose to ride either, I would pick Florida's because that's where my memories are. I just hate to hear people putting down such a great attraction, in this post and many others.

 

[MuRkErY]

I don't know about anyone else here, but I've wondered why a website that's so devoted to WDW, often has members that say, "DL's PotC is so far superior to MK's" so many times?? WDW's version may be not as long or exciting- but by God- have some pride in it people! If I could choose to ride either, I would pick Florida's because that's where my memories are. I just hate to hear people putting down such a great attraction, in this post and many others.

Well, it's the truth is it not... no point hiding from the truth.

I enjoy WDW's Pirates for what it is, but DL's version is far superior in every way (Apart from the queue).

The reason I consider my-self such a fan of the Disney theme parks (And why the parks and Disney Animation over the years have influenced me so much), is because of there excellence, attention to detail ect... Now if i was to say WDW's version is on a par with DL's I would be going against my whole ethos, by saying something sub-standard compares to something which reaches levels of perfection such as DL's Pirates. I assume most people on here feel the same way.

The only way to adapt, and improve is by people asking questions, and most of all being truthful, lets be truthful... WDW's version of Pirates is not up to scratch, and we should strive for it to reach the levels of excellence, while also surpassing the level of DL's Pirates, after all that's the ethos on which Disney is founded on. Which I hope is something that everybody who works for Disney, who has been inspired by Disney, and who Disney holds a special place for should remember, and continue to uphold.