Pirates Chase Scene Question

[Eyeontheglobe]

How many pirate turntables were there when Disneyland's Pirates ride opened in 1967?

Currently, there are four operating, but I know at least in the early 90s there were five. The reason I am hesitant to believe there were five from the beginning is because in the TV special, "From the Pirates of the Caribbean to the World of Tomorrow," you are shown essentially the entire ride. Other than Captain Jack (not seen in 1967 for obvious reasons), the only major elements/animatronics I can think of not shown in the special are: the man outside the cabin in the bayou (added later on), Old Bill (added after WDW's version opened), and the fifth turntable.

The turntable in question is located on the left side of the canal just as you enter the scene. When the scene received its food-focused theme, a gag with a pirate protecting his fruit basket from animals took its place. Were the turntable mechanics removed at this point? Is that why there are no pirates running around in circles there anymore?

This may be long-winded for such a simple question, but I look forward to some insight!

 

[disneylandcm]

How many pirate turntables were there when Disneyland's Pirates ride opened in 1967?

Currently, there are four operating, but I know at least in the early 90s there were five. The reason I am hesitant to believe there were five from the beginning is because in the TV special, "From the Pirates of the Caribbean to the World of Tomorrow," you are shown essentially the entire ride. Other than Captain Jack (not seen in 1967 for obvious reasons), the only major elements/animatronics I can think of not shown in the special are: the man outside the cabin in the bayou (added later on), Old Bill (added after WDW's version opened), and the fifth turntable.

The turntable in question is located on the left side of the canal just as you enter the scene. When the scene received its food-focused theme, a gag with a pirate protecting his fruit basket from animals took its place. Were the turntable mechanics removed at this point? Is that why there are no pirates running around in circles there anymore?

This may be long-winded for such a simple question, but I look forward to some insight!

When I was younger there was indeed a turntable in that corner.

 

[Eyeontheglobe]

When I was younger there was indeed a turntable in that corner.

Interesting! Might I ask what time frame that would have been? Thank you for your reply!

I wonder if the turntable mechanism was removed at some point and what happened to the figures.

 

[TP2000]

There did used to be a turntable with a pirate chasing a lady in that far left corner.

As I remember, it was disabled and semi-disguised with props in the Spring, 1997 refurbishment and change to the ride that included the World of Motion figures. This was the refurbishment that was branded, in the very early days of the Disneyland Fan Internet over on the Usenet forums, as the "Politically Correct Rehab" of Pirates where suddenly men who had been at sea for months were no longer interested in women, and instead just wanted a bowl of fruit and leafy greens.

I would imagine it was a bit of a cost cutting move, as they wanted to reduce maintenance and figure costs.

 

[mickEblu]

Pirates where suddenly men who had been at sea for months were no longer interested in women, and instead just wanted a bowl of fruit and leafy greens.

LOL

 

[Disney Irish]

Pirates where suddenly men who had been at sea for months were no longer interested in women, and instead just wanted a bowl of fruit and leafy greens.

I mean scurvy was a real problem back then....

 

[donaldtoo]

I mean scurvy was a real problem back then....

So was “We wants the redhead…!!!!!”

 

[Disney Irish]

So was “We wants the redhead…!!!!!”

Not sure that is the best way to get Vitamin C, but to each their own.

 

[truecoat]

Not sure that is the best way to get Vitamin C, but to each their own.

We wants the orangehead?

 

[Disney Irish]

We wants the orangehead?

Depends on what version of Vitamin C you're going for....

 

[Eyeontheglobe]

There did used to be a turntable with a pirate chasing a lady in that far left corner.

As I remember, it was disabled and semi-disguised with props in the Spring, 1997 refurbishment and change to the ride that included the World of Motion figures. This was the refurbishment that was branded, in the very early days of the Disneyland Fan Internet over on the Usenet forums, as the "Politically Correct Rehab" of Pirates where suddenly men who had been at sea for months were no longer interested in women, and instead just wanted a bowl of fruit and leafy greens.

I would imagine it was a bit of a cost cutting move, as they wanted to reduce maintenance and figure costs.

Hey, they had been running for 30 years at that point... imagine the appetite they must've built up!

Knowing that there is a turntable back there going unused makes me sad. That corner always did feel weirdly empty to me.

 

[SuddenStorm]

There did used to be a turntable with a pirate chasing a lady in that far left corner.

As I remember, it was disabled and semi-disguised with props in the Spring, 1997 refurbishment and change to the ride that included the World of Motion figures. This was the refurbishment that was branded, in the very early days of the Disneyland Fan Internet over on the Usenet forums, as the "Politically Correct Rehab" of Pirates where suddenly men who had been at sea for months were no longer interested in women, and instead just wanted a bowl of fruit and leafy greens.

I would imagine it was a bit of a cost cutting move, as they wanted to reduce maintenance and figure costs.

Crazy to think that refurb was controversial in the '90s when you see what they've done to the ride since.