Was Magic Kingdom's POTC damaged by the movie refurb?

[AshaNeOmah]

I finally got to ride Disneyland PotC in 2002 after years of riding the WDW version. It's my honest opinion that Thunder Mesa and Western River Expedition would have been a better addition to the Magic Kingdom. Shoehorning Caribbean Plaza and POTC in-between Adventure and Frontierlands, in the fastest time frame possible, seems like the worst idea Imagineering had in the 70's. Well, worst idea that survives to today.

I do agree that they went overboard with the Jack Sparrow theme in both locations. I have no problem adding some additional 'pluses', but there was no need to change the story of the original attraction.

 

[Chef Mickey]

The script is the worst part. Basically all I can hear in the ride now is "blah blah blah Captain Jack Sparrow blah blah blah Jack Sparrow blah blah Captain Jack Sparrow." It's as if they're afraid we will forget it's PotC unless every fifth word they throw in a "Jack Sparrow."

Also, the ride now awkwardly attempts to blend realism (the original show) with supernatural fantasy (mermaids).

Addition of the first Jack animatronic, with no changes to script, I would have liked. It's an excellent animatronic figure and doesn't call too much attention to itself. This would have subtly tied the attraction in to the films while allowing it to maintain its own integrity.

Agree and it's not like we all wouldn't notice it's Jack Sparrow. It would have been fun to make the connection ourselves. He doesn't have to keep saying, "Hey, look at me! I'm Jack Sparrow." We get it.

 

[unkadug]

Agree and it's not like we all wouldn't notice it's Jack Sparrow. It would have been fun to make the connection ourselves. He doesn't have to keep saying, "Hey, look at me! I'm Jack Sparrow." We get it.

It had to be done that way.

How else are you going to get their noses out of their smartphones long enough to look at something that's doesn't require a "like"

 

[Otterhead]

As a Disney fan, I loved PotC when it was just pirates ransacking a town, just pure atmosphere, rather than a shoehorned storyline. But the truth is, the Pirates movies are a bigger cultural event than the ride, these days. I just went to WDW with a bunch of first-timers (some in their 60s) who were all rabid to ride PotC and absolutely loved seeing the Sparrow AAs. And afterwards, we found out that they had no idea the ride came before the movies. So, honestly, I'm totally Ok with the updates... as long as the big rehab fixes the speakers to make the dialog more audible.

 

[yedliW]

I've read that on occasion, Jonny Depp will get into his Jack Sparrow getup and go interact with the AA on the ride, is that true? Is it just at DL, or has he ever done it at WDW?

 

[EnergyKing]

The one thing I miss the most from the pre-film POTC in WDW is the creepy atmosphere at the beginning of the ride. Hearing the disembodied "Dead Men Tell No Tales" echoing throughout the cave, with just the sound of the wind to back it up...really set the mood. I'm also against movie tie-ins. If they wanted Depp so badly in it, one brief appearance would've been more effective. I believe it would've had a bigger impact on those searching for Jack Sparrow if the ride did not draw attention to him. Picture him popping up once in the crowd, for a couple seconds. It would be kind of fun actually. "I saw him!" "Where?" "There!...wait, where is he?" "You're making this up" "I swear I'm not!" - it would inspire endless hilarious fights.

 

[Otterhead]

Hearing the disembodied "Dead Men Tell No Tales" echoing throughout the cave, with just the sound of the wind to back it up...really set the mood.

When Pirates goes down for its extensive 6-8 month refurb this year, I understand the audio is one of the biggest things they're upgrading... and I hope the echoey "Dead men..." voice gets an upgrade. You can barely hear it now, which is silly, since Barbossa/Davy Jones reply to it.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

Disney loves to eliminate classic Paul Frees dialogue.

 

[Figments Friend]

I've read that on occasion, Jonny Depp will get into his Jack Sparrow getup and go interact with the AA on the ride, is that true? Is it just at DL, or has he ever done it at WDW?

It has been said that at Disneyland, Johnny would visit and spend some time in full costume 'playing around' on the interior sets of the Attraction.

It was said that if you see more then three Jack Sparrow figures while riding the Attraction, or notice one 'out of place' in the context of the ride through, know well you just saw the real thing.

Not sure if this still goes on....but a few years back there were tales of this happening.

Good to keep a weather eye out just in case , but ye be warned -
Dead men tell no tales!

 

[Figments Friend]

I don't know if this was touched on here already in this thread, but the #1 reason the movie tie-in was added was said to be Guest demand.

Because of the 'POTC' films being so successful, a lot of new Guests were coming in droves to experience the Attraction and leaving disappointed that they did'nt see any of the characters from the movie.
So Disney felt it needed to add Jack Sparrow and other elements from the films to appease the tide of negative feedback they were getting from the thousands of disappointed kids and their parents who came into the Attraction expecting to experience something based on those films.

WDI was tasked with the difficult job of trying to fit in the new additons , while at the same time trying not to take away too much of the original's exsisting charm.

Not trying to justify what was done, but just adding this into the context of the discussion if it has not already been touched on.

I liked the originals, and i also enjoy the 'reworked' versions.
There are certain elements i miss from the originals, but there are also newer elements that i like quite a bit.
So it's a mixed feeling i have on the topic.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I don't know if this was touched on here already in this thread, but the #1 reason the movie tie-in was added was said to be Guest demand.

Because of the 'POTC' films being so successful, a lot of new Guests were coming in droves to experience the Attraction and leaving disappointed that they did'nt see any of the characters from the movie.
So Disney felt it needed to add Jack Sparrow and other elements from the films to appease the tide of negative feedback they were getting from the thousands of disappointed kids and their parents who came into the Attraction expecting to experience something based on those films.

WDI was tasked with the difficult job of trying to fit in the new additons , while at the same time trying not to take away too much of the original's exsisting charm.

Not trying to justify what was done, but just adding this into the context of the discussion if it has not already been touched on.

I liked the originals, and i also enjoy the 'reworked' versions.
There are certain elements i miss from the originals, but there are also newer elements that i like quite a bit.
So it's a mixed feeling i have on the topic.

The context of guest demand is meaningless when it comes out of Disney. Disneyland is run by people who only see value in themed entertainment as a marketing vehicle. They found the guest complaints to justify a predetermined course of action. The characters being added did not necessitate taking over the entire attraction and adding a convoluted narrative.

 

[BasiltheBatLord]

the issue for me is not so much the presence of the film stuff (although Barbossa replacing the captain on the ship is extremely annoying, especially how they have the film theme blaring in that scene as if to add insult to injury). Every scene that Jack Sparrow is in (except the very last one) he's sort of out of the way of the main action and in some cases you almost have to look for him....

The issue is how the whole ride's storyline was modified from "Pirates sack a Spanish caribbean town for loot and debauchery" to "Pirates sack a Spanish caribbean town for Jack Sparrow". it's absolutely bizarre hearing the newly recorded "Where be Cap'n Jack Sparrow?!" and then hearing the 1960's "No, don't tell him Carlos, don't be chicken!" in reply.

And yes, these changes are going to guarantee a generation growing up thinking the film inspired the ride. It's already happened and it is going to continue happening.

 

[hokielutz]

It's a matter of personal opinion. As for me, I've hated the "movie-ization" of POTC from the moment I experienced it for the first time. It now feels less pirate-y and more about Johnny Depp. The "plot" as it were, with citizens now inexplicably hiding a pirate instead of citizens being chased and terrorized by pirates, makes no sense whatsoever. Hate it, hate it, hate it.

(That being said, I loved the first POTC film. I just didn't think it needed to be shoehorned into what was arguably a near-perfect attraction without it.)

But the plot of the original POTC was adjusted where they removed or changed elements with the Pirates chasing the women... because it was not 'PC' in the 1990's?
The addition of Depp and Barbosa gave the ride a storyline for most of the ride that the public can clearly follow. Sparrow on the run from Pirates, takes refuge in a town, finds a map & key to treasure, the raiding pirates forget their task to get Sparrow and indulge in drinking, pillaging, and singing a merry tune.

Sadly, Disney hears demands for improvement from both sides and can't please everyone...
1. Keep the ride the same and just clean & fix all the effects.
2. Plus up the ride with new/changed scenes and effects.

 

[hokielutz]

And yes, these changes are going to guarantee a generation growing up thinking the film inspired the ride. It's already happened and it is going to continue happening.

Well then its just going to require us true fans to continue to educate those that follow.
Also I seriously doubt Walt intended that the Parks and its attractions would become untouched museums.

 

[lazyboy97o]

But the plot of the original POTC was adjusted where they removed or changed elements with the Pirates chasing the women... because it was not 'PC' in the 1990's?
The addition of Depp and Barbosa gave the ride a storyline for most of the ride that the public can clearly follow. Sparrow on the run from Pirates, takes refuge in a town, finds a map & key to treasure, the raiding pirates forget their task to get Sparrow and indulge in drinking, pillaging, and singing a merry tune.

Sadly, Disney hears demands for improvement from both sides and can't please everyone...
1. Keep the ride the same and just clean & fix all the effects.
2. Plus up the ride with new/changed scenes and effects.

How was the plot changed in the 1990s? Did the pirates stop attacking the town? And why is the town protecting Jack Sparrow?

 

[Victor Kelly]

The pirates used to chase the women. PC crowd did not like what real history was, so now the women chase the pirates. Who knows why they are protecting Sparrow, he is a pirate after all.

 

[ItlngrlBella]

The pirates used to chase the women. PC crowd did not like what real history was, so now the women chase the pirates. Who knows why they are protecting Sparrow, he is a pirate after all.

^^^ UGGG!

That stuff SETS. ME. OFF!

I didn't know they changed that?! (Or maybe somehow indisnt notice?)

The next thing you know another group will be mad that the women are chasing the Pirates "because it's not ladylike" and then you just have the Pirates and ladies just standing there.

The hyper-PC crowd are a bunch of Debbie Downers. They either want to change history and often take the fun out of everything.

Several weeks ago a former professor of mine posted an article on facebook by some hyper-feminist about how the Gaston character at MK was bad for little girls and the crowds and parents are even more at blame because when he did his schtick (the character is supposed to be sexist), those observing laughed and that was positive reinforcement, thus setting a "bad example for children."

First PoC changes and then face characters can't be their true-characters. It's that kind of stuff that sets me off. That author needed a slap upside the head and the Pirates need to be chasing the ladies - like its suppose to be. End of rant... Drops mic, exits stage.

 

[Communicore]

The only things I like about the MK Pirates would be the queue, the exterior, and the smell of the water.

 

[Victor Kelly]

The other thing I cannot stand happens in paintball a lot. One team is losing because they are incompetent, so the rules are changed to give them an advantage. Come on, every game will have a loser. I have lost plenty of times, and it teaches many lessons.

This PC stuff has gotta stop. Before long we will have no entertainment because it offends people. AKA: 50 Shades. Honestly who cares? It is a movie, make believe, fictional. Just like the rides, and attractions at Disney. None of it is real, it is fantasy, make believe, and what you as an individual make of it.

My rant over.....throws mic at a PC person, hits them in the head and it gives them amnesia........... PIZZA TIME!!!

 

[lazyboy97o]

The pirates used to chase the women. PC crowd did not like what real history was, so now the women chase the pirates. Who knows why they are protecting Sparrow, he is a pirate after all.

That isn't a description of how the plot of the attraction changed. The whole thing wasn't centered around raping women.