A recent adventure at Disneyland Resort left some Disney enthusiasts with an unexpected tale of their own. Guests had to be evacuated from the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, with Disney cast members coming to the rescue in the watery depths of New Orleans Square. This sudden closure follows a wave of discussions around the beloved, yet controversial, attraction.
In 2023, a viral TikTok video called the Pirates of the Caribbean ride offensive, saying it was inappropriate towards women. This sparked debates across Disney Parks worldwide, including Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris, Shanghai Disney, and Tokyo Disney. One guest even remarked that the male pirate animatronics made her feel uncomfortable, describing the ride experience as “a little bit rapey.”
Disney has not turned a blind eye to these concerns. Back in the late 2010s, both Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Park made changes to their versions of the ride, removing a problematic bride auction scene. Instead, these scenes now feature female animatronics as empowered pirates, a move that followed the addition of Captain Jack Sparrow animatronics to the ride, inspired by Johnny Depp’s iconic character.
Despite these updates, maintenance issues continue to plague the ride. Recently, TikTok user @sweetmissmagicalmindy documented her experience of being stuck on the Pirates of the Caribbean and having to be evacuated. Her video captured the lights being turned on and the water stilled, while Disney cast members expertly navigated the scene in rubber waders to ensure everyone’s safe exit.
Interestingly, the evacuees got a rare peek behind the magic, walking through Disneyland’s backstage—a part of the park guests seldom see. Although “not very clean,” according to one guest, the experience ended with smiles and a triumphant “We survived!” The ride has since reopened, operating as usual, but the exact cause of the evacuation remains a mystery.
Have you ever had to be evacuated from a Disney ride? We’d love to hear your stories! Share your experiences in the comments and join in the conversation.
Source: Inside the Magic
