Pirates of the Caribbean Rehab

Image of Villain Davy Jones
projected on a curtain of water

Captain Jack Sparrow Joins the Audio-Animatronics
Crew of Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean Attraction

Pirates of the Caribbean has added characters from the film "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl."

ALL EARS® Readers Chad and Kerry Wilson share photos of the rehabbed attraction:

ALL EARS® Columnist Jack Spence's thoughts on the rehab:

We rode on the updated Pirates of the Caribbean today. The imagineers have done a nice job of spicing up this venerable attraction.

Shortly after setting sail, you float through a curtain of mist with a projection of a talking pirate (Davy Jones, the villain in the new movie) on it. It's a very cool effect and it's fun to watch everyone ahead of you trying to touch the projection as they sail though it. To be honest, I was so entranced with the effect, I didn't listen to what the pirate had to say. Sorry.

When you enter the battle scene, the music is completely different. They are now using (what I assume is) the musical score from the movie. It has a much more ominous feel about it. The captain of the ship has been replaced with the bad-guy (Barbossa) from the movie. (Click HERE for an official Disney photo of this scene.)

At the "dunking" scene, the dialogue has been changed. The "dunker" is now asking the mayor where he can find Captain Jack Sparrow and the mayor refuses to answer. Just beyond the well we see Jack hiding behind some dress-makers bodices. The Audio Animatronic looks exactly like actor Johnny Depp and his movements are spectacularly real. You'd almost swear the real Johnny was standing there. (Click HERE for an official Disney photo of this scene.)

The next scene that has been changed is where the fat pirate is sitting, leaning against a barrel. This pirate's dialogue has been changed and he is also looking for Jack. Instead of the young girl poking her head out of the barrel, we now see Jack popping up and looking around. Once again, this AA is extremely lifelike. (Click HERE for an official Disney photo of this scene.)

In the final scene, the treasure room, all of the other Audio Animatronics have been removed and Jack has been added, sitting in a rocking chair in the middle of the booty.

As the ride pulled into the unload area, a number of guests applauded. When a cast member asked others how they liked the new additions, he received a hearty endorsement.