Pirates of the Caribbean in Disneyland is arguably one of the most popular theme park attractions in history. Find out 12 fun facts you never knew about the ride – just in time for your next visit.

“Psst! Avast there! It be too late to alter course, mateys—and there be plunderin’ pirates lurkin’ in every cove, waitin’ to board. Sit closer together and keep your ruddy hands inboard—that be the best way to repel boarders. And mark well me words, mateys… dead men tell no tales!”

That’s right, originally Pirates of the Caribbean was planned to be a walk-through wax museum. The idea was to use the wax museum to detail the pirates that looted and murdered on the high seas in the Caribbean. Walt Disney added this Pirates of the Caribbean idea as part of the New Orleans Square expansion to Disneyland. The attraction was changed to a boat ride after the great reaction from guests who experienced “it’s a small world.”

One of the featured pirate’s names can still be found on the attraction. Upon arriving to board your ship, guests enter from Laffite’s Landing.

Laffite was a pirate that is an important part of the building of America. Laffite helped Andrew Jackson in the Battle of New Orleans. The efforts were so profound that songs have been written about the battle for control of the Mississippi River.

Many musical artists have sung the venerable song The Battle of New Orleans. You may recognize the tune: “In 1814 we took a little trip, along with Colonel Jackson down the mighty Mississippi!” The song was recorded in 1959, about the same time that Walt and the Imagineers started thinking about adding New Orleans Square and the Pirates of the Caribbean in Disneyland.

Pirates were never supposed to be friendly. Xavier Antecio (to Disney fans, he is simply known as X) was assigned to write the Pirates of the Caribbean song by Walt Disney. X had never written a song before he penned the famous song “Yo Ho, Yo Ho, a Pirate's Life for Me!” X wrote the song to illustrate that pirates were a bad set of characters and guests should be a little scared of what they were going to experience. Some of the lyrics included:

“We pillage, we plunder, we rifle and loot.
We kidnap and ravage and don’t give a hoot.
We extort, we pilfer, we filch and sack.
Maraud and embezzle and even hijack.
We kindle and char; inflame and ignite.
We burn up the city; we’re really a fright.
We’re rascals and scoundrels.
We’re villains and knaves.
We’re devils and back. We’re really bad eggs.
We’re beggars and blighters and ne’er-do-well cads.
Aye, but we’re loved by our mommies and dads.”
Ironically, the pirates have become fan favorites and endeared by many Disney fans young and old.

The original Pirates of the Caribbean in Disneyland features scenes with pirates chasing groups of scared townspeople. In 1997, Disney altered the scenes to feature the pirates chasing food rather than women.

For example, where a pirate used to chase a scared woman, he is now being chased by the woman for stealing a pie. At the same time, illuminated "Exit" signs were added in the case of an emergency. The changes in the ride made audiences feel more comfortable, but did come with controversy. X was reported as saying, "They were meant to be pirates of the Caribbean, not Boy Scouts of the Caribbean."

The popular scene featuring the famous redheaded gal is another modern update to Disney’s pirate ride. The scene features the redhead pirate named Redd. She auctions off the town’s most prized possessions and has a thing or two to say about the rum supply as well.

The Pirates of the Caribbean in Disneyland led to the still-popular Pirates of the Caribbean movie series. And after such success, characters from the movie series – Captain Jack Sparrow, Davy Jones and Captain Barbosa – were added to the attraction. Most people new to Disneyland might think it’s the other way around!

A light fixture inspired a movie character… located near the exit of Pirates of the Caribbean in Disneyland is a gift shop that features an amazing desk themed after a pirate ship. Look up to find Jack the Monkey Pirate. Movie makers used the chandelier as inspiration for the famous character in the popular movies.

The Pirates of the Caribbean in Disneyland offers one of the most unique and exciting places to dine, right inside the New Orleans Bayou. Make sure to get your reservations to the Blue Bayou early, the experience is unique and like no other. Pay particular attention to the fireflies, and the sounds of frogs and crickets in the background. You can even watch as unsuspecting guests enter the buccaneer world.

Disney Imagineers have placed at least one hidden Mickey in each attraction throughout the park. The process of finding hidden Mickeys has fans scouting them throughout the park, often finding both intentional and unintentional ones! Look closely for them in Pirates of the Caribbean in Disneyland, as there are many to be found. You’ll especially want to look close as you travel up the waterfall. There will be a brass breastplate with a small Mickey hidden right in the middle.

Another—hidden in plain sight—”Easter Egg” is just outside the Pirates of the Caribbean. See if you can find the anchor on display next time you visit! It’s a historical display piece Disneyland offers guests to learn about the past. It really makes Walt Disney’s original speech ring true: “Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America.”

Upon opening, the new Pirates of the Caribbean in Disneyland may have been just a little too realistic! The pinnacle of the attraction is that the salty old pirates light the entire town on fire making the structures appear unsafe and putting guests in peril on how to get out of the burning city. Soon after opening, the Anaheim Fire Chief thought that the attraction was really on fire! The concern created a safety measure that shuts down the fire effects should the fire alarm be activated.

Pirates, chickens, and animatronics, oh my! Did you know that the Pirates of the Caribbean features over 120 animatronics? See if you can spot them all on your next ride! From chickens, pigs, burros and pirates, the animatronics continue to offer a realistic experience. Disney creates different levels of animatronics to tell stories throughout the park.

The highest level of animatronics at Disneyland can be found in the Native American StoryTeller on the Disneyland Railroad, President Lincoln in Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln and the Auctioneer in the Pirates of the Caribbean.

It is so fun to walk through history and to be part of it as well. Disneyland is certainly preserving history while celebrating modern culture when you set sail on Pirates of the Caribbean.

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