Small Update on Pirates

Originally Posted By Witches of Morva

ORDDU: For those ducklings who care to know, my sisters and I decided to swoop in on the Magic Kingdom Easter Sunday--only to find out that Pirates of the Caribbean was re-opened for guests.

ORWEN: They said they had temporarily re-opened it for the benefit of Spring Break Crowds.

ORDDU: But we must say, there was absolutely no evidence of any upgrades to the attraction--as far as our 3 pairs of eyes could see. We inquired about this of a cast member--after disembarking from our boat.

ORWEN: The particular cast member we talked to admitted that not much work had been done, yet, and that the Imagineers were behind schedule in their work. So far, they've only managed to remove certain things they wanted to take out--but don't ask us what those things were because we couldn't tell what those things might be.

ORDDU: The cast member went on to say she doubted that the attraction would meet its deadline for all the necessary upgrades. In other words, the new motion picture could be in theatres before the Florida version of Pirates is ready for the public to invade it. If this is true, it's very sad.

ORWEN: Why does it have to take them so long to add the upgrades, I wonder.

ORGOCH: Yeah, what's the hold up fer?

ORDDU: It was interesting to note that the cast member we talked with was equally puzzled as to what's taking so long. We just hope that the upgrades to Pirates ARE finished in time for the movie's premier.

 

Originally Posted By leemac

<<The cast member went on to say she doubted that the attraction would meet its deadline for all the necessary upgrades.>>

Sorry but the CM doesn't know what she is talking about. They have already installed some of the technology required for the new show. The new AAs are already on-site too and ready to be installed once the attraction re-closes on April 30 or so.

The point is that MK Ops wanted the attraction back open as a people-gobbler for April and WDI were not keen to have some SFXs on and some not so it is back as the original show.

 

Originally Posted By BlazesOfFire

It better be open by July 7th! I hope to be among the first to see it cuz I will bve staying there at that time

 

Originally Posted By LadyandtheTramp

It seemed to us that, at least on Sunday, they had refurbed the audio. You could actually hear everyone's spiel, and fairly clearly.

 

Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney

I haven't been on it. I may try this weekend, but from what I've been told, WDI was quite displeased by Orlando's edict that the attraction reopen for April.

Of course, capacity in the park wouldn't be such an issue if they didn't keep closing attractions without replacing them and if every attraction didn't have FP on them causing the walkways to be overcrowded while huge queues sit empty.

 

Originally Posted By GMouse

I wonder what the chances are of the ride being open by June 16 when we arrive. It's one of my favorites.

 

Originally Posted By brotherdave

I'm hoping the same thing GMouse!!! We arrive on June 13th!!!

 

Originally Posted By vbdad55

I get there June 4th- there isn't even hope for me

 

Originally Posted By brotherdave

It's looking like our first trip ever to WDW when Pirates won't be open. Very dissapointing, to say the least!

"Yo, Ho! Yo, Ho! No pirate's life for me!!!" (ARRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!)

>:-(

 

Originally Posted By dogcrazy

That is my favorite ride!! Better be open in Aug! I guess if they have to change it I at least want to see the changes.

 

Originally Posted By leemac

<<I wonder what the chances are of the ride being open by June 16 when we arrive. It's one of my favorites.>>

No chance at all I'm afraid. First week in July is the target.

 

Originally Posted By crazyformickey

this is one of my favorites I am so bummed that it will be closed while I am there.

 

Originally Posted By brotherdave

No chance for a soft opening before July then?

 

Originally Posted By Witches of Morva

ORDDU: Not if they're behind schedule--as my sisters and I have been hearing.

 

Originally Posted By leemac

Isn't it a little hard to be behind schedule when you haven't even begun something?

brotherdave they should hit the July 7 opening date but not a second sooner. For MK's sake it is a shame they couldn't get it up for July 4 as a guest-gobbler. With the construction site outside Caribbean Plaza too it is going to be very difficult to maneuver through that part of the park.

 

Originally Posted By Witches of Morva

ORWEN: Oh, leemac, duckling! You're so funny!

ORGOGH: Gotta wonder if'n the silly gander even read what he wrote?

ORDDU: Now, now, sister. The point IS, a duckling--or an Imagineer--is most certainly more likely to get behind schedule if they haven't even begun to do something that has a looming deadline just ahead of them. However, we'll all just have to wait and see whether or not Pirates is open on time or not. The one thing Walt Disney World's version of this attraction has going for it is that there won't be as many challenges for an upgrade, since they won't be as plentiful or as extensive as the one's in California.

 

Originally Posted By Skellington88

Im just curious how they will be able to completly redo the gift shop and remodel the enterance in time.

 

Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney

^^I wasn't aware they were reopening the gift shop. Are you referring to the years-closed House of Treasure (an actual shop) or the open air Plaza at the exit to Pirates where they have moved merchandise and turned it into a shop?

 

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

I too would prefer the move all that junk INSIDE where the shop was located at for years. They can't have a pretty corner of the park without them feeling the need to junk it up with merchandise carts and stands. Look at the current state of the former Hall of Presidents' queue. It was ok when they had the sketch artists in that area, but a walk thru there now is like taking a walk thru a marketplace. Just awful.

 

Originally Posted By ssWEDguy

>> Look at the current state of the former Hall of Presidents' queue. <<

There's a Hall of Presidents queue? I thought that was mostly the indoor waiting area.