Pirates
of the Caribbean is my all-time personal favorite
ride at Disney. For those who haven't Yo-Ho-ed,
I'll take you step-by-step through the entire
swashbuckling experience.
A
talking parrot squawks at guests who approach
the Spanish-flavor building outside. Inside,
making your way through dimly, fire lit passages,
you arrive to sloshing water and a docked boat
- your ride around the Caribbean.
The
boat ride takes you slowly through the skinny
waterway. As the boat slowly drifts peacefully,
you pass by a desolate beach when, all of a
sudden, strong swells shake the boat. Repeated
words are heard from a distance... "Dead
men tell no tales"... A skull hangs
above you and foreshadows what is to come. The
boat then dives down a small, but thrilling,
slope and you find yourself smack dab in a heated
battle between a pirate ship and a fort on land.
Shots
whiz by and explosions in the water spray the
boat. You hurry off into a recently-ransacked
town to see pirates celebrating their victory
over the townspeople, with the help of a little
rum. A sober businessman is auctioning off a
red-headed woman to a gang of drunken pirates.
One particular pirate has had his share of alcohol
for the evening and is already sleeping in the
company of pigs and empty liquor bottles. In
a nearby house, one woman chases a curious pirate
with her broom as the buildings around them
burn down in flames. "YO HO YO HO A
PIRATE'S LIFE FOR ME" is cheerfully
sung by the whole lot of them. As you continue
on, you see some of the town folk tied up. Others
are locked in jail cells and holler at a devilish
dog, just inches away, holding the jail keys.
The sound of freedom jingles right in front
of them. The final sight of the town, a massive
treasure room of gold coins, are guarded by
more trigger-happy pirates.
The
attraction has everything: catchy music, funny
moments, a little bit of thrill, and great memorable
characters. An absolute blast.
I
have to give it to Capcom, this time they didn't
do half bad on the game's conversion of the
ride. And before I begin, yes, the ride song
has been changed unfortunately. But "Yo
ho, Yo ho" is replaced with an equally
catchy tune.