"DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES!" For almost sixty years, Walt Disney made us believe in pirates with Pirates of the Caribbean becoming one of the most beloved attractions in history, an instant classic that launched a franchise, including a blockbuster film series. In honor of this year's anniversary, I figured I'd take a moment to honor the past as well as share a few notable pieces of Pirates news so far. Some news you may know, some you may find new, specifically our first topic.
The Disney Destiny presents Cask and Cannon[]
This one is relatively new to me, as it was originally announced August 26, 2024.
The Disney Destiny, the upcoming seventh cruise ship owned and operated by Disney Cruise Line, due to enter service and set sail on its maiden voyage from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on November 20, 2025. Of all the ship has to offer, in addition to 4-5 night cruises from Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas and Western Caribbean, you can celebrate "with a toast to Disney's most legendary Caribbean seafarers" at Cask and Cannon. Here is what the Disney Parks Blog revealed:
- As we chart a new course to tropical destinations, what better way to celebrate than with a toast to Disney’s most legendary Caribbean seafarers? Drink up, me hearties — we’ve 'liberated' a first look just for ye!
- Aboard the Disney Destiny, you will join the ranks of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" at Cask and Cannon, a new pub inspired by the beloved Disney Parks attractions around the world! Here, you and your fellow buccaneers will regale one another with tales of your high seas adventures in an eclectic yet cozy lounge furnished with treasures "acquired" (AKA pillaged and pilfered) during the pirates' many voyages around the globe.
- An evening of revelry and recreation at Cask and Cannon wouldn't be complete without an extensive menu of rare, specialty and vintage rums that would impress even the most seasoned swashbucklers. There will also be a not-so-secret selection of "bootlegged" brews developed specially for the venue and served straight from the barrel in true pirate style.
- And rumor has it that the savviest treasure-hunters may even uncover a mysterious trove of looted libations served in an actual treasure chest! Sounds better than a bounty of golden doubloons, aye?
Savviest treasure-hunters, as in, maybe...Captain Jack Sparrow?! Okay, while it is very likely, Sparrow is unconfirmed for the Disney Destiny thus far. Anyway, Cask and Cannon is just one of many brand-new experiences awaiting you aboard Disney's new heroes and villains-inspired ship.
Captain Jack Sparrow & The Siren Queen[]
I know, I know... Sharing news from last month may be cheating..."Pirate!"
The Disney Adventure, the upcoming eighth cruise ship owned and operated by Disney Cruise Line, due to enter service and set sail on December 15, 2025. And with it, an exciting line-up of new shows at the state-of-the-art Disney Imagination Garden stage set in front of three-deck-high LED screens, including "going on a hilarious adventure helmed by everyone's favorite roguish pirate" in Captain Jack Sparrow & The Siren Queen. Here is what the Disney Parks Blog revealed:
- Yo ho! Live a Pirate's Life
- Join Captain Jack Sparrow and his band of pirates as they battle with an ink-squirting giant squid and hunt for a rare, dazzling treasure during "Captain Jack Sparrow & The Siren Queen." This all-new show coming to the Disney Imagination Garden stage will have swashbucklers of all ages singing a hearty "Yo ho!" as you’re recruited for a thrilling journey with the sea's most charming, yet roguish, captain and his pirate crew.
- The Disney Adventure is getting ready to set sail later this year and we can't wait to share more updates with you right here on the Disney Parks Blog.
Pirates of the Caribbean Tavern[]
The still-unnamed Pirates tavern at the Magic Kingdom Park, which we've covered for the last year or so, is set to open sometime in 2025. However, earlier this month, the team at Walt Disney Imagineering began sharing some details of their progress on the Pirates lounge via social media.
One preview features Assistant Producer Montse Garmilla. From working at Pirates of the Caribbean on the Disney College Program to shaping the future of Magic Kingdom by working on the Pirate lounge. Here is a transcript of her experience:
- I started my Disney journey here at Pirates of the Caribbean on the Disney College Program, and now I get to work on the Pirate lounge coming to Magic Kingdom.
- ...
- I'm here in the heart of our lounge where right behind me you'll see the bar, and right on top of the bar, you'll see our Barker Bird who's excited to welcome pirates of all ages into our story.
- ...
- Right behind me is our Captain's Quarters. It's another room in the space where guests will be able to sit and enjoy our drinks and bites.
- ...
- It is such a dream come true being able to work on this project. It feels like such a full circle moment. And the fact that I got to work with so many talented people makes it amazing. We can't wait to welcome everyone later this year!
Another preview, shared a little over a week later, Principal Dimensional Designer Steve showed one of Disney Legend Blaine Gibson's original pirate maquettes from Peter Pan's Flight in Magic Kingdom. With that in mind, one can't help but wonder if this is a reference (or something more?) of Bill Jukes, a member of Captain Hook's pirate crew from Disney's Peter Pan. Okay, it probably will not Bill Jukes, officially speaking, but the resemblance is somewhat canny. Anyway, here is another transcript:
- Unknown: Hey Steve!
- Steve: Hey, how's it going?
- Unknown: Can you show me something cool?
- Steve: Actually, why don't we head over to the Blaine Gibson sculpture studio. Blaine Gibson. A Disney Legend who created hundreds of sculptures as an Imagineer for Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, every president in the Hall of Presidents up to George W. Bush, as well as Walt and Mickey Mouse for the Partners statue. THIS is something cool. This is one of Blaine Gibson's original pirate maquettes from Peter Pan's Flight in Magic Kingdom. He's got his big coat on, the peg leg, cutlass or scimitar, HUGE tricorn pirate hat. It's that classic pirate captain that you want to see, right? Everyone knows the iconic Pirates of the Caribbean pirates that he's done, of course. They were kind of caricatures of pirates. This is more cartoony. It's so fun.
Just to repeat, for clarity, it is too soon to say if this Peter Pan character is coming to the Pirates lounge or if it was just "something cool" being shown. All that is known, judging from the artist concepts of the Pirates lounge, we'll see some portraits of Hector Barbossa, a hint of the East India Company, or the officially confirmed return of the peg-legged parrot known as Barker Bird. As of today, courtesy of WDW News Today, steel framework is reportedly visible as construction continued on the Pirates lounge. And near the exit to the Pirates attraction, multiple new props including crates, barrels, and boxes could be seen, possibly hinting that the props could tie into the storyline of the new lounge.
Pirates of the Caribbean at the El Capitan Theatre[]
On February 24, 2025, it was announced that tickets were available to "Behold the return of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise" by watching each Pirates of the Caribbean movie and explore the treasures of Captain Jack Sparrow at the theatre's archival display", as detailed on Facebook and Instagram. As shown in social media on March 6 and March 7, in addition to the screenings, an exhibit with various costumes and props put on display, including:
- Jack Sparrow's costume worn by Johnny Depp in Dead Men Tell No Tales
- Will Turner's costume worn by Orlando Bloom in At World's End
- Elizabeth Swann's costume worn by Keira Knightley in The Curse of the Black Pearl
- Captain Barbossa's costume worn by Geoffrey Rush in The Curse of the Black Pearl
- Bootstrap Bill Turner's costume by Stellan Skarsgård in Dead Man's Chest
- Blackbeard's costume worn by Ian McShane in On Stranger Tides
- The Bone Throne from Dead Man's Chest
- The Brethren Court Globe from At World's End
- The Pirata Codex from At World's End
- The Dead Man's Chest from Dead Man's Chest
- The Key from Dead Man's Chest
- Davy Jones Pipe from Dead Man's Chest
- Davy Jones' spyglass from Dead Man's Chest
- Tia Dalma silver heart locket from Dead Man's Chest
Ve Neill's Vampire Weekend[]
Well, talking about vampires is a bit of a departure from pirates, but hear me out. Ve Neill's Vampire Weekend was on March 14-16, 2025, which happened to have some familiar faces. Courtesy of Lore Vision Media, Lee Arenberg (Pintel), Vince Lozano (Jacoby), Isaac C. Singleton Jr. (Bo'sun), Kevin McNally (Joshamee Gibbs), Martin Klebba (Marty), and Treva Etienne (Koehler) appeared and were keeping the pirate spirit alive!
By March 18, "The Queen of Movie Makeup" got a special video message from actor Geoffrey Rush doing his Hector Barbossa voice, which has since been posted on social media Facebook and Instagram. It has been about 8 years since we last saw Barbossa onscreen, but Rush has still got the "ARRR!" in him.
Personal commentary[]
More updates of the Pirates Tavern and the Disney cruise ships Disney Destiny and Disney Adventure will be shared on Disney Parks Blogs as they are all getting ready to set sail later this year. And surely, if the news is available to us, we at POTC Wiki will try to keep it all up-to-date. Whether it is blogs like this one or otherwise updating our Wiki articles with reliable sources.
Indeed, Pirates has become one of the most popular attractions at Disney Parks for almost sixty years, and starting in a blockbuster film series with such rich source material and a permanent place in pop culture launched a franchise. On that note, before anyone asks, there is still no word on the status on the potential sixth Pirates of the Caribbean film, another subject that has been covered to ad nauseam in previous blogs, with the current status being that it is only in development with a script being written. Until then, such time as real news about a film comes out way in the next year or so, may I suggest looking up and reading Jason Surrell's Pirates of the Caribbean: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies, which has detailed information about the making of the ride. There are also some specials about the ride or the movies on Disney+, including Prop Culture, Behind the Attraction, and Disney 100: A Century of Dreams.
What do you think, Pirates fans? Are you excited for any of the stuff that is coming soon? Or are you just stuck in the past with the original Disney ride? Or the Golden Age of Piracy? Please comment below!