Disney Facts: Pirates of the Caribbean

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate’s life for me.

                                                                         Photo by Walt Disney Company 

But did you know that the popular ride, which first opened in 1967 at Disneyland, was not part of the inaugural attractions opened at that Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World? Disney Imagineers thought that since Florida sits in the middle of the real Caribbean there would be little interest in a pirates-themed adventure, according to the Walt Disney Company.

Soon after the Magic Kingdom opened the comments came in and many people were disappointed that there was no Pirates of the Caribbean ride. So Disney went to work and the ride finally opened Dec. 15, 1973.

Here are some facts about each of the rides, from Disney:

Walt Disney World version of Pirates of the Caribbean

• There are about 125 Audio-Animatronics figures — 65 pirates and villagers and 60 animals and birds.
• Caribbean Plaza in Adventureland, where the attraction is located, features the Spanish and English architectural styles of the 18th century West Indies. 
• There is a plunge down a 14-foot shoot that brings guests into the middle of a sea battle.
• There are two chess-playing skeletons in the attraction.
• This was the first major addition to the Magic Kingdom following the 1971 opening of the park.

Disneyland version of Pirates of the Caribbean

• The was the last ride supervised by Walt Disney.
• The attraction is housed within two large show buildings totaling 112,826 feet and featuring 750,000 gallons of water that flow through a 1,838-foot canal.
• It cost $15 million to build New Orleans Square ($8 million of which was spent on Pirates of the Caribbean). This is equal to the amount the United States paid for the real New Orleans in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803
• The façade of the attraction was partly inspired by the Cabildo building in Jackson Square in New Orleans that served as the seat of the Spanish colonial government in 1799. 

The Song

The famous song, "Yo Ho, Yo Ho; a Pirate’s Life for Me," was written by lyricist X. Atencio and composer George Bruns. Here are the complete lyrics.

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
We pillage plunder, we rifle and loot.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
We extort and pilfer, we filch and sack.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
Maraud and embezzle and even highjack.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
We kindle and char and enflame and ignite.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
We burn up the city, we're really a fright.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.

We're rascals and scoundrels, we're villains and knaves.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
We're devils and black sheep, we're really bad eggs.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.

We're beggars and blighters and ne'er do-well cads,
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
Aye, but we're loved by our mommies and dads,
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.

One last fact

Atencio also provided the voice for the talking skull and crossbones that delivers the warning, “Dead men tell no tales.”