When I visited Disneyland for the first time, one of my questions was how the parks and rides were different from each other. I wrote up a blog post about the general differences between the two parks, but now I want to take a closer look at the attractions that are on both coasts.  I started this Disney World vs. Disneyland series, and today I’ll be taking on Pirates of the Caribbean.
Disneyland
The Ride
Pirates of the Caribbean is a dark boat ride that takes you through various scenes featuring pirates. Â You’ll pass through a pirate ship at war, several town scenes, a jail, and more. Â The ride existed before the movie, but after the popularity of the films Disney went back and added a Captain Jack Sparrow figure into some of the scenes.
Disney World
Main Differences
- Where you’ll find Pirates of the Caribbean varies from Disney World to Disneyland – in World it’s in Adventureland. Â In Disneyland it’s in New Orleans Square, and it’s also attached to the Blue Bayou restaurant, so when you begin your ride you’ll pass by diners enjoying some New Orleans style food.
- Disneyland’s ride has more scenes in it overall, and as a result lasts a good bit longer than the one in Disney World.
- There is an end scene in Disneyland with in the treasure room with pirates firing their cannons.
- The burning city scene in Disneyland is much longer.
- In Disneyland the boats travel down two waterfalls, while in Disney World there is only one.
Disneyland
My Winner
Disneyland takes this one for me.  The additional scenes and longer ride time make  more cohesive story that is more interesting and flows better.  I loved the opening and closing scenes that Disney World is lacking.  Especially traveling through the Bayou in the beginning is a neat experience.  I’m hopeful that next time I’m at Disneyland I can dine at the Blue Bayou to watch the boats go by!
Have you been on Pirates of the Caribbean? Â What do you think of it?
I rode the one at Disney World and loved it. I’d love to compare the two though!
Yeah it’s really interesting since I’m so familiar with the Disney World one, to see how it was so similar and yet so different in Disneyland.
I’ve only been to Disney World, but this ride is one of my favorites!
It’s always a fun one to ride!
This is definitely one of my favorite rides. I’ve only been on the one in Disneyland as an adult, so I’m glad it was the winner 🙂
Yes, it was great!
I’ve never been to Disneyworld, but I grew up in Southern California right by Disneyland so I went all the time. Pirates of the Caribbean is my favorite ride and it makes me sad to know that I’ll be disappointed when I eventually go to Disneyworld and ride it there. Can’t beat the original. 😉
TOTALLY agree! Pirates of the Caribbean in DL takes it all for me as a fellow SoCal girl.
Yeah, I’m sure you’ll still enjoy the ride in Disney World just to see how it’s similar or different, but the original is definitely where it’s at.
Pirates of the Caribbean is my favorite ride/movie! I am always going to stay biased to DL because I grew up going there, but I did enjoy the Disney World one as well! I really love dining in the Blue Bayou and feeling immersed in the ride. Plus their clam chowder is delicious!
Mmm, I am so looking forward to eating at Blue Bayou one day. That is definitely on the top of my list of places I want to go when I return to Disneyland someday!
For me I prefer world, I think its entirely too long of a ride at Disneyland. 😀 IMO
That’s a good point! I think the one in Disneyland lasts for almost 15 minutes, while the Disney World one is under 10.
I skipped this one at Disneyland in favor of trying some other rides out since our time was limited. I’ll have to make a note to try it next time I’m out there!
Definitely do if you get the chance to go back! While they are similar there are some interesting differences.
Completely agree with Disneyland taking the prize in this one! I absolutely love going past the restaurant, I think it adds that little extra 🙂 And you can’t argue with two little slides instead of one 😉
— LisaLDN.com
I agree, I thought that opening scene was very cool in the Bayou.
I’m going to be totally stalking your blog in the next week or so as we try to make a plan of action for Disney. Thanks for you help in advance 🙂
Excellent, I’m happy to help! 🙂
I love Disneyland’s better! Also, I don’t think Disneyland actually has Liberty Square. Isn’t PoTC in New Orleans Square in DLR?
Yup you’re totally right! I’m going to edit that, definitely a slip on my part 😉
Disneyland’s version overall is better, due to two waterfalls you go down and the longer cave sequences. However, the Magic Kingdom version still has its merits. You never mentioned the elaborate queue of the Magic Kingdom version. The Florida version has an amazing queue with so much attention to detail that it becomes a part of the experience along with the ride. In this queue you walk through an old, dusty Spanish fortress with masts, canons, and a cell with two skeletal pirates playing chess. As for the omitted blue bayou, that doesn’t bother me. In Florida we have lots of swampy areas that look just like the blue bayou. I can got out into the wilderness of where I live and see trees draped in Spanish moss among the swamp-lands. So, again, the blue bayou isn’t a loss. Speaking of which, I hope while you were in Florida you checked out the wilderness and all it’s nature, instead of just seeing only the theme parks. If I were to rank the two versions on a scale from 1 (terrible) to 10 (excellent) the Disneyland Pirates would get a 10, but the Magic Kingdom would still get a solid 8.
You’re right, I didn’t mention the queues at all – and they are quite different! I’ve spent a decent amount of time in Florida outside of the theme parks as well, but I would love to explore more of it too.
Becky, I would say this. On a scale from 1 – 10, Disneyland has the 10/10 Pirates, but Magic Kingdom’s is still a solid 8. Likewise, Haunted Mansion at Disney I would place at an 8, but at Magic Kingdom a 10.
I would definitely agree with that assessment.