POTC Closing July 16, 2005?

[DisneyResurrection]

I read that Pirates is closing on July 16 2005 until 2006 while DL begins construction on a new ride called "Exscape"? Is this true? I can't see them closing it down and starting construction right in the middle of their busy season. Plus, I'm going from Canada to DL in August so it better not be closed lol. Anyone heard of this?

[FigmentJedi]

Probably not true, they would be insane to close Pirates during most of the 50th.

[KIX]

have they closed one ride just so they can construct another?

[PeoplemoverMatt]

^ Oh sure, in fact they've even closed rides NOT to construct another. In WDW Mr. Toad was closed to build their Pooh ride. In DLR Carousel of Progress was closed for America Sings which was closed for nothing until the '98 Tomorrowland brought Innoventions, Peoplemover was closed to build the short-lived Rocket Rods :mad: , Adventure Thru Inner Space was closed to build Star Tours, Space Mountain was closed to build Space/Rock It Mountain, Superstar Limo was closed to build Monsters Inc, Submarine Voyage was closed for nothing until the Nemo project was approved, you get the idea. It's actually very common for one ride to be closed to build another.

However...according to the new Lutz article out today, Pirates will be going down for an extensive rehab. An excerpt of the aritcle regarding Pirates is as follows:


Pirates was originally scheduled for an eight week rehab this Fall, and the plan was to install a ton of new ride system equipment that would go entirely unnoticed by the public. In addition to the necessary maintenance and updating to the ride equipment, there would be the usual cosmetic touchups and a few new surprises paying homage to the blockbuster movie that will soon become a three-part franchise for Disney. The folks at Imagineering (WDI) have all sorts of nifty ideas to bring the '60s ride experience into the 21st century and keep it fresh for new audiences. And many of these ideas have really impressed Matt Ouimet, who has taken a genuine liking to the artistic showmanship inherent in the operation of Disneyland. Unlike his recent predecessors who had little interest, let alone passion, for the daily operation and physical presentation of the Park, Matt gets very excited about what WDI can do for the "Show".


Note how it says the refurb could be coming in the fall. Mission Control's refurb list on VF shows Pirates undergoing a rehab starting on 10/3. What I personally dread is the part about "surprises" paying homage to the movie coming to the ride. That would be a mind-bender wouldn't it? Movie created to pay homage to ride which pays homage to movie. Dr. Emmett L. Brown would be proud of such a time paradox. All I can say is better ride the original while you can!

WDW's Pirates is a far cry from the original, why don't they put Jack Sparrow in there? It's so dull & boring I doubt anyone would shed a tear there.

-- Peoplemover "BEAT D-TROIT! BEAT D-TROIT!" Matt

[camaro87488]

What I personally dread is the part about "surprises" paying homage to the movie coming to the ride. That would be a mind-bender wouldn't it? Movie created to pay homage to ride which pays homage to movie.

WDW's Pirates is a far cry from the original, why don't they put Jack Sparrow in there? It's so dull & boring I doubt anyone would shed a tear there.


I agree the movie was made based on the ride not the other way around. It would be like putting Eddie Murphy from the HM movie in the HM.

[Disney Princess]

i too dread what theyre gonna do th POTC. But then again, this might be a possitive upgrade. We'll never know until its done.

[Hyperion 77]

Woah. Huge rummor there. I could see them closing Pirates for a rehab. But... THen again... maybe not.
But I agree. Keep the movie in the movie. Keep the ride the way It is. Do not change it!!

Now then,
Tell me, what is this "Excape" thing you keep talking about?

[sataneatscheezwhiz]

I read that Pirates is closing on July 16 2005 until 2006 while DL begins construction on a new ride called "Exscape"? Is this true? I can't see them closing it down and starting construction right in the middle of their busy season. Plus, I'm going from Canada to DL in August so it better not be closed lol. Anyone heard of this?

Faaaakeee. No way disney would be that stupid. I would not much like the changing of the ride to match the movie, but there's no way they would close down Pirates the day before the official 50th anniversary of Disneyland. Where did you read this? It has fake written all over it.

[RU42]

Well, not sure if it has been officially stated yet...so...

Pirates is not being shut down 1 day before the 50th anniversary of the Park in order to demolish a cherished ride (and Walt's last one) and replace it with something new.

It is not happening.

Pirates will get a rehab and maybe a rehab on steriods in Lutz is correct; but I will wait for more confirmations from other sources before I fully buy that the movie will be introduced into the ride. I am sure Matt is well aware of the rides cross generational heritage and wont mess with it too much (I hope.)

RU

[CA Screamin Dude]

At this time, Pirates of the Caribbean will not be closed for refurbishment anytime until after the Summer Tourist Season.

[ShrunkenNed]

To add one more part to the Lutz article:


"And so the eight week rehab has been extended out to almost four months, and it's been moved to the winter and spring of '06 so the newly refreshed Pirates of the Caribbean can debut for the big marketing push already planned for Space Mountain and Tower of Terror."


More rumors, perhaps, but that should help with the closing question.

[Mousekiteer]

Actually, I wouldn't mind some good enhancements. Now, I know POTC is a classic, it was the last ride that Walt helped work on, so on and so forth. But as I get older, the atmosphere that once so captivated me as child is no longer there for me. I've gotten bored of it to the point I want to strike conversation with whoever I am with. If these enhancements will spark a flame of interest in me again, why not? Just as long as they don't mess with the original set up and theme basically.

[DisneyResurrection]

Faaaakeee. No way disney would be that stupid. I would not much like the changing of the ride to match the movie, but there's no way they would close down Pirates the day before the official 50th anniversary of Disneyland. Where did you read this? It has fake written all over it.

Hi! First let me say, wow! lol. I read it on... this web site! Surfing through I went to the Pirates page and in the submit your comment box was this two part message about this. I thought "yeah right!" but then it started to bug me since I'm going to DL in August from Canada and pirates is the first ride I want to go on. Since I won't get back to DL for probably another few years (or more) I got concerned and posted. Quite the response and I must say you have all added info that has put me at ease. I never put the date at a day before the actual birthday date. Can this now be a "Myth Busted!"? lol. Although I really do not want to see Johnny Depp in the Pirates ride, no offense JD fans. :tongue:

[sataneatscheezwhiz]

LOL...I'd advise accepting only what the webmaster writes as fact.

[DisneyResurrection]

Yes I agree. lol All hail the webmasters! Caught in... their... verse... like a... vise... tightening... tightening... I... bow... to their... greatness... surrendering... my soul... to... Visions... Fantastic.... Amen.

ps: No JD in POTC! New slogan. :biggrin:

[PeoplemoverMatt]

LOL...I'd advise accepting only what the webmaster writes as fact.

That and well-backed up and sourced contributions from board members. :smile:

-- Peoplemover "I still say Depp could be huge in WDW" Matt

[Chris]

In terms of the Pirates refurb, we are still waiting for additional confirmation before we post our new Refurb schedule. While we strive to keep our information accurate, change of plans for Disney are common. We will have more information as these dates get closer, and even some decisions Disney is making about these refurbs (and possible additions) depends on the attendance figures, guest satisfaction and overall impact on their bottom line this summer.

However, I highly doubt Pirates will be closing for a Refurb anytime before the end of the Summer, barring any mechanical ride malfunction.

[Wendy Darling]

So...does that mean that we know for sure that POTC is going to be open for the 50th and all the time around it?

[Chris]

Hi! First let me say, wow! lol. I read it on... this web site! Surfing through I went to the Pirates page and in the submit your comment box was this two part message about this. I thought "yeah right!" but then it started to bug me since I'm going to DL in August from Canada and pirates is the first ride I want to go on. Since I won't get back to DL for probably another few years (or more) I got concerned and posted.

I'd take anything posted in such an anonymous fashion as purely rumor.

[DisneyResurrection]

Thank God for the rumor mill then lol. Purpose served!

[lablkilz699]

yeah....theres NO WAY they shut down a ride like POTC (or any ride probably) a day before the biggest celebration in Disney history. I mean i guess its possible with some of these people running this company these days....but i dont think even they could honestly think it would be a GOOD idea. ::crosses fingers::

[DisneyResurrection]

No worries! Myth Busted! :smile:

[Wendy Darling]

Thank goodness...*shivers* I was scared for a minute.

[sassytink]

Me too. I was like, What!!! A trip to Disneyland isn't complete without a ride on Pirates. Plus if they sped up work on Space Mountain so that EVERYTHING would be working on the 17th I don't think they would close Pirates. I guess this will just have to be one of those thing were we see what happens and maybe it will turn out for the better.

[Kileli]

there would be no way they could shut down the ride if they wanted to. it is one of the most popular rides, soon with a movie trilogy, and with a very popular reastraunt in it.

[PeoplemoverMatt]

^ The ride, and restaurant, are currently shut down to install the movie overlay.

-- PMM :cool:

[Disneyland_Wolf]

Movie overlay? Arrrrr!!!

[Jen-Ness]

Boooooo...Hissssss!!!

[webmsterttm1234]

Ok so i am a webmaster for my site and also a Disneyland freak and i did my research and POTC closed at or before April 17th,2006. The Disneyland site lists POTC as the only ride closed for planned refurbishment. The site states that POTC will be closed until at least June 25th,2006. On June 26th 2006 POTC should re-open as a newly refurbished ride if all goes to plan. Now as i have learned over the years "closed for refurbishment" can mean many thing. However there is not any possibility that the ride is closed forever. Im sorry to disappoint you but this ride will not be leaving anytime soon. My suggestion if you ever wonder how long a ride is closed for is to go to Disneyland.com and look it up. That can clear up a lot of problems I have also looked up any accidents that may have occured and from what i can recover there was not any accident

Yours Truely
Patrick Stewart
SFFT RIDE OPS

[PeoplemoverMatt]

We know in great detail what's happening with Pirates. The ride as we knew it has already died for all intents & purposes. What's being built should open on schedule unless something comes up that wasn't planned for. When/if that happens, you'll find it here.

-- PMM :cool:

[webmsterttm1234]

UPDATE!!

Pirates of the Caribbean is currently closed, but Captain Jack Sparrow joins the crew when it re-opens on June 26, 2006!

This is the exact wording from the Disneyland site. Pirates will reopen with some new and stupid thing. Like it has been stated the movie should stay out of the park but it is not going to

Despite some people POTC is still a very popular disney ride and will be around for a long time

[Jen-Ness]

Is it just me or is the title of this thread, "POTC Closing July 16, 2005?" Why is everyone concerned about a rumored closing from LAST year?

We know it is closed now and will open in June. What else is there?

[AlexLoup]

You noticed that too? We have another thread (umm could someone brin git up for me thanks.)

[Ezra]

2005 ? ! :eek:
Yeesh! I didn't even notice! :icon_redf

[Jen-Ness]

Wasn't there a POTC thread in the rumor mill?

[AlexLoup]

http://www.visionsfantastic.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4848

That should bring it up... can we get this thread to close?

[Jen-Ness]

Thank You. Thank You. Thank You!!!!

[AlexLoup]

Huh? Anyway, yeah so if anyone is interested in PotC go to the link that is in my thread above. (I know I'm not a moderator but I don't think people can find that one) and plus this one is a bit dated.

(If I step boundried I'm sorry.)

[PeoplemoverMatt]

And we really don't need anymore "updates" on stuff that's already pretty much well known. For example, we knew about a year ago that Sparrow & co. were coming. And it has been stated ad nauseum in the Pirates thread in the Rumor Mill that just because we can't stop it from happening doesn't mean that we should be happy that it's happening.

-- PMM :cool: