Long before Jack Sparrow was a huge success in the 2000s, there was a ride in Disneyland where guests entered a boat and explored the mysterious world of pirates.
Pirate songs? Yes. Ships battling on the high seas? Sure. A dog with a cell key? Yep, that classic scene comes from this ride. Pirates of the Caribbean can be found in tons of Disney parks all over the globe, and it’s one of the most popular and iconic dark rides out there. For that reason alone, you could safely close this review, grab your pirate eye patch, and go ride it.
The Disneyland Paris version is also very good, and considered better than the Walt Disney World one, and on par with Disneyland California. The main difference here is that the story is almost old backwards: you first meet a band of pirates and galleons as they are engulfed in a big battle, before getting to the village and the cave where you meet Jack Sparrow. All in all, it’s a great version that runs for about 9 minutes and keeps the charm of the California version, while having a few surprises of its own.
What we like about Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirates of the Caribbean is one of the biggest dark rides ever created for a Disney park. While the Walt Disney World version runs for about seven and a half minutes, the one in California lasts a staggering 15 minutes, and Disneyland Paris sits right in between at around 9 minutes. It’s a long ride with plenty happening, and it gives you that amazing feeling of exploring an unknown world. The Paris version features two small drops, several distinct scenes, and definitely earns our recommendation.
For those who don’t know, this is a mix between a water ride and a dark ride. Don’t worry, you won’t get soaked, and the two drops are very small, so don’t expect anything close to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure or the old Splash Mountain. They’re mostly there to support the story and give you a nice breeze as you explore the seven seas.
I love that there are so many different environments in Pirates of the Caribbean. The ride starts with you traveling past a restaurant and surrounded by palm trees, which already gives you the feeling that you’re approaching a tropical island. From there, you explore a shipwreck and a pirate fort before reaching the classic scene with the pirate prisoners trying to grab the dog holding the cell key, and then the big ship battle. After that, you arrive at the massive pirate village, filled with animatronics and constant action all around you.
I love how this ride truly transports you to a brand-new world and lets your imagination run wild. It all ends with a mysterious cave, where you come face to face with Captain Jack Sparrow, happily enjoying life and sipping rum atop a mountain of gold coins. There are tons of different environments and places to see, making this a great, fun ride for adults and children.
What we don’t like about Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirates of the Caribbean gets everything right for a classic dark ride. There is a lot going on, the story is solid, and the atmosphere is fantastic. There is nothing about this attraction I would call outright bad. The animatronics may not be the newest or most advanced you will find, but they are still charming and effective.
Conclusion
Pirates of the Caribbean is one of the best dark rides at Disneyland Paris, and both adults and children should experience it. It’s long, packed with action, and iconic in basically every way. Go for it!
