Yo Ho, Yo Ho A Pirate's Curse Is Born: Disneyland Unveils Changes To Iconic Ride

ANAHEIM, CA — One of Disneyland's oldest rides has reopened after refurbishment, debuting a new feature that showcases modern technology and classic Disney storytelling.

Pirates of the Caribbean in New Orleans Square opened 59 years ago and was the last attraction personally overseen by Walt Disney before his death in 1966.

This week, the dark ride reopened after a nearly two-month refurbishment with the new upgrade.

The well-known scene of the skeleton of a pirate sitting on top of a pile of cursed gold has been renovated to feature modern technology and a new storyline.

Now, thanks to patented technology involving projections and robotics, riders now see the pirate as a living soul transform into a skeleton after picking up a cursed gold coin, park officials said.

"When he lifts and picks it up and looks at it, it casts a spell over him that freezes him in time," Disneyland Imagineer Alfredo Ayala said in an official video released Friday. "And then, the weight of his arm after he turns into a skeleton drops the coin, releasing him from the cursed treasure."

According to Ayala, the pirate then picks up the coin again and — this time — becomes frozen forever as a skeleton.

The effect is accomplished through what Disney Imagineers call "hybrid front projection technology," an extension of traditional animatronics seen throughout the park, officials said.

"It opens up a whole new level of engagement with our beloved guests," Ayala said.

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