Where to Find Pirates at Disney World

Disney is perfect for aspiring pirates with lots of opportunities for adventure on the ground and on the (not-so) high seas! Here's everything you need to know about Disney pirate activities, rides and attractions. We've even included a list of Disney Movies with pirate themes.

Disney World Pirates at the Magic Kingdom:

Adventureland: Pirates of the Caribbean - this classic Disney attraction is a fairly gentle boat ride with a few little drops. The ride predates the Pirates of the Caribbean movie series but several of the scenes from the ride were included in the movies and then, later, the ride was adapted to include Captain Jack Sparrow and Captain Barbossa from the movies.  The 9-minute ride includes scenes with a pirate raid on a village, skeletons, and cannons, which may be a little frightening for very young riders;  it made my own son pretty nervous as a youngster until we armed him with a plastic sword from the gift shop.  FastPass+ is offered for this attraction and there are no height restrictions, though children age 7 or younger must be accompanied by a person age 14 or older.  

A Pirate's Adventure: Treasure of the Seven Seas - A fun interactive scavenger hunt that is included in the price of admission. To participate, head over to the building near Pirates of the Caribbean, across from Tortuga Tavern, in Adventureland. You'll start at a touch-screen computer where you'll receive a treasure map and be launched on one of five quests to help Captain Jack Sparrow locate the Treasures of the Seven Seas.  You'll receive instructions for finding your first station and you'll touch your Magic Band to the sensor at the station to hear a recorded message giving you a clue to take you to your next point in the adventure.   There will be cute, pirate themed special effects along the way.  Each quest takes about 15 minutes.  This is fun interactive activity but, because of the time this takes, first time visitors to Disney World may want to skip this activity in favor of other rides and attractions.

Adventureland: Tortuga Tavern (quick-service restaurant - open seasonally) - You can use your Disney Dining Plan quick-service / counter-service meal credits at this pirate themed restaurant that is open during peak seasons, serving things like burritos, taco salad, and tacos. They also accept cash and credit cards.

Fantasyland: Peter Pan's Flight (ride) - this is a wonderful and gentle ride in a pirate ship that sails over the rooftops of London and onto Neverland. You'll see Captain Hook and his crew. You can also see characters from Disney's Peter Pan at select times between 10:00AM - 4:45PM either near this ride or between Mickey's Philharmagic & Tinker Bell's Fairy Treasures (gift shop).

Disney's Festival of Fantasy Parade - Daily- Captain Hook swings on an anchor beneath a rainbow on the Peter Pan float in the Magic Kingdom's Festival of Fantasy parade.  Peter Pan rides atop the float in Captain Hook's pirate ship.  Check your Magic Kingdom Times Guide for parade time during your visit.  

Pirates at Disney's Hollywood Studios:

Disney Junior - Live on Stage! (called Playhouse Disney - Live on Stage prior to March 2011) includes a segment based on the Disney Junior children's series "Jake and the Never Land Pirates".  This 24-minute show is geared towards little kids and includes other Disney Junior characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Doc McStuffins, and Sofia the First.   There are performances available throughout the day so check your Disney's Hollywood Studios Times Guide (available on the racks with park maps near the entrance) for exact times during your visit.   FastPass+ is offered but you really don't need a FastPass+ reservation for this.

Pirates at Disney Springs (formerly Downtown Disney)

World Of Disney Gift Shop - You'll find Stitch, from Disney's Lilo & Stitch, wearing a pirate hat over one of the entrance signs.  One of the entrances has some pirate decorations on the wall near the door. This is a Great photo spot and it leads into the store's Adventure Room, which also happens to be pirate themed.   There is a lot of great pirate themed merchandise available for sale in this huge Disney store. 

Special Pirate Cruises & Activities at Disney World

The specialty pirate cruises described below have extra fees associated with them - they are not included in your theme park admission ticket. Availability is limited but you do not have to stay at the resort to participate; they are open to all Disney guests.

Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage - Disney's Contemporary Resort: A pirate named Patch is your host for this wonderful fireworks cruise that the whole family can enjoy together. You'll start out at Disney's Contemporary Resort where you'll enjoy beverages and snacks in a pirate-themed setting. You'll meet Mr. Smee & Captain Hook and then board a boat that takes you to a perfect spot to watch the Magic Kingdom's Wishes Fireworks show.   When weather and schedules cooperate, you may also get a close-up view of the Electric Water Pageant (floating parade).  Peter Pan will be at the docks to greet you on your return. It isn't cheap - about $59.00 + tax per person age 10 and over and $34.00 + tax  for children ages 3- 9- but it's a lot of fun and always gets rave reviews. Reservations are required - call 407-939-7529 up to 180 days prior to your visit; full payment will be required when you book the reservation - full refund available if you cancel 2 or more days in advance.  This is typically available Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights.   Cruises may be cancelled due to bad weather.   Guests 16 years old or younger must be accompanied by a paying adult.  The photograph below - with Mr. Smee carefully boarding the escalator at Disney's Contemporary Resort is one of my favorite Disney pictures.

Albatross Treasure Cruise - Yacht Club Resort - Bayside Marina: Children (ages 4 - 12) wear bananas and sail around Crescent Lake looking for treasure. This adventure includes a reading of "The Legend of the Albatross". Snacks are served. Offered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; 9:30AM - 11:30AM. Cost is $39.41 per child. Call 407-939-7529 for reservations.

Captain Hook’s Pirate Crew at Disney’s Beach Club Resort - Beginning April 28, 2019, children ages 4 - 12 can learn pirate ways, follow clues that lead to hidden treasure and set sail on a pontoon boat around Crescent lake. This adventure includes a pirate feast with selections like Cannon Meatoballs with marinara or macaroni and “gold” sauces, along with a treasure chest treat or fruit. Cost is $55 per child. Call 407-824-KIDS to book.

Island of the Caribbean Pirate Adventure - Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort - Children ages 4 - 12 can board a boat and sail the Ports of the Caribbean. They'll hear the story of Old Port Royale and about pirates. They'll search for treasure and enjoy snacks. Cost is $39.41 per child. Sunday, Tuesday, & Friday; 9:30AM - 11:30AM. Call 407-939-7529 for reservations.

Unsolved Mysteries of Barefoot Bay at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort - This evening cruise is for guests age 10 to 16 and takes place on Thursdays from 8PM to 9:30PM. Once on the boat, guests participate in a pirate-inspired scavenger hunt to unravel the mystery of Captain Calico’s disappearance. Snacks are provided. Cost: $39 per person, plus tax. Call 407-WDW-PLAY to make a reservation.

 Best Disney Resort Hotels for Pirates

Really, any Disney hotel is much cleaner and more comfortable than your average pirate ship. As pirates, you may want a change of scenery when they come into port so go with the resort that suits your taste. Here are a few pirate themed options:

Disney's Beach Club or Yacht Club Resorts - These are deluxe resorts so you may want to consider this option after a particularly good pirate raid. Both resorts have beach and nautical decor and the StormAlong Bay pool is shared by these two resorts and is an incredible sand-bottomed pool with a pirate ship slide.   This is also the home of the Albatross Treasure Cruise for children (extra fee).

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa (deluxe resort) is not especially pirate-y but I wanted to mention that their food court "Gasparilla Grill & Games" is named after Jose Gaspar. According to legend, Gaspar was a pirate that sailed the waters near Tampa Florida.

Are you ready for some AARRRGGH & AARRRGGH?

Our Disney-focused travel agents eat, sleep and breathe all things Disney and will help with every detail - from resort and dining reservations to Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane selections that keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the long lines.  The best part is that we book directly through Disney and there is no charge or fee for using our services.

Disney Cruise Line for Pirates

Disney Cruises are a lot of fun for Pirate families. The accommodations are wonderful, the food is plentiful and you never have to swab the decks. Select Disney Cruises include a super-fun Pirate Night party on the pool deck with a fireworks display.  

There may be a Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse Character Meet-and-Greet session where they are in pirate costumes.

Enchanted Art on the Disney Dream -Throughout the cruise ship, there are framed pieces of Disney artwork that change from still images to animated images with sound effects, music, and even voices and the Pirates of the Caribbean images are included in some of the Enchanted Art.

Have you been dreaming of sailing away on a Disney cruise?  We are happy to provide no-obligation quotes, additional Disney Cruise information, or simply answer questions.   Contact us today!