A keen-eyed Disneyland guest recently reported an unusual change on the iconic Pirates of the Caribbean attraction—an animatronic pirate, known for his signature whistling pose, has mysteriously vanished.
The guest, who was visiting Disneyland Park, shared their discovery online, stating:
“I’m in Disneyland today and the pirate that is on the far right in this picture that’s usually whistling is not in the ride! Does anyone know anything about why he’s missing? I knew something looked off, and in my second ride through, I put it together.”
Pirates ride is missing an animatronic
byu/Adventurous-Low-5909 inDisneyland
The report has sparked speculation among Disneyland fans, who are wondering whether this is part of a scheduled refurbishment, a technical issue, or a potential upgrade to the attraction.
Why Is the Whistling Pirate Missing?
Disney has not yet confirmed the reason for the missing figure, but there are a few possible explanations:
- Routine Maintenance – Disneyland frequently rotates animatronics in and out for servicing to ensure they continue operating smoothly. It’s possible the whistling pirate was temporarily removed for upkeep.
- Technical Issues – Animatronics, especially older ones, require frequent repairs. If the figure was malfunctioning or showing signs of wear, Disney may have pulled it for repairs.
- Unexpected Breakdown – Occasionally, animatronics experience sudden mechanical failures that require their immediate removal. Guests have previously noticed missing figures in other rides due to emergency maintenance.
- Show Adjustments – Disneyland sometimes modifies ride elements, either by adjusting positioning, updating technology, or even replacing figures entirely. While unlikely, this could be part of a larger change.
Not the First Time Animatronics Have Gone Missing
This isn’t the first time Pirates of the Caribbean fans have noticed missing or altered figures. Over the years, Disney Imagineers have made subtle changes to the ride, whether for technical reasons, refurbishments, or updates to align with modern storytelling standards.
One of the most famous changes occurred in 2018 when the ride’s “Redhead” auction scene was reimagined. The classic “We Wants the Redhead” line was replaced with a new storyline featuring the redhead character as a pirate herself, shifting the scene’s tone.
Other instances of temporary missing figures included the Auctioneer animatronic being briefly removed for refurbishment, the Captain Jack Sparrow animatronic occasionally disappearing for repairs, and the iconic jail scene dog animatronic sometimes missing due to technical issues.
For now, Pirates of the Caribbean continues to operate as usual, with only this small but noticeable change. It’s likely the whistling pirate will return soon, either fully repaired or with minor enhancements.
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