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“'The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow' is an immersive, theatrical experience in which our guests will actually get to follow in the footsteps of Captain Jack himself to see if they have what it takes to be pirates and be members of his crew. They're guided through this adventure by this embodied talking skull, and he puts them through their paces and allows them to face all the trials of a pirate's life.
―Jason Surrell[src]


Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow was a walk-through attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios, announced as a "first-of-its-kind sensory experience". This Pirates of the Caribbean experience allowed guests to enter the world of the popular film franchise. It was located in Soundstage 4 (between Toy Story Midway Mania! and the Walt Disney Presents exhibit). The attraction officially opened on December 6, 2012, though it began operating in soft opening mode on November 17. Less than 2 years later, to coincide with the announcement that the Sorcerer's Hat would be removed, it was announced that The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow would have its final day of operation on November 6, 2014.

Attraction description[]

The show begins in a pre-show area, in which a talking skull, a la the original Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, introduces the show and questions the integrity of those waiting to go inside and join Captain Jack Sparrow's crew.

For the main show, guests enter a large room which is decorated with various props along the sides and features a large scale model of the Black Pearl which serves as a portion of the show's projection screen. Using Disney's high-resolution, projection mapping system, such as the one used in ‘The Magic, the Memories and You’ and ‘Celebrate the Magic’, the now floating skull invites the pirate pledge holding the iron key (chosen prior to the show) to ‘insert it into the treasure chest’ (the child really just holds it up) and the show begins. From here, the audience journeys through each of the films in an show that involves physical and lighting effects in addition to the projections: from a skeleton army to Davy Jones to the Kraken and more, the lifelike projections also appear to literally fly off the screen along the back of the wall to over the Black Pearl and other objects inside the room. Eventually Captain Jack Sparrow himself appears aboard the ship and, after defeating Davy Jones' ship the Flying Dutchman, leads guests through the pirate's oath in a way that only Jack Sparrow can.

Some of the props seen in the attraction include many from the films such as Elizabeth Swann’s corset, the ‘Pirates – Ye be warned’ sign and more, along with many sight gags such as the pirate who died by cannonball.

Announcement[]

TheLegendofCaptainJackSparrowMickeyMonitorNewsletter

The "Mickey Monitor" Newsletter

The attraction was announced on the online version of Disney's passholder newsletter, Mickey Monitor, on May 1, 2012. The newsletter described the attraction as well as quoting Walt Disney Imagineering Project Manager and Show Designer Jason Roberts. However, as the story about the new attraction was shortly omitted, it was unknown if the story wasn't ready before the press deadline or if the attraction has been delayed or canceled. It was confirmed on the next day that the attraction is happening and would open in the fall.

Development[]

This walk-through attraction, which is located at Disney's Hollywood Studios, was to be a "first-of-its-kind sensory experience in which guests would have the chance to be enveloped by the world of the Pirates of the Caribbean as seen in the four feature films." It was placed in Sound Stage 4, which has historically been known for sharing behind-the-scenes props and footage from films such as Haunted Mansion and The Chronicles of Narnia, but "The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow," while based on the Pirates of the Caribbean films, is not reported to continue that genre.

ExteriorPaintingLegendofCJS 1

Exterior artwork.

As of September 2012, construction had already started for the Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow attraction.[1] In October 2012, artwork for the soon-to-be-open attraction was visible around Mickey Avenue and Dopey Drive at Disney's Hollywood Studios, with the exterior of a building repainted with a large version of Sao Feng's Map.[2][3]

Inside the attraction, guests will journey deep into an eerie lost grotto, where a mysterious pirate skull puts them to the test to see if they have what it takes to set sail with the legendary Captain Jack Sparrow. Along the way, they must face all the perils of a pirate's life as their favorite moments from the films come to life before their eyes. Dress rehearsals and previews begin in late November before the grand opening on December 6.[4]

Trivia[]

  • As the VFX lead, Tim Landry created and supervised most of the special effects. He even wrote one of the jokes that Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) delivered, "Come back in eight minutes and we'll do it all over again eh?" According to Tim Landry, the limited throughput of the 2012 attraction forced its premature closure in November 2014.[5]
  • Mermaids were done by Johnathan Banta and Van Ling based on animatic supplied by Landry, who was there for the mermaid shoot.
  • The Flying Dutchman was the actual asset from Industrial Light & Magic but was animated by a VFX studio in Burbank.
  • The skeleton crew was motion captured in-house at Imagineering, then cleaned up and rendered by Mike Arana, who also animated the Talking Skull.
  • Despite being a pepper's ghost reflection, the Johnny Depp figure actually casted a shadow on the scenery behind him, a gag Landry figured out how to do by simply pulling his blue screen matte and projecting it separately on a different area, which worked great toward a convincing illusion.

References[]

v - e - d
Disney's Hollywood Studios logo 2019
Hollywood Boulevard
Mickey and Minnie's Runaway RailwayCitizens of Hollywood (Reopening in 2024)
Echo Lake
Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame PlazaFor the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along CelebrationIndiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!Star Tours: The Adventures ContinueVacation Fun
Grand Avenue
Muppet*Vision 3D
Animation Courtyard
Walt Disney PresentsDisney Junior Play and Dance!The Little Mermaid - A Musical Adventure (Opening in Fall 2024) • Star Wars Launch Bay
Sunset Boulevard
Lightning McQueen's Racing AcademyTheater of the Stars (Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage) • Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring AerosmithThe Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Toy Story Land
Alien Swirling SaucersSlinky Dog DashToy Story Midway Mania!
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's RunStar Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Current Entertainment
Fantasmic!Wonderful World of AnimationDisney Movie Magic

Seasonal: Unleash the Villains • Rockin' Fourth of July Celebration • Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!

Former Attractions and Entertainment
The Great Movie RideThe Magic of Disney AnimationSorcery in the SkyAladdin's Royal CaravanThe Sorcerer's HatMulan ParadeStar Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far AwayHere Come the MuppetsDisney Junior - Live on Stage!The American Idol ExperienceStar ToursThe Making of the Haunted Mansion MovieJourney into Narnia: Creating the Lion, the Witch, and the WardrobeJourney into Narnia: Prince CaspianThe Legend of Captain Jack SparrowStar Wars: Path of the JediMonster Sound Show • ABC Sound Studio • Sounds Dangerous! • Jedi Training Sign Up • Muppets Courtyard Streets of America (Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: Movie Set AdventureLights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt ShowStudio Backlot TourEarffel Tower) • Disney Junior Dance Party!Hercules "Zero to Hero" Victory ParadeSuperStar Television • Disney's Doug Live • Voyage of the Little MermaidJedi Training: Trials of the TempleStar Wars: A Galactic Spectacular

Seasonal: Disney Society Orchestra and Friends

Resorts
Star Wars: Galactic StarcruiserDisney's Yacht Club ResortDisney's Beach Club ResortDisney's BoardWalk ResortDisney's BoardWalk VillasDisney's Caribbean Beach ResortDisney's Riviera Resort


v - e - d
Pirates-of-the-caribbean-collection-logo
Media
Films: The Curse of the Black Pearl (video/soundtrack) • Dead Man's Chest (video/soundtrack) • At World's End (video/soundtrack) • On Stranger Tides (video/soundtrack) • Dead Men Tell No Tales (video/soundtrack)

Short Films: Tales of the Code: Wedlocked
Books: Jack Sparrow prequel novelsPirates of the Caribbean: Legends of the Brethren CourtPirates of the Caribbean: The Price of FreedomPirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides: The Visual GuidePirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (Ultimate Sticker Book)
Video Games: Pirates of the CaribbeanThe Legend of Jack SparrowPirates of the Caribbean OnlineDisney UniverseKingdom Hearts IIPirates of the Caribbean Multiplayer MobileLEGO Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video GamePirates of the Caribbean: At World's EndPirates of the Caribbean (pinball)Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black PearlPirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's ChestPirates of the Caribbean: Master of the SeasDisney InfinityPirates of the Caribbean: Tides of WarDisney Heroes: Battle ModeKingdom Hearts IIIDisney Sorcerer's ArenaSea of Thieves: A Pirate's LifeDisney Speedstorm

Disney Parks
New Orleans SquareTreasure CovePiratelandPirate TakeoverA Pirate's Adventure: Treasures of the Seven SeasEl Teatro FandangoJungle River Cruise: Pirate Takeover!Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer IslandPirates of the CaribbeanPirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken TreasureShipwreck ShoreSiren's RevengeThe Legend of Captain Jack SparrowPirates of the Caribbean: Battle for Buccaneer GoldBilge Rat Bill's Explorer Canoes

Entertainment: Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate TutorialEye of the Storm: Captain Jack's Stunt SpectacularFantasmic!Pirates Summer Battle "Get Wet!"
Restaurants: Blue Bayou RestaurantPintel & Ragetti's Grub to GrabThe Snackin’ KrakenTortuga TavernTortuga Treats
Shops: Doubloon MarketJolly GypsyPirates LeaguePirate Treasure
Fireworks: Celebrate the MagicDisney EnchantmentDisney Movie MagicFantasy in the SkyHappily Ever AfterIgnite the Dream: A Nighttime Spectacular of Magic and LightMagic, Music and MayhemThe Magic, the Memories and YouRemember... Dreams Come TrueWorld of Color
Halloween: Mickey's Boo-to-You Halloween ParadePirates of the Caribbean Ghost TrailThe Nightmare Experiment

Characters
The Curse of the Black Pearl: Jack SparrowHector BarbossaJoshamee GibbsWill TurnerElizabeth SwannJames NorringtonGovernor Weatherby SwannPintel and RagettiJack the MonkeyCottonMartyMurtogg and MullroyTheodore GrovesAnamariaCotton's ParrotGilletteGiselleScarlettBo'sunJacobyKoehlerTwiggMallotGrappleWeatherbyExecutioner of Port Royal

Dead Man's Chest: Davy JonesCutler BeckettIan MercerTia DalmaKrakenBootstrap Bill TurnerMaccusClankerPenrodAnglerRatlinKolenikoHadrasPalificoOgilveyCrashWyvernGreenbeardJimmy LegsLeechBellamyPrison RavensPelegostos Tribe
At World's End: Sao FengTai HuangLian and ParkStengEduardo VillanuevaSri SumbhajeeCapitaine ChevalleAmmand the CorsairJocardMistress ChingCaptain TeagueMoreyGreitzerDavy Jones' Locker Crabs
On Stranger Tides: AngelicaBlackbeardPhilip SwiftSyrenaGarhengSalamanScrumDerrickEzekielGunnerQuartermasterCookMarinaMermaidsTamaraSpaniardKing FerdinandKing George IIJohn CarteretHenry PelhamRedcoats
Dead Men Tell No Tales: Captain SalazarLesaroHenry TurnerCarina SmythUncle JackScarfieldShansaMayor DixGhost SharksGhost Seagulls
Tales of the Code: MungardMarquis d'Avis
Attraction: ReddAuctioneerPirate CaptainCaptain XPrison DogTinySeedy PrisonersHook Hand PirateSkeleton HelmsmanBarker BirdBeacon JoeThe Pooped PirateOld BillShy AlbertCarlosFortune RedCaptain GoreJean LafitteTom SawyerCarlos' WifeSkeleton PillagerSkeleton Pirate CaptainTreasure SkeletonPirate RobberTreasure OctopusHungry PirateScalawagCooteThurlBillie HowTaliban PiratePirate AssistantSword Skeleton PirateHook Hand Skeleton Pirate
Video Games: Black BartyJolly Roger
Books: MontezumaJames the MysteriousArabella SmithSilver

Organizations
Crew of the Black PearlCursed CrewCrew of the Flying DutchmanEast India Trading CompanyBrethren CourtSpaniard's crewBlackbeard's Zombie OfficersCrew of the Silent MaryCrew of the Wicked Wench
Locations
Isla TesoroDead Man's CoveBlue Bayou LagoonPort Royal, JamaicaFort CharlesTortugaRumrunner's IsleIsla de MuertaPelegostosIsla CrucesPantano RiverSingaporeSao Feng's BathhouseDavy Jones' LockerShipwreck CoveLondon, EnglandSpainWhitecap BayFountain of YouthSaint MartinPoseidon's Tomb
Ships/Boats
Wicked WenchBlack PearlFlying DutchmanQueen Anne's RevengeHMS InterceptorHMS DauntlessHMS EndeavorJolly MonSilent MaryThe Sailing Ship Columbia
Objects
Jack Sparrow's hatJack Sparrow's swordJack Sparrow's compassCursed TreasureTreasure of CortésElizabeth Swann's gold medallionRagetti's wooden eyeJar of DirtDavy Jones' pipe organKey to the Dead Man's ChestDead Man's ChestMao Kun MapPirata CodexJack Sparrow's Pirate BeadsSword of TritonJack Sparrow Voodoo DollChalices of CartagenaDark MagicVoodooDavy Jones and Calypso's LocketsTrident of Poseidon
Music
"Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)" • Theme park soundtrackSoundtrack Treasures CollectionPirates of the Caribbean and Other VillainsSwashbuckling Sea Songs1966 soundtrackThe Medallion CallsHe's a PiratePirates RemixedHoist the ColoursMy Jolly Sailor Bold
See Also
Pirates of the Caribbean Trading Card GameLiar's DicePirates of the ScareibbeanSwashbucklersCalypso's Maelstrom
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