Pirates of the Caribbean: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies

by Jason Surrell

A behind-the-scenes look at the forty-year history of the popular Disney theme park ride and film adaptation, "Pirates of the Caribbean," includes illustrations and photographs, recollections of cast and crew, and early story concepts.

Genres: Nonfiction, Pirates, Reference, History, Art

144 pages, Paperback

First published October 6, 2005

Reviews

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essentially the same basic concept as Surrell's Haunted Mansion book. The first section covers development, the second the ride as it exists today, and the third covers the movie. Good info, and good images. The ride coverage works better here than it did in the Haunted Mansion book. The Disneyland Paris version of the ride is (of course) different, but not as different as Phantom Manor is from the Haunted Mansion. I liked the movie section much better in this book, for the very simple reason that Pirates of the Caribbean is a far better movie than The Haunted Mansion. Naturally, this will be most appreciated by Disneyphiles, especially fans of the Pirates ride. And since I'm both, I greatly enjoyed it.

[Michael Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fun read chronicling the history of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland and the other Disney parks around the world, all the way through the production of the first film in the ongoing Pirates movie franchise. The book has a brief addendum announcing the second and third movies, which form the first movie trilogy of the series, and the inclusion of film elements back into the rides.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good deep dive into one of my favorite attractions. At times it was a little repetitive, and there are a few other moments where the text gets a little fawning for my taste (like insisting that guests truly believe that they are magically transported to a Louisiana bayou, and not simply impressed with the illusion) but it was good. It has a similar layout to the Haunted Mansion book, in that it first covers the process of how the initial attraction was developed, then how it was modified for other parks, then a step by step breakdown of the attraction (including where it differs in various parks), and ending with the process of how the first Pirates film was created. There were times I thought the text was unclear in which parts all the attractions shared, and which were only at the Disneyland venue, but I still liked it. I also thought the section on the movie was fascinating. I wish the book had been updated in the last 16 years, as several more movies have since been made, and there have been more updates to the rides.

[E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plenty of interesting information here; the author clearly did his research. But it felt like there was just too much. The detail level was overwhelming and made for a fairly dry read for large portions. Some editorial trimming would not have been remiss.
Lots of photos, concept sketches, etc., though I often felt as though I hadn't gotten a full sense of whatever was being depicted.

[Aisha Tabassum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book to have if you're a Caribbean Pirates fan in your set. If it's about the coaster or the films. All angles are covered by this book. Also, you can visit for mobile application here: https://www.adwebstudio.com/mobile-ap...

[Rachel Stoeckert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! It was very interesting and informative. I would LOVE to see an updated version that includes the sequel films and the Shanghai version of the Pirates ride.

[Tristan Fry · Rating 4 out of 5]

DNF

[William Dury · Rating 3 out of 5]

Design and construction of the ride that became a Disney movie. Profusely illustrated.

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice bit of Disney history.
Like the idea of seeing history through the focus of just one attraction.

Interesting to see all the 'what might have beens' of not just Pirates, but the parks as well.
The art is great.

[Ellis Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really good. If you're a fan of the pirates ride at Disney world, you'll love this book... buy it. It's good.... trust me, just BUY it!!!

[Michelle Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book to have in your collection if you are a Pirates of the Caribbean fan. Whether it be of the ride or of the movies. This book covers all angles.

The history of the ride and how the movies came to be.

Another book with stunning pictures and interesting stories.

[SheRa McGyver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another great account of the development of a Disneyland landmark.

[Andrew Lehtola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the Haunted Mansion book of the same type, this is one of my favorite rides at the parks. The book covers the history of the ride and the "Pirates" movies which I loved. Highly recommended book!

[Elysia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book about how they changed the theme park ride into a franchise of movies. They had no idea it would be so popular!

[Sparrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I found the reading of the history of the ride to be a bit slow, everything after that was incredibly interesting and I loved the trivia!

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

if your a fan of pirates of the Caribbean this book is a collector dream. it give in detail how they came up with the idea and all the work into it all. all the behind scene of Disney