Pirates of the Caribbean Bazaar Renovation Hints at New Pirates Lounge in Magic Kingdom

6 days ago in "Pirates of the Caribbean"

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Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar construction walls - June 24 2024

Posted: Tuesday June 25, 2024 11:00am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Construction walls are now up at the Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar, the gift shop at the exit of Pirates of the Caribbean in Magic Kingdom.

Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar construction walls - June 24 2024

The walls surround the central area of the bazaar, which is currently open to the sky.

Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar construction walls - June 24 2024

Earlier this month, Disney filed a construction permit for the Pirates of the Caribbean area, assigned to long-time Disney partner Whiting-Turner Contractor Company, which has previously worked with Disney on numerous major projects across Walt Disney World. The default 12-month permit validity period has been extended until August 31, 2025.

Pirates of the Caribbean June 2024 Permit Location

While we don't know for sure what this permit is for, it would seem possible that Disney is making changes to the gift shop to allow for the construction of the previously announced Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge. One theory is that the open area is being enclosed with a new roof to allow more effective use of the space.

When announced in September 2023, Disney said this first-of-its-kind experience will extend the story of Pirates of the Caribbean. While information is scarce so far, Disney did reveal one small detail—the Barker Bird animatronic (pictured in the concept art) will make a welcome return.

Pirates of the Caribbean themed lounge concept art

The most likely location for the new lounge is the former Pirates League makeover experience space, with some expansion into the gift store area.

The Pirates League space is no longer used

Entrance to the Pirates League near to Pirates of the Caribbean

We expect to hear more about Magic Kingdom's Pirates of the Caribbean Lounge during August's D23 event in California.

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Bocabear15 minutes ago

The temporary food and wine booths they build are pretty compact and could be designed to match the architecture of the land... then they would not be so bound by weather, and be able to offer fresher spring rolls...not sitting under a heat lamp for hours. They could put it where Bwana Bob's currently sits and move the merchandise back into their very nice shuttered gift shops in that area... then also add a couple small bistro tables there so you don't have to balance your food on a garbage can....

SilentWindODoom3 days ago

Well, there's no sense chasing after wind, much less wind that ignores you. We were just talking... in some thread, I can't remember which anymore since relation to the topic doesn't help any... about putting additional options in the mid-land locations. Sunshine Tree Terrace is visible from the entrance and was famed for long lines and popularity. I wonder if that would be a decent enough permanent location. Spring roll cooking can't take up too much space. I've never been there while they've been a thing, do these lines you guys are mentioning reach long enough that the tail end can make the current location? Seems a win-win.

Andrew255 days ago

Good points, was just thinking of why they haven't seen a more proper window/space for them. The options are strong enough to be the only offerings on the menu at Tortuga Tavern. The cart tends to close/run out by night, so there isn't much lost sales at the end of the night happening for fireworks.

Doberge5 days ago

I've been surprisingly happy with Tortuga the last few times I caught it. The peanut butter, banana, and Nutella sandwich is simple but tasty. As for the spring roll cart, I think the visibility of the cart when entering the land helps push sales. Many must see the line, walk over to see what's there, and then impulse purchase. It's also a good location for anyone waiting in the hub for a castle show, parade, whatever and that moving deeper into Adventureland would lose some sales. That said, I think they're popular enough that moving to a location selling other items risks increasing lines and people bawking that otherwise would purchase other stuff from the location. Adding to your point though, they also lose sales when weather is poor and the cart needs to shut down. But anything they could build in the current location would require $$$ and maybe risks partially blocking Club 33 views. 🤪

castlecake2.05 days ago

I think they like the scene it causes, adds to the hype

lazyboy97o5 days ago

World’s Most Visited Theme Park. It’s such a glaring example of how even just a drive to make more money can become so distorted that it is deemed better to close venues that directly generate revenue.

Andrew255 days ago

Even when it was open, Tortuga didn't do much business (and the food offerings were abysmal). For any operations/F&B insiders here... how come WDW hasn't moved (or given) the egg roll cart a more /permanent location? It's current location is a bit of a tight pinch and the Tortuga Tavern offers more capacity/seating to enjoy the egg rolls.

PREMiERdrum5 days ago

Tortuga was set to open while Pecos went under the knife for its retheme. Then they walked that *way* back. It sounds like a lighter freshening of Pecos is still coming down the pike, at which point Tortuga will be needed to replace that capacity. For now, it's being kept busy developing new cobwebs for HM.

LSLS5 days ago

Or making Pecos FEEL more crowded with it actually being less people?

Twirlnhurl5 days ago

Has Tortuga Tavern ever not been seasonal? I know the previous incarnation of that restaurant was seasonal since I started regularly visiting the parks in 2004. But I hadn't noticed the operating schedule since the retheme.

IanDLBZF5 days ago

Basically, it’s seasonal ops???

castlecake2.05 days ago

So just reducing ops costs and forcing people to pecos

wdwmagic5 days ago

Latest info I have is that for the short term at least, nothing guest facing.

JustInTime5 days ago

Interesting. My contact is within management but they have gotten it wrong before (they aren’t told everything). I’ll follow back up to see what I can find out.