Location:  

Current Status:  

  Operating

Specifications:  

Trivia:  

I thought that maybe the ride would be a version done on the cheap, which let's be fair, it is. However, it manages to retain an atmosphere that only a Pirate Dark Ride can create. Theming in the queue and throughout the ride is plentiful, though it lacks the realistic touches that Disney thrive on. However, it more then serves the purpose.

The queueline is held inside, up some stairs that are all in all well themed as a pirate village (if perhaps a little childish). Once you are in your boat, there is a small drop then round a corner before a large drop takes you into the ride proper starting off with that old Disney classic, the burning town with Pirates looting the place and terrorising the locals (and occasionally, the other way round). The final big scene is a pirate shootout with water cannons and bombs aplenty, whilst the ride ends with a rather eerie cave scene showing the pirates final moments as they stash their loot.

The ride theming itself is rather impressive. The problem that these sorts of rides can fall into is not creating enough to look at, leaving repeat rides a bore. It is rides like the Bubbleworks, where even now every ride makes me notice something new, that are succesful. Pirate Adventure DOES have more then enough to look at, and the scenes are busy, which is what you would expect from this genre.

The animatronics generally only have simple movements, which is a slight shame, but the one-movements have been imaginatively used to good effect. The atmoshpere is great, and even annoying teenagers (who frequent the park with a passion) seem to actually enjoy looking all around the scenery from the boat.

The ride lacks several important factors though; a good musical theme, a nice finale (at the moment a creepy cave is all you get with a ghost telling you to come back) are the main ones. Also, recent seasons have seen maintenance slip, and many animations seem to be dead in the water or wobbling around like giant turkeys.

Do not expect something along the lines of the Disneyland Paris ride. You will be sorely dissapointed. But for it's host park, it's a surpsingly engaging ride that is sure to please most of the family.