January 2, 2005
Disney to Open Pirates of the Caribbean Waterpark for Disneyland Resort

Despite earlier claims that it would be concentrating future Disneyland Resort investment on capital improvements to Disney's California Adventure, Disney has decided to open a third gate in Anaheim in the summer of 2007. The new park will be a "water-themed adventure" (read "water park"), and will be located on the one-time raspberry fields that are currently in use as a cast-member parking area.

Plans call for the water park to be the largest of its size in the world, and to be extensively pirate themed, with copious references to the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction and to the swashbucklingly successful Pirates of the Caribbean films.

"We had a lot of ideas for things we might put on that land," said lead Imagineer Ewin Merlot who declined to commend on the project. "Maybe a miniature golf course, or a Monsters, Inc.–themed hotel, but everyone liked the idea of a water park, and lord knows there aren't enough of those in southern California, so that's the idea that stuck. We toyed with the idea of an 'it's a small world' water park, or a Goofy water park where the water slides empty out onto the cement and wacky stuff like that. One guy suggested a retro-Tomorrowland-themed park, with Water Slide thru Inner Space, the Rotating Pool of Progress, and a submarine ride where there water's inside the submarines. I kind of liked the idea of a Jungle Cruise water park where you could slide down the back side of water and shoot guns at tourists who looked like hippos, but management didn't like that. So we're going to go with the Pirates thing, which is okay."

The central area of the water park will be a large salt-water "ocean," in the middle of which will float a gigantic interactive pirate ship, the Black Pearl. Wave machines will keep the ocean active, and swimmers venturing beneath the waves may encounter real fish, live sharks, and animatronic skeletal pirates waving rusty cutlasses. Those daring to board the Black Pearl can explore the water-squirting treasure room below decks, enjoy being blown off the side of the ship by the innovative high-power water cannon in the powder room, or be forced to walk the plank and plummet into the shark-filled depths by one of the sword-wielding in-character cast members. Cannons on the sides of the ship will simulate fire, and will be timed to interact with water cannons hidden beneath the swimming area, creating "cannonball" explosions strong enough to throw a grown man on a raft 15 feet in the air!

Two innertube versions of the famed Disneyland Pirates attraction will be available for guests who would rather float than swim. One takes riders on a thrilling ride through miniature versions of the original ride's scenes. The alternate, or "Florida," version of the attraction will be identical, but without the "thrilling" part.

But the main attractions, for those looking for high-speed thrills, will be three water slides, each faster and more thrilling than the last, called The Dunking, The Cannonball, and The Johnny Deppthcharge. There will also be Botany Bay, where only the strongest swimmers will escape simulated riptides, and a huge vortex will suck in guests and spit them out in a Jacuzzi 100 yards away.

To keep with the theme while obeying applicable safety laws, many pirate-costumed lifeguards will be on duty at all time, but rescued children will be put in the brig awaiting "ransom" payment from their family instead of being immediately returned to their parents.

A substantial shopping area will include a Disney store with unique pirate-themed Disney items, a pirate toy store, a "booty" store with infant clothing, an upscale "antique" shop with simulated pirate artifacts, the "Dead Men Tell Tales" bookstore, and a kiosk where guests can choose any movie, record album, or video game and have it custom burned on a CD in five minutes for just $2.

Original plans for the park's shopping area included a shop specializing in skimpy women's swimwear, but more recent plans show it replaced by a small outdoor snack stand, "Run for the Food." Those wanting a more substantial meal can dine at the tropical-storm-themed Blew By You, an outdoor establishment where guests sit at tables on a jetty that sticks out into the main pool, allowing passing swimmers to playfully splash dining guests.

Initial reports are that admission for adults will be about half of Disneyland's 2007 entrance price -- $56 for adults, $55.50 for children four and under. Redheads get in free.