PHOTOS: Pirates of the Caribbean Gift Shop Partially Reopens as Construction Walls Shift in Magic Kingdom

Gretchen McDermid

People standing in line outside the entrance to the "Pirates of the Caribbean" attraction, which features a clock tower and palm trees swaying under a clear blue sky. Nearby, the bustling Pirates Tavern awaits with treasures from the adjacent gift shop.

PHOTOS: Pirates of the Caribbean Gift Shop Partially Reopens as Construction Walls Shift in Magic Kingdom

The construction walls covering large sections of Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar, more commonly known as the Pirates of the Caribbean gift shop, have shifted to reveal a refreshed section of the store along with the outer wall of what will become the new Pirates of the Caribbean tavern.

Plaze Del Sol Caribe Bazaar

People standing in line outside the entrance to the "Pirates of the Caribbean" attraction, which features a clock tower and palm trees swaying under a clear blue sky. Nearby, the bustling Pirates Tavern awaits with treasures from the adjacent gift shop.

Our tour of the newly opened space begins near the entrance to Pirates of the Caribbean.

Entrance to a building with an arched doorway labeled "Castillo Moro," reminiscent of a scene from Pirates of the Caribbean. A roped-off area and mobility scooters are nearby.

Construction walls are still up on the right side of the entrance. Guests entering the attraction walk to the left of the walls.

Two mobility scooters are parked under a covered walkway near a closed door with "Join the Crew" written above, evoking the adventurous spirit of Pirates of the Caribbean.

Additional walls are also still standing to the right of the entrance of what will be the new pirate lounge. The signage for the old Pirates League makeover experience still hangs from the wall.

A brown partition blocks an arched doorway in an indoor setting reminiscent of a Pirates Tavern, with a lantern above. People stand and walk nearby.

Moving inside the building, the construction walls have now shifted. This wall takes over the former walk space that was available for the past few months as the rest of the store was blocked. The hallway leading to the guest restrooms is still open to the right.

These shifted walls wrap around the corner and extend down the length of the rounded archways. We arrived shortly after the walls were placed, so they still had a few Wet Paint signs posted.

A room with old maps on the wall and swords crossed decoratively feels like a scene from Pirates of the Caribbean. A small barred window adds to the ambiance, reminiscent of a Pirates Tavern, while two people stand partly visible to the left.

Moving now to the newly opened section of the store, this wall is one of the sections that was proviously blocked to guests. The wall serves as the barrier between the new pirate tavern and the gift shop.

A person in a black jacket and cap strolls through a hallway adorned with walls reminiscent of a Pirates Tavern, complete with an ornate light fixture.

As we move forward, the tan walls have been pushed out from their previous position. This is likely to give the new lounge more interior space, though they make the store a bit smaller.

People exploring the Pirates of the Caribbean gift shop, admiring shirts and caps displayed on rustic wooden shelves, perfect for any buccaneer's wardrobe.

Following this jutted wall around the corner, the section that was previously blocked now has new shelves for merchandise.

Shoppers browse a charming gift shop adorned with shelves of merchandise, including hats and shirts. Reminiscent of a Pirates Tavern, the store boasts arched doorways and wooden beams, transporting visitors to a scene straight out of Pirates of the Caribbean.

This revealed section leads toward the open-air courtyard of the store, which is now back open to guests.

In a sunny courtyard with palm trees, people gather around a planter, while nearby a gift shop showcases Pirates of the Caribbean merchandise.

The shelves to the right of the courtyard are also all new. The roof of the new wall has been covered in orange tiles to march the rest of the building.

Under the clear blue sky, shelves at the outdoor gift shop display plush toys and boxed sets, transporting you to a Pirates of the Caribbean adventure.

The store used to extend around the courtyard, but this painted wall now blocks the right side.

Three rustic hexagonal lanterns hang from a wooden ceiling beam in the cozy Pirates Tavern, emitting a warm glow reminiscent of an enchanting evening on a Caribbean voyage.

Looking now at some of the details in the new section, these hanging lamps have been placed near the jutted walls. The hanging lamps match the shape of the geometric wall lights stuck on the walls around the rest of the building.

The new merchandise shelves have also been decorated with new props matching the pirate theme. These shelves look like they are being used to stash some plundered loot.

Even more new props have been placed atop the shelves closest to the courtyard, including what looks like some ancient statues, pottery, and jewelry.

Pirates of the Caribbean Tavern

A cozy Pirates Tavern with patrons at tables, dimly lit by chandeliers and lanterns. People socialize and enjoy drinks. A server stands by a large fish tank, reminiscent of Pirates of the Caribbean. Paintings decorate the walls, adding to the nautical charm.

Disney announced back in September of 2023 that a new Pirates of the Caribbean-themed tavern will be coming to Magic Kingdom Park. Not only will the new space expand on the lore of the attraction, but it will also reintroduce Peg-Leg Pete, also known as the Barker Bird, back to Walt Disney World. The new tavern will open sometime in late 2025, but no date has been announced.

If you want to look back on some more of the construction process, we have posts from when the original walls were placed, the arrival of the new store counters, and images of the steel frames that make up the new walls before they were finished.

Are you excited to see the pirate tavern getting one step closer to completion? Let us know in the comments.

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