On June 26, after an almost two-month closure for refurbishment, Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland reopened with a brand-new projection-faced pirate Audio-Animatronic. The new addition was heavily criticized online for replacing one of the most beloved scenes that has been in the ride for 59 years. Photos from social media show the new Audio-Animatronic was not functioning on July 4th, and the projection effect was replaced with a physical skull mask.

When Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland reopened last week, a new pirate Audio-Animatronic replaced the ride’s iconic skeleton sitting on treasure.

The new transforming animatronic was in the Pirates Grotto, which is a treasure room before guests arrive at Tortuga in the middle of a battle. It’s viewable from the left side of the boat.

The pirate was previously a static skeleton figure, but the new pirate Audio-Animatronic would lift up a golden coin, which curses him to become frozen in time, transforming his living face, with projection mapping technology, into a skull. With the transformation, his arm would drop, breaking the curse. But his greed led him to look at the coin in awe again, forcing him into an endless loop.

Social media photos and video from @mouseinfo on July 4 show the new Audio-Animatronic was not functioning; it was static, and the projection mapping had been replaced with a skull mask of sorts.

Watch the video below to see the lack of movement and a physical skull:

As Disneyland opened today, July 5, the new transforming animatronic with projection mapping technology was restored, according to @TheDisneyMikeM on X, simply stating, “Guess who is back this morning…”

The scene was operating yesterday in B mode as an unknown concern was being worked out.

Pirates of the Caribbean POV Video

How do you feel about this new pirate Audio-Animatronic or do you prefer the old version better? Let us know on social media.

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