The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise be some of the finest (modern) piratical tales put to film. Yer no doubt aware a Disneyland theme park ride was their inspiration, if not, yer’ll get a schoolin’ later.
Nicholas Goodman certainly enjoys the ride, so to celebrate his loving experience of past voyages, he’s crafted this intricately detailed vignette, rich in tone, and accentuated with a sprinkling of lighting. Essentially it’s a snapshot of a boatload of tourists embarking on their journey as they pass through the Blue Bayou.
Nicholas writes:
As my all time favorite Amusement Park Ride I have always wanted to represent Pirates of the Caribbean in LEGO.
Lafitte’s Landing and the Blue Bayou have always been such a great start to an awesome ride. Thank you for checking out my build!
Look how happy you would be on the ride!
We could enrich this swamp further with an alligator or three
Beacon Joe plays till midnight a merry pirate tune
Where does that tunnel lead? Goodman hasn’t built any follow-up MOCs so you’ll need to read on…
Inspiration
Now, let’s take a peek at some photography of the Pirates of the Caribbean Ride… The MOC depicts the Blue Bayou and the adjacent docks, Lafitte Landing, named in honour of the infamous pirate and privateer, Jean Lafitte.
The Blue Bayou – the main inspiration for this MOC
The Blue Bayou photographed from a different vantage by Kurt Miller
And one more for good luck! Photo credit: Matthew Hansen
This angle somewhat shatters the illusion, doesn’t it?
How Many Times has Goodman Been on the Ride?
In his own words:
I’m a Disneyland man myself growing up in Southern California, and honestly I couldn’t tell you maybe 20-30 times I always made sure to go a few times each time I made my way to the Park hahah
He’s a true pirate at heart!
The Pirates of the Caribbean Ride at Disneyland
Long before the Jack Sparrow was a twinkle in the Walt Disney Company’s eyes, Walt and Roy (the founders of Disney) launched the original Pirates of the Caribbean Ride at the original Disneyland in Anaheim, California, just before the Summer of Love – March 1967 to be precise. Sadly, Walt went kaput three months before the ride opened and never witnessed the ride’s phenomenal successful.
Perhaps the most iconic scene of the ride. Photo credit: Matthew Cooper
The ride revolves around the exploits of various pirates set in the Caribbean Sea during the 17th and 18th centuries. The ride’s theme song “Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me)” written by George Bruns and Xavier Atencio also permeated throughout pop culture.
The wench auction scene… well, the version to revised to appease modern sensibilities. Photo credit: Joshua Sudock
Welcome to Dead Man’s Cove or “the grotto” – here be found on the other side of that tunnel. Photo credit Cliff Johnson
Sit yer booty on a pile of booty! Photo credit: Aaron Anderer
And when the ride breaks down, the pirates DON’T eat the tourists… or do they?
If something is popular, better build another! Seven years later a second Pirates of the Caribbean Ride was opened during 1973 at the Magic Kingdom of Walt Disney World, near Orlando, Florida. Then a third at Tokyo Disneyland in 1983, and a fourth at Disneyland Paris in 1992. Each ride experience is similar but visitors are greeted with a different facade. A fifth ride, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure”, drawing heavily influence from the feature film series, opened at the Shanghai Disneyland Park in 2016.
Who is Lafitte?
Well, the name actually be spelled “Laffite” but the English “Lafitte” variation has become standard – can yer even spot the difference?
Jean Lafitte Portraits – you decide which one is most historically accurate
Jean Lafitte was a Franco-American privateer who engaged in smuggling and piracy around Baratia Bay, Louisiana during the early 19th century. In exchange for a pardon, his fleet assisted in defending New Orleans against the British in 1815. This bold act earned him catapulted Lafitte’s reputation to that of an anti-hero throughout Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico.
However, there be lack of any historical records of encounters with Captain Redbeard, the Imperial Guards or the Imperial Armada – so yer better get building them MOCs!
About the Builder…
Nicholas Goodman (or A Goodman as he’s known in the LEGO Pirates Forum) has a zest for militaristic vignettes, flavouring them from modern to historic to… Star Wars and Star Trek! Explore his diverse oeuvre… Flickr be the place to commence your journey, then divert course to his Instagram.
What Do Yer Think?
Have you experienced the real life Pirates of the Caribbean Ride at Disneyland? What do you think of this LEGO interpretation? Has Goodman done good? Or would have you approached the build differently?
Ya’ll come back now yer hear!
Share your thoughts and criticisms (and compliments if yer able to squeeze kindness from yer soul) with the Classic Pirates in the LEGO Pirates Forum.
