From Alice to Adventureland: 50 Years of Pirates at the D23 Expo 2017
fans. While the arena presentation focused on the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, the Walt Disney Archives expanded the scope with a deeper dive into Disney’s pirate lore, tracing Walt Disney’s fascination with pirates all the way back to the 1920s.
Various Pirate Souvenirs, all part of the Archives
If you’re a Disney history enthusiast and a pirate fan, the D23 Expo 2017 was the place to be. Couldn’t make it? Here are the highlights:
A Timeline of Disney Pirate History
Pirates of the Caribbean premiered at Disneyland on March 18, 1967, but Disney’s pirate storytelling began long before then. The Archives Adventure exhibit, officially titled “The Walt Disney Archives Presents: A Pirate’s Life for Me – Disney’s Rascals, Scoundrels and Really Bad Eggs,” featured rare treasures from deep inside Disney history.
Pirates of the Caribbean open day 1967
It all began with the Alice Comedies. The 1927 short Alice Foils the Pirates featured Alice and Julius the Cat taking on Pete and his band of pirates. Sadly, no known video copy of this short exists.
The history of Walt Disney and Pirates can be traced to the 1920s and an early Alice Comedies. Alice Foils the Pirates.
Mickey Mouse Shanghaied showcased Pete as a pirate and included a pirate song with a striking resemblance to “Yo Ho, A Pirate’s Life for Me.” The rhythm and theme undoubtedly inspired Disney Legend X Atencio.
In 1934, the animated short “Mickey Mouse Shanghaied” was released, featuring Pete as a pirate.
Then came 1942’s Donald Duck Finds Pirate Gold, re-released in 1989 and still available in reprint. Pete returns again as the pirate villain.
The Cover of Donald Duck finds Pirate Gold – Still available in reprinted form
Treasure Island (1950), brought Robert Louis Stevenson’s tale to the silver screen in color for the first time. This production set a new bar for Disney’s swashbuckling adventures. In 1953, Peter Pan added Captain Hook and the mermaids to the pirate mix.
Pirates in the Haunted Mansion?
Ken Anderson depicting a pirate character named Captain Bartholomew Gore for the Haunted Mansion. While Gore never made the final cut, a tombstone for him appears in the 2011 interactive queue at the Magic Kingdom.
The Tomb of Bartholomew Gore as seen at Walt Disney Worlds Haunted Mansion. From early concept of a Pirate in the Mansion
According to Anderson’s early backstory, Gore murdered his wife Priscilla, who later haunted him until he hanged himself—sound familiar? That storyline echoes in the final mansion’s stretching room. Some of Anderson’s sketches, like a headless pirate, resemble early versions of the Hatbox Ghost, and many of the figures later appeared in Pirates of the Caribbean as skeletons.
Early Maps of New Orleans Square and Ken Anderson Pirate Drawings for the Haunted Mansion. The pirates never made it to the mansion – Or did they?
Pirates Take the Silver Screen
In 1996, Muppet Treasure Island brought puppets and pirates together. In 2002, Treasure Planet launched Disney’s classic pirate tale into space.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
Everything changed on July 9, 2003, with the debut of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Captain Jack Sparrow became an instant icon. Over five films, the saga introduced unforgettable rogues like Hector Barbossa, Davy Jones, Sao Feng, and Blackbeard.
The Arena Panel: 50 Years of Swashbuckling Fun
“50 Years of Swashbuckling Adventure in Disney Parks,” held on Day One of the Expo. Featuring a panel of Disney creatives and legends—including Marty Sklar—the session covered the development of the attraction, its global expansion, and its massive cultural impact.
Of course, I had my camera and recorder ready. This episode of SamsDisneyDiary includes the full audio and video from the panel, preserving the stories and legacy shared on stage. From the D23 Expo 2017 this is 50 Years of Pirates at Disney.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
Captain Jack Sparrow Figure, part of the D23 Expo Pirates Archive
The Hero of Pirates of the Caribbean, the Dog. Complete with behind the scenes “plumbing” part of the D23 Expo Pirates Archive
The Hero of Pirates of the Caribbean, the Dog. Complete with behind the scenes “plumbing” part of the D23 Expo Pirates Archive
A Pig and a Dog, key elements of Pirates of the Caribbean, the Dog part of the D23 Expo Pirates Archive
I’m sure that’s as close as I have ever some to a Pirate from the Caribbean, part of the D23 Expo Pirates Archive
I’m sure that’s as close as I have ever some to a Pirate from the Caribbean, part of the D23 Expo Pirates Archive
A 25 cent post card machine that was originally located at Disneyland Pirates, part of the D23 Expo Pirates Archive
A series of sketches and medallions from Disneyland part of the D23 Expo Pirates Archive
Pirate Shoot, from Disneyland part of the D23 Expo Pirates Archive
Various Pirate Souvenirs, all part of the Archives
An original View-Master featuring New Orleans Square and Haunted Mansion. Part of the Archives.
A Pirate animated figure head, sculptured by Blaine Gibson in 1966
A Pirate animated figure head, sculptured by Blaine Gibson in 1966
Concept models show the history of Pirates of the Caribbean. From Wax figure walk through to the attraction we know today
Concept models show the history of Pirates of the Caribbean. From Wax figure walk through to the attraction we know today
Layout of Pirates Wax Walk through experience by Marc Davis – 1963
Early Maps of New Orleans Square and Ken Anderson Pirate Drawings for the Haunted Mansion. The pirates never made it to the mansion – Or did they?
A Peter Pans Flight Ride Vehicle
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
Donald Duck Finds Pirate Gold in an original comic book published in 1942. With Pete once again as the pirate, the classic was rereleased in 1989
Treasure Island was the first Disney Live Action Motion Picture
Muppets Treasure Island – 1996
Treasure Planet – 2002
Various Pirate Themed items from the Archives
Captain Hook, Smee and Jake from Disney Jr live on stage
Descendants 2 – the latest Pirate influenced movie
The history of Walt Disney and Pirates can be traced to the 1920s and an early Alice Comedies. Alice Foils the Pirates.
The history of Walt Disney and Pirates can be traced to the 1920s and an early Alice Comedies. Alice Foils the Pirates.
In 1934, the animated short “Mickey Mouse Shanghaied” was released, featuring Pete as a pirate.
Props and Costumes from the 1950 Treasure Island – the first Disney live action film
Welcome to the archives…
The D23 Expo Pirates Archive was full of Props and sets from all the Pirates Movies.
Welcome to the Walt Disney Arrrchives Adventure – D23 expo 2017
Welcome to the Walt Disney Arrrchives Adventure – D23 expo 2017
Walt Disney Archives presents A Pirates Life for Me – D23 2017
Marty Sklar introduced at the 50 years of pirates of the Caribbean panel – D23 2017
Original “Yo Ho” – from the D23 Expo 2017 Pirates Archive
The Tomb of Bartholomew Gore as seen at Walt Disney Worlds Haunted Mansion. From early concept of a Pirate in the Mansion
Pirates of the Caribbean attraction poster
The Cover of Donald Duck finds Pirate Gold – Still available in reprinted form
Donald Duck finds Pirate Gold original comic
Treasure Island continued the Pirate theme in 1950 – the First Walt Disney Live Action Picture
Donald Duck search’s for Pirate Gold in an original Comic Book
In 1953 Peter Pan added Captain Hook the Disney Piartes
