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We Came To Play!

We Came To Play!

Opening Magic Kingdom

Opening Magic Kingdom
Showing posts with label pirates of the caribbean. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pirates of the caribbean. Show all posts

Saturday, October 18, 2025

Williams Family: The Beak and Barrel

 



The Beak and Barrel, a new dining/experience location at the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort, opened the last week-end in August 2025.  Reservations required.

Nestled inside the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, the signed entrance for The Beak and Barrel is to the right of the queue entrance for the attraction.  This location was the former Pirates League where guests would be transformed into pirates with make-up and accessories. 



Pirate theming abounds, as guests are inside a pirate ship.  The parrot speaks and squawks periodically, pirate songs are song by guests and crew, and MagicBand+ lights up, not because of interactivity in the lounge, but because of proximity to the attraction down below. 


Guests check-in for their reservation outside the entrance. Once a text is received to approach the podium, proceed.  Guest parties are called in groups to enter with the caveat that this is a 45 minute adventure and informed that there is group seating.  (Think Biergarten at EPCOT or Oga's Cantina at Hollywood Studios.)



We were seated in the "Captain's" room at a table for two.  Seating, and or standing if in the "Map" room, is at tables, booths, the bar, and wooden stools along the walls.  And, given one menu to read in a dark room--I got out my phone for both pictures and the flashlight app.  Our seater warned us that we would only have 45 minutes. 



Our server arrived shortly complete with pirate garb and scratchy pirate voice and accent.  We ordered Island Provisions, an assortment of chips and dips which were tasty, and Cook's Corn Griddle Cakes with Chipotle-braised Chicken which was spicy and I found the griddle cakes hard and tough to cut/chew.  There is a Griddle Cakes option without the chicken.  The only other "bite" on the menu is Kraken's Catch which is octopus tentacles.  


For guests over 21, libations are on the menu with a 2-drink maximum.  We tried the Hibiscus Rum Punch Royale and Salty Seas mARRRgarita.  Each drink came in a different cup--again think what would be found on a pirate ship.  There is a souvenir drink with cup available for purchase--Plunderer's Punch.  There are wines, beer, and reserve rum selections, too.  While there is a bar, this isn't an order your favorite spirit or drink location as far as we could tell.  

Magic Band is interacting with attraction down below

Our server, too, warned us of the 45 minute limit and that he would return half-way through to inquire about a second round of drinks.  Our food came quickly and our server was friendly and attentive. 


Click here for The Beak and Barrel menu


The Beak and Barrel is a unique experience that will fit the bill for many guests and fans, as is evident by the nearly full and difficult to snag reservation system.  

If you are looking to fill empty bellies during a day at a theme park, The Beak and Barrel would not be a top choice.  While the menu is allergy friendly, it is not picky eater friendly.  And, it's pricey!

We saw parents wandering with littles looking for a restroom inside the establishment.  I had inquired and knew the restroom is outside the lounge, on the far side of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.  

Speaking of wandering, guests are welcome to move about and take in the theming, but best to do it at the end of your experience as to not use up the 45 minutes allotted to your table. 


Note:  Partway through our experience at The Beak and Barrel, the lounge lost its lighting--not electricity as the music continued to play, but all of the lights.  Suited Cast Members were suddenly on their phones, servers got out flashlights and/or used their phones, guests pulled out their phones for illumination, and important people began filing through the door.  The second entrance was opened for light. We were checked on by multiple Cast Members making sure we were okay.  The lounge stopped seating guests, many guests paid and left, and we were smiling at the adventure and munched on chips.  The husband ordered a second drink.  We were told to take our time and soon Guest Experience Team members (blue shirts) arrived with their tablets and scanned park tickets and MagicBands to add a Lightning Lane entitlement to accounts.  We were told this has never happened before.  The husband blamed "George" the supposed ghost that haunts Pirates of the Caribbean.  We do say good-bye to George on our way up the escalator belt when we exit the attraction! 


We paid our bill; I signed the receipt with a flashlight pointing.  The lights did turn on before we left, and we were able to capture photos in a relatively empty lounge and took a small tour.  On the other side of the door was a flood of guests waiting to enter.  

To top off our experience, we scanned our MagicBands on the Lightning Lane entrance to Pirates of the Caribbean and of course, said good-bye to George on our way out. 





Sunday, March 16, 2014

Tale of The Inflatable Sword

Pirate Night on our first Disney Cruise--March 2007
I want to tell the story of the inflatable pirate sword.  This inflatable pirate sword came into our lives in the summer of 2006.  It was a prize in a McDonald’s Happy Meal during the launch of the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie.  At the time, we knew were going to be taking our first Disney Cruise in March of 2007 and had begun collecting items that might be useful during the trip.

Pirate Night on our most recent Disney Cruise--December 2012
That inflatable sword went with us on our first Disney Cruise and every Disney Cruise since then.

It has also traveled to Walt Disney World for the Pirates and Princess Party at the Magic Kingdom—this party no longer exists but at one point was a “hard ticket” event similar to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party or Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and had its own parade, etc. 

Also, the boy carried this sword when taking a Pirate Adventure Cruise that is just for kids when we stayed at Caribbean Beach Resort at Walt Disney World.

We have since added to the inflatable collection—adding parrots and hooks. 

Ironically, we get asked about this inflatable sword when it appears on Pirate Night on the ship.  “Where did you get that?” folks ask.  When we tell them that we got it from McDonald’s in 2006 they give us the look that is both recognition of good planning and disappointment.

Yes, the boy has admired the “real” fake plastic swords and weapons that are available for purchase both at Walt Disney World and on the ships.  Our retort to his request to purchase one is that he already has a pirate sword.

What he also may not realize is that with his inflatable sword, we don’t have to worry about airport security and that it takes up nearly zero space in the luggage.

Disney Cruise--July 2011
Will this inflatable sword be returning to the Caribbean to fight once again?  Definitely!  It is in the tote with all of the other pirate gear—jewels, parrots, hats and headgear—just waiting to be packed for their next adventure.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Meeting Angelica from Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

To promote Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Disney added a meet and greet for Angelica, a character from the movie.  Guests wanting to meet Angelica in the Magic Kingdom near the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction better hurry, as her last day to meet guests is Saturday, August, 20, 2011.



We had the great fortune of meeting Angelica, one of six brand new characters for us, on our to Walt Disney World visit in July.  It was easy to find her.  I checked the Times Guide for specific times, then asked another character handler where she would be located.  Would she be just after Pirates of the Caribbean—where Peter Pan used to be found?  Or just across from the entrance where guests can find Captain Hook and Mr. Smee?  Or just inside the entrance where Pirate Goofy can be found?  Or just before the entrance?  The answer—just before the entrance.  A Photopass photographer—click here to read about Disney’s Photopass Service—was on hand to capture our photo.

Interestingly, even though we already had a Photopass Card, we were given a different card after this meet and greet indicating that our photos might be used in the nightly program, The Magic, The Memories, and You, which displays projected images of guests on Cinderella’s Castle.  There is a telephone number posted on the card to call if you want to “opt out” of having your photo be part of the show.  We stayed for this nighttime event, which is shown between the Main Street Electrical Parade and Wishes.  We even had a great view, near the hub in front of the castle.  And, we watched in eager anticipation.  If our photo was shown, we couldn’t see it.  




More coming later about the other brand new to us characters that we met during our week long visit to Walt Disney World.