Pirate's Lair Preview
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Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island is scheduled to open this Friday, May 25. Art and photos detailing the eagerly anticipated update of the Disneyland classic were released during the world premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.
Guests traveling on the newly themed rafts to the island will receive a souvenir map that details the features for young explorers.
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The map is done in the style of Sam McKim’s original artwork. That map was distributed on the island from 1956 to 1976. Sam did the artwork for the 1957 map that was reproduced, with slight changes, for some twenty years. The following text describes the new adventures devised by the Imagineers:
Here be the words of a simple sailor, cast upon this island lo these many years. This be what I learned and what I found and what I learned that’s better left alone. May this knowledge serve whoever finds it. But beware- there be darker places here than deep within the darkest caves. And glittering treasures that hide things darker still.
THE LANDING
Many a pirate’s boot has trod upon this slip of land. And many’s the adventure
begun here. Keep your wits about you in your travels on the island, for there’s
treasure and danger here in equal measure. X Marks the spot you seek.
Good luck, matey!
LAFITTE’S TAVERN- PIRATE POINT
Here be a safe harbor from all manner of storms. A wild and boisterous place, no
doubt, but a place to learn the ways of the sea and the arts of the master
sailors.
W. TURNER BLACKSMITH
The tools of me trade are forged in iron and fire and smoke. Give me a length of
steel in one hand and a fair wind to guide me. Aye, there’s nothing better- and
nothing more a pirate needs.
DEAD MAN’S GROTTO
Tread carefully these dark and winding caves. Though none will argue there be
treasure here in great abundance, ghostly apparitions do haunt these corridors
of stone. And every jewel is guarded well by forces none may know.
SMUGGLER’S COVE
Here be the site of many a dark deed by moonlight. And in these waters, who can
tell how much plundered coin lies below in the hold of scuttled ships? And who
can tell what forces guard these treasures still?
CASTLE ROCK
The treacherous shoals what surrounds the island have claimed many a fair vessel
and her crew. Here lie broken beams and planks, worn and weathered, to serve as
memorial, shelter, and lookout perch alike. While below, ‘tis said, there lies a
king’s ransom, hid in some dark passageway, too narrow for most to navigate.
PIRATE’S DEN- SHIPWRECK
No fearsome storm did leave this shipwreck high upon the rocks at Pirate’s Den,
they say. T’was something monstrous that stirred the sea that day and tore this
mighty ship in twain.
THE CAPTAIN’S TREASURE
Somewhere beyond Smuggler’s Cove and Castle Rock, a fabulous treasure lies.
Steady as you go, mates- for it be guarded by the fiercest of pirates. Gather
your knowledge of the island well, for all who happen upon this treasure shall
be asked to account for themselves. Them what pleases the guards, they say, may
be allowed to join the pirate brotherhood and take the solemn oath.
Guests familiar with the original island may recognize that the following features have been rethemed: Harper’s Cider Mill to LaFitte’s Tavern- Pirate Point; Fishing Pier to W. Turner- Blacksmith; and Injun Joe’s Cave to Dead Man’s Grotto.