The third new character in the updated animatronic cast of 68 people and 54 animals is a ghostly Davy Jones, the malevolent spirit of the sea from Dead Man's Chest, who materializes via a new waterfall effect.
Other changes include an all-new dynamic digital sound design with 270 speakers, the addition of musical cues from the movie soundtracks, and enhanced theatrical lighting designs.
"I cannot imagine how anybody can see this attraction and walk off and say, 'Boy, they did something they shouldn't have,' " said Disney Imagineer Kathy Rogers, who oversaw the ride's creative changes. "It really has strengthened the classic."
"We shall see," I say skeptically, although really does sound pretty good. Why not update with relevant characters and upgrade using modern technology? The attraction, which opened originally at Disneyland in 1967, officially reopens to guests on June 26 at Disneyland and on July 7 in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Florida.
MSN Video will webcast the red carpet film premiere and ride reopening live from Disneyland on Saturday, June 24, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. PT (10:00-11:30 p.m. ET), hosted by MSN "Dish Diva" Taylor Johnson — who will interview the film's stars including Depp, Orlando Bloom and 
Keira Knightley — and a Disneyland historian and Disney Imagineer, who will discuss the attraction that inspired the movies.
Dead Man's Chest opens to find Will (Bloom) and Elizabeth (Knightley) preparing to exchange wedding vows. But their plans hit choppy waters with the arrival of Captain Jack Sparrow, who owes a blood debt to an implacable Davy Jones (Bill Nighy). The only way the salty rapscallion can elude the wrath of his supernatural pursuer is with the aid of Gypsy queen Tia Dalma (Naomie Harris), whose powers may help keep Jack out of the dreaded locker of his legendary nemesis.
Article comments
1 - Ty
June 26? June 26????????????????????????????????????
God damn it, I am taking the misses to Disneyland (her first trip) on June 25!!!!!!
Arrrghhh!!!!!! Maybe at least no one will show up this Sunday because they all want to go on Monday, the 26th!
2 - Eric Olsen
aargh Ty, that is indeed a disappointment! But you're right: likely the crowds will be smaller than usual in anticipation. Of course, I wouldn't really want to go to see Pirates on the 26th as the line will be deadly
3 - Paul Jordan, Sr.
I will be at Disney in Florida on the 22nd of July, after the kinks have been ironed out. I will give you my perspective then.
4 - Eric Olsen
great! Anyone see the movie or ride the ride at Disneyland last night?
5 - PoizonMyst
I am a big fan of Johnny Depp so I eagerly await the next installment of Pirates. The first was brilliant, and from the trailer, Dead Man's Chest looks just as impressive. The unusal facial anomalies of the Davy Jones character are very realistic in their presentation.
As I am from Australia, I doubt I will ever get the opportunity to visit the Disney attraction from which the movies were inspired. While watching the MSN coverage, I was quite amazed by the natural movement of the Jack Sparrow addition to the ride. It would be rather bizarre to see yourself immortalised in such a way - at times the model was looking at Johnny, and you could almost feel the character was just as curious about his look-alike as the real Depp was.
6 - Eric Olsen
PM, I am too! And I very revved about seeing the new ride as well, although not sure when yet. It's easy to forget that most of the world doesn't have easy access to a Disney park - if you ever do gt to LA or Florida, they are well worth checking out at least once.
I'm still waiting to hear from soneone who was there Saturday night, or anyone who goes on the ride today.
7 - natalie moraes
Pirates was my most favorite ride, as well as, my favorite movie. However, it is no longer my favorite ride. I hate the background music and it takes away from the original mood of the ride. The movie is based off the ride, not the other way around!! Walt Disney himself would be very disapointed!!!!!!!!!! There IS no lines for that ride on a typical, crowded Saturday.