El Pirata y el Perico

[LdnCpl]

Ok, I don't get this restaurant. We've been to WDW in the fall,spring and never the same dates or months and I've never seen it open . I think I might have to put eating at El Pirata y el Perico on my bucket list. Last trip I actually got excited because I saw CM's standing near it. It always says 'open seasonally' . My question is what season?

 

[Hootch]

during the heavier traffic periods. I've seen it open for lunch during the summer months. Even then it was open 12:00 - 3:00 I believe. The Tomorrowland Noodle Terrace was open for dinner the same days.

 

[ngvenice]

we went last nov and ate there. in my opinion you are not missing absolutely anything! im very easy to please and this place was like eating at taco bell which i dont mind but im going in there knowing im gonna eat taco bell. i guess thats what i disliked it cuz i wasnt expecting taco bell type food.

 

[Disneymama5816]

It is usually open during free dining, or during VERY busy times. As others have stated, usually from 12-4 for lunch. We LOVE this restaurant. I live for the taco salad. It is always fresh and I can make it just the way I like. My DD12 and DS5 always enjoy the tacos or quesadilla. Once again, because they can make their lunch the way they like it. We will be there on Sunday and are planning for El Pirata to be our first lunch.

 

[BebopBaloo]

It's really a toss up as to when this will be open. We've been during free dining before and it wasn't open. We've been in busy July and it was. Though, I've heard the opposite from others...so really.. I think it's just a random happenstance.

 

[ChristaDeVil]

We've been in April during spring break and it was open. We've been the first week of June and it was closed. We were there the first week of August (this year) and it was open! My family really enjoys it. We like the taco salads.

 

[Dopey420]

I like to catch it open because our daughter is a veggie and they have black bean tacos, and she likes them!

 

[Sunbeamblue2002]

It was open last Mon because I got all excited because of the never open talk. However we were getting ready to eat at the castel. But it was open last week.

 

[Jeanieblue114]

This restaurant is a running gag for our family since we dont believe it is ever open since we haven't seen it open with our own eyes in 10 years...lol.

From what i understand, when it is open, it is only for a few hours for lunch time.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

If you have never seen this restaurant open, then you pick really good times of year to visit or pick park days very well.

Its open during busier times of year.

Many people are in love with the taco salads, but I'm not a fan. I think Pecos Bills has a taco salad now.

 

[2Tiggies]

This restaurant is a running gag for our family since we dont believe it is ever open since we haven't seen it open with our own eyes in 10 years...lol.

From what i understand, when it is open, it is only for a few hours for lunch time.

Yep. Despite traveling in very busy times we have only seen it open a handful of times - usually either when we are just leaving Pecos Bills having had our fill. I have 2 words to explain the hours and days of operation for this place: Totally Random

I think Pecos Bills has a taco salad now.

Yes, it's been on the PB menu for quite some time - at the very least, about 2 years. I want to eat at El Pirata just so that I can tell everyone I have actually seen the inside of the restaurant

 

[Millie12591]

Weird, every time I've been there it's been open.

Let's see...we were there May '07, and it was open, we didn't eat there but it was open....then June '08 I was there and sat at one of the tables there for a few minutes to look at inten., it was open then.

And this last trip May '10 and both days we were there it was open, and I think it was even open during the off hours, it wasn't very busy but very much open.
Now, I live in Texas and I know what mexican food tastes like, I also know what American made Mexican food tastes like, and I know what Tex-Mex tastes like so I thought for sure I would NOT like the food here.
But! I tasted my daughters taco she thought she needed to have and I have to say it was not bad at all!! It's not a five star restaurant but it was certainly something that would hit the spot if you really wanted a taco while in the World.

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

We ate there 6 years ago in Feb. Haven't seen it open since. I know it's kind like Taco Bell. But it's a nice change from burgers and fries. So many people want to eat there I'm surprised it can't support itself and be open all the time. Maybe if enough disers get together, one day it can be open all the time like CoP.

 

[kaybird]

Won't necessarily help for pretrip planning, but it is always included on the little "show schedule" that you pick up when you enter MK. At least you would know if it was going to be open during your stay, and what times! We love it! Great taco salad!

 

[Melisande]

Just one quick point on this one. Kids menu is quesodilla Not the best place to go if you have kids with milk allergies as they will have to pick off of an adults meal or get their own meal off the adult menu which may be too much for them.

With that said otherwise it was ok. I love that I can top things how I like. Anything is better than taco bell really.

 

[JCMHutch]

It is a good place if you like basic tacos/burritos/quesadillas. Its nice to add what you want for toppings. I have been to WDW I can't remember how many times and it has only been open 2 times. One was in April of 2007 (2nd busiest week of the year that week) and then this past 4th of July (all restaurants were booked for the day).

DH (a more recent Disney convert) has gone 4 times since 2004 and finally got to eat there this past trip with me. DH loved it. He raided that toppings bar - I couldn't see the burrito under it all. He said that it was too bad it wasn't open regularly - after one meal, it became a favorite.

 

[MPLsDad]

We always looked forward to eating here and it was usually open when we went in February and August. But they are no longer serving tacos, so we went to LTT and ate the best burger in WDW! Adios El Pirata!

 

[Disney Von Drake]

The reason why it is seldom open is due to the low attendance that WDW has experienced the last several years. It will take a major increase in current visitation trends before WDW hires enough staff to return to full operations.

I would not expect any changes (except for additional cutbacks) this year or next.

 

[disneymath]

We ate lunch here for the first time on Monday, August 16th - right at the start of FD. MK did not seem to be very crowded at all that day - it was very hot in the AM, and then downpoured in the early afternoon. Maybe that had something to do with it, but EPEP was basically empty when we went in for lunch. No lineups and few people eating at the tables. We really enjoyed our meals (taco salad, chicken burritos, nachos, kids quesadilla) - the food quality was better than Taco Bell in my opinion and the topping bar was good. It was a nice change of pace from the typical QS fare we usually have.

 

[jeni16]

Does anyone know if it is usually open in December? We ate there in April of this year & it was really good.

I was also curious if you could get dressing for the taco salads. French, ranch, etc.