I think the "pirates have landed" is a marketing phrase for all the pirate themed things DL has added or will add. Jack Sparrow, the character, can often be found in NOS. Same with the Bilge Rats - quite fun to listen to! They have a small stage area between the entrance to POTC and HM. It used to be just a landscaped area. There is no seating - just stand around and listen like you would any traveling band in DL. If you can climb up and ring the bell, they will sing "A Pirates Life for Me." The changes to Tom Sawyer Island aren't there yet - sometime this summer, I think. I'm sure others have the date. There is also more pirate merchandise, food, etc. than there was a number of years ago. Yo, ho...