Pirates Lounge Opening 2025 at MK!

[vinotinto]

The Pirates Bar / Lounge announced last year at D23 was confirmed yesterday as opening in 2025!
https://disneyparksblog.com/wdw/spaceship-earth-pirates-bar-disney-world/

I know that this announcement is not as interesting as the new Villains Land or Monstropolis, and while both of those AMAZING, I'm so excited about the Pirates Lounge because it's opening next year and helps with a huge problem at MK.

Unpopular opinion, but our MK days are never as fun or chill as our Epcot, DHS or AK days. My teen kids and DH have asked to skip MK next time we are at WDW. I was thinking about this and MK desperately needs "chill" spaces: spaces where you can get a drink (non-alcoholic *and* alcoholic), small bites and chill for a bit. We always have a leisurely lunch at Skipper's Canteen at around noon, but by the time 3pm rolls around, we're in desperate need of a break.

Our AK days are filled with breaks here and there: Nomad's Lounge and Dawa Bar; so are our DHS days, with breaks at Baseline Tap; and our Epcot days are filled with many stops around the World Showcase. Our kids love the drink options, Barrilitos at Baseline is a huge hit as are all the fizzie and naturally flavored lemonades at Nomad's. We love the charcuterie platters and poke bowls, and before anyone mentions that this is not what Walt would have wanted, it's more than just selling alcohol, it's about having a chill space that is not a TS nor a QS where you can recharge.

On our visit in July, an older gentleman asked the CM posted outside Pinocchio's where he could get a beer and sit for a bit. The CM explained that he would need to go to one of the Table Service restaurants. We all know this is not a great option for those that want to be served just a beverage and small bites without advance planning.

I hope Pirates Bar / Lounge has enough capacity and doesn't require planning 60+10 days in advance. I hope it opens the door for more relaxing stops. I understand that WDW doesn't want to start selling beer out of carts at MK, but it really needs more chill spaces where you can recharge.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I definitely feel like this is going to operate similar to Oga's - 45 minute limit to prevent people from camping out for hours and all of the drinks will be premixed outside of wine and beer. Also a max limit of 2 drinks per person.

I don't have faith that Disney will build a space big enough to support the demand, so I predict that, again similar to Oga's, a lot of the capacity will be standing room only and/or parties will be placed together.

 

[buzlite]

I think to maximize the experience and to avoid being a madhouse reservations will be required. And to maximize the amount of people that can experience the attraction an Oga’s style time limit will be needed. Tbh It will not be a place for an old man to randomly sit down and have a drink.

 

[RangerPooh]

I have a feeling it’ll be in the former Pirates League space, so nothing too big. That reservations will be required.

Curious about the Spaceship Earth one. Again, if advance reservations are required it’ll make it tough to experience. Honestly, I get the family atmosphere, but occasionally I want a 18+ or 21+ space to relax. My kids are teens so I don’t need to be with them 24-7, lol.

 

[vinotinto]

I have a feeling it’ll be in the former Pirates League space, so nothing too big. That reservations will be required.

Curious about the Spaceship Earth one. Again, if advance reservations are required it’ll make it tough to experience. Honestly, I get the family atmosphere, but occasionally I want a 18+ or 21+ space to relax. My kids are teens so I don’t need to be with them 24-7, lol.

Yeah, the speculation I saw is that it's going in the former's Pirate's League space, which was already themed. I've never been there, but it sounds like it's not particularly big.

Last year there was speculation that it would go in the larger Tortuga Tavern space, which is larger, but, GASP!, that has been turned into a gift shop.

I'm hoping that even if the Pirate Lounge turns into a small, Oga's-type lounge with no seating and limited time, that it paves the way for *other* lounges to pop at at MK. I would really love a lounge near Skipper's, similarly themed, or a space-themed lounge in Future World or a "Main Street" neighborhood lounge in Mainstreet (how cool would it be to have it in the "second" story?)

 

[RangerPooh]

Pirates League is small, but theming could work. A Skippers lounge would be awesome!

 

[zackiedawg]

I'm generally positive on the addition of both Pirates and Spaceship lounges - though mild disappointment that they are both being considered 100% family spots...I really would have preferred both 'lounges' to be like Trader Sam's - maybe daytime open to all, but dinner-time and up strictly adult lounges. I'll take them both in any manner, so not complaining.

 

[StarCruzer]

I'm honestly hoping that the Pirates bar carries over the spirit of something like the Adventurer's Club. I want pirate actors leading sing-along sea shanties! I want pistol duels on the bar! I want the actors to go up to guests with sequined ears and ask where they got their jeweled treasures from! I want a drink with a cannon ball ice cube, and when you order it you hear a cannon blast in the distance (like some of the Trader Sam's effects). I want a live accordion player who tells tales of the sea! An animatronic skull and bones that makes fun of dads!

Clearly I'm dreaming way too big on this

 

[BrianL]

I just want to see the mugs!

 

[Moliphino]

There better actually be rum in this pirates bar, I don't care that it's at MK.

 

[zackiedawg]

If there aren't rum drinks, I'm sure more than one person will walk in and ask, "Why's the rum gone?".

 

[vinotinto]

I'm honestly hoping that the Pirates bar carries over the spirit of something like the Adventurer's Club. I want pirate actors leading sing-along sea shanties! I want pistol duels on the bar! I want the actors to go up to guests with sequined ears and ask where they got their jeweled treasures from! I want a drink with a cannon ball ice cube, and when you order it you hear a cannon blast in the distance (like some of the Trader Sam's effects). I want a live accordion player who tells tales of the sea! An animatronic skull and bones that makes fun of dads!

Clearly I'm dreaming way too big on this

You get my vote for Armchair Imagineer of the Day! Here's a shot of rum for you!

 

[StarCruzer]

There better actually be rum in this pirates bar, I don't care that it's at MK.

I want there to be a non-alcoholic drink on the menu called "Where's the Rum Gone?"

Also I want tiny cocktail sword in the drinks. And if you pull the sword out the bartender will take out another tiny cocktail sword and challenge you to a tiny cocktail sword fight.

 

[vinotinto]

I want there to be a non-alcoholic drink on the menu called "Where's the Rum Gone?"

Also I want tiny cocktail sword in the drinks. And if you pull the sword out the bartender will take out another tiny cocktail sword and challenge you to a tiny cocktail sword fight.

We will have a DISer meet up when it opens! Complete with cosplay and tiny cocktail sword fights. My DH will wear his "We wants the redhead" t-shirt.

 

[Mle8308]

I think of all the announcements, I'm most excited for this! I'm in for the meet up!

 

[StarCruzer]

Honestly just hoping they allocate a decent amount of space of this. The concept art is...not promising, in that regard

 

[HopperFan]

Honestly just hoping they allocate a decent amount of space of this. The concept art is...not promising, in that regard

Maybe someone can clarify but I heard that the gift shop in Tortuga is because they have walled off the gift shop after you get off Pirates to work on this. If true could it be it will include Pirates League and part of the gift shop??

 

[vinotinto]

Maybe someone can clarify but I heard that the gift shop in Tortuga is because they have walled off the gift shop after you get off Pirates to work on this. If true could it be it will include Pirates League and part of the gift shop??

This article seems to think the Pirate Bar will take over the old Pirates League and the previous gift shop (that was moved across to Tortuga);
https://www.wdwmagic.com/dining/tor...es-amid-pirates-of-the-caribbean-updates.htm#

 

[rdaky]

Maybe someone can clarify but I heard that the gift shop in Tortuga is because they have walled off the gift shop after you get off Pirates to work on this. If true could it be it will include Pirates League and part of the gift shop??

This is true. The shop has been moved to Tortuga while construction is taking place. The cast from the shop have been told that the move is temporary.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

Yeah we really don't need all that space devoted to cheap pirate themed junk we can buy off Amazon...use that valuable space for more experiences like this! That goes for every gift shop!

Agree...as a huge Pirate theme loving family this lounge is such an awesome idea no matter what the service options or reservation needs. More Pirates!