In the event you’ve ever wished you can step into one of many Pirates of the Caribbean movies or linger somewhat longer on the long-lasting Disney attraction, the latest expertise at Disney World will allow you to do exactly that.
The Beak and Barrel has all of the basic parts of a Disney area – immersive lighting and theming that pulls you proper in – however you gained’t be boarding a ship. As an alternative, you step right into a Pirates of the Caribbean-themed restaurant and lounge for an virtually hour-long expertise.
Sure, there are themed provisions and libations – gentle bites plus alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks – however the place The Beak and Barrel really shines is in its present parts. Walt Disney Imagineering packed the area with spectacular touches: a mind-bending battle between two ships in a bottle, intricate carvings throughout partitions, flooring, and ceilings, and maybe most notably, a brand-new audio-animatronic impressed by Disney’s earliest figures.
Perched above the bar, on what’s probably a hidden monitor, Rummy the Parrot is the newest creation. He’s full of life, with a formidable vary of movement, particularly within the head and beak, and options detailed articulation powered by compact motors and actuators.
Disney’s historical past with chook animatronics stretches again to the 1964–65 New York World’s Truthful and the Enchanted Tiki Room. Rummy carries that legacy ahead with much more lifelike motion and realism.
Ken Ricci, Govt Artistic Director at Walt Disney Imagineering, informed us that a lot of the leap with Rummy is because of smaller electrical motors that may now all be packaged contained in the birds.
Ricci defined the method because the “Improvement begins with determining what features, motion we wish, to make it seem like a chook, and packaging that right into a shell.”
Rummy doesn’t simply perch – he leads the motion, usually guiding the forged members enjoying pirate crew as they serve visitors. In a single significantly spooky second that mixes spatial audio from hidden audio system and lighting results embedded all through the room, Rummy drives off “spirits.”
With out giving an excessive amount of away, the expertise unfolds as a 45-minute interactive present. Company are seated or standing in one in all three themed rooms: a map room stuffed with intricate design particulars, a full of life mess corridor, or the extra intimate captain’s quarters. I attempted the latter, settling right into a weathered leather-based chair by a fire.
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It turned out to be one of the best seat in the home, because of the ships in bottles above. These vessels spring to life in a miniature battle, firing cannonballs and artillery at one another. Results crash and clank – sound and lightweight – till one ship lastly sinks in a shocking little bit of Imagineering magic that utterly fooled me.
So whereas The Beak and Barrel isn’t an “attraction” within the conventional sense, it’s very a lot a flex of Disney’s technical and storytelling chops. It represents the corporate’s ongoing push to redefine what an attraction could be. Forward of the launch of the Disney Treasure cruise ship, for instance, Imagineers informed TechRadar how they designed the Haunted Mansion Parlor to make sure present parts work irrespective of the place you stand within the area. The Beak and Barrel follows that very same philosophy, as you’re not locked to a monitor inside.
It additionally remembers previous immersive tasks just like the now-closed Galactic Starcruiser or the still-thriving Oga’s Cantina in Galaxy’s Edge. Although it’s technically a restaurant, it features as a show-driven attraction. Sure, you’re assigned a seat, however you’re additionally inspired to wander and discover.
When Rummy bursts into Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me) straight from the experience and movies, you’ll need to take part. On my go to, earlier than the official debut, I even noticed what seemed like Jack Sparrow’s compass floating within the Map Room.
The Beak and Barrel formally opened on August 29, 2025, within the Adventureland part of Magic Kingdom at Disney World, proper subsequent to the Pirates of the Caribbean experience. Reservations are required, and every go to runs about 45 minutes with foods and drinks accessible for buy.
I wouldn’t be shocked if Disney expands this format additional. In the event you’re not planning a visit to Orlando, you should still get your likelihood: a Pirates-themed lounge is already confirmed for the forthcoming Disney Future ship, which units sail in November 2025.
