Adventureland’s El Pirata Y El Perico renamed Tortuga Tavern

Adventureland's Tortuga Tavern sign, Magic Kingdom

El Pirata Y el Perico, the Magic Kingdom quick-service restaurant in Adventureland, has been renamed Tortuga Tavern. The name reflects Disney’s popular “Pirates of the Caribbean” film franchise, and refers to the 17th century pirate stronghold mentioned in the movies. Tortuga Tavern is located across from the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, which was the inspiration for the films.

The key elements in El Pirata’s transformation to Tortuga Tavern include a new color scheme and design elements, rather than a significant re-design to the restaurant’s menu. The restaurant is now more fully realized as a pirate’s tavern, helping to present this entire area of Adventureland as a pirate’s hideway. (Also included in the area is The Pirate League makeover and Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Tutorial.)

Tortuga Tavern colors include dusky reds, pinks and beiges accented by turquoise blue – similar to the color scheme found at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Tortuga’s exterior sign picks up these colors and features two female figureheads such as those that adorn a ship’s bow. Outside, the tavern also proudly flies its pirate colors (i.e. flags).


Crew roster book found inside Adventurland's Tortuga Tavern, Magic Kingdom
Crew roster book found inside Adventurland's Tortuga Tavern, Magic Kingdom

The restaurant’s interior design and props also suggest the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies. For instance, a stylized mural of Blackbeard has replaced the image of a more generic pirate. And among the many movie-inspired props is a book that lists crew rosters for the Black Pearl and Queen Anne’s Revenge, the film’s fictional ships. Guests who tour the Tortuga Tavern area will see broken railings, empty rum barrels and bullet holes, all indications of a raucous pirate’s life. Yo Ho!

As of this writing, Tortuga Tavern is serving most of the same menu items as El Pirata, focusing on standard Mexican food options. The menu offers burritos (including a vegetarian option), taco salads and nachos, plus quesadillas and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for kids. The triple chocolate cake is still available for dessert, and  the “toppin’s bar” remains intact. However, El Pirata’s tacos are not currently on the Tortuga menu, which may be disappointing to some El Pirata fans.

Also disappointing is that the menu has not changed or expanded to provide more food more appropriate to the theme, perhaps those which can be found at a Caribbean restaurant: jerk chicken, curry dishes, plantains, even a banana bread pudding.

Walt Disney World has not offered an official statement as to whether Tortuga Tavern’s menu is undergoing changes or whether the restaurant will continue to operate seasonally, as it did when it was El Pirata. Tortuga Tavern is currently open 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily.

Tortuga Tavern, like El Pirata Y el Perico, is on the Disney Dining Plan as a quick-service restaurant option.

Photo Credit: Jimmy Suarez, Tortuga Tavern Sign. Thanks, Jimmy!

Adventureland’s El Pirata Y El Perico renamed Tortuga Tavern
Please note: some posts may contain affiliate links which means our team could earn money if you purchase products from our site

D2T-1

Let our friends at Destinations to Travel help you book your next Disney Vacation. They are the preferred Travel Agency of Chip and Company and Disney Addicts, and who we use ourselves.

Get started below for your FREE No Obligation Quote.

Book With our friends at Destinations to Travel

Name(Required)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
MM slash DD slash YYYY
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

For the BEST in Disney, Universal, Dollywood, and SeaWorld Theme Park News, Entertainment, Merchandise & More follow us on, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube. Don't forget to check out the Chip and Company Radio Network too!

YouTube player

Written by:

This account is for Past Writers and Friends who love Disney and want to share that love with you.
View All Posts
Follow Me :