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).
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!
Related articles
- Disney Crusie Training: Pirate of the Caribbean Party (couponingtodisney.com)
- Epcot Flower & Garden Festival 2011 Preview, Magic Kingdom New Fantasyland Update – Photos and Video (Now in HD) (jefflangedvd.com)
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