The Jack Sparrow Problem Disney Didn’t See Coming (Ep. 540)
Len Testa and Jim Hill look at Disney’s latest surveys, hotel rumors, and Halloween Horror Nights announcements—then plunge into the second half of their deep-dive on Pirates of the Caribbean. This time, Jim reveals how Disney navigated a real-life guest frenzy over Captain Jack Sparrow, the surprisingly expensive costume drama that followed, and the face character chaos that nearly derailed New Orleans Square. Plus, early plans for a pirates-themed restaurant, and how Dead Man’s Chest almost broke the box office and the parks.
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Why a cleared canal near Magic Kingdom might be future hotel space
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Christmas party dates, Festival of the Holidays updates, and DJ Dance Pants
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How Disneyland kept guests from mobbing Jack Sparrow face characters
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The $60,000 costume that sparked a parade of cease and desist letters
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A scrapped pirates dining experience that had Jack eating off your plate
Also: Warner Bros. surveys some Vegas-worthy IP ideas, Morrissey or Horror Night house?, and why Robin Williams’ mime days live on in Disney animation trivia.
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