- "I bet there's been pirates on this island before, boys. We'll explore it again. They've hid treasures here somewhere. How'd you feel to light on a rotten chest full of gold and silver--hey?"
- ―"The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" by Mark Twain
Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island, often shortened as Pirate's Lair, is an attraction at Disneyland. Originally based on the novels by Mark Twain, the Tom Sawyer Island attraction reopened with a pirate-themed makeover on May 25, 2007 to coincide with the release of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island recalls the plucky adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn when they ran away to a remote island to live the carefree life of a pirate, mixed in with characters and elements from the Pirates of the Caribbean film series.
Guests begin by boarding a raft and traveling across the river to the island's landing, and are given explorer maps to choose their path. As they explore the island, guests make their way through haunted caves, cross creaky suspension bridges, and find long-lost pirate treasure.
Geography and features[]
The Landing[]
- "Many a pirate's boot has trod upon this slip of land. And many's the adventure begun here. Keep your wits about you in your travels on the island, for there's treasure and danger here in equal measure. X Marks the spot you seek. Good luck, matey!"
- ―Explorer's Map of Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
The island is only accessible by traveling across the river via raft from Frontierland – the raft dock is located on the water's edge near the Haunted Mansion. When guests arrive on the island from the rafts, the Landing serves as the entrance and exit for Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island.
Lafitte's Tavern - Pirate Point[]
- "Here be a safe harbor from all manner of storms. A wild and boisterous place, no doubt, but a place to learn the ways of the sea and the arts of the master sailors."
- ―Explorer's Map of Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
Lafitte's Tavern serves as a stage for live entertainment. The outside walls and porch of the tavern feature various swords, with a sign asking that the salty pirates visiting this place stow their weapons. Despite the map's lively description of the place, guests cannot actually enter the tavern. The Bootstrappers, a roving pirate band, perform here several times a day. They invite the audience to participate as they sing sea chanteys and tell tall tales. During the opening summer, the stage was home to a Pirates of the Caribbean stunt show that featured Jack Sparrow.
Lafitte's Tavern was formerly known as Harper's Mill before the Pirate's Lair re-theme.
W. Turner Blacksmith[]
- "The tools of me trade are forged in iron with fire and smoke. Give me a length of steel in one hand and a fair wind to guide me. Aye, there's nothing better - and nothing more a pirate needs."
- ―Explorer's Map of Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
Near the southern tip of the island is the blacksmith shop of Will Turner, featuring features props reminiscent of the smithy from Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. The waterwheel outside the building slowly turns and causes some of the machinery inside to move around.
Dead Man's Grotto[]
- "Tread carefully these dark and winding caves. Though none will argue there be treasure here in great abundance, ghostly apparitions do haunt these corridors of stone. And every jewel is guarded well by forces none may know."
- ―Explorer's Map of Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
A series of haunted caverns, Dead Man's Grotto infuses more of the Pirates of the Caribbean film mythology into Tom Sawyer Island. Skeletons of previous explorers and pirates litter the pits of the cave, implying danger to those who continue to press onward. The Dead Man's Chest holding Davy Jones' beating heart is found here, along with a hoard of pirate treasure guarded by pop-up gags of the skeletal Pintel and Ragetti. Hidden amongst the treasure are a portrait, diary and love letters, once having belonged to Elizabeth Swann.
The end of the Dead Man's Grotto cave features a cursed pirate prisoner who comes alive in seemingly random intervals, warning onlookers of the danger of the cursed treasure, asking for help, or sometimes dealing threats. A small window in the prisoner's cell will occasionally reveal a full moon through the clouds in a dark night sky, which transforms the pirate into his cursed, undead form.
Dead Man's Grotto was formerly known as Injun Joe's Cave before the Pirate's Lair re-theme.
Smuggler's Cove[]
- "Here be the site of many a dark deed by moonlight. And in these waters, who can tell how much plundered coin lies below in the hold of scuttled ships? And who can tell what forces guard these treasures still?"
- ―Explorer's Map of Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
Smuggler's Cove lies on the eastern coast of the island, and is home to several interactive play features including:
- The Capstan Wheel: When turned by guests, the capstan wheel hoists a treasure chest out of the watery wreckage, with the skeletal remains of a pirate still holding onto his beloved treasure.
- Bilge Pumps: Bilge pumps allow guests to pump out some of the water from the flooded ship, revealing skeletons of long-dead pirates still guarding their treasure in their watery grave.
- Bone Cage: The bone cage serves as a photo-op for guests and is a smaller replica of the bone cages featured in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.
- Suspension Bridge: The suspension bridge is an element from the original Tom Sawyer Island, and crosses overhead, above the bilge pumps and bone cage feature.
- Pontoon Bridge: Rocking and splashing in the water, the pontoon bridge crosses the water for daring explorers near the capstan wheel wreckage.
Castle Rock[]
- "The treacherous shoals what surround the island have claimed many a fair vessel and her crew. Here lie broken beams and planks, worn and weathered to serve as memorial, shelter, and lookout perch alike. While below, 'tis said, there lies a king's ransom, hid in some dark passageway, too narrow for most to navigate."
- ―Explorer's Map of Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
Steep and winding stairs lead to the top of this lookout point, which has spyglasses pointing in all directions. The area was mostly unchanged during the Pirate's Lair re-theme, and only features a couple of hidden pirate chests and themed barrels bearing the East India Trading Company stamp.
Pirate's Den - Shipwreck[]
- "No fearsome storm did leave this shipwreck high upon the rocks at Pirate's Den, they say. T'was something monstrous that stirred the sea that day and tore this mighty ship in twain."
- ―Explorer's Map of Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
Inside the Shipwreck, Davy Jones' ghostly voice can be heard whispering warnings to those who dare inspect the wreckage. It is hinted by the map's description that the ship ran afoul of the Kraken.
The Captain's Treasure[]
- "Somewhere beyond Smuggler's Cove and Castle Rock, a fabulous treasure lies. Steady as you go, mates - for it be guarded by the fiercest of pirates. Gather your knowledge of the island well, for all who happen upon this treasure shall be asked to account for themselves. Them what pleases the guards, they say, may be allowed to join the pirate brotherhood and take the solemn oath."
- ―Explorer's Map of Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
At the furthest end of the island lies a hoard of treasure beneath a Jolly Roger flag. The area is a photo-op in which guests can pose with the treasure, and often serves as a meet-and-greet with Captain Jack Sparrow.
