Disney fans skeptical of Pirates update

LOS ANGELES, June 19 (UPI) -- Many fans of Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean ride in Los Angeles are unhappy about its modernization, which adds elements from films starring Johnny Depp.

The classic ride will reopen June 26, featuring swashbuckler Jack Sparrow and Capt. Barbossa from the new film, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest."

Many who grew up riding Pirates of the Caribbean think the ride should never change because it was the last attraction Walt Disney worked on before his death, the Los Angeles Times reported.

"If it ain't broke, why fix it?" grumbled fan Candy Richter, 39. "I think it's really lamentable when society feels that they need to go back and adjust their pop culture icons to fit whatever new spawns out."

But Disney Imagineer Kathy Rogers, who is overseeing the creative changes at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World in Florida, said the changes have strengthened the classic. There is music from the movie and special effects that make the action seem more realistic.

Jay Rasulo, chairman of Disney's theme park division, pointed out that Walt Disney was an innovator who embraced new technology.