Yo ho yo ho a pirate's bed for me ...

Used to be that you'd make a film, and if it was successful you'd sell some matching merchandise. When Uncle Walt decided to build Disneyland he took merchandising to a whole new level - with a matching ride attraction! (sorry - gotta get my Disney lingo correct). 

"What youngster has not dreamed of flying with Peter Pan over moonlit London, or tumbling into Alice's nonsensical Wonderland? In Fantasyland, these classic stories of everyone's youth have become realities for youngsters - of all ages - to participate in." Walt Disney (apparently - I can't prove it)

And so Fantasyland has Snow White's Scary Adventure, Peter Pan's Flight, The Mad Tea Party and the iconic Flying Dumbos.

In 2003, Disney turned the formula on its head and instead made a movie based on one of its early and most famous rides: Pirates of the Caribbean.

Added bonus! Gratuitous picture of Johnny Depp for my friend, Penny:

OK - So stories abound on how long it took to get the project off the ground --blah blah --- no one interested in pirates  -- yada yada ---- Johnny Depp makes Jack Sparrow gay and drunk & frightens then Disney CEO, Michael Eisner  -- etc etc -- and SUCCESS and everyone got into the pirate act

So Disney starting thumping the piratey treasure chest pinata and the Disney dollars started raining down.

I thought the method was blindfolded and with a stick, but this kid, much like Disney's approach to merchandising, goes in with a baseball bat

Given, this post is meant to continue our voyage around Walt Disney World Resorts accommodation options, guess what happened next ..... yes ... yes they did .... have a look after the jump