Captain Hook’s Galley, originally the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship and Restaurant, was a Fantasyland dining location at Disneyland from 1969 to 1982. Shaped like a pirate ship from Disney’s Peter Pan and located near Skull Rock, it replaced the Chicken of the Sea sponsorship when Ralston Purina ended it in 1969. Serving tuna-based dishes, it was a family-friendly spot with explorable decks, closing during the 1982 Fantasyland remodel due to structural issues.
Below are 10 fun facts about Captain Hook’s Galley (1969–1982) at Disneyland:
- Pirate Ship Design: Modeled after Captain Hook’s Jolly Roger from Peter Pan (1953), the ship featured masts, rigging, a crow’s nest, and a blonde mermaid figurehead, anchoring Fantasyland’s storybook aesthetic.
- Tuna Menu Continuity: Despite the 1969 sponsorship change, the menu retained tuna-focused items like sandwiches, salads, and hot tuna pies, served in boat-shaped dishes for 65¢–$1.00.
- Skull Rock Cove: Adjacent to the ship, the 1960-built Skull Rock Cove offered seating with waterfalls and glowing green eyes at night, creating a pirate-themed dining atmosphere.
- Interactive Decks: Guests could explore the ship’s upper decks, climbing to play areas with cannons and ropes, offering kids a pirate adventure while parents dined below.
- Live Parrot Performer: A talking parrot, often named Paco, perched on the deck, engaging visitors with phrases, though it was occasionally removed due to biting incidents.
- Character Interactions: Cast members dressed as Captain Hook, Peter Pan, or Mr. Smee roamed the ship, staging mock sword fights or storytelling to entertain families.
- Concrete Reconstruction: By 1969, water damage had rotted the original wooden structure, leading to concrete replacements, which preserved the ship’s look but made it immobile.
- Themed Signage: The restaurant’s new name, Captain Hook’s Galley, appeared on pirate-inspired signs with skull motifs, replacing Chicken of the Sea’s tuna logos in 1969.
- Fantasyland Landmark: Positioned near Dumbo the Flying Elephant, the ship was a visual centerpiece, its sails and rigging visible across Fantasyland’s central courtyard.
- Closure for Remodel: The ship closed in 1982 during Fantasyland’s major overhaul, demolished due to structural decay and space needs for new attractions like Pinocchio’s Daring Journey.
