The Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship and Restaurant was a prominent dining location in Disneyland’s Fantasyland, operating from August 29, 1955, to 1982, though it lost its Chicken of the Sea sponsorship in 1969, becoming Captain Hook’s Galley. Shaped like a full-size pirate ship from Disney’s Peter Pan, it sat near Skull Rock and served tuna-based dishes. A popular family spot, it featured explorable decks and a thematic cove, closing during the 1982 Fantasyland remodel.
“Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship, Disneyland, 1956” by Orange County Archives is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Below are 10 fun facts about the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship and Restaurant at Disneyland:
- Peter Pan Inspiration: The ship was a detailed replica of Captain Hook’s Jolly Roger from Disney’s 1953 film Peter Pan, complete with masts, rigging, and a blonde mermaid figurehead, aligning with Fantasyland’s storybook theme.
- Tuna-Centric Menu: Sponsored by Chicken of the Sea, the restaurant served tuna sandwiches, tuna burgers, hot tuna pies, and tuna salad in miniature boat-shaped dishes, with prices ranging from 55¢ to 90¢ in the late 1960s.
- Skull Rock Addition: In 1960, Skull Rock Cove was added as a seating area, featuring waterfalls and glowing green eyes at night, enhancing the pirate ambiance near the ship’s pond.
- Explorable Decks: Families could climb to the ship’s upper decks, including a crow’s nest, offering views of Fantasyland and interactive play areas for kids, like rigging and cannons.
- Paco the Parrot: A live talking parrot named Paco, housed on the deck, entertained guests with chatter, though he was known for occasionally biting curious visitors.
- Pirate Performers: Cast members dressed as pirates, including Captain Hook and Peter Pan, roamed the ship in the late 1960s, engaging families with staged sword fights and playful banter.
- Construction Feat: Built backstage due to space constraints, the wooden ship was “flown” into Fantasyland by crane before the park’s 1955 opening, mimicking Peter Pan’s pixie-dust flight.
- Wood-to-Concrete Shift: By the late 1960s, water damage caused much of the original wooden structure to rot, leading to concrete replacements, which made relocation impossible by 1982.
- Pirate Cove Seating: The Skull Rock Cove provided tropical-themed seating with tables under lush foliage, allowing parents to dine while kids explored the ship or nearby caves.
- Sponsorship Change: In 1969, Ralston Purina, after acquiring Chicken of the Sea’s parent company, ended the sponsorship, renaming the restaurant Captain Hook’s Galley, though the menu remained tuna-focused.
