Thurl is a character from the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at the Disney Parks.
History
Background
Thurl was a pirate who served as a crewman of the Wicked Wench. Not much is known about his early life. During his lifetime, he joined the crew of the Wicked Wench led by the Pirate Captain who raided Isla Tesoro, which led to a successful invasion on the island. After the battle, he was found in the arsenal using a flintlock pistol in a room full of barrels of gunpowder dangling in the area while singing "Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)".
Development History
Thurl is one of the characters created for the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction which first opened at Disneyland in 1967. He was displayed in the Isla Tesoro scene with the other pirates and has remained in this area ever since.
Due to the success of the attraction at Disneyland, the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction was later constructed at Magic Kingdom, still featuring him in it.
Formerly in the Magic Kingdom version of the attraction, Thurl was also featured in a treasure room scene which was in place of the arsenal scene from the California version of the attraction where he and the other pirates were celebrating their discovery of the treasure. This scene was heavily replaced by Jack Sparrow as of the post-2006 revamp in the Florida version resulting of him and the rest of the pirates from the last scene to be removed from the attraction.
Appearances
Pirates of the Caribbean
In the original Disneyland version of the attraction, Thurl is seen during the end of the attraction at the arsenal scene where he would be seen attempting to fire at Billie How, along with a few other pirates which the boats manage to evade the pirates in time with the boats going uphill to reach to the attraction's exit.
But in 1996, he was moved into the scene were the Gluttonous Pirate and some other pirates are eating and drinking rum, as he could still be seen sitting on top of two barrels, while drinking.
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
There is a pirate who has a similar look-a-like that could be seen sitting on top of two barrels, during Jack and Will's visit in Tortuga.
Other appearances
Kinect: Disneyland Adventures
Thurl appeared in the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction; as when you go up stairs in a barrel, Thurl would caught you getting out of a barrel and tells you about a key that he possess in his hand, then he would challenge you to see if you would remember your pirate moves. Then Black Barty would pop out sneakily grabbing the key from him, as you are continuing the challenge.
Trivia
- His name is likely a reference to Thurl Ravenscroft, who voiced many characters from this attraction.
Gallery
