From the Spanish Main to Main Street U.S.A. : “Dead Man’s Chest” stages lively premiere at Disneyland

Roger Colton

18 years ago

How dedicated are "Pirates" film fans?

So dedicated that — even with temperatures in the upper 80s and humidity on the rise — thousands of people staked out places along Main Street U.S.A.

The start of the red carpet area at Disneyland
Photo by Roger Colton

Spending hours standing in the hot sun just so they'd have a great spot for star-gazing once the celebrities began arriving for "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" 's world premiere at Disneyland this past Saturday night.

Manning the barricades just outside of Tomorrowland

Photo by Roger Colton

The first folks to make the trip up the red carpet weren't actually members of the cast of this sequel to "The Curse of the Black Pearl." But — rather — people who'd been lucky enough to win radio & TV contests that awarded them with tickets to the premiere. And some of these winners decided to get into the spirit of the event by arriving at the park in piratical garb.

Dressed for the occassion
Photo by Roger Colton

Once darkness fell, the stars started coming out. Among the celebrities who stopped to chat with members of the online press were …

… Scriptwriters Terry Rossio (l) and Ted Elliott …
Photo by Roger Colton

… Naomie Harris, who plays voodoo queen Tia Dalma in the picture …
Photo by Roger Colton

… Mackenzie Crook, best known for his role of "Ragetti"
in "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" …
Photo by Roger Colton

… The lovely Lauren Maher, who plays Scarlett in the film …
Photo by Roger Colton

… Vanessa Branch, who plays the winsome wench Giselle
in "Dead Man's Chest" …
Photo by Roger Colton

… "Pirates" director Gore Verbinski …
Photo by Roger Colton

… as well as Keira Knightly.
Photo by Roger Colton

That's just a taste of what it was like to be on the red carpet this past Saturday night. Come back to JHM later this week and I'll share even more photos & stories from this most memorable movie-related weekend at the Disneyland Resort.