At Disneyland, one of my personal traditions for many years was to be sure to stop in to New Orleans Square at the Pieces of Eight shop, just outside of the exit from the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. Why? Well that’s the story of today’s effort...

When Pirates first opened, the space that today houses Pieces of Eight was known as the Pirate Arcade. It had it’s share of coin operated amusements such as the two shooting games seen below (on display as part of the Henry Ford Museum’s traveling exhibition Disneyland: Behind The Magic - which comes to Union Station in Kansas City on October 14, 2007).

The Devil T’Play!

Pirate Shoot

Now one of the other machines was a Pirate-themed version  of an old arcade favorite, the fortune teller. For the exchange of a coin, you would have your fortune read and receive a card. You may recall that a machine of this type named Zoltar as a key element in Penny Marshall’s “Big”, starring Tom Hanks as the young boy whose wish to be big is granted.

In the case of Disneyland, the machine was called, “Fortune Red”. Upon depositing your quarter, “Red” would come to life, with a jaunty Pirate tune playing and trace a route upon a Pirate treasure map, ending at “X” marking the spot where “the treasure be hidden”. And a card bearing your fortune would then be presented.

At some point, the Pirate Arcade became the Pieces of Eight shop and these amusement machines made space for all kinds of pirate booty for guests to purchase and take home. And over the years, likely as the machines failed mechanically (more like plain just wore out), one by one, they made way for more merchandise.

Fortune Red was the last survivor. Sometime in 2006, he set sail for one last adventure and gave up his berth for more merchandise. He may be gone, but all of those fortunes dispensed for only a quarter were favorites of many guests, including myself.

So, without further eloquence, let me present the first thirteen of the Fortune Red cards. A bright and colorful lot, they be. With references to various Disneyland attractions and complete with a description of the flags flown by various historical pirates. Enjoy! Check back next week for the rest of them and more of the story...