On our visit to find out, we saw that the queue has had several changes. Some show scenes are blocked off, and others are missing (though the chess-playing skeletons appear untouched). Maybe this is related?
It's possible, even likely, that the queue construction here has to do with FastPass Plus, the ride-reservations from home. Once that system goes into wide use, they will need FastPass (or the electric-only variation) on all the major attractions. Pirates won't get a "regular" FP system, I assume, and will instead be like Mansion, which has no paper FP but does have the electronic versions. If so, then the right-hand queue will become the Standby (interactive) queue, and the left side one will be for FastPass.
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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.
