On the D23 website they had this fact. Thought it was interesting….
March 18, 1967
Pirates of the Caribbean Opens at Disneyland
The world’s most famous “bateau” ride — the inspiration behind one of the most successful trilogy of films ever made (with a fourth installment on the way!) — received exactly the kind of action-packed opening it deserved when Pirates of the Caribbean opened 42 years ago today at Disneyland. A marauding group of pirates and scallywags climbed aboard the Columbia, disembarked at New Orleans Square, overtook city guards and battered their way into the locked doors of the attraction! Once inside, they saw what has charmed the world ever since — the most advanced Audio-Animatronics® figures ever to populate one of Disney’s most timeless adventures. Although Walt didn’t live to see the beloved attraction in operation, he was alive when the Blue Bayou was completed; however, he refused to open the restaurant until work on the attraction was finished.