Pirates World was an 100-acre pirate-themed amusement park in Dania, Florida that opened April 8, 1967. Developed by Recreation Corporation of America, it was located on the north side of Sheridan Avenue, east of US 1.
The park featured \"The Crows Nest\" observation tower, which had originally \"been the Belgian Aerial Tower at the 1964/1965 New York World's Fair\". This structure \"was bought second hand after the fair\" and transported to the site, where it was re-erected. It consisted of a central post from which was suspended four metal cages by cables, designed \"to carry several standing passengers.\" \"To balance the structure, two [cages] would be in the air while two were being loaded on the ground,\" and the cages would be raised and lowered simultaneously.
Another feature was the pirate ship ride - an actual life-sized pirate ship. The ship, piloted by park personnel, cruised along a \"river\" through a barrage of cannon fire and \"enemy\" pirates shooting at the ship, while the pirates that were aboard the ship were firing back at them, protecting their passengers from harm.
