Homeschooling with Pirates of the Caribbean: Economics of Piracy
You may have seen the Wall Street Journal article that mentioned how we used the economics of piracy in our homeschool, inspired by a certain boat ride in Adventureland. Today I wanted to share how that concept came about, and how we turned a Disney Parks moment into a layered learning experience.
Like many things in our homeschool, it started with a spark: a single question after riding Pirates of the Caribbean at Walt Disney World.
"Were pirates always the bad guys?"
That one thought unraveled into a full week of reading, researching, writing, and learning across multiple subjects. Because when you take the time to look deeper, the lessons connected to piracy go far beyond eye patches and buried treasure.
From Ride to Real Lesson
Our pirate studies began, unsurprisingly, with history. We talked about the Golden Age of Piracy, British and Spanish colonialism, trade routes, and the real figures behind the legends (like Blackbeard, Anne Bonny, and Calico Jack). But the turning point came when we asked:
"How did pirates make money?"
That led us straight into economics: black markets, trade disruptions, risk and reward, and how stolen goods were sold in secret ports (and then how those secret ports flourished with the next influx of money). We used a printable from the Ultimate Magic Kingdom Workbook that introduces these ideas in a way that’s hands-on and approachable. It’s a little sheet on a big subject, but what I always felt was missing from upper elementary and middle school economics was the applied portion of the content. Making it about pirate economy is fantastical enough, but rooted in real history and connects to today.
Together, we explored:
Supply and demand in the world of piracy
Pirate "insurance" and how crews were paid
The ethical dilemmas of stolen wealth
It was an unexpected entry point to real-world financial concepts, grounded in the context of a Disney ride. This is Disney Homeschooling.
Etymology, Ethics, and Pirate Codes
Our conversation shifted when we looked up the word pirate. It comes from the Latin pirata, meaning sea robber, but its Greek root peiran means “to attempt” or “to attack.” This sparked a whole new discussion about how words evolve, and how societal norms define who is a criminal and who is a hero.
We also dove into the morality of piracy. What’s the difference between a pirate and a privateer? Why did some ships elect captains and create democratic codes of conduct? This led to a pros and cons conversation, and a broader question about how history isn’t always as simple as “good guys vs. bad guys.”
If there's one thing I've learned through homeschooling, it’s that kids are naturally curious about backstories… and every villain, real or fictional, has one worth exploring.
Books, Games, and At-Home Learning
To round out the week, we pulled in some of our favorite homeschool tools:
Pirates: A Magic Tree House Fact Tracker: A fast, fact-based nonfiction companion to the Jack and Annie books, perfect for quick reference.
Usborne Economics for Beginners: Bright visuals and simplified explanations make it ideal for introducing core economic ideas.
Traitors Abroad Board Game: While not a pirate game by name, this strategy game adds layers of betrayal and decision-making that pair beautifully with pirate-themed storytelling.
And of course, we kept coming back to our Economics of Piracy printable, which turned abstract ideas into something tangible and discussion-worthy.
In-Park Learning at Pirates of the Caribbean
The next time we rode Pirates of the Caribbean, it was through a new lens. The dimly lit village, the red glow of flames, the chant of "Yo Ho" … it all meant more than it had before.
We paused to notice details: How the pirates interact with the townspeople. How humor is used. What’s shown (and what’s left out).
As we stepped off the ride, I asked one final question:
"A pirate’s life looks fun in the ride ... but what would be different on the ride now that you know more about pirates?"
That question lingered for the rest of the day.
Why It Works
This is what Disney homeschooling looks like in our family: letting curiosity lead, using park moments as teaching prompts, and following the learning wherever it goes. From ride to reading list to real-world thinking, it’s all connected.
You don’t need a detailed plan to do this and every child learns differently. Your conversations will be different! Embrace it! You just need:
One question
One theme
And a willingness to follow the spark
Whether you’re just beginning your homeschool journey or are a seasoned Disney pro, I hope this gives you a glimpse into how deeply a simple ride can connect to history, economics, language arts, ethics, and beyond.
If you're interested, you can check out the full Ultimate Magic Kingdom Workbook for dozens more ride-connected lessons.
And next time you're floating through Adventureland, ask your kid:
“What do you think a pirate’s life was really like?”
You might be surprised where the answer takes you.
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