Disney has shared new details about the first-ever Coco attraction coming to a Disney park, with construction now underway at Disney California Adventure near Paradise Gardens Park and Pixar Pier.
The family-friendly boat ride will take guests into the colorful world of Coco, following Miguel on a journey inspired by his memories of the Land of the Dead. Disney says the attraction will celebrate the characters, music, Mexican culture, and strong family themes that have made the Pixar film so beloved.
A New Story Set After the Original Film
The attraction will take place one year after the events of the original Coco.
Guests will begin in a queue located near Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind, where they will enter a casa museo dedicated to the music of Héctor Rivera, Miguel’s great-great-grandfather.
From there, riders will board boats and travel with Miguel through memories of the Land of the Dead, encountering familiar characters including Miguel, Dante, Héctor, and more.
Disney also confirmed that the attraction will have no height requirement, making it an experience the entire family can enjoy together.
Inspired by Classic Disney Attractions
Walt Disney Imagineering is drawing inspiration from attractions including Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion as it develops the new ride.
The attraction will use the latest Audio-Animatronics technology to bring its skeletal characters to life, which should be especially interesting given the visual style of Coco and the amount of movement and personality those characters have in the film.
Imagineers are also working closely with Pixar as development continues on Coco 2, allowing the attraction to include references to both the original film and its upcoming sequel.
That connection makes this project particularly interesting. Rather than simply recreating the first movie, Disney has an opportunity to expand Miguel’s world while still building the experience around the music, family, and emotional storytelling that made Coco work so well in the first place.
Construction is currently underway, with more details expected as work continues at Disney California Adventure.
Janine is a theme park and pop culture nerd from an early age. Since 1994, she’s been traversing the theme park world and has enjoyed all things from Halloween events to new ride releases and beyond. When she’s not at a theme park, she’s probably at a concert or doing something fun with her kiddo.