Disney California Adventure to Debut First-Ever 'Coco' Attraction

Aug 11, 2024 in "Disneyland Resort"

Posted: Sunday August 11, 2024 10:35am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

An all-new attraction themed to Pixar Animation Studios' "Coco" is coming to Disney California Adventure at Disneyland Resort in California.

The attraction will be filled with the characters — and music — you know and love from the beloved movie, as you join Miguel on a trip to the land of the dead.

In this first-ever "Coco" ride in a Disney park, Walt Disney Imagineering will draw inspiration from beloved classics, like Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. "We're bringing our skeletal cast of characters to life in a big way through the latest Audio-Animatronics technology," Josh told the crowd. "These figures will appear in ways you'll have to see to believe."

Disney says that work begins on the attraction in 2026.

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Mr. Sullivan1 day ago

What other factors are you referring to? I think they hired people who are plenty capable, they're just not letting those people off the leash. At the end of the day, I really think we kinda need to stop placing the blame for things squarely on the foot of Imagineers, many of whom we know are somewhat green to the company and learning as they go and yet are proving that they can think big. They're just not often allowed to follow through on that big thinking. I've very little doubt in my mind that there's a ton of talented, creative people within the division that are trying their damndest but do often find themselves hampered by the decision making and thought process of those higher than they are. I really do not in any capacity question the ability or skill of the actual Imagineers who're working on things. I question the thought process of the people handling the money and directing the resources. And I say that as someone who has greatly enjoyed a great deal of what has come from Disney in the last decade. I even quite like TBA, even though I don't find it perfect (but then, I didn't find it's predecessor perfect either for many of the same reasons). But even I can observe and notice where things got held back of squeezed for reasons of business. Not everything is going to be a winner. The revered and adored Imagineers of years past are so often heralded as having spotless portfolios, but they don't. They all had their fair share of misfires. But they had a lot of freedom to move around and try things, and that's what led to their greatest achievements. I don't think a lot of modern Imagineers have been given that same freedom, and as such I don't think it's fair to speak so negatively of them so continuously. I don't think there's any shortage of creativity, ingenuity, and ambition in Imagineering. I think there's a lack of consideration for the Imagineers' skills when it comes time to actually get stuff off the ground. I think of it sort of like the theater kids at a high school. They're working their ass off to do something special but the administration will never give them any support because they'd rather focus on the sports teams as that's where their money comes from. Imagineers are the theater kids, the mandates and easy ways out are the sports teams.

MistaDee9 days ago

Yeah totally fair I get where you're coming from - I think that sort of distinction between a D versus E ticket experience will be very interesting with regards to Coco, Avengers Infinity, and the Avatar boat ride. I guess there's a chance it's really only Avatar that can deliver that Indiana Jones level of show Yeah plus with the effects it used to have a lot of the set was covered in fog or other elements that have been deemed operationally unsustainable

denyuntilcaught9 days ago

Funny, since I think the tunnel immediately prior to the dart room is one of the original examples of "they should really put something here," haha.

Professortango19 days ago

Tower was one of my favourite attractions, but I didn't count that as our DCA version was a reworking of the pre-existing attraction from 94. I did really enjoy the improvements they made to the newer ride portion. I previously acknowledged that I overlooked RSR and think its high quality. Runaway Railway has a great queue and ride system and a mediocre ride experience. As a D-ticket, it's not bad. As an E-ticket, it falls short for me. Too much of us bouncing around big empty rooms without any signature moments within them. The Cowboy and Carnival scene look cool, but I don't feel like I see anything fun happening. Indy has some stark areas, but they are typically unlit. Every inch of set that we see looks pretty detailed, even when it is 3-dimensional painting on a 2-D surface. I never look around Indy and think "they should really put something in that open spot."

MistaDee9 days ago

Are you saying nothing since Indy has been a 10/10 mind blown experience? I can understand that, but I think Tower of Terror, Radiator Springs, Rise and Runaway Railway have all been at least an 8/10 experience. There are some stark halls in Indy too after all In terms of how Coco might change the Pier, I wonder if the current Plaza de la Familia offers some clues as to how a permanent Coco footprint might be implemented. If our suspicions are correct, and Paradise Gardens + Goofy's Sky School might be saved for future expansion it seems like a permanent Plaza de la Familia might be a sensible medium-term solution to capitalize on the food, merchandise and meet and greet opportunities that Coco presents. With this area being a very important future connection between DCA and its future Simba lot, I'm very curious to see what its long term fate might be. Presumably they'll need a little more space to allow for crowds deciding whether to cross over or not

Professortango113 days ago

Rise has great bones, but the whole leaves me wanting more. The shuttle/Star Destroyer queue is great, but the starkness of the halls, the unmoving cannons, and the lack of any physical Stormtroopers leave me a smidge underwhelmed. Its good, but it doesn't blow me away like Indy did or Roger Rabbit did.

Loose Pebble13 days ago

When I think about the Coco boat ride concept art, I see a huge party with music and dancing. One might even call it a celebration. So who better to tackle this than the team that worked on Epcot's World Celebration? Let's bring Zach Riddley and his instagram back! (/s/s/s/s in case it wasn't obvious)

MistaDee13 days ago

Recent project teams I'd like to see Imagineering pull from for Coco: Mystic Manor Rise of the Resistance Runaway Railway Shanghai Pirates Tokyo Frozen + Tangled Beauty and the Beast - transformation effect for Miguel?

mickEblu13 days ago

Aside from Trowbridge (who made some questionable choices with GE) are the members from that team or the Shangai POTC team still around? Shanghai POTC was years ago. I’d be good with the Fantasy Springs Team but can they achieve the same without OLC and their willingness to spend? Not that I think the Fantasy Springs rides are perfect.

mickEblu13 days ago

Most of the recent projects Post 2019 have turned out lackluster. You have a couple exceptions but then you also have projects that turned out downright awful like TBA. That’s the concern I have. The pandemic didn’t help but I think we have seen enough to wonder if these imagineers have the talent their predecessors did.

Disney Analyst13 days ago

There’s been plenty of great attractions over the years, globally. It’s not a matter of if they can, it’s when they are allowed.

chadwpalm13 days ago

Or Rise of the Resistance? I can understand people not liking it because they don't like Galaxy's Edge in general or don't think it belongs in Disneyland, but as an attraction and experience I find it quite impressive.

Professortango113 days ago

Tokyo I always put in their own category because of the ownership and how they push for excellence whereas Disney doesn't with their own parks. RSR is a great ride. I forgot about that one. DCA's one Disney quality E-Ticket.

Architectural Guinea Pig13 days ago

Radiator Springs isn’t impressive? Journey to the Center of the Earth?