Get ready for music, memories and more than a few emotions.
Because the world of Coco is coming to life.
Disney and Pixar have created countless stories that have pulled at our heartstrings over the decades, but there is something about Coco that has continued to hit differently. From Miguel’s passion for music and his unforgettable journey through the Land of the Dead to the film’s larger story surrounding family, memories and those who came before us, it is one of those Pixar films that only becomes more emotional the longer you sit with it.
Now, we are getting the chance to step into those memories ourselves.
As work continues on the first-ever Coco attraction at a Disney park, Disney has revealed a massive collection of new details at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event about how Miguel, Héctor, Dante and the colorful Land of the Dead will find a new home at Disney California Adventure.
And this isn’t simply going to be a recreation of the movie.
Disney is moving Miguel’s story forward.
Another Chapter of Miguel’s Story
Taking place one year after the events of the original Coco, the attraction will invite families into a new chapter of Miguel’s life.
The adventure begins in a “casa museo” dedicated to Héctor Rivera, Miguel’s great-great-grandfather whose music and story became such an important part of everything Miguel discovered during his original journey.
From there, guests will board a boat and join Miguel as he travels through his memories of the Land of the Dead.
And that idea alone feels incredibly fitting for Coco.
Memory has always been at the heart of this world. Remembering the people we love, the stories they left behind and the ways those connections continue to shape families across generations are part of what made the original movie so powerful.
Now those memories are becoming the foundation of the attraction itself.
Music Will Bring the Land of the Dead to Life
Of course, you can’t have Coco without music.
The attraction is being designed around the characters, sounds, Mexican culture and emotional family storytelling that defined the film, with Miguel, Héctor, Dante and other familiar faces appearing throughout the journey.
Disney Imagineering is even looking toward two of Disneyland’s most iconic attractions — Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion — for inspiration.
That’s an exciting comparison.
Much like those classics, the Coco attraction will use physical environments and Audio-Animatronics to surround riders with its world rather than simply putting familiar characters onto screens.
And when you’re dealing with the wonderfully expressive skeletal residents of the Land of the Dead, there are a lot of possibilities.
Disney says the latest Audio-Animatronics technology will be used to bring the attraction’s skeletal cast to life.
Coco 2 Is Already Finding Its Way Into the Parks
But perhaps one of the more interesting parts of this attraction is that Disney isn’t designing it entirely around a movie from 2017.
As we recently learned, Coco 2 is officially moving forward at Pixar, bringing Miguel back as a teenager for another journey into the Land of the Dead.
Imagineers are already working closely with Pixar so the attraction can include nods to both the original Coco and its upcoming sequel.
That creates an interesting bridge between where this franchise has been and where it is going next.
By the time families are riding through Miguel’s memories, Coco itself will be entering a much larger second chapter.
An Adventure for the Entire Familia
Most importantly, Disney is making sure everyone can experience it together.
The new Coco attraction will have no height requirement.
For a story built so heavily around family, there really couldn’t be a more fitting choice.
Construction is already underway near Paradise Gardens Park and Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure, where the attraction will eventually open its doors and transport guests from the world of the living into Miguel’s memories.
Coco reminded us that the people we love never truly leave us as long as their stories, memories and music remain.
Soon, Disney is going to give families the opportunity to experience some of that magic together.
So grab your familia, follow the music and get ready to go un poco loco — the Land of the Dead is waiting.