News Coco Boat Ride Coming to Disney California Adventure

[Disney Irish]

I’m speculating Coco show building would be close identical or tad smaller in size to the building that house the Primeval World Diorama.

That isn't very big in the abstract, that is roughly 44k sqft, that is roughly the current size of the existing parade building and TSMM put together. Depending on how they orient it and what space is recovered from the backstage expansion its suspected it'll be about the size of the Mexico Pavilion in EPCOT which is about 65k sqft, not to mention the potential to be multistory if they want.

So that gives us a range if you will of 44k sqft all the way up to 130k sqft (if they go at least 2 stories).

 

[Disney Irish]

BTW, as anyone thought that the reason why this site was chosen is as a larger buffer from the noise of Incredicoaster from Katella. One of the major points of DLForward for any future projects was to minimize the noise (and views) of the Parks to the outside world. With a larger show building in that corner it acts a larger buffer for noise from Incredicoaster (and the Park as a whole) to Katella and that side of the Resort District.

So while some may say that Coco isn't the proper IP to use in that corner, there does appear to be a method to their madness as it were in Disney's decision to put an attraction into this space rather than wait until moving into Simba.

 

[mickEblu]

I know the conversation has played out. But there’s a fine line between armchair imagineering canvassing and speculation.

I’ll happily speculate about an indoor restaurant. Pretty simply: No.

There’s no room and they’ll almost assuredly retheme boardwalk or paradise gardens, if they really want F&B for Coco. They don’t need more major F&B in that corner because of those aforementioned options.

It’s a good idea for delineating it in Florida as a better V2.0 Coco miniland; if it even comes to fruition there. Or in China.

As per the ride length, they promised an E, we’re worried about a C, but since they chose to summon an POTC and HM in their comparisons, I’ll be pleased if it’s a D. Aka about ~7.5 minutes instead of 5. Disney shouldn’t build C ticket boat rides, people inevitably leave disappointed and wish there was one more big scene (Rapunzel and Na’vi River Journey). The new Avatar Boat ride will be an E for sure.

Yea as we've discussed before I've always had it being something like Hong Kong's Frozen ride in terms of scope and scale. Just pulled up a ride through and it's roughly 7 minutes or so. I'm ok with the ride time but it might be a tad unrealistic of me to wish for that slow build up on a 7 minute ride. Not that I was expecting POTC at Disneylands Bayou/ caverns but some build up with a focus on atmosphere would be nice.

More so than the build up I think the IP (and the fact that they mentioned POTC/ HM) comes with the expectation of the attraction not being the cutie cookie cutter IP attraction based on animated IP they've been delivering lately. A Coco version of TBA or Tangled would be incredibly disappointing. There’s just something so sterile and soulless about a lot of these new attractions. It would be a shame if Coco ended up feeling that way as the IP and its settings lend itself really well for an actual DARK ride. That’s why I keep harping on nailing the right atmosphere. Focus on that and I think the rest takes care of itself. I’m really hoping that that concept art that looks like a big happy party is showcasing a grand finale scene. Something like a payoff like congrats we did it, we made it, we escaped Ernesto etc as opposed to being the center piece of the attraction like the Under the Sea scene in the Little Mermaid ride.

I agree that the Paradise Gardens restaurants being rethemed seems like a foregone conclusion but that does bring up some interesting questions. Does this mean we get a D23 announcement that the rest of Paradise Pier 2.0 is getting the Pixar treatment? Because now you have Pixar themes right up against Silly Symphony Swings, Goofys Sky School and Jumpin Jellyfish. And not that this is a huge issue but where does the pizza go?

 

[coffeefan]

I know the conversation has played out. But there’s a fine line between armchair imagineering canvassing and speculation.

I’ll happily speculate about an indoor restaurant. Pretty simply: No.

There’s no room and they’ll almost assuredly retheme boardwalk or paradise gardens, if they really want F&B for Coco. They don’t need more major F&B in that corner because of those aforementioned options.

It’s a good idea for delineating it in Florida as a better V2.0 Coco miniland; if it even comes to fruition there. Or in China.

As per the ride length, they promised an E, we’re worried about a C, but since they chose to summon an POTC and HM in their comparisons, I’ll be pleased if it’s a D. Aka about ~7.5 minutes instead of 5. Disney shouldn’t build C ticket boat rides, people inevitably leave disappointed and wish there was one more big scene (Rapunzel and Na’vi River Journey). The new Avatar Boat ride will be an E for sure.

Hopefully, they maximize the space available for it.
For the other parks, I think Disney will also monitor closely how Coco 2 performs in the different markets.

BTW, as anyone thought that the reason why this site was chosen is as a larger buffer from the noise of Incredicoaster from Katella. One of the major points of DLForward for any future projects was to minimize the noise (and views) of the Parks to the outside world. With a larger show building in that corner it acts a larger buffer for noise from Incredicoaster (and the Park as a whole) to Katella and that side of the Resort District.

So while some may say that Coco isn't the proper IP to use in that corner, there does appear to be a method to their madness as it were in Disney's decision to put an attraction into this space rather than wait until moving into Simba.

On the contrary, I actually think the DF Simba expansion makes Incredicoaster more likely to be expendable one day. And the sound issue doesn't add up if it wasn't an issue for the past 25 years.

 

[Disney Irish]

On the contrary, I actually think the DF Simba expansion makes Incredicoaster more likely to be expendable one day. And the sound issue doesn't add up if it wasn't an issue for the past 25 years.

Incredicoaster for all the disdain for the overlay is still in the top ten for one of the longest coasters in the world. That alone puts its on the "keep" column in my mind.

And as for sound just because it didn't seem like an "issue" in the past doesn't mean it wasn't a concern or there weren't complaints. Its why they redid and installed additional sound tunnels when they did the overlay. All to mitigate the noise even more than previously. Even with those changes it can still be heard outside the Park, especially the on-board music, and many a noise complaint has been made to the City over the years. FYI it was even identified as one of the top noise contributors for the Resort (top in DCA) in the environmental report for DLForward back in 2023. Its why I suspect its one of the reasons they are building out an indoor attraction here, to try to mitigate the sound even more using the show building.

 

[DLR92]

I don’t see Disney removing Incredicoaster either. That’s Goofy Sky School. I don’t see that being there forever.

 

[Phroobar]

It's amazing how they have never plused Jumping Jellyfish and the Golden Zephyr. At least the could have brought JJ up to the version in Disney Sea.

 

[PiratesMansion]

It's amazing how they have never plused Jumping Jellyfish and the Golden Zephyr. At least the could have brought JJ up to the version in Disney Sea.

Honestly, they're not that different (unless the ride cycle is longer, which I cannot verify, having done neither of the JJs).

The big difference is that Tokyo's version is inside (adjacent to a Mater's Junkyard Jamboree-esque tea cup ride and the same off-the-shelf ride type as Inside Out: Emotional Whirlwind). Any plussing that occurred is less about the literal ride and more about the environment around it.

 

[Gusey]

Incredicoaster for all the disdain for the overlay is still in the top ten for one of the longest coasters in the world. That alone puts its on the "keep" column in my mind.

And as for sound just because it didn't seem like an "issue" in the past doesn't mean it wasn't a concern or there weren't complaints. Its why they redid and installed additional sound tunnels when they did the overlay. All to mitigate the noise even more than previously. Even with those changes it can still be heard outside the Park, especially the on-board music, and many a noise complaint has been made to the City over the years. FYI it was even identified as one of the top noise contributors for the Resort (top in DCA) in the environmental report for DLForward back in 2023. Its why I suspect its one of the reasons they are building out an indoor attraction here, to try to mitigate the sound even more using the show building.

Incredicoaster is literally the longest coaster in the world with an inversion, making it a world record breaking attraction and one of few that Disney owns (other than the most expensive and longest indoor coaster with Guardians at Epcot). You'd think they'd market it a bit more

 

[BrianLo]

I’m really hoping that that concept art that looks like a big happy party is showcasing a grand finale scene. Something like a payoff like congrats we did it, we made it, we escaped Ernesto etc as opposed to being the center piece of the attraction like the Under the Sea scene in the Little Mermaid ride.

I’m trying to think of why they would even mention PoTC and HM when none of us had that expectancy. Nor do they need it when this is clearly the third attraction of a 4 attraction expansion lineup.

I think it’s the cocktail scene that he is getting to the heart of. A large scale animatronic cocktail scene.

Which is what every C ticket misses.

 

[mickEblu]

I’m trying to think of why they would even mention PoTC and HM when none of us had that expectancy. Nor do they need it when this is clearly the third attraction of a 4 attraction expansion lineup.

I think it’s the cocktail scene that he is getting to the heart of. A large scale animatronic cocktail scene.

Which is what every C ticket misses.

Yeah it’s a head scratcher.

Right but i think the placement of that scene could be telling.

Don’t want to start a whole ticket classification debate again but internally Disney looks at HK’s Frozen as an E ticket right? As subjective as it all is, I think it’s probably an E ticket by most definitions of the term. Healthy amount of state of the art AAs, drops, popularity, decent ride time etc. Personally I’d call something like Tangled a D ticket. Then something like ROTR a mega E.

 

[Phroobar]

Honestly, they're not that different (unless the ride cycle is longer, which I cannot verify, having done neither of the JJs).

The big difference is that Tokyo's version is inside (adjacent to a Mater's Junkyard Jamboree-esque tea cup ride and the same off-the-shelf ride type as Inside Out: Emotional Whirlwind). Any plussing that occurred is less about the literal ride and more about the environment around it.
View attachment 900346

Why not add the clam below it? Now you are just a chair connected to a jellyfish.

 

[BrianLo]

Don’t want to start a whole ticket classification debate again but internally Disney looks at HK’s Frozen as an E ticket right? As subjective as it all is, I think it’s probably an E ticket by most definitions of the word. Healthy amount of state of the art AAs, drops, popularity, decent ride time etc. Personally I’d call something like Tangled a D ticket. Then something like ROTR a mega E.

Yea internally FEA at HK is an E. Na’avi River Journey they classified as a C. I’ll be totally happy with an FEA in scale and scope, with a better finale cocktail scene. Whatever one classifies it as, I think that’s the most likely outcome.

 

[NobodyElse]

Its why I suspect its one of the reasons they are building out an indoor attraction here, to try to mitigate the sound even more using the show building.

I'm honestly not sure how much more sound mitigation would be achieved with a show building vs. the existing warehouse, etc. I suppose it depends on the size (height) and design, but we'll see.

 

[Disney Irish]

I'm honestly not sure how much more sound mitigation would be achieved with a show building vs. the existing warehouse, etc. I suppose it depends on the size (height) and design, but we'll see.

I suspect the it'll be taller, plus wider and maybe even longer, going further up the coaster. Plus add to that the rest of the mini-land's stuff, as it won't all be indoors, and it'll have the potential to muffle more noise than the current backstage area.

 

[mickEblu]

Yea internally FEA at HK is an E. Na’avi River Journey they classified as a C. I’ll be totally happy with an FEA in scale and scope, with a better finale cocktail scene. Whatever one classifies it as, I think that’s the most likely outcome.

Yeah I agree. It’s what I’m hoping for anyway based on everything we know. And again really hoping that’s a finale and not the centerpiece of an attraction. The former would tell me that that it’s more of a well rounded attraction with some sort of conflict and changes in tone while the latter tells me… “here’s the big scene with all your favorite characters and song you love.” Seems like with modern WDI they can get lost in the weeds like they did with TBA or just hyper focus on characters/ key scenes from the film without necessarily considering the ride experience as a whole. Making it something experiential for the rider and delivering a range of emotions as opposed to merely bringing a scene from the movie to life. In other words some of the new attractions just feel like a 3D storyboard.

 

[coffeefan]

I don’t see Disney removing Incredicoaster either. That’s Goofy Sky School. I don’t see that being there forever.

In a world where they removed the rivers from MK and half of DCA is being redone already I don't view it as an untouchable.

Consider this: once the DCA expansion is complete and there's a new park icon or mountain there, do you really think Disney wants a steel coaster blocking the view from inside the park?
Incredicoaster is fun, but it is behind the leading coasters now. Add 20 - 30 years from now, it will be even more noticeable then.
The coaster served its purpose, but DF changes the equation; it would no longer be needed to block the outside from within.

Incredicoaster for all the disdain for the overlay is still in the top ten for one of the longest coasters in the world. That alone puts its on the "keep" column in my mind.

And as for sound just because it didn't seem like an "issue" in the past doesn't mean it wasn't a concern or there weren't complaints. Its why they redid and installed additional sound tunnels when they did the overlay. All to mitigate the noise even more than previously. Even with those changes it can still be heard outside the Park, especially the on-board music, and many a noise complaint has been made to the City over the years. FYI it was even identified as one of the top noise contributors for the Resort (top in DCA) in the environmental report for DLForward back in 2023. Its why I suspect its one of the reasons they are building out an indoor attraction here, to try to mitigate the sound even more using the show building.

I forgot about the tunnels being added later, so point taken there. However, I know the ride is loud; that's why putting a serene Pirates-like attraction next to a loud coaster with people screaming is not ideal. It's why I previously said a Mexico pavilion-like enclosure for the queue / mini land would be ideal to block the sound for guests waiting.

I just don't think Coco is being built there because they want to help block more sound. If that was the issue, they could more quickly build a sound wall. Universal just did that for Hollywood Drift in less than a month.

As for the record that everyone keeps mentioning. If Disney cares about keeping it they could build another coaster just as long. The record doesn't hold historical value like say the Matterhorn does.

 

[Mr. Sullivan]

Incredicoaster is literally the longest coaster in the world with an inversion, making it a world record breaking attraction and one of few that Disney owns (other than the most expensive and longest indoor coaster with Guardians at Epcot). You'd think they'd market it a bit more

Maybe they don’t market it because it isn’t very good. It’s one of the worst coasters Disney’s got in America and certainly the worst of their actual thrill coasters.

 

[mickEblu]

In a world where they removed the rivers from MK and half of DCA is being redone already I don't view it as an untouchable.

Consider this: once the DCA expansion is complete and there's a new park icon or mountain there, do you really think Disney wants a steel coaster blocking the view from inside the park?
Incredicoaster is fun, but it is behind the leading coasters now. Add 20 - 30 years from now, it will be even more noticeable then.
The coaster served its purpose, but DF changes the equation; it would no longer be needed to block the outside from within.

I agree that it's not untouchable. It seems almost nothing is. Would a steel coaster need to be rebuilt in 20-30 years? As in the whole structure, not just the tracks? That would be the only way I see Disney getting rid of it - if they deem that rebuilding it is not worth it. If they do ever expand on the Simba lot, I don't think a new icon will come from it. Typically icons are more centrally located. Not to mention, in 20+ years the Mickey Fun Wheel would be that much more iconic. What value would there be in replacing it with a random mountain or volcano?

 

[Disney Analyst]

Maybe they don’t market it because it isn’t very good. It’s one of the worst coasters Disney’s got in America and certainly the worst of their actual thrill coasters.

Huh what? Incredicoaster (and Screamin before) is one of my fav coasters I’ve ridden. I long for it when I ride other coasters