News Coco Boat Ride Coming to Disney California Adventure

[PiratesMansion]

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.

What?

I'm far from being one of the ride's biggest fans, but it's a fun, smooth, and long ride that clearly a lot of people love. I'd say it gets more love from a ride perspective than, say, Rock n' Roller Coaster at the very least.

If we're talking objectionable Disney coasters, Sky School is right there, I'm just saying.

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.

Over time, it's likely that at least parts of a steel coaster would need to be rebuilt, yes. Probably not the entire thing at once, mind, but bits and pieces over time.

That's actually the main reason a lot of steel coasters have bit the dust over the past ~10 to 20 years in regional parks-it comes to a point where a steel coaster needs major repairs, and most of the time parks don't deem the ride important or popular enough to be worth the expense. That said, I don't see them ripping out Incredicoaster-in its own way it's too much of an icon for DCA. When it gets to that point, they'll probably just replace it all at once (as they did Space Mountain) or in phases (as they did Matterhorn). Whatever they feel they need to do to keep it around.

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.

I could see them adding an icon simply because that will make it more enticing for people to go over to that new area.

Disney's going to need something to entice people to go to that new area, and an icon or new wienie certainly wouldn't hurt. Especially if they're able to build one just tall enough to be glimpsed from outside the parks.

It needn't be anything complicated either. I imagine if they built, say, a big Frozen castle that would be plenty to draw people over.

 

[mickEblu]

What?

I'm far from being one of the ride's biggest fans, but it's a fun, smooth, and long ride that clearly a lot of people love. I'd say it gets more love from a ride perspective than, say, Rock n' Roller Coaster at the very least.

If we're talking objectionable Disney coasters, Sky School is right there, I'm just saying.

Over time, it's likely that at least parts of a steel coaster would need to be rebuilt, yes. Probably not the entire thing at once, mind, but bits and pieces over time.

That's actually the main reason a lot of steel coasters have bit the dust over the past ~10 to 20 years in regional parks-it comes to a point where a steel coaster needs major repairs, and most of the time parks don't deem the ride important or popular enough to be worth the expense. That said, I don't see them ripping out Incredicoaster-in its own way it's too much of an icon for DCA. When it gets to that point, they'll probably just replace it all at once (as they did Space Mountain) or in phases (as they did Matterhorn). Whatever they feel they need to do to keep it around.

I could see them adding an icon simply because that will make it more enticing for people to go over to that new area.

Disney's going to need something to entice people to go to that new area, and an icon or new wienie certainly wouldn't hurt. Especially if they're able to build one just tall enough to be glimpsed from outside the parks.

It needn't be anything complicated either. I imagine if they built, say, a big Frozen castle that would be plenty to draw people over.

Oh I don’t think them building something that may be deemed an icon is outside of the realm of possibility. I just don’t think they would remove the Fun Wheel after 40 + years with the intention of creating a new park icon on the Simba lot. The fun wheel will be pretty cemented as the park icon by then. Don’t see Mickey’s face being replaced by a volcano, mountain or anything else.

Yeah that to me is the only way I see the Incredicoaster or Pixar Pier being removed. If it’s just not worth the cost of rebuilding it to them and they have some bigger plans but even then I wouldn’t bet on it. Also, I think they’d pretty much have to be out of land in Anaheim to even consider it. Meaning Simba, Toy Story and all expansion pads at DLR proper.

 

[coffeefan]

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?

I don't think the Fun Wheel is in the same case. It is big but not obstrusive enough to block the new land's icons. It would also gain more by having 360 views of both sides of the park.

I don't know when it needs to be rebuilt, but that would be a good guess. I don't think they would rebuild it the same. A TDL Space Mountain situation is more likely. Where a new modern version replaces it, along with a new layout more intentional for the new DCA.

 

[Disney Irish]

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.

Didn't claim its untouchable, as pretty much everything is on the block at a certain point. But in a world where Matterhorn is kept because of its historical significance due to being the worlds first tubular steel coaster is the same world where they will keep Incredicoaster for being one of the worlds longest steel coasters, ie at least long enough for another few decades to pass.

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.

Sightlines are not something Disney has worried about with DCA since pretty much its opening. So I doubt they are really going to care now even when they do expand. The new expansion will be enough draw that even if they don't put a new weenie in there (which is very unlikely as one will be put in) that any blockage that may occur with Incredicoaster will be overlooked. In fact I'll go one step further, having the Incredicoaster there gives them even more reason to go wild in building out Simba as it creates a natural barrier to block out theming they don't want guests to see until they enter any new land. And as other have said the Fun Wheel is more the central icon of DCA, not Incredicoaster.

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.

And we don't know what else is going in here, maybe a sound wall is also being built as part of this. And maybe it will be more a Mexico Pavilion entire mini-land enclosure. We'll just have to wait to see.

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.

Sure they could just build another coaster that is just as long, just as they could build another Matterhorn too. But why, both are already here and still functional and with continued maintenance can last for many more decades. There are plenty of older steel coasters out there still functional and still being maintained. And while it may not hold as much historic value to you, I can guarantee WDI and TDA smile every time someone mentions that Incredicoaster is one of the worlds longest steel coasters. So this idea that it needs to be replaced when the expansion happens is bunk, that just seems to be coming from a place of disdain rather than reality. If it was still Screamin' I have a hard time believing you'd be advocating for tearing it down even with a new expansion on the horizon.

 

[Disney Irish]

I don't think the Fun Wheel is in the same case. It is big but not obstrusive enough to block the new land's icons. It would also gain more by having 360 views of both sides of the park.

You seem to be the only one who sees Incredicoaster as being obtrusive to sightline views into the new expansion.

I don't know when it needs to be rebuilt, but that would be a good guess. I don't think they would rebuild it the same. A TDL Space Mountain situation is more likely. Where a new modern version replaces it, along with a new layout more intentional for the new DCA.

Steel coasters with maintenance can last indefinitely if a park owner wants. For example there is a steel coaster in Spain (worlds oldest still in operation) that is coming up on its 100th birthday in 2028. So as long as Disney wants to maintain it Incredicoaster's age is only a number not a countdown clock.

 

[BrianLo]

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 primarily blocks out Katella. Simba via a pedestrian bridge would naturally be self contained akin to Fantasy Springs, they are not getting ride of Disneyland Drive. It probably would even have a major portal. The goal would never be to integrate anything visually from Simba into Paradise (Pixar) Pier.

I also agree that it’s not untouchable, but it’s increasingly built around. Removing it only serves a minor benefit analogous to removing the People Mover. Far more likely they’d just leave it sitting there.

 

[DrStarlander]

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.

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.

Well said.

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

Sadly The Golden Horseshoe Revue as also a world record holder, too bad they didn't feel the need to keep that record going.

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.

Yeah it’s a head scratcher.

Do you mean specifically a big scene with a lot of animatronics, because the other aspect of PotC and HM is that the scenes are on repeat and guests come across them in whatever random timing that happens, not as triggered effects (am I correct on that being different than typical modern dark rides?). That, combined with a single theme song, is a specific vintage vibe.

And we don't know what else is going in here, maybe a sound wall is also being built as part of this. And maybe it will be more a Mexico Pavilion entire mini-land enclosure.

Yesterday I bring up the possibility of there being a Blue Bayou / San Angel Inn (from the Mexico Pavilion) style restaurant and your response is:

I can’t tell if you’re joking or not

When I said it, it was so outlandish it might have been a joke? And you also said:

Had that been part of the plans because it’s so iconic it would have been announced already.

Today, you raise the same possibility? What would be in your contemplated indoor "mini-land" if not the ride and other indoor stuff that's not yet announced?

 

[BrianLo]

Do you mean specifically a big scene with a lot of animatronics, because the other aspect of PotC and HM is that the scenes are on repeat and guests come across them in whatever random timing that happens, not as triggered effects

The latter is what we mean by “cocktail” scene. Like wandering through a party and picking up bits and pieces of conversations that aren’t staged or timed for you. It’s the conventional means those older style dark rides are described.

They each have their benefits, but a cocktail scene is very useful for not timed boats or omnimovers. That’s specifically what I think the reference to HM and POtC is implying. Not a 12 minute ride time.

 

[Disney Irish]

Yesterday I bring up the possibility of there being a Blue Bayou / San Angel Inn (from the Mexico Pavilion) style restaurant and your response is:

When I said it, it was so outlandish it might have been a joke? And you also said:

Today, you raise the same possibility? What would be in your contemplated indoor "mini-land" if not the ride and other indoor stuff that's not yet announced?

I have not brought up the possibility of a full restaurant like you're suggesting. I've said, and will continue to say, that is not in the cards for this project. As others have said the greater likelihood is for them to redo Broadway Pizza and Pasta and incorporate that into the "mini-land" if they feel the need for a Coco theme restaurant rather than part of the attraction building itself.

Also I'm calling it a "mini-land" just for the fact we'll be walking through what appears to be an arch portal that transports us into Santa Cecilia, so yes an indoor building could be part of that. But short of facades and a retail location I don't think there will be much more to it. Could there be some type of eatery like something quick service like with drinks and treats (think something like what is in Bing Bongs but with a Mexican theme) that is connected to the retail, maybe. But a full sit down Blue Bayou type restaurant that you're suggesting, no.

 

[DrStarlander]

Could there be some type of eatery like something quick service like with drinks and treats (think something like what is in Bing Bongs) that is connected to the retail, maybe. But a full sit down Blue Bayou type restaurant that you're suggesting, no.

So the difference between my suggested possibility and what you envision in your contemplated Coco indoor "mini-land" is that: I suggested a sit-down restaurant and your mini-land has counter-service. One is laughable and would have needed to be announced four years before it opened. But that would not at all be expected of your counter-service restaurant...connected to retail? And my table-service restaurant was me Imagineering in the wrong thread and yet your ideas about an indoor "mini-land" with a counter-service restaurant offering "drinks and treats" (and now retail?) is not. Got it, thanks.

By the way, in your indoor "mini-land," once you buy your "drinks and treats," any chance you could, maybe, also see the ride going by? I ask because you are proposing that they are in the same enclosed building. Or, on principle, are you suggesting there's a wall blocking the view of the ride while drinking your drink or eating your treat?

 

[Disney Irish]

So the difference between my suggested possibility and what you envision in your contemplated Coco indoor "mini-land" is that: I suggested a sit-down restaurant and your mini-land has counter-service. One is laughable and would have needed to be announced four years before it opened. But that would not at all be expected of your counter-service restaurant...connected to retail? And my table-service restaurant was me Imagineering in the wrong thread and yet your ideas about an indoor "mini-land" with a counter-service restaurant offering "drinks and treats" (and now retail?) is not. Got it, thanks.

By the way, in your indoor "mini-land," once you buy your "drinks and treats," any chance you could, maybe, also see the ride going by? I ask because you are proposing that they are in the same enclosed building. Or, on principle, are you suggesting there's a wall blocking the view of the ride while drinking your drink or eating your treat?

As was said by another poster so pointedly there is a fine line between Imagineering and speculation. You veered off into Imagineering and away from speculation in my opinion when you started pushing this "Disney should" rather than continuing with "Disney could".

I agree with others that a full Blue Bayou table service restaurant is not needed in this corner of the Park, especially with a new expansion coming in the near future which will undoubtedly include full table service restaurants. DCA has more full table service restaurants than Disneyland does I believe, its something they made sure of when they built out the Park. But I've never said there would be zero food offerings as part of Coco, I just said that a full Blue Bayou restaurant that you're suggesting is not in the cards. Heck I'll even hedge my bet here a bit and say, they could use this opportunity to build out DCAs version of a "Coke Corner" type quick service eatery with a very small menu. Coca-Cola is very popular in Mexico so I could see it. But do I think they "should" do it, no. So that is where my speculation on this ends.

Also I think the ride views will be blocked from guest, just like Pirates or HM. So when they get their food from whatever is offered there won't be an opportunity for them to sit and watch like in Blue Bayou.

If you want to keep pushing for "Disney should" build out this Blue Bayou full table service on-ride experience, be my guest. But I think everyone here pretty much agrees its not happening, so that also goes into this no longer being speculation.

 

[DLR92]

I am more interested of the layout of the attraction, how will the story flow in the boat style attraction. I would like to see more renderings of the Coco attraction. Even blueprints would be great to see.

 

[Disney Irish]

I am more interested of the layout of the attraction, how will the story flow in the boat style attraction. I would like to see more renderings of the Coco attraction. Even blueprints would be great to see.

Agreed, that is the more interesting aspect of this project. Hopefully we'll get more details and concept art here soon, if not before certainly at D23 in August.

 

[DrStarlander]

As was said by another poster so pointedly there is a fine line between Imagineering and speculation. You veered off into Imagineering and away from speculation in my opinion when you started pushing this "Disney should" rather than continuing with "Disney could".

I agree with others that a full Blue Bayou table service restaurant is not needed in this corner of the Park, especially with a new expansion coming in the near future which will undoubtedly include full table service restaurants. DCA has more full table service restaurants than Disneyland does I believe, its something they made sure of when they built out the Park. But I've never said there would be zero food offerings as part of Coco, I just said that a full Blue Bayou restaurant that you're suggesting is not in the cards. Heck I'll even hedge my bet here a bit and say, they could use this opportunity to build out DCAs version of a "Coke Corner" type quick service eatery with a very small menu. Coca-Cola is very popular in Mexico so I could see it. But do I think they "should" do it, no. So that is where my speculation on this ends.

Also I think the ride views will be blocked from guest, just like Pirates or HM. So when they get their food from whatever is offered there won't be an opportunity for them to sit and watch like in Blue Bayou.

If you want to keep pushing for "Disney should" build out this Blue Bayou full table service on-ride experience, be my guest. But I think everyone here pretty much agrees its not happening, so that also goes into this no longer being speculation.

Got it. You've pitched your indoor Coco "mini-land" concept with the counter-service restaurant that sells drinks and treats which could be like "Coke Corner," plus a gift shop, and some design details such as the guests not being able to see the ride after they get their food.

You are not saying they should do this very detailed concept you have in mind. Just that they could. Nicely done. I'm catching on how this works.

 

[Disney Irish]

Got it. You've pitched your indoor Coco "mini-land" concept with the counter-service restaurant that sells drinks and treats which could be like "Coke Corner," plus a gift shop, and some design details such as the guests not being able to see the ride after they get their food.

You are not saying they should do this very detailed concept you have in mind. Just that they could. Nicely done. I'm catching on how this works.

Its not a pitch of a concept, nor is it very detailed in my opinion. Also I don't have anything in my mind, its an off the cuff thought of "hey they could do this". But its not well thought out at all, and I'm not insistent that it needs to happen or that it would be a missed opportunity if it doesn't.

 

[DrStarlander]

Its not a pitch of a concept, nor is it very detailed in my opinion. Also I don't have anything in my mind, its an off the cuff thought of "hey they could do this". But its not well thought out at all, and I'm not insistent that it needs to happen or that it would be a missed opportunity if it doesn't.

 

[Disney Irish]

Anyways, how was your New Years? Did you watch some fireworks? Watch the Rose Parade? Hope you and the family had a safe and sane New Years.

 

[Mr. Sullivan]

What?

I'm far from being one of the ride's biggest fans, but it's a fun, smooth, and long ride that clearly a lot of people love. I'd say it gets more love from a ride perspective than, say, Rock n' Roller Coaster at the very least.

If we're talking objectionable Disney coasters, Sky School is right there, I'm just saying.

I don’t personally count Sky School in this conversation, funnily enough. Objectively it is a coaster, like all wild mice are, but I also sort of look at wild mice as a different beast from most coasters.

As for Incredicoaster, yes it’s loved for sure but I don’t think that really saves it from being poor. Lots of really poor coasters get love and attention and high ridership from riders by sheer virtue of being a roller coaster.

Incredicoaster has a weak, toothless launch, meandering and boring layout, it’s marquee element (the loop) is scenic but poorly profiled, the trains are incredibly poor and outdated (especially the restraints), and it’s so full of break runs (admittedly to help it be a capacity monster) that it’s pacing becomes near infuriating.

The few positives California Screamin’ had, namely its soundtrack, disappeared in the retheme and we’re left with Disney’s worst domestic thrill coaster.

It’s not quite a bottom tier California coaster because Knott’s and Magic Mountain have a couple of real barrel scrapers in their line ups, but it’s in spitting distance imo.

 

[PiratesMansion]

I don’t personally count Sky School in this conversation, funnily enough. Objectively it is a coaster, like all wild mice are, but I also sort of look at wild mice as a different beast from most coasters.

Why? Because they suck more than other coasters much of the time? Because it objectively is less befitting of a Disney park than Incredicoaster and thus goes against your argument about how terrible IC is?

As for Incredicoaster, yes it’s loved for sure but I don’t think that really saves it from being poor. Lots of really poor coasters get love and attention and high ridership from riders by sheer virtue of being a roller coaster.

I'd love to hear some examples of this. In my experience, people usually vote with their feet and don't tend to ride coasters that are actually bad; certainly not more than once. Not in huge numbers, anyway.

Incredicoaster has a weak, toothless launch, meandering and boring layout, it’s marquee element (the loop) is scenic but poorly profiled, the trains are incredibly poor and outdated (especially the restraints), and it’s so full of break runs (admittedly to help it be a capacity monster) that it’s pacing becomes near infuriating.

The few positives California Screamin’ had, namely its soundtrack, disappeared in the retheme and we’re left with Disney’s worst domestic thrill coaster.

It’s not quite a bottom tier California coaster because Knott’s and Magic Mountain have a couple of real barrel scrapers in their line ups, but it’s in spitting distance imo.

I've been on over 500 coasters. I've spoken at length many times about how I think the Incredicoaster retheme is stupid and that I've never really cared too much about the coaster in any capacity. I agree that the loop is weirdly rough and wasn't always that way; it is absolutely an issue that should be fixed.

With that being said, there is no universe in which Incredicoaster is actually a bottom tier coaster ride. If you're saying as such, that mostly just tells me that you need to ride more roller coasters.

Poor trains? They're not world's best but I will not entertain them being bottom of the barrel when we're living in a world in which RMC trains exist, sorry.

So full of brake runs? So I take it you haven't ridden Space Mountain lately? Trust, it has even more than Incredicoaster!

Admittedly this is perhaps harder for many people that haven't been on as many coasters to appreciate, as there are so few genuinely bad rides still out there nowadays and the quality of the average coaster has skyrocketed since the nineties. But worse rides than Incredicoaster? Allow me to make a small list of coasters that are easily worse than IC:

Any Vekoma SLC, any Vekoma boomerang, Rock n' Roller Coaster, Coast Rider (stupid extra restraints), whatever they're calling the ride at Hotel New York at Las Vegas this year, The Boss and Ninja from SFSTL, Every coaster at Adventureland other than Monster (and you may as well insert every single S&S 4D coaster while we're here too), the majority of Arrow Mine Trains still operating in this country, Iron Dragon, the various junior wooden coasters at former Taft/Keco/Paramount parks, Mine Blower, The Indiana Jones coaster and the powered Casey Jr. coaster at Disneyland Paris (and might as well add all powered coasters here while we're at it), either of the Giant Dippers in CA, Crush's coaster at WDS, Raging Spirits at TDS, Timber Wolf at Worlds of Fun, anything at Camden Park, anything at Elitch Gardens, Thunderhawk and about 80% of the rides at Dorney Park, Those simpler Miler kiddie coasters you see at parks like Kings Island's Great Pumpkin Coaster, Judge Roy Scream, The various RC racer coasters, those stupid junior vekoma mouse coasters, every Arrow looper other than maybe Loch Ness Monster or Tennessee Tornado, Pony Express, at least 90% of stand-up coasters, Mighty Canadian Minebuster, basically any wild mouse out there, Hoosier Hurricane, at least 90% of the coaster operating at Michigan's Adventure, Chance Toboggans, and any Eurofighter ride with over the shoulder restraints, including one you are undoubtedly familiar with, Mystery Mine at Dollywood. Probably more I'm forgetting too, TBH.

Imagine how much longer my list could be if I added every coaster I've been on worse than IC that isn't even operating anymore.

So as I'm saying, there's a huge difference between a coaster you don't care for and a coaster that's actually bad. Not thrilling =/= actually bad. Nothing Disney is operating (with the possible exception of the Indiana Jones coaster in Paris-that ride is legit garbage) is anywhere near bottom of the barrel, no matter how many people who go to only a handful of other parks may claim otherwise.

 

[Disgruntled Walt]

I don’t personally count Sky School in this conversation, funnily enough. Objectively it is a coaster, like all wild mice are, but I also sort of look at wild mice as a different beast from most coasters.

As for Incredicoaster, yes it’s loved for sure but I don’t think that really saves it from being poor. Lots of really poor coasters get love and attention and high ridership from riders by sheer virtue of being a roller coaster.

Incredicoaster has a weak, toothless launch, meandering and boring layout, it’s marquee element (the loop) is scenic but poorly profiled, the trains are incredibly poor and outdated (especially the restraints), and it’s so full of break runs (admittedly to help it be a capacity monster) that it’s pacing becomes near infuriating.

The few positives California Screamin’ had, namely its soundtrack, disappeared in the retheme and we’re left with Disney’s worst domestic thrill coaster.

It’s not quite a bottom tier California coaster because Knott’s and Magic Mountain have a couple of real barrel scrapers in their line ups, but it’s in spitting distance imo.

I heard the loop was designed to be more of a circle so you could feel it more. Not sure where I read/heard that. But I also disagree with your assessment of the coaster overall. It's certainly not in the same league as a HUGE MAJOR HEADLINER, but I don't think it's supposed to be. It was my first looping coaster when I was 8 years old, and I loved it. But then I was still too afraid to ride RnRC during the same summer. It's great for the family, but it's also really imposing and impressive looking. Yeah, it lacks some teeth, but it's great for what it is.