News Coco Boat Ride Coming to Disney California Adventure

[mickEblu]

This video about the "second park problem" by James Grosch / Guide2WDW was really interesting. And I think it outlines a core tension about DCA, and why so many find it disappointing. This entire conversation about Coco and how it might be executed -- for me at least -- is a conversation about what vision they have for DCA and ultimately, as James points out -- quoting a theory of Tony Baxter -- whether the park can be charming or not.

With Coco, there is this obvious opportunity to be charming and I think seeing that, likely, being under-exploited, in real time, sends a message to me that they don't even understand the problem at DCA.

And to the extent they've found success at DCA (Buena Vista St. and Cars Land), they don't even know what they achieved.

It's not just about IPs. It's not just about capacity. And for all the reasons people have -- for centuries -- framed paintings, it's not just about the content...what's inside. It's also about how you present things. The elegance and respect and dignity in which you serve something up is important. And with Adventure Way they seem to show they -- someone at WDI -- gets it. As long as DCA is this opportunistic junk drawer where they tuck things -- the Scotch tape, the screwdriver, the random zip ties -- it will never be what it could be, or complement Disneyland as it should.

While I totally agree and want to check out this video there is only so much they can do with Coco in that location. They really should have put it in the backlot and let it be the NOS of DCA. Immersive E ticket boat ride. Indoor themed restaurant. Live music. Nooks n crannies to explore. Coco appears the be the throw in after Avengers and Avatar and yet that’s the project folks seem to be most excited about it. And it’s too bad because there’s a lot of potential with the IP. I mentioned a land themed to Old Town with a Coco ride years ago when it still seemed they cared about sticking to the California theme.

 

[DrStarlander]

While I totally agree and want to check out this video there is only so much they can do with Coco in that location. They really should have put it in the backlot and let it be the NOS of DCA. Immersive boat ride. Indoor themed restaurant. Live music. Nooks n crannies to explore. Coco appears the be the throw in after Avengers and Avatar and yet that’s the project folks seem to be most excited about it. And it’s too bad because there’s a lot of potential with the IP. I mentioned a land themed to Old Town with a Coco ride years ago when it still seemed they cared about sticking to the California theme.

Yes, what you're saying is essentially the point.

 

[mickEblu]

Yes, what you're saying is essentially the point.

Just didn’t know if there was an implication that they could feasibly do anything more grandiose in the chosen location.

 

[mickEblu]

Disney is best when stick to romanticized places of the past and fantasy. Coco would fit the bill. Zootopia land is loud, flashy and modern. Feels more Universal. Tower of Terror felt Disney. Guardians feels Universal. Potter Land feels Disney and for some reason ever since the land debuted they ve been trying to copy the people that copied them.

 

[DrStarlander]

Just didn’t know if there was an implication that they could feasibly do anything more grandiose in the chosen location.

No, the video didn't touch on Coco specifically, it's about the overall issue of Disney's second gates, for better or worse.

Yes, I'd rather Coco was located somewhere better where it could be fully exploited to bring more New Orleans Square style magic to the park -- I think @TP2000 was spot on for asking about that.

And I think Pixar Pier is the theme park version of a corporate PowerPoint presentation. They're not fooling anyone (or at least not everyone).

There was a moment where the pier could have been special. A Victorian seaside amusement park. Not my first choice for a Disney Parks land, but if done to Disneyland Paris standards, it could have been a resort highlight. They could have done something like Walt wanted to do with Edison St. behind Main Street, and created a "nook and crannies" style Victorian seaside street behind the coaster with smaller Fantasyland style attractions...a haunted house ride with Disney villains, a ride-through funhouse modeled (but differently themed than) Mystic Manor. In that case, the Incredicoaster is not a bug, but a thematic feature.

The video has it right, DCA is missing charm. It's never going to be a big, spectacular park due to size, it needs to be a jewel box park (like Disneyland), with detail and intention, nooks, crannies, and exquisite charm.

 

[GravityFalls]

The underlying inspiration for the pier is a Victorian-era seaside amusement park. Even with the Pixar Pier overlay that architecture mostly remains in tact. Of all of Pixar's films, Coco actually has Victorian locations. The Marigold Central Station is based off of Palacio de Correos de Mexico.

If done correctly this could be a course correction for the pier, successfully marrying the pier's Victorian architecture with a property that actually makes sense for it.

 

[mickEblu]

No, the video didn't touch on Coco specifically, it's about the overall issue of Disney's second gates, for better or worse.

Yes, I'd rather Coco was located somewhere better where it could be fully exploited to bring more New Orleans Square style magic to the park -- I think @TP2000 was spot on for asking about that.

And I think Pixar Pier is the theme park version of a corporate PowerPoint presentation. They're not fooling anyone (or at least not everyone).

There was a moment where the pier could have been special. A Victorian seaside amusement park. Not my first choice for a Disney Parks land, but if done to Disneyland Paris standards, it could have been a resort highlight. They could have done something like Walt wanted to do with Edison St. behind Main Street, and created a "nook and crannies" style Victorian seaside street behind the coaster with smaller Fantasyland style attractions...a haunted house ride with Disney villains, a ride-through funhouse modeled (but differently themed than) Mystic Manor. In that case, the Incredicoaster is not a bug, but a thematic feature.

The video has it right, DCA is missing charm. It's never going to be a big, spectacular park due to size, it needs to be a jewel box park (like Disneyland), with detail and intention, nooks, crannies, and exquisite charm.

How does that saying go? You can’t build a great building on a weak foundation? If they did it right the first time they would have actually spent less money in the long run. They’ve spent 100s of millions trying to fix the park.

 

[DrStarlander]

How does that saying go? You can’t build a great building on a weak foundation? If they did it right the first time they would have actually spent less money in the long run. They’ve spent 100s of millions trying to fix the park.

Yes indeed. A lesson they keep struggling to learn, and also that's probably because of how Wall Street incentivizes short term thinking.

 

[Disney Irish]

I still don't think they will do much of an indoor queue for Coco, because as others have said I just don't think they care about preserving sight lines or care about the coaster looming overhead being "out-of-theme" for Coco. I still think it'll be a mostly outdoor queue within a courtyard with maybe some trees and such for theming, but that is about it.

 

[DrStarlander]

I still don't think they will do much of an indoor queue for Coco, because as others have said I just don't think they care about preserving sight lines or care about the coaster looming overhead being "out-of-theme" for Coco. I still think it'll be a mostly outdoor queue within a courtyard with maybe some trees and such for theming, but that is about it.

Precisely, other than this remarkable, uncharacteristic moment over a decade ago (Buena Vista St. and Cars Land), in the 25 years history of DCA, "they don't care about [insert list of all the thing that made Disneyland a success]" has been the strategic plan.

 

[Adventureland Veranda]

There was a moment where the pier could have been special. A Victorian seaside amusement park. Not my first choice for a Disney Parks land, but if done to Disneyland Paris standards, it could have been a resort highlight. They could have done something like Walt wanted to do with Edison St. behind Main Street, and created a "nook and crannies" style Victorian seaside street behind the coaster with smaller Fantasyland style attractions...a haunted house ride with Disney villains, a ride-through funhouse modeled (but differently themed than) Mystic Manor. In that case, the Incredicoaster is not a bug, but a thematic feature.

Preach. While I'd love to tear the whole thing down and see my dream of Discovery Bay materialize, I know we're stuck with the pier. Adding more details, gardens, more nooks like a NOS, etc. could match the standards of Main Street USA. The Chapek style "theme" of Pixar needs to go. Yes, you can still have attractions based on the films, but make the area charming.

I remain optimistic about Coco's quality/charm and hope this new area inspires a change in the pier. We'll see.

 

[GravityFalls]

The Bradbury Building in Downtown Los Angeles feels like the Station from Coco but in a narrower footprint. I'd love to see this as the inspiration for the show building's interior

 

[eddie104]

The Bradbury Building in Downtown Los Angeles feels like the Station from Coco but in a narrower footprint. I'd love to see this as the inspiration for the show building's interior
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How big is the show building supposed to be?

This seems very elaborate for something being squeezed in not so big plot of land. Maybe they incorporate some screens into the mix ala Battle at the Ministry

 

[mickEblu]

The Bradbury Building in Downtown Los Angeles feels like the Station from Coco but in a narrower footprint. I'd love to see this as the inspiration for the show building's interior
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This would be great but I think you may be setting yourself up for disappointment.

What we Wanted: Ministry of Magic scale
What we Got: Tangled Ever After with better effects

 

[coffeefan]

Preach. While I'd love to tear the whole thing down and see my dream of Discovery Bay materialize, I know we're stuck with the pier. Adding more details, gardens, more nooks like a NOS, etc. could match the standards of Main Street USA. The Chapek style "theme" of Pixar needs to go. Yes, you can still have attractions based on the films, but make the area charming.

I remain optimistic about Coco's quality/charm and hope this new area inspires a change in the pier. We'll see.

I'm also hopeful that if Coco is successful, it can inspire change to the pier. If other parks can replace entire lands and sections, I think in time it's possible for the pier as well.

The Bradbury Building in Downtown Los Angeles feels like the Station from Coco but in a narrower footprint. I'd love to see this as the inspiration for the show building's interior
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Yeah, that could've been an approach if they were going for an indoor pavilion style.
They could have the line wrap around in levels to optimize the compact space, and keep the lower floors for ride boarding, and some shops and a restaurant.

I like this style with the stained glass ceiling.

This is not what I expect of course, but it's fun to think about.

 

[coffeefan]

 

[DrStarlander]

Wake me if they start knocking buildings down.

I'm going back to bed.

 

[mickEblu]

Wake me if they start knocking buildings down.

I'm going back to bed.

When are they going to knock down that building? They’re knocking down that building right!?!

 

[Disney Irish]

Wake me if they start knocking buildings down.

I'm going back to bed.

That looks like it could be any day now as they already knocked down the overhang (canopy) from the maintenance building, so don't fall asleep too long.

 

[Disney Irish]

When are they going to knock down that building? They’re knocking down that building right!?!

They've already begun it looks like, they are starting to dismantle it.

Last week -

This week, notice the overhang (canopy) is now missing, circled in red in the above and below pictures -

Also notice the green perimeter fence is now pushed back, revealing the rest of the site, next will be the utilities circled in blue.

This is what the permit was about from a couple weeks ago. So in the coming weeks the rest of the building is likely to be demo'd.