Is it just me or are we seeing a lot of Disney IP at EPCOT nowadays?
Spaceship Earth
I mean, we have Anna and Elsa in the Norway pavilion. We also have Moana kicking it at the park, and on top of that, we even have a certain rat hanging out in the France pavilion. So what about the Mexico pavilion? Well, let’s talk about where ‘Coco’ is and why it hasn’t taken the pavilion over.
As we were saying, you might have wondered why ‘Coco’ hasn’t made a full-blown appearance in the Mexico Pavilion. The film seems like the perfect fit. It celebrates Mexican culture, traditions like Día de los Muertos, and has a colorful visual style that would look incredible in the World Showcase, but as far as we can see, aside from some occasional visits by Miguel, ‘Coco’ is, for all intents and purposes, no where to be found.
Mexico Pavilion at EPCOT
So, let’s talk about why ‘Coco’ hasn’t taken over the Mexico Pavilion.
The Three Caballeros Are Still Holding Down the Fort
For starters, we can’t forget about The Three Caballeros. This classic trio has been a part of the Mexico Pavilion since 2007. Now, sure, “The Three Caballeros” isn’t exactly Disney’s most well-known property in 2024, but this attraction has been a staple in EPCOT for a while. It’s a quirky, nostalgic ride that we appreciate for its throwback vibe and classic Disney animation.
Gran Fiesta Tour starring The Three Caballeros
Replacing The Three Caballeros would mean Disney would be removing a bit of EPCOT’s history, and while ‘Coco’ might seem like a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, maybe Disney is hesitant to completely overhaul something that holds sentimental value for many of us.
The Three Caballeros
Even though “The Three Caballeros” ride may not draw the same crowds as a potential ‘Coco’ ride, it has a legacy at EPCOT that resonates with many of us who appreciate the original park attractions. So, in a way, keeping The Three Caballeros feels like a nod to Disney’s roots.
Budget Priorities
It’s no secret that Disney’s had a massive EPCOT overhaul, and this transformation has been a big investment. Additionally, you’ve got the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind coaster, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in the France Pavilion, and the Moana-inspired Journey of Water walkthrough, Disney’s clearly been funneling resources into some high-profile, high-cost projects.
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
When you look at the scope and budget of these recent additions, it makes sense that Disney might be holding off on adding ‘Coco’ to the Mexico Pavilion (at least for now). Theming an attraction to Coco would mean a significant rework of the pavilion’s current ride and maybe even parts of the pavilion itself. For example, they’d likely want to add ‘Coco’-inspired decor, animatronics, and possibly even scenes from the movie, and we know all of that wouldn’t come cheap.
Looking Good!
And as much as fans love Coco, Disney’s already spread its budget across a wide array of projects. Between park renovations, new lands, and expensive new attractions, adding Coco might just not be at the top of the to-do list right now. Plus, after the economic impact of the pandemic, Disney has reportedly become more strategic with its spending. In the grand scheme of things, revamping a nostalgic EPCOT ride might not be as high on the list as other park expansions and new lands that are proven crowd-pullers.
Will Coco Eventually Come to the Mexico Pavilion?
Honestly, it’s anyone’s guess. Maybe Disney is trying to keep ‘Coco’s presence mainly in Disneyland, or they’re waiting to tie a new ‘Coco’ attraction into a big sequel announcement. Either way, Disney hasn’t given any official word on plans for ‘Coco’ in EPCOT, but it’s certainly possible we could see it make a more permanent presence in the future.
Miguel!
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While we were not big fans of the Three Caballeros taking over the River of Time, I would prefer to see a genuine expansion for Coco rather than getting rid of another piece of classic Disney. Create a permanent character meet and greet spot, or do a character meal, it wouldn’t even have to be at EPCOT, it could be at one of the restaurants at Coronado Springs (I think there are huge missed opportunities for character breakfasts at the moderate resorts with table service restaurants). It would just be nice for a change not to see something vanish, get torn down, or sit empty for multiple years before we can get something new.
Honestly, the biggest issue Disney will have with Coco taking over the Mexico Pavilion is Space. There is no room for a Queue. They would have to take away restaurant space that is under contract. The sheer amount of people that would show up to ride Coco, the building literally can not handle it. They would have to remove the restaurant/marketplace and replace with expanded Queue. Heck i would be willing to bet the entire building would have to be the Queue. The riders per hour would cause a slow wait time. This would have to be a major overhaul and extension of the ride to allow more riders per hour. New exit for riders that is not time consuming to allow boats not to be backed up. It would take a ton of work.
Disney may be planning to place a bigger Coco experience somewhere else like Animal Kingdom or Magic Kingdom. Frankly, I’d expand Coco into the area currently occupied by the Odyssey building. It’s wasted space and is adjacent to the Mexico Pavilion. Disney could build out a full Coco village in that spot.