‘Coco’ ride coming to Disney California Adventure at Disneyland | What to know
A “Coco” ride with high-tech Audio-Animatronics figures is coming to Disney California Adventure at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif. Here’s what we know about this upcoming project from Walt Disney Imagineering.
What kind of ride will Disneyland’s ‘Coco’ attraction be?
Disney California Adventure will debut the first ride ever based on the 2017 Pixar film “Coco.” Imagineers are looking to projects like Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean for inspiration as they develop the ride.
“We’re bringing our skeletal cast of characters to life in a big way through the latest Audio-Animatronics technology,” said Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, when he announced the “Coco” ride in August 2024. “These figures will appear in ways you’ll have to see to believe.”
See the full announcement at D23: The Official Disney Fan Event 2024 in our video:
Where will the ‘Coco’ ride be located within California Adventure? Will anything close?
The upcoming “Coco” ride will be located near the Paradise Gardens Park and Pixar Pier sections of Disney California Adventure, as revealed by Disney in June 2025. The “Coco” attraction’s construction will mostly replace backstage areas. Disney has not announced any existing attractions’ closures as a result of the ride.
In the concept art below for the attraction’s entrance area, you can see the Incredicoaster track at left. Also visible is the Miguel puppet, which is typically part of California Adventure’s Dia de Muertos celebrations in the autumn season.
Below is a partial look at the aerial map view of California Adventure in the Disneyland app. We placed a star at the approximate location the concept art above seems to be situated.
A closer look at the concept art …
When will the ‘Coco’ ride open?
Disney has not announced an opening date for California Adventure’s “Coco” ride. On June 5, 2025, the Disney Parks Blog revealed construction will begin in fall 2025, earlier than the initially announced 2026 timeframe.
Is there anything else from ‘Coco’ at Disneyland Resort?
While you wait for the “Coco” ride to open in the coming years, you can experience the Pixar classic in several other ways throughout both parks of the Disneyland Resort.
At Disneyland Park:
- Miguel and Dante just debuted as new figures in “it’s a small world” as of May 2025.
- A “Coco” parade float appears in the “Magic Happens” daytime parade when that procession is running (it operates seasonally).
At Disney California Adventure Park:
- Plaza de la Familia comes to life in Paradise Gardens Park during autumn months featuring a live show in the streets and family-friendly, hands-on activities. Plaza de la Familia returns to California Adventure from Aug. 22 – Nov. 2, 2025.
- Ernesto de la Cruz has appeared in person at Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party in years past (see video below); TBD on his potential 2025 appearances.
- In 2024, a new holiday show featuring the music of “Coco” debuted in California Adventure’s Buena Vista Street area; TBD on its potential 2025 return.
- Miguel appears in the finale unit of “Better Together! A Pixar Pals Celebration,” a seasonally operating daytime parade.
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