Earlier this month, Toy Story Land opened to much fanfare at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios. There’s a Slinky
Dog roller coaster, spinning Alien Swirling
Saucers and amazing grub like homemade Nutella Pop-Tarts. But while people wait in four-hour lines for one ride, a sweet little "Coco" attraction opened up in the much underappreciated Mexico Pavilion inside EPCOT's World Showcase.
Ever since "Coco" hit theaters last fall to rave reviews, Disney fans have been waiting for the Mexican-set tale to be incorporated into EPCOT in some way.
Disney does not like to move fast on these matters -- "Ratatouille" opened in theaters back in 2007, but isn’t set to have a ride in France's Pavilion until 2021. Meanwhile, in Mexico, Imagineers have quietly put up Mirror de los Muertos, interactive mirrors that invite park guests to “skeleton” themselves. Once built, you can save the skeleton to your Photo Pass with your Magic Band, just like the pictures at the end of big rides like Splash Mountain and Test Track. It’s a cute little time waster and a fun distraction indoors when you need a break from the hell that is Floridian humidity.
The mirrors are located within an art exhibit at the entrance to
the Mexican Pavilion called “Remember Me,” featuring art by Mexican
artists celebrating Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead). The exhibit opened prior to the movie's release last summer, but
the mirrors only just powered up in July. There is no word on how long the exhibit will be around, but Disney refers to it as “long-term."
If you’ve never been to EPCOT’s Mexico before, it looks like a majestic Mayan temple from the outside and inside, it’s perpetually nighttime with a lively street market selling trinkets and a table-service restaurant with some of the best food in the Kingdom, authentic Mexican at that.
There's also a cute little boat ride, Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros. Think of it as a Donald Duck-meets-It’s-A-Small-World attraction that features old school Donald comedy while giving a little tour of Mexico. Also, I’ve never waited in line for more than five minutes which makes it one of my faves.
Is
Disney going to "Coco"-fy the whole Mexico pavilion? The street vendors are currently selling
lots of "Coco"-themed merchandise and since the 2017 D23 Expo (kind of like a Comic-con for Disney super-fans) rumors have been flying that a "Coco"-themed overlay will happen to the beloved boat ride.
At the same expo,
Imagineers confirmed the Ratatouille ride. It seems
like a natural progression given that the Frozen Ever After ride has been such a hit
for the Norway pavilion; it only makes sense to have Disney-movie rides come to the World Showcase.
"Coco" is fast becoming an instant classic, so it’s a no-brainer. No
official announcement has happened yet, but keep those mouse ears perked for D23 2019!