The Gran Fiesta Tour stars The Three Caballeros. A trio that is fronted by Donald Duck, one of Disney’s fab five stars. Donald Duck is one of the most popular characters of all time but with Epcot ever changing. Could this be the right time to change the property that currently stars at the Mexico pavilion?
In 2017, Pixar Animation Studios released Coco. A story inspired by the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead. The story followed a young boy named Miguel who dreams of becoming a musician, despite his family’s generational music ban.
Coco made a total of $800 million worldwide. Yet it wasn’t one of Pixar’s most dominant franchises not to mention it wasn’t really a film that could do fantastic for Disney Consumer Products like Cars. Maybe the release date played a part and other factors but it performed better around the world than it did domestically. Some may suggest it was because of the long Frozen feature that aired before Coco.
With all the factors adding up. I’m sure Disney takes all of them into consideration when looking into making an attraction overlay. Especially, when replacing a classic property like The Three Caballeros featuring Donald Duck. Also if the overlay would be a good move overall for Epcot. Could a possible Coco overlay help reduce crowds at Test Track, Soarin, and the future Guardians of the Galaxy attraction?
The Gran Fiesta Tour also has good capacity so a Coco overlay would still be able to fit 16 riders per boat. 1,656 riders per hour according to current capacity measures. Currently The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros averages between a 5–15 minute wait. If you enter in something that is brand NEW. The crowds will come and the attraction would probably average between 30–60 minute wait during its opening phase and quite possibly more depending on what goes into the new attraction.
What my main questions asks “would Coco benefit the Gran Fiesta Tour?” It depends on what benefit means to you. Some may enjoy a new story with fresh characters and even better special effects (rumored budget was $75 million). Others may not want a comfortable, low wait time attraction turned into a much more elaborate, longer wait time attraction.
If Coco was interjected into the Gran Fiesta Tour the queue near San Angel Inn Restaurante would be changed to help with capacity. The rumor says that San Angel Inn Restaurante is opposed to having a Coco overlay of Gran Fiesta Tour. Who could blame them? It could easily affect the value of their restaurant, and the peaceful experience that their guests have grown accustomed too.
Now do I think Gran Fiesta Tour would benefit from having a Coco overlay? Yes, and only for these reasons. I think an Imagineering team could really tackle a beautiful film like Coco and make us immersed into that world. Due to its middle of the road popularity it fits the bill for a smaller attraction. The attraction could also be heavily based around screens which actually benefits the stunning animation from Coco. Not to mention it is a win-win especially if Epcot moves forward with a Brazil pavilion then The Three Caballeros could live on in a new attraction. Josè Carioca would be proud.
Maybe a Coco overlay could happen if Disney announces a rebirth of the World Showcase. You could have Ratatouille in France, Mary Poppins in the UK, Coco in Mexico, and Frozen in Norway. Not to mention the developments near the Japan pavilion. So there is that possibility Coco is lumped into something far greater.
Coco will probably never receive an attraction on a grand scale. So it is better to tell a smaller story. Would sacrificing The Three Caballeros be worth it for a Coco attraction? Well that will be up to Disney to decide.
Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief of the Boardwalk Times
