The plans to build a new land featuring Coco and Encanto in Magic Kingdom have shifted to the zoologically-focused theme park, Animal Kingdom. But there’s reason to be concerned about offense with the latest images.
When Disney announced they were planning to add Coco and Encanto in a “beyond Big Thunder Mountain” expansion, many folks were enthusiastic. The idea of a dark ride inspired by the Día de los Muertos themed film had fans thinking this could be the greatest dark ride on the planet if done correctly. But things have shifted and Disney is no longer interested in that plan. Instead, both intellectual properties based on countries that primarily speak Spanish are moving to Animal Kingdom… and the mishmash of cultures could be a tricky subject for Disney to deal with.
The original Disney “blue sky” art depicting an expansion at Magic Kingdom.
One of the issues Disney must figure out is that the current plans appear to show Encanto garnering a very significant ride of some sort. Meanwhile, Coco might be stripped of its dark ride potential… instead it could simply receive a carousel and a restaurant. For Mexican fans of Disney World — as well as those who enjoy the frivolry of Day of the Dead — this is no Gran Fiesta. Furthermore, there’s a risk that such attention to Encanto could be perceived as either a slight to Mexican Disney fans OR even a wrong-headed belief that Mexico and Columbia (the culture for which Encanto is based) are so similar they can be mixed together.
Recently revealed art for a possible Animal Kingdom expansion.
It might, then, be very wise for Disney Imagineers to work on a better understanding of what separates these cultures.
Mexican and Columbian cultures, while sharing the broad umbrella of Latin American cultural heritage, are distinctly unique, each possessing its own rich traditions, historical narratives, and culinary flavors. These differences are rooted in the diverse indigenous populations, colonial histories, geographical landscapes, and social evolutions of each country. Understanding these distinctions not only enriches our appreciation of the diversity within Latin American cultures but also challenges the oversimplification of these vibrant societies.
Having a restaurant in this “land” that somehow encompasses all of Mexico and Latin America could result in unnecessary hurdles. It’s sort of like if you tried to do an entire “expansion” on the concept of North America. Good luck making that cohesive! Mexican cuisine is known worldwide, characterized by its use of maize, beans, chili peppers, and a variety of spices. Dishes such as tacos, enchiladas, and mole offer a glimpse into the country’s diverse culinary landscape, which has been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Columbian cuisine may be less known globally but is equally rich, with corn also playing a central role. The national dish, pupusa, a thick corn tortilla stuffed with a blend of cheese, beans, and/or pork, symbolizes the country’s culinary tradition. Columbian cuisine also features a variety of soups, like sopa de gallina, and seafood dishes, reflecting its coastal geography.
And, of course, there’s the issue that Columbian really doesn’t celebrate Day of the Dead the way Mexico does. Combining Coco and Encanto together into a singular land is fraught with difficulties. Unfortunately for Disney, it’s not simply limited to the idea of which particular culture is going to get a giant ride celebrating its rich history. It’s far more complicated than that.
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