Plaza de la Familia, A Celebration of ‘Coco’ and the Everlasting Bonds of Family, Opens Sept. 15 at Disney California Adventure Park

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New Seasonal Experience Features Disney●Pixar Animated Film ‘Coco’

At Disneyland, Dia del los Muertos Tribute Returns to Frontierland

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Sept. 15, 2017) — This fall and winter, guests at Disney California Adventure will discoverPlaza de la Familia, A Celebration of “Coco” and the Everlasting Bonds of Family.

As park guests anticipate the premiere of the new Disney●Pixar film “Coco,” they will enjoy an immersive celebration that includes enchanting storytelling, live entertainment with folklorico dancers and mariachi musicians, as well as interactive experiences and a delicious new menu of Mexican dishes. Plaza de la Familia festivities are inspired by the tradition of Dia de los Muertos, which celebrates loved ones who have passed and also honors familial bonds that last forever.

At Disney California Adventure

A Musical Celebration of Coco: A festive show, featuring dance and musical performances by the entertaining Storytellers of Plaza de la Familia, introduces guests to the story of “Coco,” which premieres in theaters Nov. 22. The musical gathering features a charming storyteller and a lively troupe of singers and folklorico dancers dressed in beautiful costumes accompanied by the Grammy® Award-winning Mariachi Divas. A Musical Celebration of Coco is scheduled five times daily.

From there, guests will make their way to the Paradise Gardens Bandstand to hear an uplifting repertoire of beloved Mexican songs that bring to life this moving family celebration.

The World of Coco: The World of Coco exhibit introduces guests to the characters and locations of the Disney●Pixar film “Coco.” The immersive exhibition features framed animation images that reveal the Land of the Living and Land of the Dead. Guests also will encounter a three-dimensional “ofrenda” inspired by the remembrance altar seen in “Coco.” In the film, Miguel, the 12-year-old lead character, builds an “ofrenda” in honor of his idol, the legendary late musician Ernesto de la Cruz. “Ofrendas” traditionally are created by friends and family members to honor relatives or loved ones who have passed away.

Fun Activities: Guests are invited to take commemorative photos in front of the iconic Mexican Tree of Life, or “Arbol de la Vida.” The Tree of Life at Plaza de la Familia celebrates the everlasting bonds of family and friends. Guests will be able to share special memories and stories as they pause to remember the many loved ones who have been – and will forever be – part of their lives. Guests also will enjoy complimentary face painting that reflects the spirit of Plaza de la Familia.

Mexican Food Menu: A new Mexican menu at Paradise Garden Grill features delicious offerings such as the traditional Dia de los Muertos Pan de Muerto, Mole Verde con Pollo, Elote (street-style corn), and a scrumptious Tres Leches Parfait.

Plaza de la Familia runs from Sept. 15 through Nov. 2 in the Paradise Gardens area of Disney California Adventure. Select elements of the celebration will move to “a bug’s land” from Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, through Jan. 7, 2018, and during that time guests also will enjoy a special sneak peek of the new film, “Coco.”

More Dia de Los Muertos

Guests who cruise into Cars Land between Sept. 15-Oct. 31, 2017, will find that Ramone, one of the citizens of Cars Land, also pays tribute to Dia de los Muertos. Ramone celebrates this time when families gather to remember their loved one with a traditional “ofrenda” display honoring the gone, but not forgotten, Doc Hudson. Guests at Cars Land will also enjoy complimentary face painting.

Disneyland Park continues to offer its traditional Dia de los Muertos skeleton display in Frontierland, from Sept. 15-Nov 2, 2017.

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Laura Gilbreath is a native of San Diego, CA. She has been making the trek up Interstate 5 to Disneyland since she was a small child and terrified of talking tikis and hitchhiking ghosts. She and her husband Lee enjoy trips to Disneyland and Walt Disney World, as well as sailings on the Disney Cruise Line.

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