Miguel Debuts as Face Character for Disney Cruise Line ‘Coco’ Restaurant

Disney Cruise Line just pulled back the curtain on many unique offerings coming to the Disney Treasure ship when it sets sail late next year. Among the standout reveals was the debut of a fresh spin on Miguel from Pixar’s Coco movie.

Disney and Pixar’s Coco

Released in 2017, Pixar’s Coco follows the journey of a young Mexican boy named Miguel, who dreams of becoming a musician despite his family’s ban on music. On Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), Miguel is transported to the vibrant Land of the Dead, where he embarks on an adventure to uncover his family’s long-hidden musical history and discover the importance of remembering one’s ancestors.

Coco was a massive success, both critically and commercially, earning two Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song, “Remember Me.” Its culturally rich storytelling and colorful animation resonated with audiences worldwide, making it a beloved addition to Pixar’s acclaimed roster of films. Disney Cruise Line has recognized the appeal and will bring the film to life with a themed dining experience.

A Fresh Spin on Miguel from Coco

During a Disney Cruise Line special reveal live stream, the company shed light on the new venues coming to the Disney Treasure ship next year. Among the major offerings was announcing a dining rotation restaurant themed entirely around Pixar’s Coco. This venue fills the space of the Frozen restaurant on the Disney Wish.

Guests will be transported to Miguel’s hometown, Mariachi Plaza, where live performers will celebrate the joys of family via classic songs from the film. The official description from Disney Cruise Line was provided via the announcement on Twitter/X:

The story of Miguel and his familia will continue where it left off on screen as they gather in Mariachi Plaza to take guests on two nights of colorful, music-filled journeys that celebrate family memories with festive dinner menus of modern twists on traditional Mexican fare.

However, the biggest reveal comes from adding Miguel as a face character among the performers for the first time. For those who don’t know, “face character” is the term used to describe Disney character actors who do not wear a full costume covering their head, thus allowing them to talk and interact with guests on a more personal level. Miguel usually appears in Disney theme parks as a costumed character.

The story of Miguel and his familia will continue where it left off on screen as they gather in Mariachi Plaza to take guests on two nights of colorful, music-filled journeys that celebrate family memories with festive dinner menus of modern twists on traditional Mexican fare.

— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) September 5, 2023

Miguel took a moment from his rehearsal and spoke with the guide during the reveal stream. The two discussed the importance of family and remembering those who came before us before Miguel returned to his performance.

Disney Treasure Reveals

The Coco restaurant is just one major reveal that Disney Cruise Line announced. Other major venues include a 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea pub, a Jungle Cruise bar, and even a Lion King adult lounge called Sarabi’s. The upper decks include an ice cream parlor themed around Disney’s Zootopia film. The other major restaurant in the dining rotation is the return of the Worlds of Marvel location first brought to the Disney Wish last year.

The Disney Treasure begins sailing in December of 2024. Disney Cruise Line is also in the process of bringing a behemoth new ship to Singapore in the near future, as well as an additional sister ship to the current lineup.