Celebrate Día de los Muertos at Disneyland’s Plaza de la Familia 2023

As part of the fall celebrations at Disneyland Resort, Plaza de la Familia in Disney California Adventure Park honors Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, with culturally rich experiences inspired by Mexican traditions. From September 1 through November 2, 2023, families can enjoy heartfelt entertainment, delicious Mexican food, and special character appearances, all inspired by Disney and Pixar’s Coco.

Heartwarming Entertainment

Several times a day, guests can experience “A Musical Celebration of Coco,”, performed by the talented Storytellers of Plaza de la Familia. This heartwarming show brings the songs and themes from Coco to life.  Led by the charismatic singer-narrator Mateo, along with dancers, singers, and musicians. The performance recounts Miguel’s adventures from the Land of the Living to the Land of the Dead through music and dance.

Over at the Paradise Garden Bandstand, guests can sing and dance along with live mariachi bands like the Mariachi Divas and Mariachi Espectacular, delivering traditional songs that touch the heart.

Family Crafts and Photo Opportunities

Plaza de la Familia is bursting with vibrant colors and symbols of family and tradition. Here are some must-do activities for families:

• Árbol de la Vida (Tree of Life) – Take a family photo in front of this beautifully decorated backdrop featuring interconnected flowers, animals, and calacas (skeletons).
• Memory Wall – Leave a note to honor loved ones who will always be remembered.
• Alebrije Masks – Design your own paper alebrije mask of Pepita or Dante, inspired by the colorful spirit guides in Coco.
• Little Miguel Photo Op – After each Coco celebration, pose for a photo with the hand-carved, Mexican folk art-inspired Miguel at the Recuérdame mural, a tribute to the beloved Coco song “Remember Me.”

Delicious Mexican Cuisine at Paradise Garden Grill

No celebration is complete without amazing food! At Paradise Garden Grill, guests can enjoy a special limited-time menu that reflects the flavors of Día de los Muertos:

• Chile Verde Chicken Flautas – Topped with avocado spread, shredded lettuce, crema, queso fresco, tomatillo salsa, and pickled onions.
• Carnitas Burrito – House-made pork carnitas with Spanish rice, pinto beans, and salsa verde.
• Plant-based Chorizo Quesadilla – Poblano, onions, and mozzarella topped with cilantro crema and served with salsa roja and escabeche.
• Vanilla Layer Cake – A stunning treat with pink, orange, and red layers, filled with cinnamon mousse and sweet cream cheese frosting.

Día de los Muertos Across Disneyland Resort

The celebration extends beyond Plaza de la Familia:

• Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa – Visit a stunning Coco-inspired confectionery sculpture featuring Miguel and Dante in alebrije form. This detailed culinary masterpiece includes over 200 pounds of sweets!
• Cars Land – Stop by Ramone’s House of Body Art, where Ramone honors Doc Hudson with a traditional ofrenda display.
• Zócalo Park in Disneyland Park – Admire the Día de los Muertos display, featuring marigolds, papel picado banners, and traditional ofrendas with calaveras and La Catrina.

Celebrate Family, Music, and Tradition

Plaza de la Familia is a beautiful tribute to the importance of family, love, and tradition. Whether you’re enjoying a Coco performance, crafting an alebrije mask, or savoring Mexican flavors.  This celebration is an unforgettable part of the fall season at Disneyland Resort.

Plaza de la Familia Disneyland Photos