The best of Pixar Fest in Disneyland Resort! As an introduction to the opening of Pixar Pier and all things Disney Pixar (especially the premier of Incredibles 2), there’s a new celebration in town. It’s Disneyland’s equivalent of the Incredible Summer at Walt Disney World. There’s been a blast of Pixar touches- big and small- added to the Happiest Place on Earth. Now the Pixar-iest place on the West Coast, here’s the best of Pixar Fest in Disneyland to help you navigate. Stretch a leg. Let’s go!
The Best of Pixar Fest in Disneyland
Entertainment
The updated Pixar Play Parade can now be found in Disneyland Park, with new floats based on Up, Inside Out,the Pixar Ball, and the famous mascot Luxo Jr. Carl is always a sentimental favorite, and a California bluebird sky is always the perfect backdrop for those beloved balloons… The color, song, and dance of this parade will make your heart take flight. Up, up, up!
In a perfect swap, the Paint the Night Parade has shifted to Disney California Adventure. Though minus a few floats (perhaps space limitations required), it stills illuminates the soul.
In the fireworks department, Disneyland’s “Together Forever—A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” uses Pixar scenes projected on Sleeping Beauty Castle, “it’s a small world” and Fantasmic! Rivers of America areas, along with trademark music and fireworks. To ‘friendship and beyond!!’
Food
Top Tip: You MUST take a gander at the Disneyland Resort Pixar Fest Food Guide before you go; it outlines what and where to find the most adorable snacks, all broken down according to the Pixar movie they nod to.
Cars Land Racer Churros; pick a color, and ride it on Radiator Springs Racers. Will the winner be Lightning McQueen, Jackson Storm, or Cruz Ramirez, red, blue, or red?? Though they taste like your typical Disneyland churro, Cozy Cone Motel soups-up the fun with colored cinnamon sugar and sparkly sprinkles. Race on!
Disney California Adventure goodies
Some other highlights in this park include:
- The lemon/blue raspberry Pixar Pier Frozen Parfait found at The Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats. For me, this was a colorful update on the Dole Whip. You’ll need this frosty goodness after the mile-long line. But don’t drink it until you get that photo op!!
- The Jack-Jack Cookie Num Num seems more like a warm blondie. May I add, this is the best darned chocolate chip cookie I have ever had! My son agreed… Found at the entrance to the Incredicoaster, Make it your reward for successfully catching Jack-Jack and completing that loop!
Disneyland goodies
Our favs?
- That Coco Churro es lo mejor!! Chocolate powder, chocolate dipping sauce and just a touch of cinnamon. Found at the Frontierland Churro Cart, it’s a do not miss.
- The offerings at Alien Pizza Planet give a nod to Pixar in more subtle ways. Get your fill of little green men with Green Miso Pesto Pasta, Salad Trio, or that alien-shaped macaron.
I wish I could have added the Root Beer Float to the collage, but my little boy (aka 27 years old) got to it before the snap. The float was tasty, but oh, that souvenir boot!! Found at the Golden Horseshoe, I am not quite sure it was worth the $17.49 price tag…
Worth mentioning is the Pixar Play Parade Dining Package at the Plaza Inn. With a choice of their famous fried chicken, salmon, or vegetarian selection, the sides include white cheddar macaroni and cheese, vegetable, watermelon-feta cheese salad, chocolate caramel pudding and a beverage for $39.99 (adults) or $24.99 (children). After your “picnic” lunch (which is not their typical buffet), you’ll receive a voucher and a lanyard to wear at the Pixar Play Parade’s reserved viewing area (near Casey’s Corner). We thought this one was worth every penny, as this parade is popular and lunch was yummy.
Pixar Pier
The June 23 roll out of the long-awaited Pixar Pier was the showcase of this celebration. Formerly Paradise Pier, the changes here are mostly cosmetic, but for us, it worked. It showcases the most-beloved Pixar elements well. This fiesta for the senses reminded me of walking along the Atlantic City or Coney Island boardwalks in my youth. The buzz of color, carnival sounds, and cacophony of smells wafting throughout was a fiesta for the senses.
From the welcome marquee, to the newly-imagined Incredicoaster (replaces California Screamin’), Pixar Pal-A-Round (Mickey’s Fun Wheel replacement), and Lamplight Lounge (where Ariel’s Grotto and Cove Bar once stood), there’s new UP-beat fun to be had. Still to come are Jessie’s Critter Carousel and an attraction themed to Inside Out.
The midway games have been replaced with the “Games of Pixar Pier;” WALL-E Space Race, Bullseye Stallion Stampede, La Luna Star Catcher, and Heimlich’s Candy Corn Toss. Back to the food! Poultry Palace, Angry Dogs, Senor Buzz Churros, and the before-mentioned Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats and Jack-Jack Cookie Num Nums all round-out your trip around the new pier area.
Play the hero and bring your family to the West Coast for the best of Pixar Fest. But hurry hurry friends, this celebration ends on September 3rd. You have powers!
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