Pixar Fest is returning to the Disneyland Resort beginning on April 26, 2024 and will run through August 4, 2024. The celebration includes an all-new parade at Disney California Adventure Park, the returning “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” fireworks and projections show at Disneyland Park and more!
“Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” Parade
The new parade called “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” will include parade performers and new characters appearances from recent Disney-Pixar films such as Ember and Wade from Elemental and Mei in Red Panda form from Turning Red. Joe Gardner and 22 from Soul will appear celebrating the sweeter things in life. Luca, Alberto and Giulia from Luca will enjoy their time together on the water’s edge in Portorosso on an all-new parade float. And, the grand finale of the parade will feature Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl from The Incredibles, Miguel from Coco, Mike and Sulley from Monsters, Inc., and Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story.
The parade will be performed twice per day.
Club Pixar at the Hollywood Backlot
At the Hollywood Backlot, “Club Pixar” will take over the area with a nighttime party, inspired by the amazing stories from Pixar Animation Studios. Several years ago, Disney California Adventure Park had a nightly dance party at the Hollywood Backlot that was extremely popular. There will be an interactive DJ, live performances, exciting games, photo opportunities, themed food, specially crafted beverages and more. And during the day at the Hollywood Backlot, there will be Pixar-themed backdrops for photo opportunities, games and character meet & greets.
“Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular”
At Disneyland Park, “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” fireworks and projections show will return with some all-new scenes. The new scenes will feature characters and moments from Pixar’s Onward, Soul, Luca, Turning Red and Elemental brought to life like never before.
During “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular,” MagicBand+ will come to life with twinkling lights and vibrations synchronized to the music.
Pixar Pals Playtime Party at Fantasyland Theatre
During Pixar Fest, the Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland Park will have a high-energy show. There will also be interactive games, photo locations and other activities inspired by Pixar feature films. You will even have an opportunity to watch a selection of Pixar shorts on the big screen.
Pixar Themed Food
The celebration will include themed menu items around the Disneyland Resort. While Disney did not share all of the food that will be available during the celebration, they did mention that the iconic Pixar Fest cake will return to Plaza Inn!
Troubadour Tavern which is located just outside of Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland Park will have an all-new Pixar-inspired menu.
At Disney California Adventure Park, Paradise Garden Grill will serve Coco inspired menu items. And starting May 10, there will be six Pixar-themed marketplaces around Disney California Adventure Park with Pixar inspired menu items through the end of the celebration.
And of course, there will be a new popcorn bucket for the celebration. The Pizza Planet truck will be available as a popcorn bucket around the resort. Disney also stated that there will be more Pixar themed food novelties available during the celebration.
Pixar Merchandise
Even though Pixar Fest doesn’t officially start until April 26, all-new merchandise for the celebration will begin to arrive at the Disneyland Resort this month. The merchandise collection includes baseball caps, sweatshirts, a spirit jersey, t-shirts and more. There will also be themed medallions available for a limited time throughout Disneyland Resort.
Pixar Characters
There will be meet & greet opportunities around both Disneyland Park & Disney California Adventure Park with Pixar characters. Also, Ember and Wade from Elemental will be making their Disneyland Resort debut at Pixar Fest!
Festive Décor
In addition to Pixar posters and banners that will be placed around the Disneyland Resort, there will be a 25-foot-tall sculpture celebrating friendship and highlighting the iconic Pixar Ball added to the esplanade between Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. MagicBand+ will interact with this sculpture.
Are you excited?
I am most excited about the new “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” parade coming to Disney California Adventure Park. The park hasn’t had a daytime parade for many years so this will be a fun and exciting new offering for guests. The last daytime parade at Disney California Adventure Park was the “Pixar Play Parade” which ended it’s run at the park in 2017. The parade moved over to Disneyland Park for the summer of 2018 which was to celebrate the last Pixar Fest.
I am also happy to see Disney utilizing the Fantasyland Theatre during the celebration. The announcement from Disney today mentioned a high-energy show but also mentioned photo opportunities and games so I am not exactly sure if there will be a sit down show like the previous “Tale of the Lion King” or if it will be something more like Ernesto de la Cruz during Oogie Boogie nights where guests watch as they walk by collecting treats. Either way, I am happy that they are utilizing this theatre instead of taking it away or just leaving it empty.
Are you excited about this news? Will you be visiting the Disneyland Resort this Spring or Summer? And will you be celebrating Pixar Fest during your visit? Let me know! I would love to hear your comments.
