Disneyland announces an opening date for its new Pixar Pier
Disney announced Sunday that the much-anticipated opening of Pixar Pier is set for June 23, offering a new look at a part of Anaheim’s Disney California Adventure that has been closed since Jan. 8.
Park officials wanted to ensure the area is opened as the busy summer season kicks off. A preview of the new area will begin April 13, when the park will hold its first “Pixar Fest” event.
Sunday’s announcement was made by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Bob Chapek at the D23 Expo Japan 2018, along with intriguing looks at projects underway at other parks worldwide.
The former Paradise Pier, which was part of the original Disney California Adventure, was designed after classic beachfront pleasure piers. But, along with numerous California-themed attractions scrapped or remodeled since the park opened in 2001, it is now undergoing renovation.
When it reopens, it will have four distinct “neighborhoods,” themed to go with the numerous Pixar movies that Disney now owns, including Toy Story, The Incredibles, Coco, Finding Nemo, Up, Inside Out, Brave, Wall-E and more.
The Incredibles 2 movie is slated to be in theaters starting on June. 15.
The four ‘neighborhoods’ under construction:
1. The former California Screamin’ roller coaster is being revamped into the Incredicoaster, with new theming based on “The Incredibles” movie featuring a comic family of superheroes.
2. A new Toy Story neighborhood will include the existing Toy Story Mania! ride.
3. Characters from the movie “Inside Out” will populate another neighborhood.
4. The area around Mickey’s Fun Wheel, a Ferris wheel, will also be a distinct neighborhood that features a variety of Pixar characters. The gondolas will be redone with new Pixar characters on the sides.
Park officials have considered for years how to freshen up the pier area with new theming, and the popular Pixar characters are likely to be a hit.
Despite the changes, annual passholder Cynthia Varnell of Huntington Beach said her family still prefers Disneyland, except that her son loves Carsland at Disney California Adventure.
“I’ve never been a fan of Coney Island-type piers,” Varnell said. “The whole vibe isn’t my thing, so I prefer Disneyland. Though, if it’s a stressful day, you can get a margarita” (at Disney California Adventure, unlike at Disneyland.)
Also during the D23 fan club expo, Chapek showed fans a glimpse of what’s to come from the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge projects that are underway now at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World in Florida, with completion planned for 2019. Fans were able to glimpse part of the Millennium Falcon ride and some life-size star fighters being created for the new lands.
Although a new hotel is being designed for Anaheim, it won’t get the same type of Star Wars-themed hotel being planned for Orlando, which will “combine a luxury resort with complete immersion into an authentic Star Wars story (that will be) seamlessly connected to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.,” according to a prepared statement from the expo.
Disney’s use of Marvel super heroes at its parks will continue to expand worldwide, possibly a sign of things to come at the Disneyland Resort as well.
Plans are underway to create a “Marvel Super Hero universe” at Disneyland Paris, and the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster will be rethemed with Iron Man and the Avengers. Disney’s Hotel New York will feature The Art of Marvel in 2020. And an entire Marvel themed area is slated for Hong Kong Disneyland.
At the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim:
The following attractions are currently closed and being incorporated into the new Pixar Pier:
California Screamin’ (Will become the Incredicoaster)
Mickey’s Fun Wheel (Getting new Pixar theming)
Games of the Boardwalk
Sideshow Shirts
Ariel’s Grotto (A new restaurant will open here)
Cove Bar (A new lounge will be here)
Treasures in Paradise (merchandise shop)
Paradise Pier Ice Cream Co.
Still open for business (will become a new area called Paradise Park)
Silly Symphony Swings
Jumping Jellyfish
Goofy’s Sky Schoool
Golden Zephyr
Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
King Triton Carousel
Toy Story Midway Mania!
