As Sheriff Woody from Toy Story might say, “Yee-haw, Pixar Fest is now open! Are you ready for adventure?” Friday marked the official kick-off of Disneyland’s new seasonal celebration, and in today’s Disneyland Update we will bring you some of the highlights as well as our usual coverage of construction and refurbishments at Disneyland.
Before we start with the pictures, we should take a minute to explain what Pixar Fest is all about. At the beginning of Disneyland’s new fireworks spectacular, Together Forever, Buzz Lightyear rockets over Sleeping Beauty Castle and proclaims, “To friendship and beyond.” Buzz’s signature catchphrase has been modified to reflect the theme of Pixar Fest: the spirit of friendship that is at the heart of Pixar films. Disneyland management goes into further detail with the following statements:
Bob Chapek, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products – “Since 1955, we’ve been bringing Disney Magic to families here in Anaheim and around the world. And behind it all – right from the very beginning – has been the world’s best storytelling, including the amazing stories created by Pixar. The team at Pixar has brought us to a world in which cars are just as human as we are; they’ve shown us the softer side of monsters under our bed; and they’ve taken us to infinity and beyond. Now, as we launch Pixar Fest, we’re taking what Disney Parks does best – creating magical experiences – and combining it with some of the greatest stories of all time to give guests something totally new.”
Josh D’Amaro, President, Disneyland Resort – “Whether you’re battling the evil Emperor Zurg with Buzz Lightyear or cruising down Route 66 in Cars Land, Pixar stories play an enormous part of any visit to the Disneyland Resort. With a new fireworks show, the arrival of “Pixar Play Parade” in Disneyland Park, and the return of “Paint the Night,” Pixar Fest and its spirit of friendship will bring favorite Pixar stories to life for our guests in new and exciting ways.”
Now, get ready to have more fun than a barrel full of monkeys as we bring you the update.
Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular
The most anticipated element of Pixar Fest and of the summer for Disneyland is the new fireworks spectacular, Together Forever. Like Disneyland Forever before it, this show features projections in various locations around the park as well as the big shells we’ve all come to expect.
The projections can perhaps best be seen on Main Street. But many of you would likely rather be closer to the action in the sky and look for spots closer to the castle.
We have a special fireworks update coming to you later this week. Stay tuned!
Pixar Play Parade
MiceChat’s Dsny Debbie posted a detailed article on the Pixar Play Parade yesterday, which can be found here. Below are some additional pictures from performances during the opening weekend.
Luxo leads things off in the revised parade structure.
Inside Out gets a float in the parade thanks to Pixar Fest.
Russel, Carl, and Kevin make an appearance on the new Up float.
Food and Merchandise
There are so many food and merchandise offerings available during Pixar Fest that they deserve their own post. As luck would have it, MiceChat’s very own Fabulous Disney Babe did just that, and you can view it here.
Below are a few highlights.
Alien Pizza Planet
The little green aliens have taken over Pizza Port and have transformed the place for Pixar Fest.
Splash Mountain
Splash Mountain was scheduled to reopen on Saturday. Unfortunately, it wasn’t quite ready. And though it did eventually open for a bit over the weekend, it spent most of that time out of service.
MiceChat will have much more detailed coverage of this much-missed attraction later this week.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Scott Attula was able to snag a couple of shots of Pirates of the Caribbean, which will go under the knife to alter the auction scene on April 23rd.
This is the final week to take in the classic version of the Auction scene before it is altered.
Dumbo
It looks like flights will resume shortly.
You can just make out the central orb of the spinner beyond the walls.
New Small World Queue Revealed
Lots of new trees have been planted near the new parade gate. The new configuration allows for a nicer queue experience as well as out of the way stroller parking. It’s quite the transformation.
Star Wars Land Construction
Let’s take a look at the next big thing . . . this time next year we’ll be clamoring for a sneak peek at a land which will be in heaving testing. . . Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
And here’s what the land looks like from outside looking in.
New Parking Lot
The mad rush is on to add more parking spaces to the resort before insanity hits next year.
This past weekend, the resort ran out of parking. Imagine how much worse that situation will be ones Star Wars land opens.
This and That
Pixar Fest signs adorn the turnstiles.
The bunting on Main Street is Pixar red, yellow and blue.
Scott tried the Chicken Fried Steak sandwich which is available at the Stage Door Cafe outside the Golden Horseshoe. He was impressed.
Downtown Disney
I really like these new topiaries, if you can even call them that.
MiceChat’s Moment of Zen
Enjoy a few seconds of nearly empty Main Street. As part of our coverage of Pixar Fest, we were able to shoot a 4am video of an empty Main Street. Click play . . .
There’s more Pixar Fest Goodness on MiceChat:
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- Pixar Fest Overview and Review – from the MiceChat Team
- You’ve Got a Friend in Food – Fab reviews the food and merchandise of Pixar Fest
- The Return of the Pixar Play Parade
- Dusty interviews the Director of Paint the Night:
- Dusty interviews a Disneyland chef about the food of Pixar Fest:
- Dusty interviews Disneyland Resort Ambassador Jessica Bernard about Pixar Fest:
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