Pixar Fest makes its return to the Disneyland Resort from April 26 to August 4, 2024. The event means that guests can celebrate the beloved characters and stories from Pixar Animation Studio in all new ways.
From returning character interactions and watching them on parade floats to eating themed foods and drinks, and a few new enhancements, there will be no shortage of entertainment and eats at the event, especially for those who loved the studio that gave us the Toy Story films, Monsters, Inc., Up, Inside Out, Soul, Turning Red, and more.
“Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” is a high energy parade from Disney Live Entertainment. WIth two shows running daily at the Disney California Adventure, guests are invited to take a seat and watch Red Panda Mei and her friends rocking out to their favorite boy band, 4*Town; Joe Gardner and 22 from Soul celebrating the sweeter things in life; Luca, Alberto and Giulia from Luca enjoying their time together on the water’s edge in Portorosso; and more. The grand finale 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.
Over at the Hollywood Studios Backlot, guests are invited to snap a photo in front of Pixar-themed backdrops, play games and maybe even encounter a favorite character to pose with. When day turns to night, Club Pixar will take over the area for a nighttime party, inspired by the amazing stories from Pixar Animation Studios. Your whole group can enjoy an interactive DJ dance party, live performances, exciting games, photo opportunities, themed food, specially crafted beverages and more.
“Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” is a returning evening show that brings back some of your favorite Pixar moments and makes some room for a few new ones since they’ve added more titles to their library. Celebrating the heart of Pixar storytelling, this nighttime spectacular will take you on an emotional journey of friendship with Pixar pals as they meet for the first time, set out on adventures, overcome adversity and in the end, forge everlasting bonds. In addition to iconic moments from the original production — like Miguel strumming his guitar and Carl and Ellie’s house floating above Sleeping Beauty Castle — you’ll also see new scenes added featuring characters and moments from Pixar’s Onward, Soul, Luca, Turning Red, and Elemental brought to life like never before.
The vivid projections, colorful lasers and memorable music can be enjoyed from multiple locations throughout Disneyland, including the Rivers of America, the façade of “it’s a small world” and Main Street, U.S.A. And on most evenings, fireworks will illuminate the sky with this beloved show. During Pixar Fest, you can check Disneyland.com or the Disneyland app for showtime details.
The party doesn’t start at night, though as whole family can dance and play the Pixar way with some favorite pals at the Pixar Pals Playtime Party at Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland park. And just like any party, there will be singing, dancing, photo opportunities, and games for guests of all ages to enjoy.
Of course, what kind of a Pixar Fest would it be without Pixar-themed food? Over at the Disneyland Resort, guests are invited to sink their teeth into some of the feature Pixar-inspired bites and beverages at the Troubadour Tavern. And at the Paradise Garden Grill in Disney California Adventure park will serve Coco-inspired menu items.
Foodies can also enjoy six Pixar-themed marketplaces, which will be spread throughout Disney California Adventure. There will be Summertime dishes inspired by the Italian coast at Portorosso Pasta from Luca Guests can also have reimagined classics at Gusteau’s To-Go, a marketplace themed to Ratatouille. There will be an assortment of different flavors that is meant to be a playful mélange of elements at The Elemental Table, inspired by Elemental. And for all the ’90s boy band fans out there, or all guests in general, eat at the the 4*Town Fav*4*ite marketplace, where you will find foods inspired by Turning Red. Guests can also find those feel-good foods that feed your soul at The Spark, inspired by Soul, or they can get in touch with their emotions at the Hanger Management, a marketplace inspired by Inside Out.
Both parks will have the obligatory character meet-and-greets, because it wouldn’t be Disneyland Resort and Disney California Adventure without them.
There will also be novelty merchandise. At the top of the list, for those who love to collect one-of-a-kind popcorn buckets, there’s the Pizza Planet truck – one of the studio’s most iconic symbols that has made its way into nearly all Pixar films (yes even Brave and The Good Dinosaur). All-new merchandise collections will begin to arrive around Disneyland Resort this month, with stylish designs inspired by iconic Pixar films and characters. From Pizza Planet baseball caps to Mike Wazowski sweatshirts, items from these collections are the perfect way to get ready for a Pixar-filled summer. Plus, additional limited-time Pixar Fest merchandise will arrive in April.
The Disneyland Resort will also be selling medallions themed to your favorite Pixar films. So no matter if you are a fan of classics like Toy Story and A Bug’s Life or prefer newer releases like Lightyear and Elemental, you won’t want to miss these collectibles.
Finally, The Happiest Place on Earth with brightly-colored banners, incredible sculptures that double as must-stop photo locations, and plenty of other decorations that celebrate all things Pixar. Not only will these installations be great opportunities for photos, but guests can also use their MagicBand+ to interact with a Pixar-themed installation. See what kind of reaction you get when you activate one of them.
And Pixar Fest isn’t just for Disneyland Resort of Disney California Adventure, Downtown Disney will also be celebrating the event with vibrant decorations throughout the shopping, dining and entertainment promenade. Guests can shop for exclusive Pixar-themed merchandise and dine on some quality food as well.
To top it all off, Disneyland Resort has opened the Pixar Place Hotel. As the first fully Pixar-themed hotel, guests are welcome to stay and be immersed the artistry of Pixar Animation Studios, with nods to every feature film from the iconic animation studio. Those that stay in the hotel are likely to find Joe Gardner from Soul and Bing Bong from Inside Out.
