Disneyland’s Pixar Fest Guide

Photo credit: Getaway Today

Disclosure: There are affiliate links within this post which means if you make a purchase, it will cost you nothing but I’ll get a small referral fee. Thank you! 

There are so many fun things happening right now at Disneyland’s Pixar Fest! Now through Sept. 3, 2018, you can enjoy Pixar themed entertainment, Pixar themed food and limited time Pixar themed merchandise at Disney’s Pixar Fest! This is a long post but it gives a great breakdown of how to make the most out of your trip to Disneyland for Pixar Fest!

First, let’s start with planning your trip and how you can save money for Pixar Fest! Our favorite way to recommend saving money at Disneyland is to purchase tickets and vacation packages through Getaway Today. There are often sales and discounts through GetawayToday.com for Disneyland Tickets. Use my promo code: CleverPirate to save on vacation packages!

CURRENT DISNEYLAND SPECIAL – GET A 4 DAY PARK HOPPER AT THE 3 DAY PRICE!

Purchase your discount Disneyland tickets here!

• • Get a 4-Day Park Hopper for the gate price of a 3-Day Park Hopper – that’s up to a $25 per ticket savings!
  • Tickets must be purchased at least five days prior to travel and must be purchased by June 26, 2018.
  • Valid for travel through December 31, 2018
  • Tickets may be purchased separately or as part of a package. If purchasing a package, remove the 3-Day Park Hopper Tickets from the package and select the 4th Day Free ticket option.

If you are looking to save even more money check out our post with tips on how to save for Disneyland!

Lastly, before your trip, let’s make sure you are ready with a Pixar Movie-athon! Here are our favorite Pixar movies. If you don’t have them, check to see if they are available at your local library! You could also purchase them through Amazon.com where you can also buy digital copies of the movies to easily take them on the road!

Pixar Movies To Watch Before Going to Pixar Fest

• UP
• Finding Nemo
• Inside Out
• Toy Story
• COCO
• Cars
• Incredibles
• Monsters Inc.

Photo Credit: Disneyland Resort

Entertainment at Pixar Fest

Let’s talk about all of the FUN you can have at Disney’s Pixar Fest from now through Septemeber 3rd! There are parades, a nighttime spectacular show, and even character meet & greets!

Before you enter the parks, grab an entertainment schedule!

“Together Forever” Show Fun Facts:

“Together Forever” is a nighttime show that connects guests to beloved Pixar stories as it lights up the sky over Disneyland Park. It comes to life with pyrotechnics, special effects, a new musical score and projections on iconic park locations: Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, the water screens of the Rivers of America, the façade of “it’s a small world” and the buildings of Main Street, U.S.A. The grand tradition of Tinker Bell flying over Sleeping Beauty Castle also gets a Pixar twist, with a special flyover by Buzz Lightyear. This means you can truly enjoy this show from almost anywhere in the park!

• • “Together Forever” celebrates the everlasting bonds of friendship between guests, as well as the friendships of beloved Pixar characters from all 19 Disney•Pixar films.
  • “Together Forever” opens with Buzz Lightyear, who flies 100 feet in the air above Sleeping Beauty Castle on a flight path that is 350 feet long.
  • As Buzz Lightyear takes flight, he opens the show with a new line of dialogue: “To friendship…and beyond!”
  • The fireworks for “Together Forever” were specifically developed and designed to enhance the projected images within the show and to match Pixar Animations Studios’ color palette.
  • “Together Forever” contains more than 900 separate fireworks effects, digitally controlled within 1/30 of a second.
  • An all-new musical score was recorded for “Together Forever.” The orchestra was composed of 101 musicians and 20 vocalists. The score features popular songs from Pixar films, in addition to iconic instrumental themes.
  • “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” the hit song by Randy Newman from Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story,” serves as the musical thread for the show. Guests will be inspired to sing along as this anthem becomes the rousing finale. This version of the song is a custom arrangement made specifically for “Together Forever.”
  • On Main Street, U.S.A., mapped projections bring the storytelling of “Together Forever” to life. The same technology is used for projections on Sleeping Beauty Castle and the façade of the “it’s a small world” attraction.
  • Each of the four viewing areas in the park – Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle, Rivers of America and “it’s a small world” – feature custom effects that create a unique experience for guests at each location.
  • With the use of projection mapping, more than 300 Space Aliens from “Toy Story” appear on the façade of the buildings on Main Street, U.S.A., and Sleeping Beauty Castle during their moment in “Together Forever.” The adorable green Space Aliens also appear on the façade of the “it’s a small world” attraction.
  • Multiple laser beams project down Main Street, U.S.A., in the scene where the Incredibles battle the Omnidroid at Sleeping Beauty Castle. Lasers are also used at the Rivers of America viewing location.
  • The story heats up during a pivotal scene from “Toy Story 3,” as Sleeping Beauty Castle is flanked by six shooting flames that reach up to 30 feet in the air.
  • During the “Coco” adventure, 10 townspeople from the Land of the Dead appear on the rooftops of Main Street, U.S.A. Each of these characters stretches more than 10 feet tall and they join the animated mariachi and folklórico dancers projected on Main Street U.S.A., bringing to life a colorful fiesta.
  • The voice of Anthony Gonzalez, who played the lead role of Miguel in Disney•Pixar’s “Coco,” can be heard singing “The World Es Mi Familia” during the “Coco” adventure of “Together Forever.”
  • “The World Es Mi Familia” features authentic Mexican singers and musicians who play traditional mariachi instruments like the vihuela, guitar, and guitarrón.
  • Several objects have flown above Sleeping Beauty Castle in past nighttime spectaculars, and the largest one ever is in “Together Forever” – Carl Fredricksen’s House from Disney•Pixar’s film, “Up.”
  • Guests can look out for the Pizza Planet truck in “Together Forever.” Seen in “Toy Story,” the Pizza Planet truck also appears as an Easter Eggs hidden in most Pixar films.

Pixar Play Parade

This daytime parade makes it’s way through Disneyland Park daily and includes three new story elements to add even more playfulness to this interactive parade. Be sure to check the times for this fun parade in your Disneyland map or in the Disneyland App!

Photo Credit: Disneyland Resort (Kevin!)

 

 “Pixar Play Parade” Fun Facts:

• “Pixar Play Parade” originally premiered in 2008 at Disney California Adventure Park.
• The Pixar Lamp and Ball from Pixar’s original short, “Luxo Jr.” now lead the parade in a larger-than-life fashion. The Lamp is 14 feet tall and the Pixar Ball is nearly four feet wide.
• Guests will want to keep an eye out for Kevin, the friendly bird from “Up” who stands nearly 12 feet tall from her toes to the top of her feathers. The “Up” unit also features Carl Fredricksen and Dug, while Kevin (a puppet) romps through the parade with pal Russell riding on her back.
• From the tip-top of the balloons, the Fredricksen house from “Up” flies 17 feet above the parade route.
• New music accompanies the three new story elements in the parade. The Pixar Lamp and Ball roll down the parade route to a “Pixar Medley,” the “Inside Out” unit is accompanied by the “Main Theme” and “Bing Bong Song,” and the “Up” element brings guests a new rendition of “Spirit of Adventure.”
• On the “Inside Out” unit, guests will recognize Riley’s rocket wagon. Nearly 280 memory orbs of all different emotions appear at the base of this element.
• 120-plus performers and crew entertain guests, along with 8 units that represent several of the DisneyŸPixar animated films.
• The longest float is “A Bug’s Life” at 45 feet.
• More than 2,000 pieces and parts make up the performers’ costumes.
• Matthew Gerrard and Robbie Nevil, who wrote many of the songs for the successful “High School Musical” movies, wrote the original songs for “Pixar Play Parade”: “Countdown to Fun” and “The Party’s On.”
• Baby Jack-Jack sits in one of the claws of the Omnidroid on “The Incredibles” float and, just like in the Pixar film, flames rise from his head when he gets excited.

With “Pixar Play Parade” dining packages, you can enjoy a picnic-style lunch and a receive a voucher that provides access to a reserved viewing area for the parade. Find out more about the dining packages, available at Plaza Inn, and make reservations at Disneyland.com.

 

Meet some of your favorite Pixar pals! Guests may meet some of their favorite Pixar pals at Paradise Gardens in Disney California Adventure, such as Buzz Lightyear and Woody, Russell and Dug, Flik and Atta, Mike and Sulley, and Mr. and Mrs. Incredible. If you follow the map above, it is behind Mickey’s Fun Wheel!

Draw favorite Pixar characters at Animation Academy – In Disney California Adventure, you can learn to draw your favorite Pixar characters such as Sulley, Dug, Edna Mode, Jack-Jack, Bing Bong and more with the artists at Animation Academy. Drawing classes typically occur every 30 minutes and you can even take home your art as a souvenir (this is free).

Food at Disneyland’s Pixar Fest

Photo credit: Disneyland Resort. These fun alien macaroons are available in Tomorrowland at Disneyland park.

Here’s a guide to finding food inspired by your favorite Pixar movies throughout both parks! Guests may look forward to even more Pixar-inspired food and beverage items, at both parks and the three hotels of the Disneyland Resort, just in time for the opening of Pixar Pier, June 23, 2018.

 Photo Credit: Disneyland Resort. Among the many fun Pixar-inspired treats is the Nemo and Dory Apples, inspired by “Finding Nemo” served at locations around Disneyland Resort including: Pooh Corner in Disneyland Park and Marceline’s Confectionary in Downtown Disney. 

Disneyland

“Up” on Main Street U.S.A.

• The fried bologna sandwich at Carnation Café
• The pork chop dinner, reminiscent of Carl’s TV dinners, with a spiced apple pork chop, cornbread, peas and carrots, and a chocolate cake dessert at Carnation Café
• Specialty Éclair at Jolly Holiday Bakery Café
• Frozen “Grape Soda” slush at Cappo Cart

“Coco” in Frontierland

• “Coco”-inspired menu items at Rancho Del Zocalo include a Mexican chocolate pot de crème, topped with a Miguel chocolate
• Coco Churro with rich chocolate powder, vanilla bean and salted cinnamon sugar is served with a spiced, Mexican chocolate dipping sauce

“Toy Story” in Frontierland

• Root beer float served in a souvenir Woody boot at Golden Horseshoe Saloon (guests will want to check the bottom of the boot for a “Toy Story” memory)
• Berry funnel cake, topped with blueberries, strawberries, cookie-and-cream crumbles, crème anglaise, white chocolate and gold-dusted whipped cream at Stage Door Café
• Cinnamon pretzel at Frontierland Pretzel Cart

“Toy Story” in Tomorrowland

• Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port transforms into Alien Pizza Planet, featuring new Alien-inspired items, including a hearty cheeseburger pizza topped with cheese, caramelized onions, diced tomatoes, slider patties, a house-made burger sauce, and pickles.

“Ratatouille” in New Orleans Square

• A three-course dinner inspired by the little chef, Remy, served at Café Orleans. The dinner features a charcuterie plate starter, Ratatouille a Confit Byaldi Shrimp dish entrée and berry and cheese beignets served a la mode.

Photo Credit: Disneyland Resort. This Pixar Fest Celebration Cake, inspired by the familiar yellow Pixar Ball, at Plaza Inn at Disneyland park and Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta at Disney California Adventure park.

Disney California Adventure

“Monsters, Inc.”

• Chilled noodle salad features color-changing noodles with mint, Thai basil, shredded daikon and tofu at Lucky Fortune Cookery (special sauce activates the new color)
• Mike Wazowski-shaped sourdough bread at Pacific Wharf Café
• Mint chip smoothie and whoopie pie at Schmoozies
• Lemon Flavored ice cream inspired by the Adorable Snowman in Monster’s Inc, look for it on the pier!

 “Coco”

• “Coco”-inspired menu at Paradise Garden Grill, in the Pixar Pals area, with mole verde con pollo, tacos de estilo callejero, a Jamaica slush and “Coco” tres leches parfait
• Also featured at Paradise Garden Grill is a Mexican cinnamon-spiced hot chocolate served in a souvenir “Coco” jarrita

Cars Land

• A new menu at Flo’s V8 Café for Pixar Fest features items such as a classic cheeseburger, turkey club sandwich, cobb salad, fried chicken plate and more.
• Habanero meatball cone at Cozy Cone Motel

Pixar Fest Merchandise

Photo Credit: Disneyland Resort

• Friendship bracelets: Guests will commemorate their personal friendships with Pixar-themed friendship charm bracelets. With nine sets of Pixar pal charms to collect, friends may add new charms to their bracelets throughout Pixar Fest.
• Apparel: Guests of all ages will get into the spirit of friendship with Pixar Fest apparel. T-shirts, baseball caps and more feature colorful Pixar Fest character designs, available in men’s, women’s and youth sizes. Special companion apparel is designed to be worn “in pairs,” inspired by the stories of “Up,” “The Incredibles,” “Finding Nemo” and more.

Photo:AllfortheBoys.com

• Pixar headwear: Specially themed headwear will allow guests to channel some of their favorite Pixar characters. Fun Pixar headwear includes:
  • Woody, Green Alien, WALL•E, EVE and Lightning McQueen Ears
  • Buzz Lightyear and Space Alien glow headbands
  • 
    Hair bows inspired by Dory, UP, Jessie, and Mike and Sulley
• Buzz bubble blower: Space Rangers will fill the parks with bubbles, with help from their Pixar pal Buzz Lightyear.
• Space Alien Light Up Tumbler: Guests at the Disneyland Resort will quench their thirst with a Space Alien Light Up Tumbler. The tumbler features the claw reaching down toward a green Alien from “Toy Story,” and will leave guests “oohing” and “ahhing” with its three light-up sequences.
• “Finding Nemo” and “Finding Dory” souvenir light-up sippers: Guests may also enjoy beverages in special “Finding Nemo” and “Finding Dory” light-up sippers. The sippers can be enjoyed on their own or in pairs, as one features Nemo and the other features Dory.
• Sulley popcorn bucket and Mike Wazowski sipper: At popcorn carts throughout the parks, guests will find their favorite monsters with the Sulley popcorn bucket and Mike Wazowski sipper. When combined, the items make quite the pair.
• Pixar-themed straws: Guests may add a little Pixar flair to their beverages with a Pixar Lamp & Ball Straw, and a Space Alien Straw. These straws also include a special souvenir, which can be removed and used as a backpack clip.
• “Coco” jarrita: Guests dining at Rancho del Zocalo in Disneyland or Paradise Garden Grill in Disney California Adventure may enjoy a delicious treat from a beautifully designed “Coco” jarrita souvenir cup.
• Sketch Artisans at Off the Page & Knick’s Knacks: At Off the Page and the new Knick’s Knacks in Disney California Adventure, guests will be able to have a Disney artist create an original piece of work right before their eyes. Guests may select from a curated assortment of images from Pixar feature films and watch as the artist brings the scene to life for guests, an ideal souvenir.
• Art on Demand at Knick’s Knacks: Also at the new Knick’s Knacks, guests may visit the new Art on Demand kiosk to view a curated assortment of images from Pixar archives representing both Pixar feature films and short films. Once an image is chosen, guests may select to have it printed on paper or canvas and may have it shipped directly to their home.
• Pixar Fest ornaments: Two-sided, Pixar Fest ceramic disk ornaments showcase Pixar friends with one pal on each side. Guests will find Mike and Sulley, WALL•E and EVE, Miguel and Dante, and Joy and Anger featured on these must-have collector ornaments.
• Art & Collectibles: Starting in June, stylized wooden figures inspired by Disney•Pixar characters will be available for guests to collect. These wooden figures come in sets of three, with sets inspired by “The Incredibles” arriving in June, “Toy Story” in July, “Monsters, Inc.” in August, and “Up” in September.
• Pixar Fest pin trading: Friends and pin traders will expand their collections with limited-edition pins set to be released throughout Pixar Fest. Pins will feature Pixar characters from “The Incredibles,” “Up,” “Finding Nemo” and other beloved Pixar films.

• Pixar Fest stationery set: Guests may share the message of friendship with their family and friends with special Pixar Fest greeting cards. The note cards feature Pixar pals Lighting McQueen and Mater, Dug and Russell, Remy and Linguini, and Sulley and Boo on the front cover, with space to write a personalized message inside.

• Pixar Fest keychains: For a token of friendship, guests may carry Pixar Fest keychains that feature Pixar buddies: WALL•E and EVE, Joy and Anger, Miguel and Dante, and Nemo and Dory. The Pixar Fest keychains will be available in June.

Pixar Rides at Disneyland

Take a ride on Pixar attractions at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure! Guests at the Disneyland Resort can enjoy more than a dozen experiences that immerse them in the worlds of some favorite Pixar stories, including Toy Story Mania!, Monsters Inc., and Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage.

Paint the Night Parade

Don’t forget to find more of your Pixar friends in the Paint The Night Parade now in Disney’s California Adventure! Becoming even more super in June, “Paint the Night” adds a new float inspired by “The Incredibles” and “Incredibles 2.”

Pixar Fest Outside of the Parks

See which Pixar friends you can find on the Disneyland Monorail: During Pixar Fest, the monorail fleet gets a new look with characters from “The Incredibles” and “Finding Nemo.” This highway in the sky offers transportation to Downtown Disney with aerial views of the theme parks while on the 2.5-mile route. You can spot the monorail outside the park at Downtown Disney and of course inside the park above Finding Nemo.

Enjoy Pixar delights in Downtown Disney: Pixar fun expands to Downtown Disney with colorful Pixar-inspired topiaries in six different locations, plus a variety of Pixar-themed treats at Marceline’s Confectionery.

Pixar Pier Opens June 23rd!

Disney’s Pixar Pierpier opens on June 23rd and it will definitely be a great addition to Disney’s California Adventure Park!

Pixar Pier features the Incrediacoaster roller coaster inspired by the Incredibles! It also features the Pixar Promenade which is the 160-foot-tall former Mickey’s Fun Wheel that overlooks the park. It has been repainted and rethemed to include Pixar characters!

Photo Credit: Disneyland Resort

Before you head to Pixar Fest, you’ll definitely want to read these posts from my fellow bloggers who have gotten to experience Pixar Fest, first hand!

Disneyland Pixar Fest Must-Do Activities

What to Expect at Disney’s Pixar Fest

The Ultimate Guide to Disney’s Pixar Fest

 

Pixar Fest Scavenger Hunt at Disneyland

 

Disneyland Pixar Fest Fun Facts (+ Pixar Prize Pack Giveaway!!)