Pixar Fest returns to Disneyland Resort with tons to celebrate after a break since 2018
Back in 2018, Pixar Fest threw its inaugural celebration in conjunction with the opening of Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure. Luckily for theme park fans, the Pixar themed celebration has returned bigger and better than before during its second celebration throughout Disneyland Resort.
From the moment you step on Disneyland Resort property, you’ll notice the Pixar celebration. Starting in Downtown Disney, décor has been added throughout the dining and shopping district.
As you approach the theme parks, a giant Pixar themed tower stands in the esplanade between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. This tower is a bit reminiscent of Disney Legend Imagineer Rolly Crump’s Tower of the Four Winds created for the 1964 World’s Fair.
Once entering the theme park’s, Pixar accents have been added to the lamp posts on both Main Street U.S.A. in Disneyland and Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure. In these areas, both parks also include a photo op reminiscent of the esplanade tower.
As you continue into Disney California Adventure, Pixar Fest banners line the street of Hollywood Land. These lead the way to the evening Club Pixar festivities.
Of course, with every Disney park celebration comes specialty merchandise and food. Let’s start with the merchandise.
Pixar Fest 2024 branded limited time merchandise includes the usual offerings like spirit jerseys, sweatshirts, t-shirts, baseball caps, water bottles, and more. More unique offerings include a Pixar Fest 2024 bucket hat and a lug bag (a first for Disneyland Resort).
Additionally, guests can find medallions themed to Pixar films throughout Disneyland Resort for a limited time. Each coin features the Pixar Fest logo on one side and a Pixar film represented on the other with its domestic release year noted. There are 28 medallions in total to collect.
The perfect transition from merchandise to food is the popular popcorn buckets. Pixar Fest features three new popcorn bucket options. Available to all guests is the Alien Pizza Planet Truck Bucket and the Coco Guitar Bucket. Magic Key Holders have a third option with the Dug Bucket featuring the lovable dog from “Up”.
There are also Sippers featuring Pixar favorites like Slinky Dog, the Pixar Ball, and Coco. Plus, there are numerous Tumblers and Straw Clips.
If you’re looking to fill your belly and not just your souvenir shelf, there are plenty of limited time food offerings during Pixar Fest. You can find a full guide here, but here are a few of the highlights.
New this year is the Red Panda Bao found in the Pixar Fest Marketplace. This jumbo bao is filled with pork and vegetables with a chile-garlic sauce. Also at Disney California Adventure, you can find the Chile Verde Chicken Flautas topped with avocado spread, shredded lettuce, crema, queso fresco, tomatillo salsa and pickled onions served with Spanish rice and refried beans topped with nopales pico de gallo at Paradise Garden Grill. This dish is inspired by the Pixar film “Coco”.
Some special desserts over in Disneyland Park include the Pixar Fest Cake. Layers of yellow, blue, and red vanilla sponge cake with cream cheese frosting and a chocolate Pixar ball decoration can be found at Plaza Inn. New this year is the Marigold Bridge inspired by “Coco”. This tri-colored white sponge, cinnamon croquantine, cinnamon mouse, and cream cheese frosting decorated with a chocolate bridge and orange chocolate shaving can be found at Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante.
If it’s entertainment you’re after, there’s a bunch new during Pixar Fest 2024. Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration marks the return of a parade to Disney California Adventure during regular park hours. This brand-new parade showcases first time floats featuring Pixar films including “Turning Red”, “Soul”, “Luca” and more.
Over at Disneyland Park, Pixar Pals Playtime Party in Fantasyland Theatre features interactive games, photo ops, Pixar shorts on the big screen, and a high-energy show with favorite Pixar pals.
Once the sun begins to set, the high-energy party atmosphere transfers over to Hollywood Land in Disney California Adventure with Club Pixar. There you’ll find an interactive DJ dance party, live performances, games, photo ops, themed food, specialty crafted beverages, and more. Club Pixar marks the return of a nighttime party in Hollywood Land.
Get your kiss goodnight with Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular in Disneyland Park. This returning show now includes new moments featuring “Onward”, “Soul”, “Luca”, “Turning Red” and “Elemental”. Projections, lasers, and memorable music can be enjoyed throughout Disneyland at Rivers of America, it’s a small world, and Main Street U.S.A. On most nights, fireworks will be part of the spectacular. If you have a MagicBand+ be sure to wear it during the show as it twinkles and vibrates in sync to the music.
It’s worth noting that seven new Pixar films have been released since the last Pixar Fest in 2018. These include “Toy Story 4”, “Onward”, “Soul”, “Luca”, “Turning Red”, “Lightyear” and “Elemental”. All these films are recognized and celebrated in some way during this year’s Pixar Fest.
With everything mentioned above, new characters encounters (including a talking Dug), and the year-round Pixar rides at Disneyland Resort, there is clearly a ton to celebrate during Pixar Fest. This limited-time celebration is happening now through August 4, 2024.
Jeff DePaoli is an event producer and voiceover artist living in Los Angeles. He can be heard as the voice of Disney Trivia on Alexa as well as the host of “Dizney Coast to Coast” podcast, where he and his special guests share honest opinions on all things Disney. Get your FREE gifts of “America’s Hidden Mickeys,” “On the Rohde Again,” “Theme Park Comfort Kit” and more at DizneyCoastToCoast.com. DePaoli’s opinions are his own and do not necessarily represent Attractions Magazine.
