Paradise Pier Hotel Is Changing to Pixar Theming. Here’s What We Know.
In July of 2017, Disney California Adventure announced a plan to convert its opening day staple, Paradise Pier, into a series of Pixar-themed Neighborhoods.
There was just one little problem. Disney never updated the accompanying resort, Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.
Photo: DIsneyland
Since 2018, we’ve had a Paradise Pier Hotel but no Paradise Pier. It’s weird. Now, Disney has finally decided to correct this oversight.
Yes, Paradise Pier Hotel is changing. Here’s what we know about it.
The History of Paradise Pier Hotel
Disney trivia fans always smile knowingly about the topic of official Disney Resort hotels.
We know what many casual Disney lovers don’t. When Disneyland Hotel first opened in 1955, Uncle Walt didn’t own it.
Photo: D23
Instead, Disney persuaded an outside investor, a cattle rancher and Hollywood producer, to buy the place instead.
Disney lacked the money for this project, which proved regrettable. The company couldn’t purchase its namesake hotel until 1988.
Photo: Disney
A few years later, Disney bought its second official hotel in Anaheim. This property had undergone several changes during its ten-year existence.
In 1984, the resort opened as the Emerald Hotel of Anaheim. Later, it turned into the Pan Pacific Hotel. Disney would finally acquire it in 1995.
Image Credit: Disney
A few years later in 2001, the hotel’s name changed again, albeit for a good reason.
The resort became Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel to connect it with the opening of Disney California Adventure and its themed land, Paradise Pier.
Photo: Disneyland
That’s why nobody could understand why Disney re-themed Paradise Pier but NOT Paradise Pier Hotel.
The concept struck many as obvious. Disney was adding Pixar Neighborhoods at the parks.
Credit: Disney-Pixar
Three of these locations feature specific themes of The Incredibles, Inside Out, and Toy Story. The fourth is a more general Pixar theme.
As such, Paradise Pier Hotel should have gained a similar re-theme years ago.
Photo: Tokyo Disney
Rumors persisted that this property would turn into a Toy Story Hotel akin to the ones in Shanghai and Tokyo, but it never happened.
Well, after years of waiting, Disney has finally made a move.
About the Upcoming Project
Photo: Disney/Pixar
Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock just confirmed the news that Paradise Pier Hotel will turn into a Pixar hotel.
The building doesn’t have a new name yet. However, Disney posted pictures of changes coming to both the resort and the nearby Downtown Disney entertainment district.
Credit: Disney
We’d known about the latter for a while. Disney recently tore down the old AMC Theatre space here, along with some popular restaurants.
The company needed the space to build the next version of Downtown Disney, one that will come with more symmetry across Disneyland Resort.
Photo: Disneyland
For starters, Paradise Pier Hotel will gain a new walkway that takes guests directly to Disney California Adventure.
As a reminder, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa already features something similar, and it’s wildly popular. So, this announcement proved an immediate hit, as did another unexpected turn.
Photo: Earl of Sandwich
Earl of Sandwich will return once again! What is dead may never die!!! Yes, the twice-killed Downtown Disney restaurant will operate as a pop-up experience for a while.
Earl of Sandwich will claim the space between the old ESPN Zone and Rainforest Café locations.
Disney needed the old space for its ongoing reinvention of the west end of Downtown Disney, the action spot for all the upcoming changes.
Image Credit: Disney
The Changes Coming to Paradise Pier and Downtown Disney
Of course, the most dramatic changes are coming to Paradise Pier Hotel and Downtown Disney.
For starters, the beloved Luxo Jr. ball will gain a permanent spot at the resort.
Photo: Walmart
When Pixar gained independence, its first short film was Luxo Jr. You know the story even if you’re not familiar with it.
A larger lamp, Luxo Sr., and a smaller lamp, Luxo Jr., shine their brightness on a colorful yellow and blue ball with a red star on the side.
Photo: Pixar
Pixar has used this iconic image in the overwhelming majority of its projects over the past 35 years.
Now, the Luxo Jr. lamp and ball will always light the way to Paradise Pier Hotel.
Image Credit: Funko/Target
Disney has also revealed images of a dynamic chandelier featuring Pixar characters from Coco, Monsters, Inc., WALL-E, Finding Nemo, and The Incredibles.
Photo: Disney
At Downtown Disney, a “new” restaurant called Din Tai Fung will open later this year or early next year.
This place is a chain in Taiwan that is world-renowned for its mouth-watering soup dumplings. It already has a huuuuge following in Southern California due to other locations.
Photo: Disney
So, the debut at Downtown Disney definitely counts as a coup for resort officials.
Nearby, Chef Carlos Gaytan will also open Paseo and Centrico. This restaurant will take over the current Downtown Disney location of Catal Restaurant and Uva Bar & Café.
Photo: Disneyland
Disney has also promised a new menu at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, one with more California cuisine highlighted.
As for other restaurants at Paradise Pier Hotel, PCH Grill closed permanently last year.
Photo: Paradise Pier
Meanwhile, Surfside Lounge and The Sand Bar have remained closed since the resort reopened last June.
So, you shouldn’t be surprised if Disney announces more Pixar-related eateries coming to the hotel soon.
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Feature Photo: Disneyland
