MickeyBlog News for February 5th, 2024
This week, a new hotel joins the Disneyland Resort lineup after months of anticipation. And Disney even got the lamp right!
Let’s celebrate all things Pixar in the latest edition of MickeyBlog News.
Pixar Place Hotel Debuts
Since the 2022 D23 Expo (and technically a few months before that), we’ve known that Disney’s Pixar Pier Hotel was coming.
Disneyland’s Paradise Pier Hotel was always a bit incongruous with the rest of Disneyland Resort.
I say this because Disney didn’t build this property. Instead, a Japanese consortium did during the 1980s.
Originally known as the Emerald Hotel of Anaheim, this property turns 40 in 2024!
Disney would buy the hotel in 1995 and give the place its third name in 11 years, the Disneyland Pacific Hotel.
In 2001, Disney renamed the property to align it with the upcoming Disney California Adventure (DCA).
Since then, we’ve called this place Paradise Pier Hotel, which became a problem during the summer of 2018.
At that point, Disney re-themed Paradise Pier at DCA into Pixar Pier, leaving the nearby hotel on an island, so to speak.
World of Color show, Photo Credit: Disneyland
Why was there a Paradise Pier Hotel without a Paradise Pier?
So, we’ve anticipated this week’s change for more than five years.
On January 30th, 2024, Disney debuted the new and legitimately improved version of the property.
Let’s just say that first-time guests felt rapturous over the changes, which are plentiful and truly spectacular.
The makeover started with a simple but welcome addition.
In June 2022, Disney added a walkway from the upcoming Pixar Pier Hotel to DCA.
Since then, guests staying at the resort can leave the lobby and enter DCA in roughly five minutes.
Base Map: Disney
MickeyBlog was there the day it happened and quickly chronicled the path. It’s easy to do and comes with a scenic backdrop.
So, from the moment Disney committed to this re-theming, the Pixar Pier Hotel experience improved…but it leveled up this week!
Welcome to Pixar Place Hotel
Pixar has released 27 films, giving Imagineers literally hundreds of characters to use as inspiration at this resort.
You can tell how much fun people had during the creative process simply by roaming around the resort.
Photo: Disney
For example, you may find Soul’s Joe Gardner playing his distinctive piano sound.
Disney has created a real-life version of the character, straight down to that briefcase he carries.
Bing Bong
And I don’t have to tell you how great the music is in Soul! The next time you’re here, you should take the time to listen to this.
Similarly, you’ll find a first-time character at the resort. Bing Bong from Inside Out appears at Pixar Pier Hotel!
Bing Bong
Remarkably, these are only the tip of the iceberg at the hotel.
You’ll find perfect Pixar touches everywhere, including the rooms!
Photo: The Resort Ratings on X
Here’s a look inside one of the rooms. I realize it’s a little thing, but the instant I saw the Luxo Jr. lamp, I knew they’d gotten everything right.
Those pillows are pretty great, too. I may try to buy some online.
Photo: Disney
The Amenities at Pixar Pier Hotel
We’ve covered the amenities at Pixar Pier Hotel quite thoroughly over the past year, but here’s what you need to know.
Once Disney finishes a couple of suites, the hotel will feature 479 rooms, each of which is brimming with Pixar details.
Disney
Disney has updated the shopping and dining experiences here to make them better themed and with strong menus/merchandise.
Great Maple is the 6,500 square foot restaurant on the first floor.
Disney
Disney describes their food as “playful takes on upscale comfort food.”
There’s also a grab-and-go coffee shop called the Sketch Pad Café.
Photo: Disney
A rooftop pool bar named Small Bytes will open next month as well.
The big store here is the delightfully named STOR-E. Obviously, it’s got a connection to WALL-E with its theming.
Then, we have the pool, which features Nemo’s Cove and Crush’s Surfin’ Slide. Oh, and the place is called Pixel Pool!
Basically, this entire hotel is for those of us who are all-in on Pixar. It’s a paradise for us.
Disney Miscellany
Let’s start with some excellent discount news. If you’re a Disney Visa cardholder, you’re entitled to a spring discount!
Several Walt Disney World resorts will offer significant savings during hotel stays from March 25th through June 29th.
Photo: Disney
Notably, that time frame includes Spring Break (in some parts of the country) and Easter.
Disney rarely provides deals at these times, so you should speak with a MickeyTravels agent to discuss options.
Walter E. Broggie Train in Magic Kingdom
Speaking of Walt Disney World, we’ve got several fascinating stories to cover this week.
For starters, Disney finally completed a five-year repair project.
The No. 3 Roger E. Broggie train has returned to Magic Kingdom.
Walter E. Broggie Train in Magic Kingdom
Repairing one of the Walt Disney World trains isn’t a straightforward process.
Disney shipped this one to Pennsylvania to undergo a loving, highly detailed renovation. And now it’s back!
Photo: Disney
Meanwhile, in Star Wars news, our reporters noticed a photo op has moved to an unexpected location.
Yes, you’ll find the new spot at the former docking station for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.
This tidbit may be enough to push you toward purchasing a Capture Your Moment package, as that’s the way you’ll experience it.
Elsewhere at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, we noticed that the “create your own lightsaber” is now DIY.
Should you prefer the highly themed experience instead, you can still book a reservation at Savi’s Workshop, though.
Disney Miscellany Part II
At EPCOT, we were a bit surprised to see that preparations are already underway for the 2024 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival.
Technically, this event doesn’t begin until the last day of February, and the 2024 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is still ongoing.
In recent years, park planners have worried less about differentiating the festivals, though.
We’re not that far removed from the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival keeping the shrubberies from the Flower & Garden Festivals.
At Disney Springs, I want to draw your attention to a different photo op.
Disney is currently hosting a Pirates of the Caribbean picture, and it’s exceptional!
Also, just because the story is fun, you should read this piece.
Oh, and in a late-breaking update from Saturday evening, one of our ace reporters noticed this!
🚨 Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Update 🚨
At Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom we spotted the flume after the drop filled with water! This is the first time the new attraction has been seen filled with water 🐸💚👑#tianasbayouadventure #magickingdom pic.twitter.com/VEey2YtMTL
— MickeyBlog.com (@MickeyBlog_) February 4, 2024
Yes, Disney is currently testing the water for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure! That’s a terrific sign!
On the other coast, the Magic Happens Parade has returned for a limited time.
While we’re discussing nice stories, the Disneyland Hotel in Paris has reopened, and this lovely Make-A-Wish occurred. You did it, Marie!
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Feature Photo: Disney
