Pixar Pier confirmed to open 2018 as Disney reveals new rides
by Tom Anstey | 03 Nov 2017
Disney has revealed new details about the upcoming immersive Pixar attraction at its California Adventure park.
Paradise Pier will be rebranded 'Pixar Pier' and feature four different themed neighbourhoods using Pixar’s most popular IPs.
Set to open in the third quarter of 2018, there will also be newly themed attractions, food and merchandise based on the iconic brand.
The first neighbourhood will be anchored by the new Incredibles-inspired 'Incredicoaster' – a transformation of the existing Ingenieur Büro Stengel GmbH-designed California Screamin’ ride.
First opened in 2001 at a cost of US$60m (€51.5m, £45.9m), the reimagined rollercoaster will be given a complete makeover, with the new experience featuring a mid-century, modern-style loading area, new character moments and redesigned carriages.
The park’s existing Toy Story Mania! 4D ride, which opened in 2008 and was manufactured by ETF Ride Systems, will be the centrepiece of the Toy Story land.
The third neighbourhood will be based on Pixar’s 2015 release Inside Out and will be located on the western side of the boardwalk. It will feature a family-friendly attraction, scheduled to open at a later date, based on the IP.
The final neighbourhood will celebrate the stories of Pixar. California Adventure’s iconic Mickey’s Fun Wheel will get a new look, with each of the ride’s 24 gondolas featuring different characters. The Mickey Mouse face will remain on the Paradise Bay side of the wheel. For the Boardwalk, its midway games will be inspired by Pixar characters such as A Bug’s Life and WALL.E. Ariel’s Grotto restaurant and the Cove Bar will also be transformed, with the venue to become a Pixar-themed lounge and grill.
In preparation for the redevelopments, several attractions will close on 8 January, including California Screamin’, Mickey’s Fun Wheel, Games of the Boardwalk and Sideshow Shirts. Ariel’s Grotto and Cove Bar will also close on that date, with Cove Bar reopening briefly in April before its permanent transformation. Work could also be planned for King Triton’s Carousel, with Erin Glover, editorial content director for Disneyland, promising “more on that soon”, when asked about plans for the ride.
Remaining areas of Paradise Pier – including Paradise Gardens, Silly Symphony Swings, Jumpin’ Jellyfish, Goofy’s Sky School, Golden Zephyr and The Little Mermaid, Ariel’s Undersea Adventure – will become part of a new land known as Paradise Park.
Pixar Pier was one of several announcements made by Disney for its parks during D23 earlier this year, including a Star Wars hotel, Marvel and Pixar attractions, and the very first ride for the company's iconic figurehead, Mickey Mouse. To find out more, click here.
Pixar Pier Disney visitor attractions theme parks Inside Out Incredibles The Incredibles 2 Toy Story California Adventure
In preparation for the redevelopments, several attractions will close on 8 January
Pixar Pier was one of several announcements made by Disney for its parks during D23 earlier this year
Remaining areas of Paradise Pier will become part of a new land known as Paradise Park
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Disney has revealed new details about the upcoming immersive Pixar attraction at its California Adventure park. Paradise Pier will be rebranded 'Pixar Pier' and feature four different themed neighbourhoods using Pixar’s most popular IPs. Set to open in the third quarter of 2018, there will also be newly themed attractions, food and merchandise based on the iconic brand. The first neighbourhood will be anchored by the new Incredibles -inspired 'Incredicoaster'
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