Pixar Pier
Pixar Pier is a themed land at Disney California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. Opened in its present form on June 23, 2018, it occupies the southern shore of Paradise Bay and reworks a seaside boardwalk, first opened as Paradise Pier in 2001, around characters and stories from Pixar Animation Studios. Its landmark is the Pixar Pal-A-Round, a large Ferris wheel bearing Mickey Mouse's face, whose structure is looped through by the Incredicoaster roller coaster.
The pier is organised as four neighbourhoods, each associated with a Pixar film or group of films, rather than as a single uniform setting.
History
Paradise Pier opened with Disney California Adventure on February 8, 2001, modelled on Californian seaside amusement piers of the early twentieth century. Its rides included the California Screamin' roller coaster, styled to resemble a wooden coaster, and the Sun Wheel. Between 2008 and 2011 the area was substantially reworked: Toy Story Midway Mania! was added, the Sun Wheel became Mickey's Fun Wheel, games and facades were given a more Victorian appearance, and several original attractions were removed.
A further division was announced at the D23 Expo in 2017. On June 23, 2018, the southern portion reopened as Pixar Pier during the resort's Pixar Fest celebration, while the northern and western portions became Paradise Gardens Park. Two planned additions followed in 2019: Jessie's Critter Carousel in March and Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind in June.
Neighbourhoods
Incredibles Park surrounds the Incredicoaster and uses the mid-century design language of The Incredibles. Toy Story Boardwalk contains Toy Story Midway Mania! and Jessie's Critter Carousel, the latter a reworking of the former King Triton's Carousel with figures from Toy Story 2. Pixar Promenade holds the Pixar Pal-A-Round and the boardwalk games, now themed to films including WALL-E, A Bug's Life and La Luna. Inside Out Headquarters contains the Emotional Whirlwind, a spinning ride relocated in concept from the park's former A Bug's Land, where it had operated as Flik's Flyers.
Attractions
The Incredicoaster, formerly California Screamin', retains the earlier ride's layout, launch and loop but adds enclosed tunnels, figures and an on-board score by Michael Giacchino, framing the ride as an attempt to catch the baby Jack-Jack. The Pixar Pal-A-Round offers swinging and non-swinging gondolas decorated with Pixar character pairs; it reaches about 150 feet (46 metres). Toy Story Midway Mania!, opened in 2008, is an interactive shooting dark ride in which riders pass a series of carnival games hosted by Toy Story characters.
Dining and shops
Lamplight Lounge, overlooking the bay, replaced the former Ariel's Grotto and Cove Bar in 2018 and displays Pixar artwork and production material. Smaller venues include the Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats stand, Poultry Palace, Señor Buzz Churros and Angry Dogs. Knick's Knacks is the land's principal shop.