Disneyland Opens ‘Pixar Place Hotel’, Immersing You Into Studio’s Inner Workings
By Mikelle Leow, 05 Feb 2024
Image via Disney Parks
When Disney swung upon the doors at the newly minted Pixar Place Hotel in Anaheim on January 30, 2024, it wasn’t just another day in paradise. The transformation of the erstwhile Paradise Pier Hotel into this vivid haven has been nothing short of a storyboard come to life. Here, checking in feels more like stepping into the Pixar campus or a scene from your favorite film.
Image via Disney Parks
Nestled within the Disneyland Resort, this 479-room hotel is a vibrant tribute to Pixar Animation Studios’ artistry and storytelling realized in full technicolor, with a tip of the hat (or a nod of the lamp) to every feature film of the entertainment house to date—from the adventurous realms of Toy Story to culinary whiffs of Ratatouille, dynamic action from The Incredibles, and the elemental beauty of Elemental.
Image via Disney Parks
“At Pixar, our mission is to tell great stories,” says Pete Docter, the Oscar-winning Pixar luminary behind hits like Monsters, Inc, Up, and Inside Out. “And nothing is more exciting than when we see those stories come to life in Disney parks. Pixar Place Hotel at the Disneyland Resort is the perfect example—it’s like walking into a world of Pixar. It’s truly immersive, and we’re thrilled to have collaborated with Walt Disney Imagineering to make such an experience possible for guests.”
Image via Disney Parks
The hotel serves as a canvas, tracing the evolution of character design from initial sketches to the final CGI creations that have charmed audiences worldwide. Each of its 15 floors pays homage to a different Pixar film, with murals and art installations that bring the studio’s beloved characters and worlds to life. The lobby sets the stage for this illuminating experience, where guests are greeted by the iconic Pixar Lamp and Ball.
At the first fully Pixar-themed hotel in the US, Riley’s imaginary friend, Bing Bong, of Inside Out fame takes his first-ever steps inside a Disney park.
Image via Disney Parks
Joe Gardner from Soul serenades guests with piano performances in the lobby, while the Sketch Pad Café offers a cozy nook to fuel up or wind down, surrounding you with a timeline of the studio’s filmography. “Hospitalit-E” is the ethos written on its walls, extending to guest rooms, swimming pools, and dining experiences.
Image via Disney Parks
Image via Disney Parks
Fans can roll with Pixar’s tide through the Finding Nemo-themed pools, and even play games inspired by shorts like Bao at the Pixar Shorts Court on the rooftop deck.
Image via Disney Parks
It’s a place where the lines between animation and reality blur, inviting audiences of all ages to tap into their creative side.
Image via Disney Parks
Image via Disney Parks
Image via Disney Parks
Image via Disney Parks
[via Slashdot, Los Angeles Times, NBC Los Angeles, images via Disney Parks]