WDW Daily News

Summer 2018 will bring a transformed land for guests to experience at Disney California Adventure® Park when Pixar Pier opens along the southern shore of Paradise Bay, with newly themed attractions, entertainment, foods and merchandise throughout. This new, permanent land in the area that is now Paradise Pier will introduce four new neighborhoods representing beloved Disney·Pixar stories.

The first of the four themed neighborhoods guests will find is inspired by “The Incredibles.” Here, the new Incredicoaster, permanently transformed from the attraction that is now California Screamin’, will open with Pixar Pier in summer 2018. This new experience will feature a mid-century-modern-style loading area, new character moments and a new look for the ride vehicles. To prepare for this transformation, California Screamin’ will close Jan. 8, 2018.

The popular Toy Story Mania! will anchor the “Toy Story”-inspired neighborhood. A neighborhood inspired by “Inside Out” will be found on the western side of the boardwalk and will welcome a new family-friendly attraction, scheduled to open at a later date.

The fourth neighborhood will be a celebration of many favorite Pixar stories. In this neighborhood, Mickey’s Fun Wheel will have a new look, with each of the 24 gondolas featuring different Pixar characters and the iconic face of Mickey Mouse remaining on the Paradise Bay side of the wheel. At the Games of the Boardwalk, which already includes the Bullseye Stallion Stampede game, all of the midway games will be inspired by Pixar characters. Mickey’s Fun Wheel, Games of the Boardwalk and Sideshow Shirts will close Jan. 8, 2018 to begin this transformation.

Ariel’s Grotto restaurant and the Cove Bar will be transformed into a new lounge and grill offering sparkling views of Paradise Bay and the new Pixar Pier. Both locations will close Jan. 8, 2018, with Cove Bar reopening briefly in April before closing again for its permanent transformation. Guests wishing to reserve “World of Color” dining packages after Jan. 7, 2018, may consider Carthay Circle Restaurant or Wine Country Trattoria.

The remaining areas of the land that is now 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 a new land called Paradise Park.

Pixar Pier will open during the limited-time Pixar Fest celebration, which begins April 13, 2018. The celebration will include the new “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” fireworks spectacular as well as the return of Pixar Play Parade and “Paint the Night” parade, and much more throughout the entire Disneyland® Resort.

It’s time to travel across the nine realms to Asgard for a sneak peek at the epic adventure “Thor: Ragnarok,” thundering into theaters next month.

Guests can catch our limited preview of scenes from “Thor: Ragnarok” starting this weekend at Disneyland® Resort, featuring a display of props and costumes used in the production of the film. The “Thor: Ragnarok” Sneak Peek, presented in 3D with special in-theater effects, will be showing in the Sunset Showcase Theater at Disney California Adventure® park Oct. 6-Nov. 10, 2017.

In “Thor: Ragnarok,” Thor is imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok – the destruction of his home world and the end of Asgardian civilization – at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela. But first he must survive a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger – the Incredible Hulk!

“Thor: Ragnarok” opens in theaters in 3D on Nov. 3, 2017.

Guests don’t have to travel to the far reaches of the galaxy for a glimpse of the astounding cosmic adventure “Thor: Ragnarok,” for beginning Oct. 6, 2017 Guests visiting Disneyland® Resort will be able to catch a preview of scenes from the film in a sneak peek planned for Disney California Adventure® Park. The preview of “Thor: Ragnarok” will be presented in 3D with special in-theater effects at the Sunset Showcase Theater in Hollywood Land, where you’ll also be able to lay eyes on a display of props and costumes used in the production of the film.

In “Thor: Ragnarok,” Thor is imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok – the destruction of his home world and the end of Asgardian civilization – at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela. But first he must survive a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger – the Incredible Hulk!

Guests can catch our limited sneak peek of “Thor: Ragnarok” when it opens Oct 6, 2017. Thor thunders into theaters in 3D on Nov. 3, 2017!

Guests are invited to bring their family and friends to discover Plaza de la Familia, an all-new festivity beginning Sept. 15, 2017 at Paradise Gardens in Disney California Adventure® Park that celebrates Disney·Pixar’s “Coco” and the everlasting bonds of family.

A highlight of Plaza de la Familia is “A Musical Celebration of Coco,” featuring an entertaining group of storytellers and original songs from “Coco” in a performance of dance and music. Our singing host, Mateo, is joined by an ensemble of Folklórico dancers and the GRAMMY®-winning Mariachi Divas, bringing to vibrant life three of the film’s enchanting songs.

In addition to daily performances of “A Musical Celebration of Coco” at Plaza de la Familia, guests will also enjoy authentic Mariachi music on the Paradise Gardens Bandstand, The World of Coco exhibit, a Tree of Life interactive photo location and a delicious all-new menu of Mexican foods. Plaza de la Familia is inspired by the beautiful tradition of Día de los Muertos that celebrates loved ones who have passed and honors the familial bonds that last forever.

Guests can experience Plaza de la Familia, A Celebration of “Coco” for a limited time, Sept. 15 – Nov. 2, 2017 at Disney California Adventure Park, and look for Disney·Pixar’s “Coco” when the film arrives in theaters in 3D on Nov. 22, 2017.

• The nighttime spectacular, “World of Color – Season of Light” celebrates the warm and heartfelt spirit of the holidays as it illuminates Paradise Bay with a sparkling winter fantasy combining classic holiday songs with memorable moments from treasured Disney animated films.
• “Festival of Holidays” brings the spirit of the season to life through delicious food and special entertainment, including the popular “Disney ¡Viva Navidad!” A new twist to this celebration presents the popular Festive Foods Marketplace with a mix of holiday comfort dishes that bridge many diverse cultures and family traditions.
• Santa Claus, with a sleigh full of mischievous elves, appears at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, where guests of all ages will join the festive fun with a series of holiday-themed activities along the trail.
• For the residents of Cars Land, holiday decorating begins with the whimsical “Snowcar” that greets guests on the road to Radiator Springs. Each address along Route 66 – Flo’s V-8 Café, Fillmore’s, Cozy Cone Motel, Luigi’s Casa della Tires and more – also gets a holiday makeover that reflects the personality of its “Cars” character resident.
• “a bug’s land” transforms for the holidays, too, as Flik and his bug friends deck their land with oversized lights and ornaments.
• A dazzling, 50-foot Christmas tree adorns Carthay Circle along Buena Vista Street. The tree and surrounding buildings, inspired by Los Angeles as it appeared when Walt Disney arrived in the 1920s, are decorated with vintage-style ornaments.

Fans were thrilled when Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! opened in May at Disney California Adventure Park, and now they’re in for a scary Halloween treat as the attraction is transformed nightly into Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark. During the day, guests continue to experience the excitement, fun and six different ride experiences on Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! However, each evening the attraction transforms from Mission: BREAKOUT! to Monsters After Dark. The Collector’s Fortress goes dark, alarms sound and all-new lighting on the exterior of the Fortress alerts guests that something inside has gone awry.

As guests enter the Lobby of the Fortress, they will be startled by flashing alarms and creepy sounds – warning signs that creatures have escaped their vitrines (glass cages) and all kinds of chaos is erupting. The Collector’s ever-resourceful assistant, Apheta, tries to keep calm by reassuring guests that all is in order, and this is just a momentary setback.

In keeping with the dark humor of the experience, an all-new 1970s-style punk rock song, “Monsters After Dark,” enhances the thrill of the experience. The song was written especially for this attraction by Tyler Bates, composer for the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films.

Halloween Time at the Disneyland® Resort is almost here! This year, the spooky fun extends throughout the Disneyland Resort, with returning favorites at Disneyland Park and new ghostly delights at Disney California Adventure® Park.

In Cars Land, the residents of Radiator Springs are transforming their little road town into a Haul-O-Ween celebration. Each establishment will be decorated for the season, with Fillmore showing off his Jack-Oil-Lanterns and ghostly folk art, a Spider-Car spinning webs all over Flo’s V8 Café and more.

Two Cars Land attractions will also transform for the first time ever this Halloween season. Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters will become Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween, an all-new spooktacular dance celebration where Luigi and Guido will entertain the cugini (cousins) with Halloween twists on traditional Italian festival songs like the “Terror-antella,” “The Chop Top of Carsoli” and more. Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree will become Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree, where guests will whirl around the graveyard to the tune of creepy new songs and fun haunted twists on favorites such as “Monster Truck Smash” and “Welcome to Radiator Screams.”

At Buena Vista Street, a new 10-foot-tall statue of the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow, holding his jack-o’-lantern head up to the sky, will haunt Carthay Circle. Mickey Mouse and his friends bring more Halloween fun to this stylish avenue, donning new costumes, with Mickey Mouse as a bat, Goofy as a ghost, Daisy Duck as a witch and more!

Guests can discover these new experiences along with returning favorites during Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort, Sept. 15-Oct. 31!

Fans were thrilled when Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! opened in May at Disney California Adventure Park, and now they’re in for a scary Halloween treat as the attraction is transformed nightly into Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark. The creepy chaos of creatures on the loose and Rocket scheming to save Groot adds to the high-energy action, only during Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort, Sept. 15-Oct. 31, 2017.

In Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, Rocket finds his Guardians of the Galaxy pals trapped in the Fortress of The Collector, Taneleer Tivan, and guests assist him with a daring escape plan. The Monsters After Dark transformation picks up moments afterward, as Rocket discovers that in the hurry to free his friends, they have inadvertently left Groot behind. Now Rocket needs to distract all the monsters he has unleashed inside the Fortress, and he enlists the guests to help while he rescues his little friend.

“The Monsters After Dark story hinges on irreverence, on top of the irreverence that’s already in the attraction,” said Joe Rohde, creative executive for Walt Disney Imagineering. “It’s creepy, chaotic and very funny.”

The attraction transforms from Mission: BREAKOUT! to Monsters After Dark each evening. The Collector’s Fortress goes dark, alarms sound and all-new lighting on the exterior of the Fortress alerts guests that something inside has gone awry.

As guests enter the Lobby of the Fortress, they may be startled by flashing alarms and creepy sounds – warning signs that creatures have escaped their vitrine cages and all kinds of chaos is erupting. The Collector’s ever-resourceful assistant Apheta tries to keep calm by reassuring guests that all is in order, and this is just a momentary setback.

In keeping with the dark humor of the experience, all-new 1970s-style punk rock song, “Monsters After Dark,” enhances the thrill of the experience. The song was written especially for this attraction by Tyler Bates, composer for the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films.

Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark is only available during Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort. Guests may check park time guides or http://Disneyland.com for the timing of this nightly transformation.

Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! is a hit with Disney California Adventure park guests, and they are not alone! In the video below, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” writer and director James Gunn is joined by stars from the hit “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, who all share their excitement for this new attraction.