Pixar Fest, the biggest Pixar celebration ever to come to Disney Parks, brings guests together to celebrate friendship and beyond from April 13 through Sept. 3, 2018, at the Disneyland Resort.
This first-ever Pixar Fest presents some of the beloved stories from Pixar Animation Studios in new ways at both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Parks, with characters and experiences from films such as “Toy Story,” “Monsters, Inc.,” “Finding Nemo” and “Up.” Guests will join the fun as they experience a new nighttime spectacular, the return of two favorite parades with fresh new Pixar surprises, new décor, atmosphere entertainment, creatively themed food and beverage and exclusive event merchandise.
A new fireworks show, “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular,” will celebrate the heart of Pixar as it lights up the sky over Disneyland, connecting guests with characters they’ve come to know and love. Along with dazzling pyrotechnics and memorable music, the heartwarming show celebrates the theme of friendship, an ever-present concept in Pixar animation.
“Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” invites guests to embark on an emotional journey that begins with the meeting of unlikely Pixar pals and follows their adventures as they overcome obstacles and forge everlasting friendships. “Together Forever” comes to life through projections on iconic park locations: Sleeping Beauty Castle, the water screens of the Rivers of America, the façade of “it’s a small world” and the buildings of Main Street, U.S.A. The grand tradition of Tinker Bell flying over Sleeping Beauty Castle also gets a Pixar twist, with a special flyover by none other than Buzz Lightyear.
For the first time, “Pixar Play Parade” will make its way through Disneyland Park, and it’s being led by someone new. The parade will begin just as all Pixar films have, with an appearance by the iconic and adorable Pixar Lamp and yellow Ball from the original Pixar short, “Luxo Jr.” Also joining the parade are characters from the beloved film, “Up.” Wilderness Explorer Russell will appear astride the colorful flightless bird, Kevin. Carl Fredricksen and Dug follow behind, amid green foliage and snipe chicks, with Carl’s tethered house floating above. “Inside Out” also joins the “Pixar Play Parade,” with Joy and Sadness perched atop colorful memory orbs as they take flight aboard Riley’s rocket wagon, with Bing Bong himself cheering them on.
Also on April 13, “Paint the Night” returns, and this time guests will enjoy the parade’s more than 1 million, brilliant LED lights and catchy tunes at Disney California Adventure. “Paint the Night” features pals from “Toy Story,” “Monsters, Inc.” and “Cars.” Another beloved Pixar story joins “Paint the Night” in June, with a new, high-energy float inspired by “The Incredibles” and “Incredibles 2.” Mr. Incredible, Mrs. Incredible and Frozone will showcase their superhero awesomeness as they take on their newest threat, the Underminer. Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack also showcase their unique powers in surprising new ways, as shown through dynamic and innovative visual technology. Like other elements in this spectacular parade, this new float comes to life through a series of dazzling LED lights, new music elements and high-tech, pop-art effects inspired by the mid-century-modern style of the films.
A collection of Pixar Shorts will be featured at the Sunset Showcase Theater at Disney California Adventure during most of Pixar Fest, including favorites such as “For the Birds” and “LAVA.” The short films will rotate during the celebration.
In the Paradise Gardens area of Disney California Adventure, guests will be treated to the musical sounds of TripleDent Gum presents The Pixarmonic Orchestra. This zany, seven-piece band performs a fun-filled repertoire of songs from Pixar films with unconventional instruments such as cowbells, kazoos, duck calls, sirens and slide whistles. Guests may also discover opportunities to greet Pixar characters in this Pixar Pals area at Paradise Gardens.
Special renditions of the hit song “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” from the film “Toy Story,” will be performed by several musical groups, including the Disneyland Band, Straw Hatters, Dapper Dans, Main Street Piano Player, Royal Street Bachelors, Jambalaya Jazz Band and Mariachi Divas. The Straw Hatters also perform a rendition of “Married Life” from “Up,” along with the Royal Street Bachelors who add “If I Didn’t Have You” from “Monsters, Inc.”
Beginning June 8, the Pixar Pals Dance Party at the Tomorrowland Terrace in Disneyland will get guests of all ages mixing, mingling and dancing with some of their favorite Pixar pals. The dance party is an ideal time to get up close with Pixar characters such as Russell, Dug, Woody, Jessie, the Green Army Men and more.
For those who wish to get into character and celebrate friendship, an exclusive Pixar Fest charm bracelet will be part of the merchandise selection. With multiple bracelet options and a variety of charms with fun friendship messages and Pixar characters, guests can mix and match for themselves, or friends and family.
A celebration of friendship this big is only complete with beloved characters like Buzz, Woody and Jessie from “Toy Story,” Mike and Sulley from “Monsters, Inc.,” Nemo and Dory from “Finding Nemo,” and Lightning McQueen and Mater from “Cars.” Those pals – and more – will be part of the fun at Pixar Fest.
All these exciting additions add to the existing attractions and entertainment in the parks that feature many favorite Pixar characters.
At Disneyland
- Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters: In this interactive attraction, guests fire lasers to help battle Evil Emperor Zurg, who is trying to steal the batteries from helpless toys.
- Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage: Guests take a submarine voyage to explore the world of Nemo and his underwater friends.
- “it’s a small world”: Woody, Jessie and Bullseye from “Toy Story” and Nemo and Dory from “Finding Nemo” are among the many toys and dolls found in this classic attraction.
- Character encounters with Pixar pals: Guests can continue to meet Merida from “Brave” in Fantasyland and Woody and Jessie from “Toy Story” in Frontierland.
- “Fantasmic!”: Favorite Pixar characters appear in the finale of “Fantasmic!” nightly on the Rivers of America.
At Disney California Adventure
- Cars Land: Guests step into the world of Radiator Springs with three attractions plus themed shopping and dining locations across 12 acres.
- Toy Story Mania!: Guests shrink to the size of toys and take aim at objects to score points in 4D midway-inspired carnival games hosted by the characters from the “Toy Story” films.
- “A Bug’s Land”: Shrinking to the size of a bug, guests experience this story through family-friendly attractions.
- Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!: Guests take a wild taxi ride through Monstropolis with Mike and Sulley as they search for their lost human friend, Boo.
- Turtle Talk with Crush: Crush, the sea turtle from “Finding Nemo,” interacts with guests in live, real-time, animated conversations.
- DJ’s Dance ‘n Drive: Interactive dance party in Cars Land gets guests moving to the music.
