“Pixar Play Parade” returns April 13 for Pixar Fest at the Disneyland Resort, bringing even more Pixar stories to life during the limited-time celebration. For the first time, “Pixar Play Parade” makes its way through Disneyland Park daily and three new story elements add even more playfulness to this interactive, daytime parade.
The parade begins just as all Pixar films have, with an appearance by the iconic and adorable Pixar Lamp and Ball from the Pixar original short, “Luxo Jr.” Also joining “Pixar Play Parade” are characters and scenes from the beloved Disney•Pixar film, “Up.” Wilderness Explorer Russell appears astride the colorful flightless bird, Kevin. Carl Fredricksen and Dug follow behind, amid green foliage and Kevin’s chicks, with Carl’s tethered house floating above. Another popular Disney•Pixar story joining the “Pixar Play Parade” is “Inside Out.” Perched atop colorful memory orbs, Joy and Sadness take flight aboard Riley’s rocket wagon, with Bing Bong himself cheering them on.
In addition to these exciting new elements, “Pixar Play Parade” brings back some beloved Pixar pals from the exciting and colorful worlds of Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story,” “A Bug’s Life,” “Monsters, Inc.,” “Finding Nemo” and “The Incredibles.” This energetic, immersive parade inspires guests of all ages to sing and dance along with acrobatics, high-energy choreography, interactive surprises and lively bubble and water effects.
With “Pixar Play Parade” dining packages, guests may enjoy a picnic-style lunch and a receive a voucher that provides access to a reserved viewing area for the parade. Guests may learn more about the dining packages, available at Plaza Inn, and make reservations at Disneyland.com.
“Pixar Play Parade” is just one of the many exciting offerings guests will experience during Pixar Fest.
“Pixar Play Parade” Fun Facts:
- “Pixar Play Parade” originally premiered in 2008 at Disney California Adventure Park.
- The Pixar Lamp and Ball from Pixar’s original short, “Luxo Jr.” now lead the parade in a larger-than-life fashion. The Lamp is 14 feet tall and the Pixar Ball is nearly four feet wide.
- Guests will want to keep an eye out for Kevin, the friendly bird from “Up” who stands nearly 12 feet tall from her toes to the top of her feathers. The “Up” unit also features Carl Fredricksen and Dug, while Kevin (a puppet) romps through the parade with pal Russell riding on her back.
- From the tip-top of the balloons, the Fredricksen house from “Up” flies 17 feet above the parade route.
- New music accompanies the three new story elements in the parade. The Pixar Lamp and Ball roll down the parade route to a “Pixar Medley,” the “Inside Out” unit is accompanied by the “Main Theme” and “Bing Bong Song,” and the “Up” element brings guests a new rendition of “Spirit of Adventure.”
- On the “Inside Out” unit, guests will recognize Riley’s rocket wagon. Nearly 280 memory orbs of all different emotions appear at the base of this element.
- 120-plus performers and crew entertain guests, along with 8 units that represent several of the DisneyPixar animated films.
- The longest float is “A Bug’s Life” at 45 feet.
- More than 2,000 pieces and parts make up the performers’ costumes.
- Matthew Gerrard and Robbie Nevil, who wrote many of the songs for the successful “High School Musical” movies, wrote the original songs for “Pixar Play Parade”: “Countdown to Fun” and “The Party’s On.”
- Michael Curry, the award-winning production designer and co-designer of “The Lion King” masks and puppets for Broadway, created several of the puppets in “Pixar Play Parade,” including the nearly 12-foot tall bird, Kevin who appears with his friend Russell (“Up”); Marlin, Nemo, Dory, Crush and Squirt (“Finding Nemo”); Roz (“Monsters, Inc.”); Aliens, Tinker Toy and Slinky Dog (“Toy Story”); the Omnidroid unit (“The Incredibles”) and Heilmlich (“A Bug’s Life”).
- Baby Jack-Jack sits in one of the claws of the Omnidroid on “The Incredibles” float and, just like in the Pixar film, flames rise from his head when he gets excited.
