DLW 037: Pixar Pier is Finally Here

June 29, 2018

This week we talk about Pixar Pier finally opening, the Enchanted Tiki Room turns 55, the Inside Out attraction gets some new details, Vern joins us for runDisney talk and more.

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News this Week:

This week Pixar Pier finally debuted to the public! The new area looks great and has been a big hit, even allowing for numerous days of less then 5 minute waits for a lot of attractions in Disneyland as everyone was over at Pixar Pier. The main attraction in this area is the Incredicoaster. As with Guardians of the Galaxy before, this is a re-theme to an existing attraction that is better than the original. There is now a story as you progress through the attraction. The new show scenes have to be seen to really appreciate fully. Overall, a great change. https://micechat.com/196856-pixar-pier-first-ride-on-the-new-incredicoaster-at-disneys-pixar-pier/

One attraction that isn’t as noticeable in experience with its re-theme is the Pixar Pal-a-Round, formerly Mickey’s Fun Wheel. The new paint job and refurbished lighting system looks great, but it is still the same attraction as it used to be. Not too much more to say about this one. https://micechat.com/196853-disney-california-adventures-pixar-pier-first-look-guide-review/

The re-imagined attractions may be what you have been waiting for in this new area, but the hit online has been the Lamplight Lounge. This new restaurant in the old Ariel’s Grotto and Cove Bar location is full of fun surprises. There are lots of Pixar animator treasures in this location on the walls including the real-world prop used to animate the army men in Toy Story. Another literal hidden gem is “the office,” which is a hidden room that you have to be randomly chosen to try and enter. To get into the office, you need to complete a puzzle, with effects, to open the door. https://micechat.com/196859-pixar-pier-first-tastes-at-lamplight-lounge/ and http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2018/06/23/review-the-new-lamplight-lounge-on-pixar-pier-in-disney-california-adventure/

The atmosphere is great, but what about the food? The new restaurant brings back some fan favorites like the lobster nachos, and introduces some new items like the carne asada roll which is like a sushi roll with steak replacing the fish. In addition to the great food, there are also some pretty cool beverages. There are some that are just as great to look at as they are to drink, like the infinity fizz that smokes and bubbles. It is made from Powerade Mountain Berry Blast, apple juice, and cherry pearls on top of dry ice in the cup that makes the pearls dance and the drink smoke while you drink it. https://micechat.com/196859-pixar-pier-first-tastes-at-lamplight-lounge/

While not as mind blowing as the Lamplight Lounge, three other dining locations opened with Pixar Pier. First is Jack-Jack Cookie Num Nums. At first it sounds underwhelming; cookies. However, Disney has done it again with a great, simple item done extremely well. Cookies include a hot brown butter cookie, a gluten-friendly blackberry filled cookie, and a shortbread cookie. If you like milk with your cookies, you can get plain milk, chocolate milk, strawberry milk, soy milk and almond milk. https://micechat.com/196853-disney-california-adventures-pixar-pier-first-look-guide-review/

If you want something more savory, you can swing by the Poultry Palace and pick up some turkey legs or chicken drumsticks. Some folks in the supporter chat had this and really liked it. If hot dogs are more your thing, you can get them at Angry Dogs, themed after Anger from Inside Out. There are a couple of different options and a few sauces to fire up your taste buds. Finally, Senor Buzz’s churros offers churros, including the Caliente churro and the Cinnamon Sugar Galaxy Churro. https://micechat.com/196853-disney-california-adventures-pixar-pier-first-look-guide-review/

Fresh out of the theater, the Incredibles have joined the Paint the Night Parade with their new float. This has a lot of neat effects on it that really highlight the powers of the Incredibles. Overall, a great addition to the parade to replace the Frozen float that didn’t make the cut when the parade was moved over to California Adventure from Disneyland earlier this year. https://micechat.com/196853-disney-california-adventures-pixar-pier-first-look-guide-review/

Didn’t see the Incredibles at Paint the Night? No worries! You can meet all of your favorite Pixar characters in Pixar Pier. Russell, Flick, Atta, Jessie, Woodie, Buzz, Mr. and Mrs. Incredible, Edna Mode, and Frozone were spotted this past week. https://micechat.com/196853-disney-california-adventures-pixar-pier-first-look-guide-review/

One of our favorite acts from when we were in the parks recently was the Pixarmonic Orchestra that now has its own home in Pixar Pier at the Pixar Park Bandstand. The only downside of this new venue is the lack of an elevated stage, so only folks in the front will have a good view. https://micechat.com/196853-disney-california-adventures-pixar-pier-first-look-guide-review/

We finally have a name and better concept art for the Inside Out attraction coming to the end of Pixar Pier next year. The Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind is a re-theme of Flik’s Flyers from a Bugs Land that will be closing later this summer at the resort. The real gem of this announcement is the theming of the area that once housed the Maliboomer to something other than a blank pad with little themeing or vegetation. Once this attraction opens, it will really liven up this area. https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2018/06/inside-out-emotional-whirlwind-to-open-in-2019-along-pixar-pier-at-disney-california-adventure-park/

The attraction that introduced audio-animatronics to the world – the Enchanted Tiki Room turned 55 on Saturday. There was a lot of merchandise for this anniversary from Tiki funco figures, to some t-shirts, to pins, and more. Some of the items sold out immediately, including one of the t-shirts and the pins. https://micechat.com/197078-disneyland-resort-update-pixar-pier-opens-to-massive-crowd/

Outside of the parks, some of the refurbished World of Disney store reopened last week. The store now looks and feels like Disney Springs out in Orlando. Overall, the store looks nice and modern with a splash of Disney magic. https://www.mouseplanet.com/12135/Disneyland_Resort_Update_for_June_25__July_1_2018

This Saturday, June 30th, the Play Disney Parks app will be available to the public. https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2018/06/play-disney-parks-app-debuts-at-disneyland-resort-and-walt-disney-world-resort-on-june-30/

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