Pixar Place Resort affords on-site lodging at Disneyland Resort themed after Automobiles, Toy Story, Discovering Nemo and extra films by the animation studio. The resort overlooks and is inside strolling distance of Disney California Journey. This overview options room pictures; data about swimming pools, eating places & facilities; execs & cons of staying right here; and the way it compares to the Grand Californian, Disneyland Resort, and different choices in Anaheim.
Earlier than we get to all of that, let’s begin with a short historical past lesson of what’s now generally known as Pixar Place Resort (scroll to the following photograph in case you don’t care). The resort was initially opened in 1984 by the Tokyu Group, a Japanese firm with similarities to OLC, house owners of Tokyo Disney Resort. A gap advert within the Los Angeles Occasions touted it as slightly little bit of magic proper subsequent to the Disneyland monorail station. A couple of years later, the Emerald and Pan Pacific resort chains merged and the resort was renamed because the Pan Pacific Resort in 1989.
In December 1995, Disney bought the resort not lengthy after abandoning its WestCot challenge, a $3.1 billion challenge that will’ve introduced an EPCOT-style second gate to Anaheim. By Spring 1996, the transformation into the Disneyland Pacific Resort was accomplished. The Disneyland Pacific Resort was strategically-located for Disney’s new enlargement ambitions, that are principally what exists at this time–Downtown Disney, Disney California Journey and the opposite two resorts.
With the opening of Disney’s California Journey one yr away, Disneyland as soon as once more renamed it, this time to Paradise Pier Resort. As a part of that transformation course of, the property obtained thematic parts and decor to match the land in DCA that it ignored: Paradise Pier. It was self-referential to that land in the identical method that Disneyland Resort nonetheless is to Walt Disney’s authentic Magic Kingdom.
Then the transformation of the park into Disney California Journey occurred, rendering a lot of the DCA 1.0 idea artwork out of date. References to the Solar Wheel, Orange Stinger, Maliboomer, and so forth have been all step by step eliminated. Just like the park itself, vestiges of DCA 1.0 remained in quiet corners of the resort for a number of extra years. No renaming occurred within the early 2010s; it remained Paradise Pier Resort.
Then Paradise Pier, the land in DCA, turned Pixar Pier in 2018. Once more, no title change within the late 2010s; it remained Paradise Pier Resort. Maybe the larger change occurred within the early 2020s with the year-plus closure of Disneyland. When Paradise Pier Resort reopened in 2021, it was lacking eating places and different facilities. The next yr, Disney introduced the resort can be reworked right into a Pixar-themed resort and renamed once more.
That brings us to 2024, and the debut of the Pixar Place Resort. New title, options and a contemporary coat of paint, however considerably the identical substance and ‘bones’ as 1984’s Emerald of Anaheim Resort.
From my perspective, this historical past lesson is vital context for a few causes. The primary is that Pixar Place Resort just isn’t brand-new, however quite, a reimagining of an current resort. The second is that the present resort was not designed or constructed by Disney, however quite, purchased, renamed and reworked.
With that mentioned, the circa-2024 reimagining into Pixar Place Resort quantities to essentially the most substantial and consequential change to those towers since they have been constructed. A transforming of a third-party resort from the Eighties can nonetheless yield glorious outcomes, and for essentially the most half, that’s the case with Pixar Place Resort. Additionally, it’s not like Disneyland Resort was Imagineered from the ground-up, both!
Additionally price mentioning is that I’ve been the de facto president of the unofficial Paradise Pier Resort Haters Membership. That is noteworthy, I feel, as a result of I’ve been unquestionably exhausting on the resort and have obtained quite a lot of pushback from readers and family members in response to that stance through the years. (Sarah was not a fan of Paradise Pier Resort, per se, however she thought I used to be unfair to it and failed to know what some followers cherished about it. I stand by my hate. It was harsh however truthful.)
To that time, I feel that Pixar Place Resort is a large improve over its predecessor. I’ve watched this transformation transfer at a glacial tempo during the last couple of years, and feared that it could be a lot ado about nothing–a brand new set of names and decorations for a similar areas, principally lipstick on a pig.
That’s not the case. Whereas Pixar Place Resort is much from my favourite resort and I nonetheless want it have been razed and changed, it’s now not my least favourite Disney resort anyplace on the planet (when accounting for value). It’s markedly higher in significant and materials methods, and there at the moment are reliable promoting factors and compelling causes for some folks to probably e book Pixar Place Resort (PPH) over Grand Californian (GCH) or Disneyland Resort (DLH). Let’s dig into the professionals & cons…
Beginning outdoors, the resort has obtained a contemporary coat of paint with a pointy white and black colorway with pops of colour changing the outdated beige early aughts look. I don’t have a robust opinion on this by some means.
The beige seemed undeniably dated, however the brand new high-contrast look jogs my memory of one thing on HGTV making an attempt too exhausting to be eye-catching. The daytime exterior look is a lateral change.
What I do like is the lighting package deal on Pixar Place Resort at night time. This accentuates the pops of colour and elevates the constructing. Within the grand scheme of issues, how the outside appears to be like–day or night time–isn’t the most important deal. Not solely that, however there’s solely a lot Imagineering might’ve completed provided that they’re working with the bones of the present towers (and far of that’s home windows, anyway).
However, I admire the night time lighting package deal. I’d additionally add that it appears to be like nicer from the in-park vantages from which Pixar Place Resort is seen.
That is much more pronounced inside, the place the redone entrance space contains a large Luxo Jr. balancing on the Pixar ball. Equally as vital, if no more so, are new color-changing lighting fixtures panels alongside the higher atrium.
This offers the foyer a moody and atmospheric high quality, which is a marked improve over the outdated surfer Goofy statue and 90s wanting planters. Seating was additionally added on this space, making it a pleasant spot to take a seat and chill out whereas ready.
There’s additionally a cell with summary depictions of Pixar characters within the early levels of Pixar filmmaking. The fundamental shapes and colour research, when coupled with the color-changing panels, are harking back to Piet Mondrian. It’s a very good vibe and an enormous improve to the primary impression of the resort.
Past the apparent that this appears to be like nicer, I’d additionally add that the foyer at Pixar Place Resort could be a extra nice house than its counterparts. Grand Californian’s foyer is unimaginable–method higher than this–and Disneyland Resort has quite a lot of beautiful spots. Nevertheless, the expertise of truly being there is commonly at odds with the superb designs.
Whereas each of these resorts draw crowds of company staying off-site, that isn’t actually the case with Pixar Place Resort. It’s simply inconvenient sufficient and missing in causes to go to. This isn’t to say that the foyer of Pixar Place Resort is rarely busy–it’s, particularly throughout peak instances of the day–but it surely simply has a completely completely different environment than the GCH, which is commonly overrun with folks.
I took these pictures at about 8 p.m. on a day when each the parks and Grand Californian have been very busy. Regardless of being model new, Pixar Place Resort was quiet. That is the kind of factor that’s seldom captured or conveyed in critiques, however it may be a giant deal to some company and at sure journey instances (peak season, conference/occasion dates, runDisney weekends, and so on).
Now for one of many first huge negatives about Pixar Place Resort: the elevators.
This resort is notorious for glacially gradual elevator service. That is very true in case you’re making an attempt to make rope drop or get again to your room after fireworks following an extended day. Invariably, you’ll wait when demand is excessive. We’ve had waits of over 10 minutes for an elevator, which really feel for much longer when you might have a drained child or are working late for Early Entry.
A touchpad system was carried out a number of years in the past, which has decreased waits, however it might nonetheless be a difficulty. We have now by no means (knock on wooden) had this expertise at Disneyland Resort or Grand Californian.
Talking of different semi-recent adjustments, Pixar Place Resort has a non-public entrance to Disney California Journey. (Technically, I feel Villas at Grand Californian company might additionally use it primarily based on its location.)
That is solely accessible through a room key, and is principally a shortcut into DCA that lets you bypass Downtown Disney. Pixar Place Resort company merely cross Disneyland Drive and enter the gated walkway close to the trail to the GCH. It’s a brief ~5 or so minute stroll, and also you’ll enter by Corn Canine Fort and the Little Mermaid darkish journey.
This can be a game-changer. I don’t wish to overstate the worth of this entrance, however I truthfully don’t assume that’s potential. Whereas not as ultimate as the placement of Grand Californian, which additionally affords easy accessibility to Disneyland, this walkway offers Pixar Place Resort a strolling distance benefit over Disneyland Resort. That’s very true in case you have Park Hopper tickets and may use DCA as a cut-through for noon breaks.
In relation to regular park touring, the walkway is especially advantageous for Early Entry. That is one other huge on-site visitor perk, which is 30-minute entry earlier than park opening that’s solely obtainable to company of the three Motels of Disneyland Resort.
We’ve taken benefit of Early Entry at each parks and located it to be extremely advantageous. See our Early Entry at Disneyland Picture Report and Early Entry at California Journey Picture Report: Sarah’s Slingin’ Technique for a step-by-step take a look at what we completed throughout the half-hour and thereafter for rope drop.
Early Entry is implausible for Fantasyland or Tomorrowland in Disneyland or Avengers Campus in Disney California Journey. It’s additionally an amazing headstart to Automobiles Land or Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. See our Information to Early Entry at Disneyland for what it is advisable learn about this pre-park opening entry to Disneyland and DCA.
A remaining benefit of this entrance is that, other than perhaps the primary hour of the morning, the road for bag test is nearly nonexistent. It’s shorter than what you’ll usually encounter on the DLH/Downtown Disney or GCH checkpoints, and much better than Harbor Boulevard.
One of many present promoting factors of Pixar Place Resort is leisure. Joe Gardner from Soul periodically does piano performances simply outdoors the primary foyer by the stairway to the second ground, which is a implausible little contact.
On the pool deck, Bing Bong at the moment seems for meet & greet units all through the day. I hesitate to even acknowledge these characters, as they appear like the kind of factor that received’t final, so I wouldn’t e book a 2025 or 2026 keep on the idea of this leisure.
(Conversely, not acknowledging them in any respect can be ignoring a particular promoting level of Pixar Place Resort. It’d additionally sign to Disney that leisure “doesn’t matter,” thus serving to to justify a possible lower. An actual catch-22.)
Nice Maple is the primary restaurant in Pixar Place Resort, changing PCH Grill. We’ve failed at two makes an attempt to dine right here (the thrill of getting a child), but it surely looks like a pleasant sufficient restaurant. Anyplace that serves Buttermilk Fried Hen and Maple Bacon Doughnuts collectively is a winner in my e book!
However, I’m torn about Disney outsourcing this to a 3rd get together. On the one hand, it’s positively higher than no restaurant in any respect. Additionally, PCH Grill wasn’t precisely Disneyland Resort’s culinary pinnacle. Then again, dropping Donald Duck’s Seaside Character Breakfast is a tricky blow. Past that character meal, Pixar Place Resort merely doesn’t have the variability or depth of eating as both DLH or (particularly) GCH.
Pixar Place Resort does have quite a lot of different facilities, companies, and stuff. Just about each fundamental that you just’d count on of a high-end resort, together with however not restricted to WiFi, a health middle, reward outlets, laundry room, automotive rental desk, the power to cost purchases to your room, cell order, and way more. Just about the identical choices you’ll have at Grand Californian or Disneyland Resort.
One main distinction is the pool space, which is situated on the third-floor rooftop deck. Whereas the pool is clearly the focus, this complete space is extremely nice. There are firepits, ample quantities of seating (and all kinds of chair sorts), and the environment is implausible.
Strands of popcorn lights overhead and quite a lot of atmospheric lighting throughout units the fitting temper. Between the warmth from the hearth pits and the towers appearing as a wind block, it’s pretty nice even on chilly Southern California nights.
Then there’s the brand new Pixel Pool and 186-foot-long Crush’s Surfin’ Slide, each impressed by Discovering Nemo and his underwater mates. Little ones trying to get their ft moist can splash at Nemo’s Cove, whereas adults searching for a extra enjoyable retreat can spend time within the whirlpool.
I didn’t use the swimming pools because it was like 50 levels, however there have been loads of folks in them day and night time. (Ah, to be younger and resistant to chilly climate!) In the course of the summer season season or every time the climate is hotter, I think the pool space will find yourself being undersized. It’s small and was busy even within the winter.
All issues thought-about, this pool deck is sweet–particularly in case you’re utilizing it for functions aside from the pool. In the course of the day, you might have simply sufficient elevation to get good views and a light-weight breeze, plus ample sunshine.
On choose nights, you’ll be able to watch the Disneyland fireworks—and hearken to a reside synchronized broadcast of the stirring soundtrack—from the third-floor pool deck.
Right here’s an ‘aerial’ view of the total pool space from the room.
Talking of which, views from the rooms within the towers are various, with some theme park views in case you’re prepared to pay additional. However why try this when you’ll be able to get pleasure from that exact same view with a easy hack: driving the elevator up and down?! Maybe that explains these lengthy waits, hmmm….
Joking apart, Pixar Place Resort theme park views overlook Disney California Journey, and are basically an elevated view from behind Paradise Gardens Park. It’s a large view that, at night time, affords a primary vantage for World of Coloration.
When you go for the cheaper room classes, you’ll be overlooking the pool (see above) and parking heaps so far as the attention can see.
Now let’s head contained in the visitor rooms at Pixar Place Resort, with a take a look at a regular king room.
This options one mattress plus a settee sleeper with pull-out queen mattress. Normal rooms can even have two queen beds and a twin-sized couch sleeper, which is advantageous as a result of it might sleep as much as 5 adults.
The footprint is identical because the outdated rooms, however that’s the one factor that’s unchanged. They’ve been fully gutted and redone, and it exhibits!
Not are the rooms caught within the 90s with a little bit of window-dressing. These up to date rooms are spacious and trendy and, lastly, on par with the various real-world resorts in Anaheim which were constructed within the final decade. (The realm has seen a resort increase since Automobiles Land, with a ton of good choices–particularly household suites.)
The rooms are additionally Pixar by and thru, with colourful character-filled paintings and nods to the Pixar Lamp on the desk and the ball through the throw pillow on the mattress. Coloration decisions of blue, pink, and yellow additionally evoke Pixar.
From my perspective, this can be a large ‘glow-up’ when in comparison with the outdated rooms. Nevertheless, I nonetheless favor the rooms of the Grand Californian and even Disneyland Resort. These are fundamental trendy rooms with a Pixar motif, quite than being really themed or immersive. Not that there’s something improper with that–some events might favor this. (Personally, I might’ve most well-liked rooms impressed by Toy Story or Incredibles or Nemo, and so on. than this ‘artwork of’ model. Once more, to every their very own.)
This commonplace visitor room is spacious, at the least within the king mattress configuration. The room sizes in any respect three of those resorts fluctuate (particularly Disneyland Resort), so it’s troublesome/unattainable to match them.
Having stayed in all of those resorts a number of instances (together with within the final yr), my normal impression is that the Pixar Place Resort rooms have the most important ‘seems like’ measurement–except you luck into one of many largest rooms at DLH. With that mentioned, the balconies at GCH could be a gamechanger.
There was a time when this overview would’ve bemoaned all the ‘lifeless house’ between the sofa, desk, and wall. As a brand new father or mother who has struggled to search out enough space for tummy time mats or a pack ‘n’ play, a little bit of ground house has grow to be a godsend.
Humorous how views change! (I’m wondering how a lot else I’ve been “improper” about through the years…) And even in case you don’t have infants, nonetheless a lot room for actions.
One other large enchancment to those rooms is through lighting. No, not simply the cool (and really substantial…and bolted down) Luxo Jr. lamp. I imply the quantity of recessed and oblique lighting, and the diploma of management you might have over it with dimmers and varied switches.
These upgrades have made their approach to just about each redone resort room at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, so it’s unsurprising to see Pixar Place Resort get this. However, a pleasant improve over the outdated lighting.
As an individual who makes use of it, I’m completely satisfied to see Pixar Place Resort retain the desk. These have been disappearing from quite a lot of Disney rooms in favor of fifth sleeper pulldown beds, or extra ground or space for storing. With ample options for all of that, it appears the (appropriate) resolution was made to retain the desk. I’m additionally guessing the quantity of conference enterprise made the choice simpler.
Talking of storage, there’s loads of that. The raised mattress(s) supply room for suitcases, there’s loads of closet house, drawers, and extra.
Normal rooms additionally come geared up with a mini-fridge (not only a beverage cooler), single-cup Keurig espresso maker, disposable espresso cups, and stemless glassware. For the ephemera followers on the market, the condiment kits and coasters are additionally distinctive to Pixar Place Resort (for now), so…free souvenirs!
There’s additionally a secure, ironing board, alarm clock, hair dryer, telephone and an abundance of USB and USB-C charging ports. You received’t have to pack a charging strip for a keep at Pixar Place Resort. Loads of ports right here.
Talking of free souvenirs, The Artwork of Pixar e book that is available in each room is NOT one. I’m certain some company received’t get the memo, and these will step by step disappear.
However for now, it’s a very nice contact–and an amazing e book. A lot better than that One Day at Disney e book that appeared in all resort rooms a couple of years in the past.
The loos have likewise been modernized and are principally a vivid white, with Pixar Ball paintings for pops of colour.
Functionally, these are an improve. There’s space for storing beneath the sink, an illuminated mirror body, and extra.
The toilet can fluctuate, providing both a tub and bathe mixture or only a walk-in bathe.
What I’m not sure of is whether or not the bath model of the room has sliding panels and a type of uncomfortable tracks or a daily ole bathe curtain. I do know that’s a standard query from dad and mom, so there you might have it.
Shampoo, conditioner, and physique wash are disbursed from pink, yellow and blue dispensers with Pixar Place Resort graphics. Observe that there’s no reference to the now-extinct H2O model, however these are the identical formulation as earlier than. You’ll additionally discover location and bar cleaning soap subsequent to the sink, however sadly, that’s the extent of the packaged ‘take-home’ tub merchandise.
Right here’s a video tour of the Pixar Place Resort commonplace visitor room:
Lastly, there’s the problem of worth. Pixar Place Resort ought to be cheaper than each Disneyland Resort and Grand Californian by round $100 to $200 per night time or so. Precise charges fluctuate primarily based upon season and reductions, and we’ve seen Pixar Place Resort successfully dearer than DLH on a number of events resulting from no availability in its decrease room classes.
That is at the moment in equal elements because of the new resort odor (Disneyland diehards love all issues new) and that the reimagining truly isn’t completed but. I don’t know the share, however there are nonetheless quite a lot of rooms out of fee as a result of they’re within the technique of being redone. Each of those are short-term points that we’d count on resolved by Fall 2024.
Irrespective of the way you slice it, Pixar Place Resort continues to be dear. One in every of our largest previous complaints about this property was the huge premium paid for the “Disney” model, regardless of it being inferior to similarly-situated off-site resorts. That’s now not the case. To make certain, this isn’t an actual world luxurious resort, however I don’t assume anybody is anticipating that. Though a very apples-to-oranges comparability, I’d now think about it as a family-friendly and extra perk-driven different to the Westin Anaheim (a resort we love). Pixar Place is dearer than that resort, however not by a lot.
We’ve beforehand debated the deserves of staying on-site versus staying off-site at Disneyland Resort, so I received’t rehash these right here, however basically, you pay a major premium for being “on property.” Disneyland Resort doesn’t have practically as many on-site resort rooms as Walt Disney World, and this probably contributes to the charges.
Finally, Pixar Place Resort continues to be my third favourite Resort of Disneyland Resort, behind Disneyland Resort (#2) and the Grand Californian (#1). It’s nonetheless not in the identical league because the Grand Californian, which is a bona-fide luxurious resort that holds its personal in opposition to the actual world heavy-hitters in Los Angeles and the seaside cities, whereas additionally being an exemplar of themed design.
Nevertheless, Pixar Place Resort is now removed from the worst Disney resort on the planet now. The hole between it and the highest two Disneyland resorts is nowhere close to what it as soon as was, both. There are compelling causes to decide on Pixar Place Resort over Disneyland Resort, which was not the case earlier than. The largest promoting factors are its personal entrance into DCA, quieter frequent areas, temper of the rooftop pool deck, Pixar-design particulars, brisker visitor rooms, and extra.
The decrease entry-level worth can be interesting, and as soon as the mud settles, you’ll probably be capable of keep 3 nights at Pixar Place Resort for the value of two nights at DLH or GCH. We care quite a bit concerning the worth proposition of resorts (it’s an enormous a part of why I used to be a Paradise Pier Resort hater within the first place!), so this can be a actually huge deal to us and sufficient to assist tip the scales in favor of Pixar Place Resort for a lot of company.
My earlier suggestion was basically to disregard this resort and resolve between Grand Californian and Disneyland Resort, or keep off-site as an alternative. That’s now not the case. I’d now suggest Pixar Place Resort to many households prepared to splurge and wanting sure issues, however not fairly having the price range for Grand Californian (or perhaps wanting one thing extra overtly “Disney”). Pixar Place Resort nonetheless may be third place, but it surely’s at the least aggressive–just like the Angels to the Grand Californian’s Dodgers, as an alternative of being bush league.
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Planning a Southern California trip? For park admission offers, learn Ideas for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Study on-site and off-site resorts in our Anaheim Resort Critiques & Rankings. For the place to eat, try our Disneyland Restaurant Critiques. For distinctive concepts of issues that’ll enhance your journey, try What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Trip Planning Information. Lastly, for guides past Disney, try our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seaside, and plenty of different SoCal cities!
Your Ideas
What do you consider Pixar Place Resort? Do you just like the Pixar particulars and decor, or do you are feeling that it lacks one thing that the opposite immersive, themed resorts have? Are the personal entrance, Early Entry, location, pool deck, and different particulars large enough promoting factors so that you can e book Pixar Place Resort over (for instance) the Westin Anaheim? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions—even while you disagree with us—is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
