Unlike the wide variety of lodging choices at Disney World, Disneyland only has three on-property hotels: the original Disneyland Hotel (including the new Villas at Disneyland Hotel), the higher-end Disney’s Grand Californian and the hotel currently known as Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. The latter of the three is not only Disney’s most budget-friendly hotel, but it is also in the midst of a major Pixar-themed makeover, which is set to be completed this winter.
We’ve just learned that Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel will officially reopen as Pixar Place Hotel on Jan. 30, 2024, making it the first Pixar-themed Disney resort in the U.S.
Originally built in the 1980s and purchased by Disneyland in the 1990s, Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel has historically been the least exciting of the three Disneyland options, missing the luxury of the Grand Californian and the history of the Disneyland Hotel. For a number of years, it sported a 1920s California boardwalk theme. However, with us now solidly in the 2020s, Disney is giving the hotel some much-needed attention in the form of a Pixar-inspired makeover.
Leading up to the reveal of the resort’s final transformation, Disney continues to provide updates and sneak peeks at the Pixar Place Hotel, so here’s the latest.
Disney has shared that the lobby will evolve into a bright space with nods to Pixar characters and stories, including never-before-seen artwork and the iconic Pixar Lamp balancing atop its ball. Also in the lobby, you’ll find a gift shop with Pixar-themed clothing, accessories, toys and more called STOR-E, a take on the Pixar film “WALL-E.”
Along with the opening date, Disney revealed a first look inside the remodeled guest rooms.
As you can see in the below rendering, rooms are playful and colorful, with details large and small in every corner. The bedding features tone-on-tone images of the Pixar Ball and is topped with a pillow inspired by the Pixar Ball. Headboards are painted with concept art from a variety of Pixar films, which is sure to be a hit with kids.
Families will also be excited that the hotel will feature a new “Finding Nemo”-inspired water play area that will include a new splash pad and a 186-foot Crush-themed waterslide. This addition is already complete and open to guests. The pool deck also provides views of the nighttime fireworks at Disneyland.
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Pixel Pool at Pixar Place Hotel. RICHARD HARBAUGH/DISNEYLAND RESORT
You’ll find comfortable couches near the pool area where you can gather around fire pits inspired by Jack-Jack from “The Incredibles” and Anger from “Inside Out.”
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CHRISTIAN THOMPSON/DISNEYLAND RESORT
The Pixar Place Hotel will also debut a new restaurant named Great Maple in November.
Disneyland has shared that it will feature an all-day service with upscale comfort food such as buttermilk fried chicken and maple bacon doughnuts, Cajun shrimp and cheddar biscuit Benedict, and soda pop-braised baby back ribs. Only time will tell if this will make the list of our favorite restaurants at Disneyland, but we’ll keep you posted. We also learned that a new concierge lounge is coming to Pixar Place Hotel.
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Great Maple at Pixar Place Hotel. DISNEY
Also of note for guests deciding where to stay at Disneyland is that in 2022, the hotel introduced a new walkway providing guests with a special side entrance to Disney California Adventure.
Rates at the Pixar Place Hotel currently start at around $450 per night. However, keep in mind if you stay there in the coming months, there will likely be ongoing construction as progress is made toward the property’s completion Jan. 30, 2024.
And, of course, the Disneyland hotel development doesn’t stop with this one property as just down the street, the Disneyland Hotel has also recently debuted its new villas.
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