Disneyland’s Pixar Fest is filled with fun, food, and entertainment to explore. We’re sharing all the details so you know where to find every experience across the resort.
Pixar Fest is finally back at Disneyland Resort! Whether you’re a Toy Story fan yourself or have kids who can’t get enough of films like Cars, Turning Red, or Luca, Pixar Fest offers the opportunity to interact with the stories and characters in new ways. And for 2024, Pixar Fest is all about celebrating friendship, making it the perfect destination to make some standout summer family memories.
From April 26 to August 4, 2024, you’ll have the chance to celebrate your favorite Pixar characters, stories, and so much more at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure (and yes, even Downtown Disney and the Disneyland Resort hotels are getting in on the fun!)
What, exactly, is Pixar Fest? Well, it’s a celebration of all things PIxar – which means you’ll see your favorite Disney/Pixar films and shorts represented across the entirety of Disneyland Resort! This exciting event first took place back in 2018. At the time, Pixar Fest coincided with the opening of Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure. However, the event was put on hold after that first year.
Now, Pixar Fest at Disneyland Resort is back for 2024, and it’s bigger than ever. With activities, entertainment, and incredible food spread across both theme parks and the entire resort, you can explore SO much Pixar fun!
Below, we’re sharing a look at everything that’s in store for guests during Pixar Fest.
Pixar Fest is Full of Kid-Friendly Entertainment
Catch Mike from Monsters, Inc. in the finale of “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Parade” at California Adventure. Photo by Abby Richardson
When Pixar Fest first took place back in 2018, I wasn’t a parent – so I wasn’t too concerned with parades and other kid-friendly offerings. But this time around, I visited with my one-year-old son, who’s just the right age to be excited by the bright colors, larger-than-life characters, and thrilling sights and sounds across the festival.
And I’m here to tell you that Disneyland’s Pixar Fest 2024 is perfect for kids of all ages, especially when it comes to entertainment.
No matter your kids’ ages (or your own, for that matter!), there’s a Pixar Fest entertainment offering that’ll have you thoroughly enjoying the experience. From catchy tunes and exciting new parades to a stunning nighttime spectacular, there’s something for everyone.
Here’s an overview of each of the entertainment offerings:
Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration is a brand-new parade taking place at Disney California Adventure Park. Featuring incredible, colorful floats, a very catchy theme song, and over two dozen Pixar characters, you’ll love the chance to spot friends like Woody, Buzz, and Jessie; Miguel and Dante; Luca, Alberto, and Giuliana; and Mike and Sully. The lively performance runs down California Adventure’s performance corridor – and trust me, you’ll be singing “Better Together” all day long afterwards.
Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular, which is the beloved show from 2018’s Pixar Fest. This Disneyland Park fireworks show features all-new scenes and projections with characters from Turning Red, Luca, and Inside Out 2 to name just a few. Plus, you don’t want to miss the chance to see Buzz Lightyear and the house from Up take flight over Sleeping Beauty Castle. In addition to catching projections and fireworks views on Main Street, U.S.A., you can watch the show from “it’s a small world” or Rivers of America for an alternate performance (and keep your eyes peeled for Hidden Mickeys!)
Pixar Fest Offers Numerous Interactive Experiences for Kids
In addition to the above entertainment, you can also catch some entertainment-filled interactive experiences across Disneyland Resort’s two theme parks during Pixar Fest. For 2024, Pixar Fest includes two destinations that feature both entertainment and some unique fun, as well as the chance to meet and greet beloved Pixar characters.
Best of all, these interactive experiences speak to kids of different ages. Club Pixar, which is both a daytime and a nighttime experience, offers a calmer, more playful vibe from morning to afternoon. At night, it transforms into a destination for older guests. Pixar Pals Playtime Party, on the other hand, is a great spot to head if you have little kids.
Learn more about each of the interactive experiences offered during Pixar Fest below.
Dance at Pixar Pals Playtime Party
Little ones can dance with their favorite Pixar characters during the Pixar Pals Playtime Party at Fantasyland Theatre. Photo by Abby Richardson
If you’re visiting Disneyland Resort with little ones who love to groove, wiggle, and play freely, you don’t want to miss the Pixar Pals Playtime Party over at Disneyland Park! Filled with everything from adorable Pixar short films to larger-than-life movie-inspired backdrops to space to sit and relax, it has everything you need if you have young kids.
Let me just tell you: This is the spot to be for the under-10 age group. Filled with exciting activities from photo opportunities with Pixar-themed backdrops from films like Up, Monsters, Inc., Cars, and Onward, Fantasyland Theatre has been transformed into a kids’ play space. Up on stage, a true dance party takes place, with appearances from beloved characters like Joy and Sadness from Inside Out (you absolutely have to see Sadness get into the groove!), Woody, Bo Peep, and Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story, and the cast of The Incredibles.
Best of all, there’s plenty of space for little kids to dance! Cast Members help them get moving with bubbles and a party atmosphere, and Pixar characters do come onto the dance floor – meaning kids can actually dance with their favorite characters. My one-year-old absolutely loved grooving with Frozone and Mr. Incredible, and the step-by-step dance moves onstage are perfect for little ones who like to follow along.
Additionally, you’ll find arts and crafts at the Pixar Pals Playtime Party as well as character meet and greets. Pixar characters will pop in and visit with guests at the photo backdrops, so keep an eye out for visitors like Ian and Barley from Onward or Luca and Alberto from Luca.
Visit Club Pixar
Catch your favorite Pixar short films over in Club Pixar both day and night. Photo by Heather Adams
The Hollywood Backlot in Hollywood Land over in California Adventure is transformed into Club Pixar during Pixar Fest. Here, you’ll find two different versions of Club Pixar – one designed for daytime fun, and one for nighttime entertainment. Both offer plenty of interactive entertainment and activities.
During the day, Club Pixar is home to photo spots and backdrops, an array of games based on some of Pixar’s beloved short films (I highly recommend trying the Lava-inspired fishing game), and a series of different shorts playing in a “drive-in” theater with comfy seats. There are also character meet and greets here, so you’ll want to keep an eye out for appearances by Pixar characters. One of the most exciting photo opportunities? Mr. Incredible and Mrs. Incredible will appear in their original super suits for the very first time!
At night, Club Pixar really comes alive once the sun sets and transforms into a nightclub-inspired party. This interactive offering is best for older kids – while little ones can play the games, tweens and teens will get the most out of the experience. You’ll enjoy live performances led by a DJ who’ll get the crowd engaged and involved, as well as photo opps, themed food offerings, specially crafted beverages, and more.
Meet Pixar Characters
Catch Alberto and Luca hanging out in Portorosso in Fantasyland Theatre. Photo by Abby Richardson
Lastly, a character encounter is always a fun interactive experience, regardless of your age. Luckily, during Pixar Fest at Disneyland Resort, character meet and greet opportunities abound. You’ll not only find characters hanging out inside interactive experiences like Club Pixar and Pixar Pals Playtime Party, but also throughout the theme parks.
If you’re interested in meeting Woody or Jessie from Toy Story, want to see Joy or Sadness from Inside Out, or can’t wait to catch a talking version of Dug from Up (yes, he really talks to guests as he interacts!), you can head to destinations like Pixar Pier or Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in California Adventure.
Enjoy Pixar-Inspired Food and Drinks
When you’re ready to take a break from all of the fun across Pixar Fest, there’s plenty to eat and drink. One of my favorite hallmarks of any festival, the food marketplaces, are appearing for the first time during Pixar Fest over at California Adventure. And if you’re someone who loves a good themed treat that’s also delicious, you’ll find plenty!
Take a look at some of the food and drinks inspired by Pixar that you’ll find at Disneyland Resort during Pixar Fest 2024 below.
Pixar Treats Throughout Disneyland Resort
A look at one of the Pixar Fest food items from Troubadour Tavern in Disneyland. Photo by Abby Richardson
Destinations within both Disneyland and California Adventure theme parks will offer a special selection of Pixar-themed foods, drinks, and other treats. In Disneyland Park, Troubadour Tavern will change its menu to offer Pixar-themed dishes; over at California Adventure, Paradise Garden Grill will offer a whole menu of Coco-inspired items.
Additionally, other locations across the theme parks and resort at large will also feature limited-time Pixar Fest offerings. For example, you can try the Blackberry Churro inspired by Toy Story over by Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, or sip on Shake 2319 inspired by Monsters, Inc. over at Schmoozies!.
For a complete list of all of the treats and dishes you’ll find at Disneyland Park, California Adventure, Downtown Disney, and the hotels of Disneyland Resort, check out WDW Magazine’s complete guide to all of the Pixar Fest food.
Oh, and don’t forget about novelties! From popcorn buckets themed after Pixar icons like the Pizza Planet truck from Toy Story and Dug from Up to straw clips featuring Mei Lin in red panda form from Turning Red to Edna Mode from The Incredibles, there are so many fun novelty items scattered resort-wide.
Visit Pixar-Inspired Marketplaces at California Adventure
Grab drinks inspired by Pixar’s Elemental at the Elemental Table marketplace. Photo by Abby Richardson
Starting on May 10, 2024, Pixar Fest will expand its deliciously themed food and beverage offerings at California Adventure with the introduction of six marketplaces.
These marketplaces are similar to the marketplaces (or booths) you’ll see during other festivals, like the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival or Festival of Holidays. However, they feature uniquely Pixar-inspired theming and foods!
All of the dishes served from these marketplaces draws its flavors and inspiration from your favorite Pixar films. Here’s an overview of the marketplaces and their related films:
- 4*Town Fav*4*ites inspired by Turning Red
- The Spark inspired by Soul
- Gusteau’s To-Go inspired by Ratatouille
- Portorosso Pasta inspired by Luca
- Elemental Table inspired by Elemental
- Hanger Management inspired by Inside Out
When these marketplaces are up and running, guests can enjoy delicious dishes that are nicely sized for enjoying solo or splitting with kids.
Just keep in mind that while there’s a wide variety of different dishes and flavors, many do lean more towards the adventurous side – so picky eaters may want to stick with familiar items like Joyful Yellow Comforting Mac & Cheese (a classic mac and cheese) from Hanger Management.
Don’t Miss Pixar Fest 2024 at Disneyland Resort!
Of course, there’s even more Pixar fun to be had during Pixar Fest while it takes place this summer. For example, you can experience one of the incredible Pixar-inspired attractions in the theme parks, like Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage at Disneyland Park or Radiator Springs Racers and the Incredicoaster at California Adventure.
No matter what you and your family enjoy most of all, I highly recommend giving every Pixar Fest offering a try! You just might catch your favorite characters – or experience something you can’t try any other time of the year at Disneyland. And no matter your kids’ ages, there really is something that’ll excite them!
Thank you to Disney for hosting us during the Pixar Fest Media Preview. #PixarFest2024 #CelebratingFriendshipandBeyond
