Disney’s California Adventure- Review of Pixar Pier

Pixar Pier is the newest addition to Disney’s California Adventure. This new area has replaced the previous Paradise Pier section of the park. The Pier has been transformed into a haven for Pixar fans. It is now the new home for many beloved Pixar characters. Many of the old parts of Paradise Pier have either been re-themed or remained untouched. The overall aim of this update was to create a place dedicated to the world of Pixar.

Incredicoaster…

The main feature of Pixar Pier at Disney’s California Adventure is the new Incredicoaster. This is the new reimagined version of California Screamin’ which now features characters from The Incredibles. Apart from the layout of the track, everything about the rollercoaster has changed. The queue, the station, the trains and the soundtrack. New theming elements have also been added throughout the ride. These are things such as special effects and figures inside the rides tunnels. The Incredicoaster is definitely an improvement on California Screamin’. It adds a new element of theming to the ride which didn’t exist previously. To get the best experience possible, you should ride at night as many of the rides special effects look a lot better in the dark. It is also best to ride on the front row. This allows you to get a better look at the new additions to the ride.

Lamplight Lounge…

Furthermore, the former Ariel’s Grotto bar and restaurant has been given a Pixar overlay and is now called the Lamplight Lounge. The interior of this restaurant has been completely renovated and a new menu has also been added.  Click here to check out our separate review of the Lamplight Lounge. The combination of these changes to the Pier has definitely helped give this area of the park a more whimsical yet modern feel about it.

Other new additions to Pixar Pier at Disney’s California Adventure…

Several new food stalls have been built as part of Pixar Pier. The old carnival style games from Paradise Pier have been given a Pixar themed makeover. Mickeys Fun Wheel has been re-themed and renamed to the Pixar Pal Around. The main shop on the pier has been converted into a sweet shop themed around the character Bing Bong from Pixar’s Inside Out.

The new Toy Story themed carousel, Jessie’s Critter Carousel, and the new Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind flat ride are also nice, child friendly additions.

Pixar Pier is an upgrade on Paradise Pier. I also think that the addition of popular Pixar characters, like The Incredibles, to older rides such as California Screamin’ have definitely given them a new lease of life.