A majority of Paradise Pier attractions will close on Jan. 8, 2018 as the Disneyland Resort begins transforming the southern shore of Paradise Bay into Pixar Pier, a project which park executives announced in July 2017 during the D23 Expo.
After months of secrecy, Disney has finally revealed some details about the new pier which will feature four Pixar-themed neighborhoods. Inspired by “The Incredibles”, the first neighborhood will have a brand new ride as its key attraction. “California Screamin”, one of the park’s original rides, will undergo a makeover turning it into the “Incredicoaster.”
Meanwhile, the second neighborhood will center on the “Toy Story” theme. It will retain “Toy Story Mania!”, turning it into the main attraction. No details have been released about whether modifications will be made on the interactive, 4-D ride.
Only the theme is known about the “Inside Out” inspired neighborhood on the western side of the boardwalk. Disney revealed that it will introduce a “family-friendly attraction” with an opening scheduled at a date later than Pixar Pier’s opening on April 13, 2018.
Unlike the first three, the fourth neighborhood will not follow a set theme. Disney, in its press release, described it as “a celebration of many of your favorite Pixar stories.” Each of the 24 gondolas on “Mickey’s Fun Wheel” will feature a different character and “Games of the Boardwalk” will also take inspiration from Pixar stories.
“Ariel’s Grotto” and the “Cove Bar” will be renovated into a new lounge and grill with views of both the Paradise Bay and Pixar Pier. The bar will briefly reopen in April 2018 but will be closed again at an unannounced date for a permanent overhaul.
The rest of Paradise Pier, which include “Paradise Gardens”, “Silly Symphony Swings”, “The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure” and other attractions, will be rebranded as Paradise Park.
Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development created and designed the Pixar Pier. It will also handle construction and renovation of both new and existing structures. The project cost remains unknown but with the fast-approaching 2018 deadline, the LA Times suggest the project is “a quick reskin with a limited budget.”
