Incredibles celebrations: Pixar Fest and Pixar Pier at Disneyland

James Riley | USA TODAY

Disneyland resort will be turning a bit Inside Out starting today, April 13, with a celebration of all things Pixar during Pixar Fest. And then in June, the former Paradise Pier section of Disney California Adventure will reopen as Pixar Pier with new attractions, restaurants and experiences.

Pixar Fest, running now through September 3, introduces a number of new entertainment options at both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, all celebrating the works of Pixar Animation Studio and its characters. First, a new fireworks show, Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular, now closes out the day at Disneyland. Pixar characters from Toy Story to Coco appear in projection on Sleeping Beauty Castle, it’s a small world, Rivers of America and Main Street U.S.A., while Buzz Lightyear takes the traditional Tinker Bell flight over the castle. Be sure to look Up at the end for something special in the sky.

“We’re going to celebrate those friendships at the heart of so many Pixar films,” says Shelby Jiggetts-Tivony, vice president, Disney Parks Live Entertainment. “This will be the first time that all Pixar content has gone into a nighttime spectacle.”

The Pixar Play Parade also comes to Disneyland from Disney California Adventure, now led by the Pixar lamp and the yellow Pixar Ball. They’re joined by new floats featuring the characters from Up and Inside Out.

The Paint the Night parade also returns, now appearing at Disney California Adventure. Starting in June, a new Incredibles float will be added to celebrate Incredibles 2, opening June 15. Like the already existing Pixar-themed floats themed to Cars, Toy Story and Monsters, Inc., the Incredibles float will showcase the superhero family through LED lights and special effects.

A number of new foods are being introduced during Pixar Fest, including two new flavors of churros: a chocolate churro inspired by Coco, and Lots-o'-Straw-“Bear”-y churro inspired by the bear from Toy Story 3. Lotso also inspires a new Lots-o'-Straw-“Bear”-y Funnel Cake, while Jessie brings her Berry Jubilee Funnel Cake to the Golden Horseshoe at Disneyland.

Midway through Pixar Fest, Pixar Pier will open on June 23, a week after The Incredibles 2 hits theaters. To celebrate the new movie, the former California Screamin’ ride will be transformed into the Incredicoaster, adding an Incredibles story overlay to the roller coaster.

“Our story here is that you are here on the inaugural launch date that the municipality of the pier has rededicated the coaster to the Incredibles,” says Jeffrey Shaver-Moskowitz, producer, Walt Disney Imagineering. “The Incredibles are here to ride the coaster as well.” How exactly the story unfolds while riding the coaster is being kept under wraps for now, so as to not spoil the surprises for guests.

Jessie’s Critter Carousel will take over the former King Trident’s Carousel, adding to a new Toy Story section of Pixar Pier, which will also feature the current Toy Story Mania! attraction. Mickey’s Fun Wheel will add Pixar characters to its gondolas, and a new movie-themed neighborhood and attraction for Inside Out will also be coming at an unannounced date.

Two new counter service food stops will be opening as well: Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats (featuring the Abominable Snowman from Monsters, Inc.), and Poultry Palace from the "Small Fry" Toy Story short.

The former Ariel’s Grotto and Cove Bar locations will now become the Lamplight Lounge, a gastropub where Pixar artists are said to have left their mark. “This is the place that Pixar animators would go and hang out after work,” says Shaver-Moskowitz. “You’ll see doodles and drawings and sketches that Pixar artists have left there over the years, to give it this really cool Pixar touch.”

The new Pixar experiences will join the current Cars Land, A Bug’s Land, and other Pixar attractions and characters at both Disneyland parks.