Pixar in the Parks: Toy Story Land & Pixar Pier Sneak Peek!

^ Well, Sorry. I can't be there for at least a year and some months, so (over)imagining is all I got for now.

I love that Disney is finally doing stuff like this. For what felt like my entire life, they never did any sort of behind the scenes stuff.

This makes me a lot more optimistic about Pixar pier (to which my initial reaction was meh)

Wow, the WDI office is truly a magical place. The DISH is just mindblowing, but I wouldn't have been able to leave the model sculpting room. I hope you got to spend a decent amount of time there; I love those Haunted Mansion models. Is this the same WDI building where Walt used to give his presentations on EPCOT (the original proposed city) and all the rides being designed back in the 60's? So incredibly cool that you got to see this side of imagineering!!!

Incredicoaster looks like a huge improvement to California Screamin' in every way!

Mindblowingly awesome, and just adds to the magic.

This is some REALLY cool stuff to see! Thanks for sharing!

I wouldn't have been able to leave the model sculpting room. I hope you got to spend a decent amount of time there; I love those Haunted Mansion models.

Thankfully, this wasn't my first time in that room! When I used to work over on that side of the Disney company, I have spent quite a bit of time in there! Interestingly enough (and thankfully) that room has changed very little in the last 20 years! The history in that room is just incredible.

Looks incredible. Thanks for sharing the inside of Imagineering which most people would never get to see. You wouldn't think their building would be so nondescript, but it makes sense as it probably prevents many people passing by from trying to go inside.

Looks incredible. Thanks for sharing the inside of Imagineering which most people would never get to see. You wouldn't think their building would be so nondescript, but it makes sense as it probably prevents many people passing by from trying to go inside.

Reminds me of the Nintendo Headquarters in Japan...same completely boring building where magic gets made inside!

Great update! Will all the trains still be different colors? Or will they all be red/orange now that it’s themed to the Incredibles?

I’m actually a big fan of Pixar Pier/Incredicoaster. California Screamin’ was really looking tired when I visited back in May.

^^ The Nintendo building is only slightly less nondescript because of the Nintendo logo on it, but even the logo blends in with the color of the building.

Wow, amazing tour!!! Thank you so much for showing us some behind the scenes that most of us would never have the opportunity to see!

Part two of this report features some AMAZING looking food! This is just a warning if you're reading this while hungry, the following page of pictures isn't going to help! If anything, it will probably make you wish that Pixar Fest was here sooner than later!

So what is Pixar Fest? It's a resort wide celebration of all things Pixar at Disneyland! Both parks will feature elements of the event including a new fireworks/projection show at Disneyland “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular”, the return of Paint The Night with a new Incredibles float at Disney California Adventure, and also the return of a long-time favorite "Pixar Play Parade" at Disneyland.

That all sounds amazing, yes? YES! But one of the major focuses of this event will be an incredible (pun intended) amount of new food offerings scattered throughout both parks! Below is just a sampling of some of the amazing food you will find. And you have been warned, you WILL want many of these items RIGHT NOW but you will have to wait until April 13th! The event runs through September 3rd!

[fbvideonew]

They gave me Toy Story ears and put me in front of lots of food! This is like a dream come true! lol

And yes, there will be monsters... many of them! But onto the food!

These "Alien Maracons" are one of the show-stealers! They are FANTASTIC!!! And not to mention insanely CUTE and I'm sure we will be seeing lots more photographs of these little guys floating around Instagram at some point soon!

Another favorite was the Up inspired menu items

This "TV Dinner" was amazing! Not only does it look great, but the food is delicious, also!

OMG! The "Pixar Fest Cake" was probably my favorite of the items I sampled. It's three-flavors including Red Velvet!

Seriously, this was FANTASTIC!

The Pixar Cake Pop was delicious, too!

Along with the Alien Macarons there were more Toy Story items as well.

The "Cheeseburger Pizza" caught my eye!

Probably my favorite "concept" was the Ratatouille three-course dinner! It comes with a cheese flight appetizer, a stuffed beignet for dessert, and your main course is none other than...

Ratatouille! This will be served at my old stomping ground, Cafe Orleans!

Coco inspired chocolate Churros! Yes, please!

Yes, that is Mike Wazowski sourdough bread! lol

Those are Incredibles themed "Jack-Jack Spicy Corn Dogs!"

Jessie’s berry jubilee funnel cake will be available at the Stage Door Cafe.

Some of the new items that will be served at the Lamplight Lounge which replaces Ariel's Grotto at DCA. One of those items is the latest trend...

Tune poke!

These Nemo themed sipper cups are really cute!

“Toy Story”-inspired Green star pesto pasta.

But really... that slice of cake... OMG! It was godly!

Remember, Pixar Fest runs April 13 - Sept 3 at both Disneyland and DCA!

We also got a look at some of the event merchandise...

I love the look of the characters on this shirt!

The event looks fantastic! All the new food offerings, entertainment, and merchandise are wonderful! Looking forward to covering this event when it opens next month!

When I used to work over on that side of the Disney company, I have spent quite a bit of time in there! Interestingly enough (and thankfully) that room has changed very little in the last 20 years! The history in that room is just incredible.

It makes me so happy that they take such care to preserve their history while many parks simply throw old ride props and designs away. And that's sick that you got to work there!!

Coco inspired chocolate Churros! Yes, please!

SAY NO MORE. I already love this event! All the food looks awesome, especially that Ratatouille. I hope they bring it over to the France pavillion in Epcot once they open the ride.

Having worked on the Imagineering side myself, that's great that they were willing to show you around! To everyone on the team who knows who I am while reading this, I'm so happy for you, I'm so excited that I got to work with you, and I can't wait to see Pixar Pier finished!

Spicy corn dogs, you said? Bring 'em on!

That 'TV dinner" pork chop looks amazing!

Okay, I'm super late to this party, but this is a fantastic report. The Imagineering building is incredible, and all the Pixar Fest stuff looks so good. Love that Mike Wazowski shaped bread.

Continuing on with our report... Since the main focus on this event was Pixar on both coasts, let's take a closer look at what is coming to both the Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World. Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure opens on June 23rd and Toy Story Land at Walt Disney World Hollywood Studios opens June 30th. Pixar Fest will begin at the Disneyland Resort (both parks) on April 13rd and run through September 3rd.

Here are a few "fun facts" about Toy Story Land that you might not have known...

• More than 400 toy blocks fill Andy’s backyard.

• In Toy Story Land, Andy’s footprint is about 25 feet long or the equivalent of a size 240 shoe.

• It would take a Green Army Man roughly 12 steps just to travel the length of one of Andy’s

shoeprints.

• You would need a backpack the size of a school bus to carry the Buzz and Woody figures that

tower over Toy Story Land.

• The weight of the Slinky Dog Dash track and support columns weighs almost as much as 125,000

gallons of milk.

• Together Rex and the Jenga Tower are as tall as 71⁄2 Green Army Men standing on top of one

another.

Now on to some photos & video!

It was a real treat to be able to see the Imagineers at WDI working on the model for the upcoming Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure opening June 23rd!

The transformation is going to be fantastic and it will bring a new cohesive theme to an area of the park that was currently didn't really have one.

Everything on the "roller coaster" side of the pier will get a new Pixar theme, while the attractions on the other side of the water, will be part of "Paradise Park."

We were there for the announcement and unveiling for "Jessie's Critter Carousel!" This should be a fun new theme to the carousel featuring those familiar critters you see at the end of the Toy Story Mania attraction!

We got to see the mock up of the critters during our visit to Walt Disney Imagineering.

And even were given a walk-through on how the "maquettes" for the ride are created.

These little models are sculpted by hand and used to help build the final ride vehicle you will see on the attraction.

Here's an artists overview of what it will look like.

The new Pixar Pier entry way with the Pixar lamp welcoming you to the area!

The Adorable Snowman serves "yellow snow" frosted treats! (He swears they are lemon flavored!) lol

The "Poultry Palace" which will serve you everything chicken!

And even "Spanish Language Setting" Buzz Lightyear makes an appearance at his Churro stand! Cute!

Of course the star of the area will most likely be the new Incredicoaster which will offer a new Incredibles theme to California Screamin'! I'm a huge fan of both the coaster and The Incredibles, so I'm most certainly looking forward to this one!

Pixar Fest opens April 13th and new entertainment will be in BOTH Disneyland and California Adventure! Here's the new lead float for the Pixar Play Parade at Disneyland.

There will also be a new float in the parade with characters from the movie Up.

Over at Disney California Adventure, Paint The Night will return with a new Incredibles themed float.

We got to see a preview show of the new Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular, and spectacular it was!

The fireworks are amazing, and the projections will display on the castle, down Main Street, on It's a Small World, and on the water screens in Rivers of America.

I won't give away too many spoilers about this show, but I will share this image with you and some clips in this video below...

[fbvideonew]

Heading back to Orlando, we got to take a look at the construction site for Toy Story Land opening June 30th!

Slinky Dog Dash is the central focus of the land as it sprawls almost over the entire area.

The coaster will feature a "double launch" which I believe is a first for any of the Disney parks!

While Slinky Dog Dash is more of a "family coaster" (think Seven Dwarfs Mine Train meets Big Thunder Mountain) it will offer thrills for all ages and be "just enough" for those who don't want something too extreme.

While we were getting our tour of the construction site, they were installing the Wheezy character who you will hear singing "You've Got A Friend In Me" throughout the day.

Check out the Slinky Dog Dash headband they premiered for us at the event! lol Cute!

We are also looking forward to the Alien Swirling Saucers!

Another fun new attraction that will join it's other Toy Story friends in the land.

And yes, the aliens have a headband too! (the eyes both glow and move!)

Woody's Lunch Box will be a new quick service dining option for Toy Story Land.

And the entrance to Toy Story Mania will be moved so you enter the attraction from the new land.

Always a fun ride! Even though it's only about 10 years old, IMO it's already a "classic!"

Toy Story Land opens on June 30th and we are looking forward to getting our first rides on Slinky Dog Dash!

And hanging out with the rest of the Toy Story characters throughout the land!

Nice! Lots of fun stuff to look forward to. Is it weird that I'm most excited about the yellow snow cones?

^ Probably, but that's okay.

I'm curious to see what they do with the existing Pixar Place street in the Studios park once the new Toy Story Land and the Mickey Ride and everything else is eventually open. That area will be pretty dead without the entrance to Midway Mania and the character meet n greet. Toy Story land looks phenomenal though, really excited to check this out eventually.

I'm curious to see what they do with the existing Pixar Place street in the Studios park once the new Toy Story Land and the Mickey Ride and everything else is eventually open. That area will be pretty dead without the entrance to Midway Mania and the character meet n greet. Toy Story land looks phenomenal though, really excited to check this out eventually.

Remember, one of the main entrances into Toy Story Land will be from that street so that area will actually probably be VERY busy when the new land opens.

I'm curious to see what they do with the existing Pixar Place street in the Studios park once the new Toy Story Land and the Mickey Ride and everything else is eventually open. That area will be pretty dead without the entrance to Midway Mania and the character meet n greet. Toy Story land looks phenomenal though, really excited to check this out eventually.

Remember, one of the main entrances into Toy Story Land will be from that street so that area will actually probably be VERY busy when the new land opens.

I was talking about south of the Toy Story Land Entrance down towards where it used to intersect the Streets of America. I guess it's walled off now as a dead end past the existing Toy Story Mania entrance, maybe they'll just move that dead end north. Or the character meet n greets stays open where it is maybe nothing changes.

Love the "backstage" tour of Imagineering Studios - I agree with another poster that it would be like a dream come true to work there!

The new lands certainly have a lot of pop and color to them too - love it!

Thanks as always for sharing the behind the scenes stuff, Robb...always most appreciated!

I've always wanted a Pixar only park.