Note: As of 2024, the Paradise Pier Hotel has been replaced by the Pixar Place Hotel, and the dolphin has once again disappeared somewhere into Disney’s behind-the-scenes treasure box.
The Paradise Pier Hotel takes its name from Paradise Pier, a former land in California Adventure celebrating old-fashioned beach boardwalks and oceanside living. Though Paradise Pier is not its own land anymore (it has been split into Pixar Pier and Paradise Gardens Park), the hotel holds onto this nostalgic theme and overlooks the section of the park that inspired its name.
In the lobby of the hotel, you might notice a smiling little dolphin. This sea creature is a surviving piece of King Triton’s Carousel of the Sea, the original Paradise Pier carousel.
The Carousel of the Sea Dolphin is a great reminder of the original color scheme of the pier. The gold, blues, and pink accents dominated the buildings in the seaside land, a color scheme continued by Paradise Gardens Park today.
The plaque reads:
Carousels have brought grins through spins to “children of all ages” since 1700. From 2001 to 2018, Disney California Adventure Park guests enjoyed whirling round and round on King Triton’s Carousel, an aquatic version of a classically-styled carousel or vintage Victorian “merry-go-round.”
Once located in Paradise Pier, King Triton’s Carousel featured 56 whimsical sea creatures and two elaborate water chariots. The ornately decorated, mermaid-friendly menagerie appeared to “swim” up and down on golden poles, taking passengers on an enjoyable spin past a painted mural of King Triton from Disney’s feature length animated film, The Little Mermaid.
Here at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, we celebrate the heyday of California beachfront boardwalks and elegant seaside accommodations through our “sand-and-surf” themed decor. As our guests, we invite you to enjoy the playful attitude of this colorful little dolphin who once helped generate thousands of smiles during its memorable time upon a “gone-but-not-forgotten” Disney attraction.
May your visit with us stir an ocean of your own fond memories to treasure.
I wish they still had that carousel. And I loved the Paradise Pier theme. Miss it.
I loved that carousel too! I’m so glad they split Paradise Pier so we at least get a little bit of the theming with Paradise Gardens Park. I always thought it was such a lovely theme.