Happy first day of May! This year is just flying by so fast, and with so many changes – big and small – happening at the Disneyland Resort, it’s hard to keep up. Let’s dive right in and take a look at all the new happenings at the happiest place on earth.
PIXAR FEST BEGINS
This month, Pixar Fest officially kicked off across the Disneyland Resort.
In Disneyland, the Pixar Play Parade made a triumphant return, this time in a new park. The parade features several new Pixar floats, including the titular float pictured above. And over in Tomorrowland, Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port is now everyone’s favorite Toy Story arcade and pizza place: Pizza Planet.
Not to be outdone, California Adventure’s different lands have little nods to Pixar hidden throughout shops, restaurants, and attractions. Here’s a wall along the main street in Cars Land.
The Blue Sky Cellar space in Pacific Wharf has reopened with exclusive sneak peeks at the upcoming Pixar Pier. Visitors can view concept art for new attractions and shops, as well as a preview map of the park’s newest land.
Pixar Fest runs throughout the summer, with Pixar Pier officially opening on June 23. Stay tuned for more and more details as we inch closer to the grand opening!
DOWNTOWN DISNEY CHANGES CONTINUE
Downtown Disney’s ongoing transformation continued this month. Walls around Naples and the two new breweries are still up, but one smaller set of walls finally came down!
The Disney Dress Shop moved across the promenade into a much larger retail space, making room for more dresses and accessories. And soon, Downtown Disney will have a brand new ice cream shop: Salt and Straw.
To learn more about Salt and Straw, check out the OC Register’s report here.
OPENING UP
In Disneyland, the last of the Fantasyland construction walls have finally come down. It’s A Small World’s extended queue and new parade gate opened to the public. The winding area has way more shade now thanks to some new trees, and the parade gate (on the right), moved slightly aside to make room for the new waiting area.
After a long refurbishment, Dumbo finally reopened this month as well. The new shaded queue looks fantastic, and better utilizes a lot of wasted space behind the attraction. I for one will be much more inclined to wait for this ride in the shade and with a little room to breathe!
OTHER UPDATES
Disneyland food ordering goes mobile! Soon, you’ll be able to order in advance at quick service restaurants, and pick up your food when it’s ready. Learn more here.
Disney recently filed a permit to refurbish the space above the old Starcade, adjacent to Space Mountain. Now, rumors are flying that this will become an air-conditioned queuing area, which would be an incredible relief to the brutal heat up there.
That’s it for April updates at the Disneyland Resort. We’re inching closer and closer to the openings of Pixar Pier, Star Wars Land, and all the Downtown Disney changes, so I’m sure there are a ton of surprises in store in the coming weeks and months.
