Pixar Pier at Disneyland: Everything You Should Know
- paigelandrum
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Contributed by Jennifer Aiken
If you’ve ever seen a picture of Disney’s California Adventure, you have probably seen a giant ferris wheel with Mickey’s face on it. This is called the Pixar Pal-A-Round, and it is the iconic attraction in an area of California Adventure called Pixar Pier. Pixar Pier is a special part of Disney because no other Disney park has this land! Not only are there rides that are unique, but there are also restaurants and experiences that you can’t do anywhere else. Let me tell you about my experience at this wonderful land!
Am I at Coney Island?
When I first saw Pixar Pier, I immediately thought of Coney Island. One of the first things I saw was the Pixar Pal-A-Round. Even though it is far from the quintessential ferris wheel that I rode as a child, it has the vintage look that I remember from my childhood. The next thing I noticed was the classic white roller coaster track of the Incredicoaster. A white roller coaster, to me, is one of the most nostalgic rides. There are also several carnival games that you can play and win prizes. This is something that is unique to Pixar Pier and gives it that old-school amusement park vibe. All of this paired with the area being on a pier by water makes it feel like Coney Island!
So Many Rides!
Pixar Pier is small, but it still has so many rides! There’s also a variety of the types of rides, from a large-scale roller coaster to swings to a large ferris wheel. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or you enjoy a milder thrill, you can find something you like at Pixar Pier!
My personal favorite experience here is The Incredicoaster. This is the only large roller coaster located in either Disneyland or California Adventure, so if you love an exciting ride, you’re going to want to experience it! It is fast, has loops, and has a cute story to go along with it. Also, you can smell cookies coming from the bakery under the coaster!
Another ride that I loved was the Pixar-Pal-A-Round. This is a ride that you either love or hate, and there’s no in between! I loved it because there are amazing views from this ride. Not only can you see all of California Adventure, but there are beautiful views of the mountains. This ride can be a little intense as most of the cabins on the wheel are not stationary. The cabins slide back and forth as you are going around the wheel, and the amount that you are sliding can vary. They do offer stationary cabins, but the line for those is significantly longer. Depending on who you talk to, this could be considered a thrill ride!
There are several other rides within Pixar Pier, including Toy Story Midway Mania, Jessie’s Critter Carousel, Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind, Silly Symphony Swings, Jumpin’ Jellyfish, Goofy’s Sky School, and Golden Zephyr. These rides are on the milder side, so if that’s your speed, you have plenty of options here!
Games, Eats, and More!
One of the things that makes Pixar Pier unique is that it has games! As you’re walking along the pier, you’ll see multiple games that are reminiscent of the vintage carnival games we all love. What makes these different is that they are Pixar themed! These are pay-to-play games, and there are prizes to be won. If you’d like to play a game that’s already included in your admission, check out Toy Story Midway Mania! This is a ride on Pixar Pier, but it’s also a game. There’s no prizes at the end, but it’s so much fun!
In addition to rides and games, you’ll also find a variety of places to eat. If you’re looking for something sweet, you can find classic Disneyland churros, delicious cookies at Jack-Jack Cookie Num Nums, or frozen soft-serve at Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats. If you’re looking for a quick meal, there are multiple quick-service restaurants that serve a variety of food.
One of my favorite places at Pixar Pier is Lamplight Lounge. Lamplight Lounge is both a table-service restaurant and has a lounge in the bar area. You can either enjoy a nice meal, some appetizers, or even just a beverage! They have excellent choices for both food and drink. One of the best parts about Lamplight Lounge is the fact that it is by the water. Tables are available outside as well as inside, and sitting at an outdoor table gives you the feeling that you’re at the beach! I would recommend Lamplight Lounge to everyone!
One last thing that is great about Pixar Pier is that it is where the World of Color show happens. World of Color is a projection and light show that is on the water at the pier. It features clips and sounds from a variety of Disney movies. If you are a Disney fan, this show is not to be missed! You can also purchase the World of Color Dessert Party Package. This package includes priority seating on the pier, a box of desserts and snacks, and beverages. It is a great way to add some extra magic to an already magical show!
Pixar Pier is a great area of California Adventure! There is plenty to enjoy for all ages!
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