Review: Disneyland’s New Pixar Place Hotel

Pixar Place Hotel at Disneyland Resort is a thematic hotel based on the iconic animation studio and a fully immersive experience that makes you feel like more than a guest.

Most thematic places make guests feel like characters in one of their favorite stories. It’s that kind of magical guest service and experience that separates Disney Resort Hotels from any others. But instead of being like a character, you are also an artist.

Featuring portraits and maquettes of iconic Pixar characters, the main lobby invites guests to begin their adventure amid a vibrant and colorful blend of different art galleries at Pixar Place Hotel at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif. (Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort)

Past the sliding glass doors that would reunite lovable Pixar duos like Mike and Sully from “Monsters, Inc.” and Ember and Wade from “Elemental,” one can feel that once they step into the hotel lobby where a giant Pixar Lamp and Luxo Ball greet them. Unlike the ones that grace the studio lot in Emeryville, CA, the lamp stands on top of the Luxo Ball, mirroring the relationship of every opening Pixar title card.

Above those two are stain-glassed Pixar character mobiles. The lobby shimmers with various colors as the sun shines against them, making it a very welcoming experience and revealing the animation process to us. That’s because those aren’t just mobiles. They are shape models. They aren’t fully formed and are meant to give us an idea of what they could look like. Additionally, looking at the floor below, you may find some silhouettes of your favorite Pixar characters. It is another piece of inspiration that the Pixar Place Hotel took from the studio so that guests who may not have access to see the studio can experience it for themselves at the hotel.

It’s hard to believe such a hotel could balance simplicity and sophistication with a contemporary feel and elegance. It feels very homey and warm. That especially rings true with all the lo-fi versions of familiar Pixar themes softly playing through the speakers. As you walk away from the lobby and towards the front desk, you’ll find yourself surrounded by some portraits of Pixar characters like Joe Garner from “Soul,” Lightning McQueen from the “Cars” franchise,” Joy from “Inside Out,” and more in their awakening moment – the moment where they have genuinely found themselves and embrace who they are. Opposite those, you’ll see the concept art of “Luca.” This shows that this isn’t just a Pixar-themed hotel. Disney wants you to experience the entire production process.

Moving towards the guest parking, you’ll see rough sketches of characters like Mei Mei from “Turning Red,” Buzz Lightyear from “Toy Story,” and Enda Mode from “The Incredibles,” all leading to their wire frame forms. It’s a small look at the creative process and serves as inspiration for those who are looking to become Pixar artists themselves.

Not too far from the check-in desk, you can hear the one and only Joe Garner playing jazz music beneath a soft blue and green painted stairwell that is supposed to represent The Great Before. Abstract souls known as Jerrys seemingly float along the stairwell’s walls, making it look like the image was pulled straight out of “Soul.”

Joe Garner won’t be the only in-person character appearing at the Pixar Place Hotel. Bing-Bong, a cotton-candy-coated elephant friend from “Inside Out” who loves to play, will be making his debut. He will be mainly roaming around the pool area.

And the pool area has a variety of offerings that guests of all ages can enjoy. If getting wet isn’t your idea of fun in the sun, guests can play at the Shorts Court, a recreational games area inspired by some of the studio’s favorite shorts. There’s a La Luna shuffleboard game. Those who want to play chess can sit at one of the chess tables inspired by “Geri’s Game.” A cornhole game inspired by “Bao” has players tossing baos into baskets.

If you want to relax, you can sit back and enjoy the fire by some of the firepits modeled after Pixar’s hotheads like Ember from “Elemental,” Anger from “Inside Out,” Jack-Jack from “The Incredibles,” and the lonely Volcano looking for love from Pixar short “Lava.”

For those who enjoy the pool, a standard one lets the guests dive into the deep end. Guests can also rent out a cabana with all the comforts like shade, a television that welcomes the family on the screen, and other amenities like sunscreen and hand sanitizer.

And if guests don’t want something like that but still want to get wet, then not too far away is a splash pad inspired by “Finding Nemo.” The area is designed to make guests feel like they are underwater while still staying above ground. There are familiar characters’ swimming about.’ The 86-foot-long Crush’s Surfin’ Slide serves as the crown jewel of the Pixar Splash Pad. Kids can enjoy all the thrills of a twisty slide with some water and not have to worry about going straight into a pool. And there are other fun and safe splash options for them to enjoy.

The “Small Bytes” walk-up window eatery offers some poolside savory and sweet delectables like salads, burgers, chicken fingers, and frozen drinks – of which you can get an alcoholic version, too.

Speaking of eats, the Pixar Place Hotel also has one cafe and one restaurant. The former is a grab-and-go coffee shop with standard coffee options and some pastries. It is suitable for anyone who wants to go from their hotel to one of the parks. And just like its namesake, the cafe features all sorts of sketches of Pixar characters and plays a few Pixar favorite films or shorts while they eat and drink.

However, guests might want to consider the Great Maple Cafe if they desire something more upscale. Though the restaurant is more like Disney Resort, trying to bring the Lamplight Lounge experience to the hotel and infusing the Great Maple aesthetics into it. Black-and-white portraits of Pixar characters looking pensive clash with the forest decor, and the menu doesn’t scream Pixar.

As for the Pixar Place Hotel rooms, they have undergone a complete reimagining. Guests can expect to see many more colors, creating a much more inviting environment. While the bathrooms are standard, the bedrooms are where guests will feel like they are a part of the Pixar magic. There are Luxo Ball pillows. If you look hard enough at the blanket, you’ll find the Luxo Balls designed into it. Pixar Lamp lighting fixtures and The Art of Pixar books sit on the desk, making guests feel like they are at the studio without having to be there. Finally, the headboards feature concept artwork from some of Pixar’s greatest films, so you can sleep at night dreaming of floating away in a house lifted by colorful balloons, going on an adventure with Merida, or playing guitar with Miguel.