Disney California Adventure Paradise Pier to Become Pixar Pier - Full Details and Artworks

Disney announces today that Disney's California Adventure Paradise Pier will become Pixar Pier, starting Summer 2018. Well, part of it only as the other part will become a new land called Paradise Park. California Screaming' coaster will be named Incredicoaster with obviously a theming based on The Incredibles and a new family attraction based on Pixar's Inside Out will also come at a later date. Others theming changes will happen here and there, and on the Mickey's Fun Wheel gondolas. And if some of you wonder why they're doing this, one word - always the same: synergy. I remind you also that the sequel The Incredibles 2 is opening in theaters next year on June 14, so this explain that for the changes of theming on the California Screamin' coaster. Full details in Disney press release below.

"Summer 2018 will bring a transformed land for guests to experience at Disney California Adventure park when Pixar Pier opens along the southern shore of Paradise Bay, with newly themed attractions, foods and merchandise throughout. This new, permanent land in the area that is now Paradise Pier will introduce four new neighborhoods representing beloved Disney-Pixar stories.

The first of the four themed neighborhoods guests will find is inspired by “The Incredibles.” Here, the new Incredicoaster, permanently transformed from the attraction that is now California Screamin’, will open with Pixar Pier in summer 2018.

This new experience will feature a mid-century-modern-style loading area, new character moments and a new look for the ride vehicles. To prepare for this transformation, California Screamin’ will close Jan. 8.




The popular Toy Story Mania! will anchor the “Toy Story”-inspired neighborhood. A neighborhood inspired by “Inside Out” will be found on the western side of the boardwalk and will welcome a new family-friendly attraction, scheduled to open at a later date.



The fourth neighborhood will be a celebration of many of your favorite Pixar stories. In this neighborhood, Mickey’s Fun Wheel will have a new look, with each of the 24 gondolas featuring different Pixar characters and the iconic face of Mickey Mouse remaining on the Paradise Bay side of the wheel.



At the Games of the Boardwalk, which already includes the Bullseye Stallion Stampede game, all of the midway games will be inspired by Pixar characters. Mickey’s Fun Wheel, Games of the Boardwalk and Sideshow Shirts will close Jan. 8 to begin this transformation.



Ariel’s Grotto restaurant and the Cove Bar will be transformed into a new lounge and grill offering sparkling views of Paradise Bay and the new Pixar Pier. Both locations will close Jan. 8, with Cove Bar reopening briefly in April before closing again for its permanent transformation. Guests wishing to reserve “World of Color” dining packages after Jan. 7 may consider Carthay Circle Restaurant or Wine Country Trattoria.

The remaining areas of the land that is now Paradise Pier, including Paradise Gardens, Silly Symphony Swings, Jumpin’ Jellyfish, Goofy’s Sky School, Golden Zephyr and The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, will become a new land called Paradise Park.



Pixar Pier will open during the limited-time Pixar Fest celebration, which begins April 13. The celebration will include the new “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” fireworks as well as the return of Pixar Play Parade and “Paint the Night” parade, and much more throughout the entire Disneyland Resort."


O-Kay, that's it for the press release. Now, the question is: "Will this new concept work?" Honestly, I don't know. I suppose that some guests will be more happy to ride an Incredibles coaster than one not related to an IP, even if the ride itself will be the same, but apart this... The future ride about Inside Out will be probably could have been more interesting but in fact it will be a kiddie-family ride. Apparently they needed a kind of Toy Story land at DLR where they don't have one and although this Pixar Pier will be entirely different than TSL we can find some similar colors on the rendering, and even a giant Jessie. But this Paradise Pier had so many changes from its original storyline and theming by Imagineer Tim Delaney that i'm not sure there is any meaning anymore... In two words, i'm not far to think that this is a mistake...

Pictures: copyright Disney

Tim Delaney Tribute - Mice Chat Event February 8 !

The great WDI Imagineer Tim Delaney who was Disneyland Paris Discoveryland show producer will be part of the next Mice Chat event happening February 8 at ESPN Zone in Downtown Disney, Anaheim!

Tim will have fantastic stories for those who will attend the Mice Chat event with an audio-visual presentation and Tim will also sign copies of my Disneyland Paris "From Sketch to Reality" book which will be available for purchase at the end of Tim 90 minutes presentation. This will be the very first time that a Disneyland Paris Imagineer Show Producer will sign the book so if you live in South Cal you probably don't want to miss this event! Limited seats are available so make sure to do your registration today at the link HERE where you can also pre-order a copy of the DLP book to make sure you'll have a copy waiting for you at the event.  

During his career at Walt Disney Imagineering Tim was not only a fantastic show-producer of memorable attractions but also created gorgeous artworks and i did for you a selection of my favorites. 

One of Tim first achievement was Epcot Living Seas in its first - and unfortunately now extinct version. Here are some great artworks that Tim did and these are enhanced versions of scans previously posted in my Epcot Living Seas article that you can read HERE.

Of course, Tim biggest achievement was Disneyland Paris Discoveryland , a true wonder and probably the best version ever of a "Tomorrowland".

A Star Wars land will come in a near future at DL and DHS but Tim, back in the 1990's imagined what was at that time the first vision of a Star Wars land in which Space Mountain's was dome looking like the Death Star!

A few years later, Tim did a fantastic work as show-producer on Disney's California Adventure's Paradise Pier...

...before designing a new version of Tomorrowland for Hong Kong Disneyland. 

In the part two of this Tim Delaney tribute, to be post next week, we will have an extended view of Tim Delaney's artwork for Hong Kong Disneyland along with an exclusive interview of Tim, so don't miss the part two article!

At the Mice Chat event, on February 8, Tim will talk about his work in an audio-visual presentation which for sure will be great as Tim is a great show-man, too! So, those of you who live near Disneyland or travelling to South Cal on that date, make sure to attend the Mice Chat event and to make your reservation HERE while there is still seats available. At the same link you can also reserve your own copy of the Disneyland Paris book which will be waiting for you at the event!

Pictures: copyright Disney

New & Beautiful Disney California Adventure Web Site

With all these attractions openings all around the world i almost missed this and i'm glad that i finally didn't as the new website specially designed for the re-opening of Disney California Adventure is simply beautiful!

And not only the visuals are gorgeous but the 3D effect done with a new technique in websites design is extremely cool. Basically, it looks like each image has multiple layers which are "moving" when you scroll down. You can have a look at the visuals below with the screen captures but of course you won't have the multi-plans effect that you have on the DCA website HERE ...on which i strongly suggest you to jump as in addition to all this you also have cool slide shows for each DCA section.





















Pictures: copyright Disney

Imagineering Video Previews Goofy’s Sky School at Paradise Pier

Disney Imagineering has posted a new video which preview the new Goofy’s Sky School at DCA, introduced by WDI Imagineer Larry Nikolai. The attraction is a little bit late and won't be ready for June 3 but more probably early July and it's look cool. Have a look!




Video: copyright Disney

New Paradise Pier Attraction Posters

Just in case you've missed these new Paradise Pier attraction posters... I wish i could have find them in higher-res...but Disney released them only in very low-res. They're going to sell them in the park anytime soon and, hey, the Mouse just want to make sure you'll buy them!



Thanks to nonob88 from Mice Chat for the Silly Symphony Swings picture!

Pictures: copyright Disney

DCA's World of Color Pictures, Artwork and Videos

The pictures were released last week-end, but i was doing my "Man on the Moon" celebration and couldn't post them before. Anyway, better too late than never and here is great artwork for the awaited "World of Color" show at DCA. As always, click on each picture to see them in big size.

First, some pictures of the Blue Sky Cellar preview center.





Here is the artwork for the Pocahontas scene...



...And two artworks for Alice in Wonderland scenes.





The artwork for the Wall-E scene...



and the one - if i'm not wrong - for the final scene.



Disneyland also released a picture of the model showing where will be all the fountains...



...as well as pictures of the construction inside Paradise Pier Lagoon.









I'm re-posting here the video - filmed by the always excellent MintCrocodile - that visitors of Blue Sky Cellar can see and learn more about the upcoming show.



Disneyland also posted on Youtube a behind the scenes video of the construction in DCA's lagoon!



But the not-to-be-missed video is the presentation that Steven Davison, creator of the show, did last week. Not only you will learn a lot about the show itself, but if you want to see somebody who have a real VISION, then look closely at Steven Davison.
Thanks God, "Lightsofwinter" had the genius idea to film Steven's presentation, and here it is in three parts.










Pictures and artwork: copyright Disney

Videos: copyright Disney, MintCrocodile and Lightsofwinter

Blue Sky Cellar Unveils Exciting New Magic Coming to Disney’s California Adventure Park

The Blue Sky Cellar preview Center at DCA is opening this week-end, but here is some pics of it, i will do probably another post with more "close-up" pictures of the artwork early next week. In the meantime, you can see the pictures below and more on MiceChat HERE



And now, the Disney official press release!

ANAHEIM, Calif., October 15, 2008 – Nestled in the Golden Vine Winery at the base of Grizzly Peak in Disney’s California Adventure Park, the Walt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar is a place where Guests will get an exclusive sneak preview of what is new and what is in store for the expansion of the Disneyland Resort.



Beginning October 20, Guests will view working models as well as dozens of concepts and sketches from Disney Imagineers, the creative minds behind the design and construction of Disney theme parks and attractions.



With Blue Sky Cellar, Guests will be invited for the first time to preview works in progress at Disneyland Resort by immersing themselves in a facsimile of an Imagineering workspace. Based on the belief that idea gathering is best when “the sky’s the limit,” the Blue Sky Cellar is designed to resemble an Imagineering “charette,” an extended creative idea development meeting. Guests receive an inside-look at how Imagineers take “blue sky” ideas and refine them into the classic storytelling that characterizes Disney Theme Park attractions and adventures.



In this whimsical immersive setting, Imagineers have taken over a former wine cellar and set up shop. Wine barrels have turned into work stations and the former wine tasting room has become a screening room where videos showcase the behind-the-scenes magic that goes into the creation of new and upcoming attractions for Disney’s California Adventure.



Guests will view several new attraction models, including the newly envisioned Paradise Pier area with its turn-of-the-20th-Century look...




...ride vehicle maquettes from Toy Story Mania!; and the new character overlays to the Games of the Boardwalk.




Special features include updates and character additions to attractions such as Mickey’s Fun Wheel (an enhancement of the current Sun Wheel)...



...a parachute drop where once was the Maliboomer



...and Silly Symphony Swings - a refreshed and rethemed Orange Stinger.



Here is one of the envisioned concept for a "Gepetto" rethemed Orange Stinger.



And here is another one for a new Mulholland Madness.



Brand new sketches and artwork line the walls including images of the new entrance area, soon to be known as Buena Vista Street, which will bring to life a nostalgic look at Los Angeles from the 1920s and 30s when Walt Disney first arrived in California; a Red Car trolley, reminiscent of the Pacific Electric Railway; and a new central plaza area including a replica of the Carthay Circle Theatre, where Walt premiered Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.






The “coming soon” area features images of Disney’s World of Color and The Little Mermaid attraction..





...and looks even further ahead to Cars Land, a 12-acre expansion of the Park which will bring to life the town of Radiator Springs from the Disney?Pixar animated film Cars, complete with three new attractions for the whole family. Additionally, Guests in Blue Sky Cellar will have fun testing their knowledge of Disney trivia at one of the interactive workstations.





The screening room features Imagineers describing the approach and vision of the Disney California Adventure expansion. Guests will see footage of model-making, sculpting, blue sky meetings and all the aspects of bringing a Disney concept to life.



Here are two videos coming from Laughingplace.com. The first one is the movie projected into the "screening room", and the second one is an Imagineering presentation by Imagineer Bob Weiss himself.


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More videos and many more pictures available on Laughingplace.com ! Have a look!


Included in the original announcement of the multi-year expansion of the Disneyland Resort in Fall 2007, the Blue Sky Cellar is part of the overall commitment to keep the community and Disneyland Resort Guests informed of the exciting new and upcoming plans for the Resort. Future updates will focus on other new areas and attractions, and Guests are invited to return periodically for additional exciting information.

All pictures, artwork and press release: copyright Disney

Some pictures: copyright Mice Chat

Videos: copyright Laughingplace.com