Adventureland Tropical Hideaway

I’m very excited about this portion of Adventureland being used again. It’s been used sporadically and for different purposes over the years and it’s amazing to have a future.

When I was young, coming to Disneyland with my family, I remember having reservations at Aladdin’s Oasis. It was a small stage show with actors coming out of the Cave of Wonders, included lunch in its exotic tiered outdoor patio and even had a magic lamp built into every table that when you rubbed, had smoke come out. 

In 2008, to coincide with the release of the Crystal Skull, they had a small, short lived, Indiana Jones Stunt Show.

The personal excitement for this new space comes mostly from it being located in Adventureland. The feeling of the area and theming of Adventureland totally embodies all that makes Disneyland so special. Looking forward to something more in this amazing land is truly exciting and I anticipate how totally reimagined this longtime abandoned area . Its also very sad as a longtime visitor to Disneyland to see a part of the park that was magical for me lay dormant for so many years.

Concept Artwork ©Disney

Based on the official information from Disney about what this space will offer, it’s going to be unique and fun to hang out. My favorite element is seating that overlooks Jungle Cruise and on a portion of the porch of the Tiki Room. 

On the surface, it’s just seating and snacks, but by expanding the land into a previously unused corner, it’s going to make a big difference for the better!

Everything You Should Know About the New Pixar Pier

New things at the Disneyland Resort? Heck yes.

What was formally Disney California Adventure’s Paradise Pier, based on the coastal boardwalks of California like the Santa Monica Pier and Santa Cruz Boardwalk, is transforming into Pixar Pier. Now home to all things Pixar even though Disney already has Pixar themed rides and lands throughout both parks. Are we excited? Maybe! Are we gonna tell you what we know? Duh of course we are.

When it opens

Most of Pixar Pier is slated to open June 23, 2018 (like next week as I’m writing this). However, there are some rides that won’t roll out until around 2019 (Disney hasn’t given exact dates on those, yet).

Layout

The new Pixar Pier will be split into four “Neighborhoods”. Incredibles Park, Inside Out Headquarters, Toy Story Boardwalk, and Pixar Promenade. Each neighborhood will have its own rides, food, and theming. According to Disney, some of the rides in the Toy Story Boardwalk and Inside Out Headquarters seem to be slated to open in 2019.

Honestly, we’re a little confused as to why the whole thing wouldn’t just be...Pixar Pier. This will be the first time at the Disneyland Resort that a land has been broken down into more little lands. It’ll be interesting to see how it all pans out in-person.

The area that stretches from the Silly Symphony Swings, all the way over to Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, that currently also houses the Jumpin Jellyfish, and Goofy’s Sky School will stay as it is and be renamed “Paradise Park”.

Rides

Most of the rides will just be a re-theme of the existing rides.

One of the biggest re-themes slotted is the transformation of California Screamin’ into the Incredicoaster. I don’t know how I feel about all of Disneyland transforming into IP themes, but not gonna lie, Incredicoaster looks dope. It seems like they used up any previous dead space to tell a story, which is very much like Disney, and calls out to all the other themed coasters in Disneyland. Honestly, Screamin’ was a little left out of the fun theming. It didn’t get the memo, I guess.

The next theme change turns Mickey’s Fun Wheel into the Pixar Pal Around which gives me and Kat a good laugh any time either of us says it. Not much is happening with the Pal Around other than the cars will be Pixar themed now. The iconic Mickey face will stay plastered on the front, and Kat and I will still refuse to ride because it’s a terror filled death trap.

Midway Mania will stay the same, but right next door, King Triton’s Carousel is getting a Jessie themed update, which will turn all the currently existing sea creatures into animal friends based on the “Woody’s Roundup” clip in Toy Story 2. However, you’ll have to wait until 2019 to experience the unadulterated thrill.

Not too much is known about the new Inside Out ride, the only new ride to the land, which won’t open until 2019. From the concept pictures, it looks like it’ll be an Inside Out themed replica of Flik’s Flyers, currently in Bug’s Land. Which makes sense, because Bug’s Land will soon be closing to make way for a new Marvel themed land (please keep Heimlich’s Chew Chew we are BEGGING YOU). It would be pretty easy to move Flyers over to Pixar Pier and give it a re-theme.

Food

Ah, food. The most important thing. Disney nailed it with the food theming not gonna lie.

Already open, taking over the Soft Serve window in between Cove Bar and California Screamin, is the new Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats, which offer lemon soft serve and if that’s not the cutest thing I don’t know what is. Full on love that switch.

Next up, the Poultry Palace, which is shaped like a giant to-go box and I’m not hating it. Give me all the kitsch. If basic reason works out in my favor, I’d guess this will serve things like chicken tenders but it’s also very possible it’s another turkey leg stand.

Senor Buzz Churros, Angry Dogs, and Jack Jack’s cookies are all pretty self explanatory and I’ll eat all of it thank you very much. I’m actually very excited for a cookie stand? Hopefully they differ than the normal cookies you can find in almost every candy store. Don’t get me wrong, I love those cookies, but like...chewy fresh chocolate chip cookies would do something special for me you know.

There will also be Bing Bong’s Confectionery which looks like a giant magical candy store based on the bright beloved Inside Out character. Carbs and sugar, people. Keeps the day going.

Last, the long time fan favorite Cove Bar along with Ariel’s Grotto is sadly turning into the new “family friendly” (stop it) Lamplight Lounge. Both the downstairs and upstairs areas are being converted, downstairs a reservation only restaurant, and upstairs walk-in only bar area. All will be a new warehouse theme which is...kind of odd considering the rest of everything around it. Lobster nachos will still be a mainstay.

Games

The existing midway games will be getting rethemed all based on Pixar’s shorts. The one I’m most excited about is the La Luna Star Catcher, which is based on my favorite star-sweeping Pixar short of all time. We’ll also be getting Heimlich’s Candy Corn Toss, and Wall-E’s Space Spin. The Bullseye Stampede game will stay the same.

And that’s what we got so far! We’re super interested to see how all the changes look and feel in person. Anyone going for the opening?

                                                                                                                           Images: Walt Disney Company