To Infinity, Disney California Adventure, and Beyond!
The Pixar Place Hotel is one of the most anticipated Disneyland hotels in recent years, for a simple reason: this resort was formerly known as the Paradise Pier Hotel until The Incredibles, Woody, and Wall-E came along to give it a major renovation, a name change, and reopen it in early 2024. The resort is considered brand new, even though it’s essentially a large, renovated space themed after one of Disney’s most beloved studios.
The Pixar Place Hotel is one of the three major Disneyland properties located near the theme parks. It offers direct access to Disney California Adventure (DCA), which is just a six-minute walk away, and it’s only 15 minutes from Downtown Disney.
Rooms start at $530, making it the most affordable option compared to the Disneyland Hotel and the Grand Californian. This is especially awesome given that the property is basically brand new. Love Pixar, being close to the theme parks, and rooms that feel fresh and modern? Then you may have just found your new favorite spot for your next California vacation.
What we like about the Pixar Place Hotel
We gave you a spoiler early on and already said what is the best thing about the Pixar Place Hotel. Oh, it’s not that it features Wall-E or Woody, no (even if that’s pretty cool), but that it’s so close to Disneyland.
In fact, it has direct access to Disney California Adventure, with a private entrance near the Golden Zephyr Ride. This is especially great since you also get the Early Entry perk, giving you a 30 minute head start on Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure. Being so close to California Adventure, you have a very big chance to get to Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout before anyone else.
Rooms at the Pixar Place Hotel are bright and colorful, and often feature lots of space, starting at 365 square feet. As expected, the decor is inspired by some of your favorite Pixar IPs, with lots of artworks from movies like Ratatouille, Finding Nemo and others. Rooms often feature two queen beds, tables and a sofa as well. Note that the Pixar Place Hotel does not provide bed rails for young guests. The bathrooms have a single-room setup, meaning the sinks are located inside the bathroom rather than in an external area, which might be a bit bothersome for some guests.
One nice touch about the Pixar Place Hotel is that it offers “Premium View” rooms, which are usually $100 more than the standard view. These upgraded rooms offer a beautiful view of Disney California Adventure, where you can see the Ferris wheel, roller coasters, and guests enjoying the park. You can even watch World of Color from the comfort of your room and take in the park’s beautiful night time atmosphere. It’s a worthwhile upgrade for the view alone, making it a great option for your next vacation.
The Pixar Place Hotel has a great design, though it’s primarily a large tower with rooms and amenities spread across three floors. It features a few stores, three restaurants, a fitness center, a creator’s lounge (with free food and drinks to selectable rooms) and a pool. The pool, which includes a small waterslide and water play area, is located on the terrace of the third floor. However, the pool is relatively small, especially when compared to other resorts at a similar price point.
What we don’t like about the Pixar Place Hotel
There are two main issues with the Pixar Place Hotel. The first is that the main pool is quite small. When looking at hotels in the $450 price range, you can find resorts with large lagoon-style pools, but the one at Pixar Place feels rather basic, more suited to a traditional three-star hotel. It’s small and just lacks a certain charm.
The second issue may not be a huge deal for all families, but it’s worth mentioning. It seems there are no bathtubs in the Pixar Place Hotel, or they are quite rare. From what I’ve seen, every bathroom only has a standard shower. This could be a concern for families with toddlers who prefer giving their little ones a bath rather than a shower, as it can be more convenient and comfortable for young children.
So, do I recommend the Pixar Place Hotel? Yep, especially if you're a big fan of Pixar and love Disney California Adventure. The easy access to the park is a major perk, and you’re also close to Downtown Disney and Disneyland Park. Just keep in mind that there are no bathtubs or bed rails, so if those are important to you, you might want to consider other options.
Pixar Place Hotel FAQ
How much is a room at the Pixar Place Hotel?
Room rates start at $450 per night at the Pixar Place Hotel.
What perks do I get at the Pixar Place Hotel?
You’ll receive Early Entry to the Disneyland Parks, allowing you to enter Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure 30 minutes before the general public. You also have direct access to Disney California Adventure through a private entrance.
Can I walk from the Pixar Place Hotel to Disneyland?
Yes! Downtown Disney is just a 15-minute walk away, while Disney California Adventure is only 6 minutes away.
Is there character dining at the Pixar Place Hotel?
No, there isn’t character dining at the Pixar Place Hotel.
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