FIRST LOOK: New Pixar Pool Area Opens at Classic Disney Hotel

Last year, Disney announced that it would be transforming one of its classic hotels into one featuring characters and stories from Pixar. Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel has been one of the three hotels at Disneyland since 1984. It emphasized the California surfing vibe and was the most affordable compared to the Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. However, the popular hotel began to look a little dated and, in April 2022, Disney revealed that the hotel was being transformed into the Pixar Pier Hotel.

The hotel would not close for renovations, but would instead be transformed around Guests. Changes have slowly been coming to the hotel, with the outside signage being removed and painting happening. And now, we have a first look at a newly-completed area. On August 1, the Pixar Pool area officially opened, complete with fire pits and a Finding Nemo pool area, complete with a splash pad and a Crush-themed slide.

NEW: The “Finding Nemo”-themed water play area on the rooftop pool deck at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel opens tomorrow, Aug. 1. The pool is part of the reimagining of Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel into Pixar Place Hotel, which is expected to be completed this winter.

NEW: The “Finding Nemo”-themed water play area on the rooftop pool deck at Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel opens tomorrow, Aug. 1. The pool is part of the reimagining of Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel into Pixar Place Hotel, which is expected to be completed this winter. pic.twitter.com/yS9YaDDrxi

— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) July 31, 2023

Twitter user Johnny (@GranFloStan) visited the new area and shared close-up pictures and videos of the new area, and the absolutely adorable Pixar-themed fire pits. We are living for the Lava one!

Some super spacious lounge seating that’s SHADED. I’m loving the pops of color in the lights!!!

WE HAVE FIREPITS ON THE POOL DECK!! Each firepit has a different Pixar character on them! I’m loving the attention to detail here!!!

WE HAVE FIREPITS ON THE POOL DECK!! Each firepit has a different Pixar character on them! I’m loving the attention to detail here!!! pic.twitter.com/xte6GpDLDq

— Johnald ✨🌲🥀 (@GrandFloStan) August 1, 2023

Johnny also shared an incredible video of the new pool area that Guests are sure to love.

RIP California Streamin’ 🥲. But that new Crush slide looks AMAZING!!! I’m also living for those shades poolside chairs! How comfy!!

RIP California Streamin’ 🥲. But that new Crush slide looks AMAZING!!! I’m also living for those shades poolside chairs! How comfy!! pic.twitter.com/SNHjwIl7nV

— Johnald ✨🌲🥀 (@GrandFloStan) August 1, 2023

More on Disney’s Pixar Pier Hotel

The change from Paradise Pier Hotel to Pixar Pier Hotel was a natural one for Disney to make. In 2018, the Pacific Wharf area at Disney California Adventure Park was rethemed into Pixar Pier, so now there is a hotel to match. Disney has not said when the transformation will be complete, but Disney’s Pixar Pier hotel is slated to officially open later this year.

The hotel will be rethemed from top to bottom, and Guests will soon see a new lobby area, where they are greeted by the Pixar Lamp (Luxo) balancing atop Pixar’s iconic yellow and blue ball.

Disney will also be creating a brand-new family play court added to the deck of the hotel. This new area will be inspired not by Pixar feature-length films, but by popular Pixar short films! The interactive area will have games featuring characters from Bao, For the Birds, La Luna, and Burrow. There will also be a food and drink area themed after The Blue Umbrella.

In addition to the rethemed pool and deck areas, there will be a new restaurant opening at Disney’s Pixar Pier Hotel. Great Maple will feature a menu full of classic comfort foods that have been given an upscale twist. Menu highlights include Buttermilk Fried Chicken & Maple Bacon Doughnuts, the Cajun Shrimp & Cheddar Biscuit Benedict, and the Soda Pop-Braised Baby Back Ribs. There will also be a full menu of beer, wine, and cocktails.

Great Maple will also have a menu for people enjoying the pool area, as well as a grab n’ go station for those wanting to skip a sit-down meal and head straight to the Parks.