Williams Family Blog: My Walt Disney World "Pixar Day"

 

In the time between our property purchase and move to Orlando, we dreamt of many visits to the Walt Disney World Resort included "themed days." A while ago, I planned and executed a day centered around my favorite Disney Princess, Belle.  You can read all about it here. 

A quest for all things Pixar became the next Walt Disney World themed park day. While Pixar got its start in 1986 when Steve Jobs purchased George Lucas' Computer Division, Disney acquired Pixar in 2006. Coincidentally, that was the year the Williams Family made its first trek to the Walt Disney World Resort.  Pixar had many hits and revolutionized digital animation by its 20 year anniversary.  Here we are, nearly 20 years later and the Disney-Pixar connection keeps telling poignant stories using the latest technology.

My Pixar themed quest started with a search on the MyDisneyExperience app. The app has a search icon on the bottom ribbon.  I searched "Pixar" and didn't get great results, but it got me started.  Hint: You can search for nearly anything with this function such as "popcorn" or "sushi" or "how to get to Magic Kingdom." In my opinion it is an underutilized portion of the app, but that is for another story.

Next, I needed to combine my knowledge of the Walt Disney World Resort with Pixar background.  What franchises are under the Pixar label?  With that list in mind, along with a set of self-imposed "rules"--at least one Pixar attraction at a theme park including photo evidence and only using Disney transportation, as many modes as possible, I was off on my quest.

Disney's Hollywood Studios was the first destination and where I parked the car.  I had made a park reservation for Hollywood Studios and my Annual Pass allows for Park Hopping at any time, allowing for more flexibility.

It was not yet 10:00 am, and the parking lot was filling up fast.  I headed to Andy's Backyard--Toy Story Land.  Three main attractions all themed for Pixar's 1995 Academy Award Winning Toy Story--Slinky Dog Dash had a wait time of 60 minutes, Toy Story Midway Mania was showing 45 minutes of wait time, and Alien Swirling Saucers posted 25 minutes.  Alien Swirling Saucers it is! 

Pixar Place, at Disney's Hollywood Studios, features characters from Pixar hits such as Monsters, Inc., The Incredibles, and Inside Out.

Edna Mode from The Incredibles--double cheek kisses!

James P. Sullivan a.k.a Sulley from Monsters, Inc can make me giggle without saying a word! We had a great chat about the new Monsters, Inc land coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios, especially the roller coaster. 

What can I say, Mrs. Incredible!

Joy from Inside Out!

Frozone from The Incredibles was up for a selfie!

Moving on to EPCOT via Friendship Launch to EPCOT's International Gateway, also known as the "back door."  

This put me near the Remy's Ratatouille Adventure in the France Pavilion in World Showcase. Themed for Pixar's Ratatouille, this attraction recently added a "Single Rider" Queue which I took advantage. 

I searched Coco in the MyDisneyExperience app and learned that there was a topiary for EPCOT's Flower and Garden Festival featuring Miguel and Dante near the Mexico Pavilion.  There is also an art display inside the Mexico Pavilion inspired by Disney-Pixar's Coco. 

I could have enjoyed the 3-D Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival in World Celebration at the Imagination Pavilion but instead, walked to World Nature to enjoy The Seas with Nemo and Friends, an attraction themed for Pixar's Finding Nemo.

An Inside Out Topiary in EPCOT's World Nature

Clamshell--Just Keep Swimming

I had now traversed EPCOT back to front and exited the park to enjoy a Monorail ride to the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC).  Magic Kingdom was my destination and at the TTC I had a choice to ride the Monorail or take the Ferry across Seven Seas Lagoon.  As many modes of Disney transportation was possible was part of the quest, so I chose to take the Ferry. 

At Magic Kingdom, I headed to Tomorrowland where two attractions nod towards Pixar--Monsters Inc Laugh Floor and Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin (Toy Story).  

After earning Galactic Hero status on the attraction, it was 3:15 pm and I knew the Festival of the Fantasy Parade, starting at 3:00 pm in Frontierland, would be making its way to Main Street.  I stopped outside Town Square Theater, our favorite place to watch the parade, to view and watch for Pixar themes and there was nothing.  I was off.

Disney's Animal Kingdom was the next location on the quest.  Two Pixar franchises are represented at this theme park:  UP and A Bug's Life. 

Wilderness Explorer Badges

Dug & Russell's Club House

Inside the Tree of Life for It's Tough to Be a Bug

Being an honorary bug!

Inside the Tree of Life

I did bump into Kevin from UP

I had just missed characters from UP, Dug and Russell's last meet and greet of the day but took pictures of their club house and bumped into Kevin.  I did enjoy the 3-D "It's Tough to Be A Bug" attraction, featuring characters from A Bug's Life, under the Tree of Life especially since this attraction closes (ed) on March 17, 2025.

Bus to Art of Animation

I knew there was more Pixar to be found at the Walt Disney World Resort and I hopped on a bus headed to Disney's Art of Animation Resort.  This value resort features four themes, two of which are Pixar:  Cars and Finding Nemo.  

Alas, my quest was nearing an end, I had one more mode of Disney transportation to take advantage of, the Skyliner!  It flew me right back to Disney's Hollywood Studios!

Skyliner selfie

Gliding over Hour Glass Lake--can you hear the chimes?!

A Pixar themed gondola!

I left home shortly after 9:00 am and returned around 6:30 pm.  For sustenance I ate a Belvita in the car and had a baggie with apple and mandarin slices that I brought into the first theme park.  I stopped for egg rolls in China at EPCOT and ate on the walk and grabbed a hot dog at Art of Animation.  I carried a water bottle and had free cups of ice water throughout included Tony's on Town Square at Magic Kingdom.  I have no idea how many steps--a lot.  Grateful I could make the trek.  And, yes, I officially tackled the 4-parks/1-day challenge, but it wasn't the first time! Talked to many strangers including helping a family navigate the monorail system and a Guest Experience Team member who in the end gave me incorrect information (yes, I did respectfully correct, and the teammate concurred that I was correct.)  

Other items of note:  

Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy in Disney's Hollywood Studios closed in January 2025, or there would be another Pixar themed experience for Cars. 

There are bronze statues representing Pixar franchises that I missed.  I apologize. And, I would love it if you added pictures of the Pixar themed bronze statues in the comments.