Pixar Place Hotel is now open at the Disneyland Resort. Formerly known as Paradise Pier Hotel, this newly reimagined hotel is a celebration of Pixar and the beloved stories and characters that this animation studio tells. This hotel isn’t just a museum with art on the walls, however. In fact, it is far from it. Just like at Pixar Animation Studios, story is a very important component of the experience. This story begins from the moment one walks into the hotel.

During the grand opening media event on January 30, 2024, Daps Magic had the opportunity to learn more about the Pixar Place Hotel. One of the things that was shared was about the story that is told by the building and lobby itself as guests enter from the rear of the hotel! Having personally experienced this a few hours before being told about this intentional effort, I can attest to its effectiveness. In short, entering Pixar Place Hotel takes guests through the creation process of different Pixar stories, even from the parking structure! Starting with pixels on the outside and then seeing quick sketches while entering the hotel. Moving further into the hotel from the rear of the building, one sees these sketches take shape and become the characters that are known and loved today from many of Pixar’s different stories. Things go even further when the animation pops off of the wall and into the lobby as Joe Gardner plays the piano in an area where he is surrounded by artwork inspired by Soul!

Walt Disney Imagineer Megan Cerda spent some time to share about the story being told by the rear entry Pixar Place Hotel lobby. Cerda is a Senior Graphic Designer for Imagineering and shares how entering from the rear entry is inspired by character development. Watch below as she walks through how this develops in the Pixar Place Lobby.

Megan Cerda – Senior Graphic Designer, Walt Disney Imagineering

Megan Cerda on Lobby Story | Senior Graphic Designer - Walt Disney Imagineering | Pixar Place Hotel

Entering Pixar Place Hotel from the front of the building is another story in itself. This is much more like entering a space that is inspired by the Pixar Animation Studios itself. The first thing one sees upon entering is the Pixar Lamp and Ball. Up above, there is a mobile with somewhat abstract recreations of different Pixar characters. This too is a representation of the development process. As one moves into the main lobby from this entrance, one finds themselves immersed in a wide variety of Pixar stories.

The Pixar Place Hotel is a treasure trove of Pixar artwork and Easter Eggs for guests to experience and enjoy when staying at this Disneyland Resort hotel. Along with the art, there are silhouettes found in the floor (16 in fact) of different Pixar characters to be found. There are different sculptures to be found throughout different areas in the hotel, particularly the lobby. Other fun details can be found down low on the floors, particularly the carpets, or up high (look above the Pixar Lamp and Ball in the entrance lobby!).

The stories being told in the Pixar Place Hotel lobby really are just the foundation of what guests will experience when they stay there. Disney and Pixar are very intentional about the stories that are being told to help set the stage for guests to create their own stories and memories in this environment. These stories can also be updates as new stories are created and shared by Pixar Animation Studios in the future.

What do you think of what you are seeing of the Pixar Place Hotel so far? What do you like the most? What would you most like to experience? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below! You can also see videos and other coverage of the opening of Pixar Place Hotel below as well!