Site Visit to Disney's Pixar Place Hotel in Anaheim, CA

The Pixar Place Hotel was formerly known as Paradise Pier. It opened early 2024 although construction is not completed. It is located right across the street from the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Adjacent to the property is the original Disneyland Hotel. There is a special door for hotel guests across the street to the right of the Grand Californian where you can use your resort key to go directly into California Adventure Park. This is a 10-minute walk door to door. This hotel is the furthest from Disneyland Park. You can shorten your walk if you take the monorail to enter the park located in Downtown Disney.

As you enter the hotel, you notice immediately a statue of the lamp on the Pixar logo. The lobby is colorful and contemporary in design. The walls are filled with artwork and characters from Pixar movies. To get you prepared for the theme parks, there is a gift shop where you can splurge on Disney attire and souvenirs. There is even a fitness center if spending the day at the theme park walking wasn't enough exercise for you.

There are four options for dining at the hotel:

1. The sit down option is called the Great Maple Modern American Eatery. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served here anytime of the day. Alcohol is also served.

2. If you are eager to get to the theme park and want to grab and go your meal, then check out the Sketch Pad Cafe.

3. The last option would be the cafe next to the pool area called Small Bytes. Small Bytes is planned to be open during the summer of 2024.

4. Creator's Club is the concierge level lounge and is also planned to be open during summer 2024.

Image 1: Atrium ; Image 2: Crush's Surfin' Slide

Need to get some sun? Then head on over to the third floor where you can relax and unwind at the Finding Nemo rooftop pool. The area has a 186-foot water slide, a pool, a whirlpool and a splash pad area. Forgot your life jackets? No problem! Disney has you covered!

There are an assortment of sizes available for your little ones to use. Surrounding the pools you will have your choice of a reclining chair, pods, daybeds or cabanas.

Rental Rates from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (subject to change depending on season)
Pods $130
Daybeds $160
Cabanas $425

If you're looking for activities while drying off, you can walk near Small Bytes to join in a game of bean bags or shuffle boards. All these activities are found on the 3rd floor right next to the pool area.

On selected nights, when Disneyland has their fireworks display, you can stay on the third floor roof top to watch it while the music is playing on the deck.

Room options:

• Standard and Premium rooms - Sleeps up to five adults

• One-bedroom suites - Sleeps up to six adults

• Two-bedroom suites - Sleeps up to 10 adults

• Pixel two-bedroom connecting suites - Sleeps up to nine adults

• Pixel three-bedroom connecting suites - Sleeps up to 14 adults

• Sketch suite one-bedroom - Sleeps up to four adults

• Sketch suite two-bedroom - Sleeps up to nine adults

I recommend the Pixar Place Hotel for accommodations for any Disney or Pixar fan! The location and private entry to the parks is a huge perk, especially after a long day at the park! This is the most economical resort out of the three Disney hotels.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to California. In need of further inspiration? Check out Krista Anderson’s guide, Ghostly Legends and Mysterious Encounters in the 'Happiest Place on Earth’.