Disneyland's most affordable hotel to officially transform into Pixar Place Hotel in January
Unlike the wide variety of lodging choices at Disney World, Disneyland only has three on-property hotels: the original Disneyland Hotel (including the new Villas at Disneyland Hotel), the higher-end Disney's Grand Californian and the hotel currently known as Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel. The latter of the three is not only Disney's most budget-friendly hotel, but it is also in the midst of a major Pixar-themed makeover, which is set to be completed this winter.
We've just learned that Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel will officially reopen as Pixar Place Hotel on Jan. 30, 2024, making it the first Pixar-themed Disney resort in the U.S.
Originally built in the 1980s and purchased by Disneyland in the 1990s, Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel has historically been the least exciting of the three Disneyland options, missing the luxury of the Grand Californian and the history of the Disneyland Hotel. For a number of years, it sported a 1920s California boardwalk theme. However, with us now solidly in the 2020s, Disney is giving the hotel some much-needed attention in the form of a Pixar-inspired makeover.
Leading up to the reveal of the resort's final transformation, Disney continues to provide updates and sneak peeks at the Pixar Place Hotel, so here's the latest.
Disney has shared that the lobby will evolve into a bright space with nods to Pixar characters and stories, including never-before-seen artwork and the iconic Pixar Lamp balancing atop its ball. Also in the lobby, you'll find a gift shop with Pixar-themed clothing, accessories, toys and more called STOR-E, a take on the Pixar film "WALL-E."
Along with the opening date, Disney revealed a first look inside the remodeled guest rooms.
As you can see in the below rendering, rooms are playful and colorful, with details large and small in every corner. The bedding features tone-on-tone images of the Pixar Ball and is topped with a pillow inspired by the Pixar Ball. Headboards are painted with concept art from a variety of Pixar films, which is sure to be a hit with kids.
Families will also be excited that the hotel will feature a new "Finding Nemo"-inspired water play area that will include a new splash pad and a 186-foot Crush-themed waterslide. This addition is already complete and open to guests. The pool deck also provides views of the nighttime fireworks at Disneyland.
You'll find comfortable couches near the pool area where you can gather around fire pits inspired by Jack-Jack from "The Incredibles" and Anger from "Inside Out."
The Pixar Place Hotel will also debut a new restaurant named Great Maple in November.
Disneyland has shared that it will feature an all-day service with upscale comfort food such as buttermilk fried chicken and maple bacon doughnuts, Cajun shrimp and cheddar biscuit Benedict, and soda pop-braised baby back ribs. Only time will tell if this will make the list of our favorite restaurants at Disneyland, but we'll keep you posted. We also learned that a new concierge lounge is coming to Pixar Place Hotel.
Also of note for guests deciding where to stay at Disneyland is that in 2022, the hotel introduced a new walkway providing guests with a special side entrance to Disney California Adventure.
Rates at the Pixar Place Hotel currently start at around $450 per night. However, keep in mind if you stay there in the coming months, there will likely be ongoing construction as progress is made toward the property's completion Jan. 30, 2024.
And, of course, the Disneyland hotel development doesn't stop with this one property as just down the street, the Disneyland Hotel has also recently debuted its new villas.
Related reading:
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.