8 big things happening at Disneyland in 2018
The Disneyland Resort, specifically California Adventure will be going through some major changes in 2018 with a areas being re-themed, a special celebration, new fireworks and the return of some beloved parades.
Let’s take a look at the 8 big things happening at Disneyland:
1. Pixar Fest
This celebration kicks off April 13, 2018 and will span both Disneyland and California Adventure. The limited time event will bring a new fireworks show to Disneyland and the return of two old favorite parades, new themed beverages and exclusive merchandise.
“Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular,” fireworks will celebrate Pixar stories through the decades at Disneyland. Tinker Bell will get some company with her fly over the Sleeping Beauty Castle by Buzz Lightyear.
The “Paint the Night” parade returns, but this time at California Adventure. “Paint the Night” features pals from “Toy Story,” “Monsters, Inc.” and “Cars.” More characters will be joining the “Paint the Night” parade later in the year.
A collection of Pixar Shorts at the Sunset Showcase Theater at Disney California Adventure will include “For the Birds” and “LAVA.” The short films will rotate during the celebration.
A musical troupe will entertain guests with Pixar-inspired performances in the Paradise Gardens area of Disney California Adventure.
2. Revamped Pixar Play Parade returns
The Pixar Play Parade will be returning to Disneyland as part of the limited-time Pixar Fest celebration. The parade will addthree new story elements, Disney has announced.
When it returns on April 13, 2018, the parade will start off with the iconic Pixar Lamp. Ahead of the lamp will be the famous yellow Pixar Ball.
Also joining the parade will be characters from “Up.” Wilderness Explorer Russel,l wth the colorful flightless bird, Kevin, and Carl Fredricksen and Dug will be featured.
3. Pixar Pier
By the summer 2018 Paradise Pier at California Adventure will be transformed into Pixar Pier with new “neighborhoods” and a lot of alterations to existing attractions.
The first neighborhood being created is inspired by Disney-Pixar’s “The Incredibles” and will open in summer 2018 with the Incredicoaster. (more below)
The second neighborhood is inspired by “Toy Story” and is being developed around the Toy Story Mania! attraction.
The third neighborhood is inspired by “Inside Out,” and this will have a new family-friendly attraction. Disney has not announced what the attraction is or when it could be expected to open.
The fourth neighborhood will celebrate a collection of guest-favorite Pixar stories. Mickey’s Fun Wheel will be themed with a new look and each of the 24 gondolas will showcase a different Pixar character. At the Games of the Boardwalk, which currently includes a game called Bullseye Stallion Stampede, guests will find that all the midway games will be inspired by Pixar characters. New games are expected to include characters from “A Bug’s Life,” “La Luna” and “WALL·E.”
Ariel’s Grotto restaurant and the Cove Bar is being transformed into a Pixar-themed lounge offering views of Paradise Bay and the new Pixar Pier.
The remaining areas of the original Paradise Pier – including Paradise Gardens, Silly Symphony Swings, Jumping Jellyfish, Goofy’s Sky School, Golden Zephyr and The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure – will become a new land called Paradise Park.
4. The Incredicoaster
Disney is revamping the California Screamin’ coaster into the Incredicoaster as part of Pixar Pier,
The coaster will open by the summer of 2018. Tthe storyline behind the coaster is that Edna Mode is supposed to be babysitting Jack-Jack, and things do not go well. The entire Incredible family need to use their power to catch the him.
The difficulty of telling story on a roller coaster is how fast things happen, Tracey Noce, creative director of the Incredicoaster, says in the video. The idea is to do story telling quickly and enclosing the tunnels helps. In one of the tunnels Mrs. Incredible stretches through the 40-foot tunnel to try and capture Jack-Jack.
5. Food & Wine Festival expands
The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival returns for its third year and will expand to six weeks. There will be more than a dozen festival marketplaces around California Adventure featuring California-inspired tastes and sips during the festival, which will run March 2 though April 12, 2018. There will also be demonstrations, celebrity chefs and live music
6. Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire opens
The new hyper-reality experience, Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire, by ILMxLAB and The VOID, will open Jan. 5 at Downtown Disney. It opened in December at Disney Springs in Florida. The experience transports guests deep into the Star Wars universe, walking freely and untethered throughout the multisensory experience with friends and family.
7. Splitsville Luxury Lanes opens
Splitsville Luxury Lanes is a dynamic recreation destination offering a unique combination of dining, drinks, bowling and entertainment. The Downtown Disney District location will feature 20 bowling lanes interspersed throughout the location, four dining areas (indoors and out), more than 25 flat screen TVs, and the ability to host both live performers and DJs. Splitsville will open in early 2018.
8. Black Tap Craft opens
Known for its award-winning burgers and signature CrazyShak milkshakes, Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer will open its first California location in Downtown Disney District in 2018. .The location will feature indoor and outdoor seating. The burger and beer joint will be set in a casual atmosphere.
