About three decades ago, an unexpected shockwave was sent through the entertainment industry as the future of animated films was about to be changed forever.
The big change did not come from Disney (DIS) -), a dominant force in animation.
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That year, Disney's two big contributions to the genre were "Pocahontas" and "A Goofy Movie."
But it was Pixar's popular "Toy Story" that broke ground in the fall of 1995 with computer animation that provided a compelling alternative to traditional two-dimensional animated movies.
Subsequent Pixar films scored big at the box office as well, including "A Bug's Life," "Toy Story 2," "Finding Nemo" and "Cars."
Disney, as the production company, had handled marketing and distribution for Pixar since the first movie.
But in 2006, Pixar became a subsidiary of Walt Disney Studios. It has produced successful original movies and sequels of its other properties since then, including "WALL-E," "Up," "Toy Story 3" and "Inside Out."
Image source: Walt Disney
A theme park hotel switches its identity
The Pixar films have become such a legendary part of Disney movie history that one hotel near Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. is changing its name and theme to embrace it.
The most affordable hotel on the Disneyland property in Anaheim is Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel.
The hotel has now announced that it plans to officially reopen as Pixar Place Hotel on Jan. 30, 2024. It will be the very first Disney resort with a Pixar theme.
"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," wrote Summer Hull and Tarah Chieffi for The Points Guy.
"For a number of years, it sported a 1920s California boardwalk theme," they added. "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."
The hotel features some brand-new characteristics
For one, the lobby of the hotel will be completely transformed.
"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," wrote The Points Guy. "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.'"
The rooms hotel guests stay in feature Pixar themes as well.
"As you can see in the below rendering, rooms are playful and colorful, with details large and small in every corner," the authors explained. "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."
Outside the hotel, there reportedly are some terrific attractions as well.
"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," according to The Points Guy.
"This addition is already complete and open to guests," the website added. "The pool deck also provides views of the nighttime fireworks at Disneyland."
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