What’s old is new again as Disneyland rolls out Pixar Fest for next spring with a returning fireworks show and a “new” parade that sounds very similar to an old favorite that helped launch the rethemed Pixar Pier back in 2018.
Pixar Fest returns to Disney California Adventure and Disneyland on April 26 through Aug. 4 with the new Better Together parade and the returning “Together Forever” fireworks show.
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The new Pixar-centric Better Together parade will debut at DCA when Pixar Fest kicks off in spring 2024.
A red panda version of Mei Lee and the 4*Town boy band from “Turning Red” will appear on a float in the Better Together parade.
Disney Auditions posted the 4*Town roles in September — describing the dreamy chart-toppers from the early 2000s as regular guys who “keep it real by staying humble and always being true to their fans.”
The Disney casting call also sought performers to portray Mei’s teenage girlfriends Miriam, Abby and Priya as well as her supportive and doting father Jin Lee.
Concept art for the Better Together parade shows Miriam, Abby and Priya on the Turning Red float.
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The new Better Together parade could draw upon elements from the Pixar Play Parade that had a decadelong run at Disney California Adventure before moving over to Disneyland during Pixar Fest in 2018.
The new Better Together parade will have a Luxo Jr. lead unit just like the Pixar Play Parade which featured a float line-up that included Monsters Inc., Incredibles, Ratatouille, Inside Out, Finding Nemo, A Bug’s Life, Up, Toy Story and Cars characters.
The new parade could add units featuring characters from some of the latest Pixar films like “Coco,” “Onward,” “Soul” and “Luca.” Disneyland has already announced Ember and Wade from “Elemental” will take part in Pixar Fest.
The “Together Forever” fireworks and projection show returns to Disneyland with a few new scenes as part of Pixar Fest 2024.
The “Together Forever” fireworks show in 2018 featured projection mapping throughout Disneyland and Buzz Lightyear flying over Sleeping Beauty Castle in place of Tinker Bell. The nighttime spectacular’s backstory recounts how friendships unfold in Pixar films — from first encounters and forging bonds to adventures and adversities.
The summertime Pixar Fest in 2018 helped kick off the Pixar Pier makeover of Paradise Pier in Disney California Adventure.
The 2018 Pixar Fest also featured a Pixar Pals Dance Party with “Toy Story” and “Monsters Inc.” characters at Tomorrowland Terrace and a Pixar Shorts film festival in the 3D theaters in Tomorrowland and Hollywood Land.
The reimagined Paradise Pier Hotel will officially become Pixar Place Hotel on Jan. 30 — giving fans a chance to add an extra dose of Pixar to the 10-week festival this spring.
