Disney and Pixar have had a long-standing relationship, with Pixar characters and stories being incorporated into Disney Parks even before Disney’s acquisition of Pixar in 2006. Let’s explore the best and worst Pixar experiences currently available at Walt Disney World Resort.
Quick Reference Guide
Must-Do Experiences:
- Slinky Dog Dash (Hollywood Studios) – Family coaster, get Lightning Lane or rope drop
- Toy Story Mania (Hollywood Studios) – Interactive game ride, great for families
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (EPCOT) – Modern trackless dark ride
- Turtle Talk with Crush (EPCOT) – Interactive show, great for kids
Skip If Busy:
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (Magic Kingdom) – Dated shooting ride
- Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor (Magic Kingdom) – Comedy show, hit-or-miss
- The Seas with Nemo and Friends (EPCOT) – Basic dark ride, usually no wait
- It’s Tough to Be a Bug (Animal Kingdom) – Outdated show, being replaced
New for 2024:
- Roundup Rodeo BBQ (Hollywood Studios) – Table service restaurant
- A Musical Celebration of Coco (Hollywood Studios) – Live entertainment
The Best Experiences
Slinky Dog Dash
Location: Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Toy Story Land)
Opened: 2018
Featured Characters: Slinky Dog, Wheezy
This family-friendly coaster has become one of Toy Story Land’s biggest hits. While it’s a fantastic experience, we recommend not waiting more than 60 minutes – either grab a Lightning Lane or try to rope drop the park for shorter wait times.
Toy Story Mania
Location: Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Opened: 2008
Featured Characters: Buzz, Woody, Hamm, Rex, Mr. Potato Head, Bo Peep, Green Army Men
This competitive gaming ride offers fantastic family fun, especially if you can secure a Lightning Lane. The gameplay mechanics make it enjoyable for guests of all ages, allowing families to compete against each other in various carnival-style games.
Turtle Talk with Crush
Location: EPCOT (The Seas with Nemo Pavilion)
Opened: 2004
Featured Characters: Crush, Nemo, Marlin, Squirt, Destiny, Bailey, Dory, Hank
One of the best interactive experiences at Walt Disney World, this show features real-time conversations between guests and characters. The combination of great entertainment and air conditioning makes it a must-do attraction!
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Location: EPCOT (France Pavilion)
Opened: 2021
Featured Characters: Remy and the Ratatouille cast
This trackless dark ride combines digital and physical sets to create an immersive experience. It’s a welcome addition to World Showcase and brings much-needed excitement to this area of EPCOT.
Article Continues Below
The Not-So-Great Experiences
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Location: Magic Kingdom (Tomorrowland)
Opened: 1998
While this attraction was groundbreaking when it opened, it’s showing its age and can’t compete with the more modern Toy Story Mania. The ride mechanism and scoring system feel dated compared to newer attractions.
Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
Location: Magic Kingdom (Tomorrowland)
Opened: 2007
Despite using similar technology to Turtle Talk with Crush, this show feels out of place in Tomorrowland. The entertainment value can be hit-or-miss, and the experience has become somewhat stale over the years.
The Seas with Nemo and Friends
Location: EPCOT
Opened: 2007
This overlay of the original attraction didn’t add significant value to the pavilion. While it’s typically a walk-on attraction with minimal wait times, it lacks the innovation and excitement of other Pixar experiences.
It’s Tough to Be a Bug
Location: Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Opened: 1998
While the location inside the Tree of Life is impressive, this show has suffered from lack of maintenance and outdated technology. However, it’s set to be replaced by a Zootopia experience in the future.
Article Continues Below
Mixed Reviews
Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond
Location: Disney’s Animal Kingdom (DinoLand USA)
Opened: 2006 (Refreshed in 2022)
This Broadway-style musical features live singers and actors working with puppets to tell Nemo’s story. While the show quality is high, your enjoyment may depend on your appreciation for musical adaptations of non-musical films.
Alien Swirling Saucers
Location: Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Toy Story Land)
Opened: 2018
While this spinning ride features fun music and holiday overlays, it’s essentially a clone of Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree from Disney California Adventure. It’s enjoyable but not necessarily unique.
Newest Additions (2024)
- Roundup Rodeo BBQ – Table service restaurant in Toy Story Land featuring Woody and friends
- A Musical Celebration of Coco – Live entertainment featuring Miguel and his familia
Coming Soon
- Cars Land (Magic Kingdom)
Recently Retired Experiences
- Pixar Play Parade (Disney’s MGM Studios)
- UP! A Great Bird Adventure