Would you change dates for Pixar Pier?

leslie826

Mouseketeer
Joined
Jul 7, 2009
I was disappointed to see that the new pier will open on June 23. We are supposed to be in DL on the 19th to 22nd. I considered moving our days by 1 day, but I am hesitating. This is our first trip, and we probably won’t ever be back. I’m thinking June 23 will be so crazy in DCA that it may not even be enjoyable. My kids won’t want to wait hours for the rides. What would you do? Keep the days to hope for smaller crowds or change to experience Pixar Pier?
 
I was disappointed to see that the new pier will open on June 23. We are supposed to be in DL on the 19th to 22nd. I considered moving our days by 1 day, but I am hesitating. This is our first trip, and we probably won’t ever be back. I’m thinking June 23 will be so crazy in DCA that it may not even be enjoyable. My kids won’t want to wait hours for the rides. What would you do? Keep the days to hope for smaller crowds or change to experience Pixar Pier?
If you would move it by months then yes. But an immediate 1 day change I would say no. We will be there June 20th only and are bummed to miss it, but realize unless we move it months back, it just going to be busy over there.
 
Is the roller-caster important to you? The Incredicoaster (formerly California Screamin') is relatively intense by Disney standards. It's a launched coaster with inversions. If that doesn't interest you then I wouldn't worry at all about missing it. The other attractions are the Fun Wheel and the Carousel which are getting new details and themes, but are exactly what they purport to be. As far as I understand it, Toy Story Mania has continued to operate. I probably wouldn't want to be there on the opening day for all that stuff either.

The thing about Disney trips is that there is always going to be something on refurb, so unless it is very important to you, then it's usually not worth planning around it.
 
I wouldn't try to visit a brand new area on its opening day for a first/only trip where I only have four days... I'd skip it.
 


I don't think you'll have to wait hours for the rides. For one thing, there are only two rides (I believe the carousel is opening at a later date), and depending on the age and interests of your kids you may not want to do both. The coaster is tame by general roller coaster standards, but intense by Disney standards, so if your kids are young or ride-timid you may not ride it anyway. If you do want to ride it it will have FP, which you should be able to get if it's your only priority for the day. The other ride is a ferris wheel and it offers swinging or stationary gondolas. The swinging ones are really intense from what I've heard, and I'm too scared to try it despite being a full-fledged adult. Unless your family is full of thrill-seekers, you probably don't need to do the swinging ones. And the stationary ones are not much different from any old ferris wheel, so that might not be a priority either. So if I were you I wouldn't be intimidated by the ride lines, but I also wouldn't worry too much about missing it unless anyone in the family is really into thrill rides (which there aren't many of at DLR).
 
I wouldn't do it. Many people think the pixar pier thing is just putting some lipstick on the pig. They have not spent a lot of money nor has much time elapsed for significant upgrads. But the first few weeks will likely draw big crowds to the area which are not fun to deal with. Toy Story Midway Mania is open during the construction, and that is best ride there so I wouldn't alter my plans for Pixar Pier.
 
I might consider it if I was staying onsite and they were offering a special early entry on the 23rd to onsite guests (not sure if that ever happens or if so, where we would know about it).
 


The swinging ones are really intense from what I've heard, and I'm too scared to try it despite being a full-fledged adult.

They're only intense in that as you move up the Ferris Wheel, the car feels like it starts to fall, like it feels like it is falling off the wheel! For some reason it is easy to forget you are in one of these cars and it catches you off-guard. It only lasts a second though. Also, teh swinging cars do not go up as high because they fall toward the inside of the wheel when near the top. They're really pretty fun!
 
If this is your first trip then perhaps you can live by the phrase "you don't miss what you've never had"!

We just returned for DLR and we had a great time but we missed the pier. First off it was crowded due to the wine and food festival but it wasn't the same without the lights from the coaster and just the feel of the pier. We love Screamin - it is our favorite ride and we normally ride it a dozen time during a 5 day trip to the parks - so yes, we'd change our dates if we were going to be that close to it being open. But if you don't even know if your kids would enjoy it, I'd not bother.

Luckily we all really enjoyed the changeover from Tower or Terror to Guardians of the Galaxy so we did that a dozen times instead!

Also, there could be soft openings a few days ahead of the official opening so you might get to ride it regardless if you change your dates or not.
 
I would.
I would just accept that it will be very very crowded and just have a good time with what we are able to do. Even if I only got to ride screamin once, that would be awesome!
 
We moved our dates out a week due to the opening of Pixar Pier. Yes, we know it's going to be busy. But, we will have MaxPass which will take care of 2 of the 3 rides. That third ride, we wouldbe willing to catch if we find a short like. If not, we don't really care. I just love the general pier area, and really missed it when I went last time (January). It was easy to move our dates to allow for it, so we did it.

.... Now if only Grandson #1 will grow that last 1/2 inch in the next 106 days! Gotta increase his veggie intake and maybe water and sun him more? Heeheehee!
 
We moved our dates out a week due to the opening of Pixar Pier. Yes, we know it's going to be busy. But, we will have MaxPass which will take care of 2 of the 3 rides. That third ride, we wouldbe willing to catch if we find a short like. If not, we don't really care. I just love the general pier area, and really missed it when I went last time (January). It was easy to move our dates to allow for it, so we did it.

.... Now if only Grandson #1 will grow that last 1/2 inch in the next 106 days! Gotta increase his veggie intake and maybe water and sun him more? Heeheehee!

How about risers in his shoes :)
 
I am in the minority, but I would. Do everything else you want to do the first three days of your trip and then be one of the crazy people getting a first day glimpse of Pixar Pier. You will never ever forget that thrill. Especially if you aren't planning to go back when it is open. Try and grab a coaster fast pass if that is important to you/your kids or just wander the crowd. The plus may be that everyone will head there and other attractions might have lower lines?
 
We moved our dates out a week due to the opening of Pixar Pier. Yes, we know it's going to be busy. But, we will have MaxPass which will take care of 2 of the 3 rides. That third ride, we wouldbe willing to catch if we find a short like. If not, we don't really care. I just love the general pier area, and really missed it when I went last time (January). It was easy to move our dates to allow for it, so we did it.

.... Now if only Grandson #1 will grow that last 1/2 inch in the next 106 days! Gotta increase his veggie intake and maybe water and sun him more? Heeheehee!

How about risers in his shoes :)
Folded napkins work really well!!
 
I think the pp brings up an important point. What are the consequences of changing your trip dates? Will you incur significant fees or penalties by moving your dates? Can you still keep the same hotel or will you have to find somewhere else to stay for one night? If there are no negative consequences and no hotel move is necessary, then I would be inclined to move the dates. We were there for the opening of Cars Land, and while it was beyond crowded (!), it was a truly unforgettable day. So exciting! And the energy from the crowd was awesome -- everyone was so happy to be there. Just knowing that we would never again see Cars Land so shiny and new and that we were some of the first people to get the privilege of being there was amazing. Opening days at a Disney Park are really special. Being able to cap your first (and, maybe, only) trip with one would be extra special. Your photos would capture such special memories!
 
If you are sure you'll never come back then I would adjust my days, however like you said it's probably going to be really crowded and not very enjoyable in my opinion. As someone who is local I plan on waiting it out for a few months or wait until I can go during the week.
 

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