The long-awaited “Finding Nemo” and “Finding Dory”-themed slide and splash pad at Disneyland's Paradise Pier Hotel will open Tuesday as the venue continues its transition to becoming the country's first Pixar-themed hotel.
Pool patrons can climb three flights of blue stairs to meet Crush, the iconic green surfer sea turtle from the movie “Finding Nemo,” and direct them to an aquamarine slide.
The 186-foot-long slide curves around island-like foliage and palm trees before tossing attendees into a Dory-themed Pixel Pool that includes an underwater painting of Hank the Septopus.
While Disney officials said there are no age or height requirements for the slide, guests must be able to enter and exit on their own.
There is also a 1,200-square-foot pop-jet splash pad for kids that shoots water funnels located in the adjacent Nemo's Cove.
Cabanas, lounge chairs and bungalows surrounding the pool are available for rental on a first-come, first-served basis until the hotel begins accepting reservations.
The capacity of the pool near the slide is 45, while a pool on the third floor can accommodate up to 589 people at a time, according to Disney officials.
Hours change seasonally, but the pool is currently open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., while the slide hours will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Only overnight guests at Paradise Pier and eventually Pixar Place will have access to the slide and aquatic facilities.
The latest additions are part of the hotel's evolution into Pixar Place, which will open this fall. A new lobby, game areas and restaurant are some of the changes to the deck of the 15-story hotel.
The changes are part of the hotel's evolution into Pixar Place, which will open this fall.
(Richard Harbaugh/Disneyland Resort)
Reservations are currently still being accepted for Paradise Pier.
The changes have been a boon for some travel agents who book Disney vacations.
Pittsburgh-based agent Amanda Emmerling, 37, who specializes in Disney vacations, sees the renovation as an attractive perk for parents with young children.
Emmerling said he sells more vacation packages to Walt Disney World in Orlando, but has recently seen an increase in sales to Anaheim.
“The Pixar theme has been a winner,” he said. “I recently had a regular customer tell me that she was willing to overcome the longer flight to take her kids to Cars Land. [an auto-themed section of California Adventure] And stay at the Pixar hotel.”
Emmerling said she planned to stay at Paradise Pier with her two young children earlier this year, but postponed the vacation until Pixar officially opened.
“The advantage that Disneyland has over Disney World is that Disney World can be very overwhelming for young children, whereas the two Disneyland parks are next to each other and the hotels are close by,” Emmerling said. “Pixar Place just adds to that.”
Heather Marshall, a 45-year-old Disney travel agent from DeMotte, Indiana, stayed at Paradise Pier in February and was excited about the changes.
“The bright colors and cafe area looked amazing and it's the little details that make the hotel friendly,” said Marshall, a fan of Pixar's “Toy Story” franchise. “The lobby is Pixar themed and has the [Pixar] lamp and even the bathrooms are Woody and Bo-Peep themed. “It's going to look wonderful when it's finished.”
