A world without Pixar. What would Disney be like? It would be a lot smaller. Some may argue more original attractions would be out if it wasn’t for Pixar’s insane success invading the beloved theme parks. So let’s see what Pixar attractions would be erased from each park if Disney didn’t buy the animation giant.
We will only be studying the U.S theme parks.
Magic Kingdom
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
Epcot
Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
The Seas with Nemo and Friends
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Toy Story Midway Mania
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
It’s Tough to be a Bug!
Disneyland
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
Disney’s California Adventure
Flik’s Flyers
Francis’ Ladybug Boogie
Heimlich’s Choo Choo Train
It’s Tough to be a Bug!
Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
Turtle Talk with Crush
Toy Story Midway Mania
Radiator Springs Racers
Monsters Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
My first takeaway is that Disney’s California Adventure has more Pixar attractions than the entire Walt Disney World Resort which encompasses four parks. That is shocking that a mega-resort that consists of four parks can’t beat out one smaller park.
Looking at the Magic Kingdom first. A big section of Tomorrowland would go missing without the presence of Pixar. Epcot stakes are fairly lower. Losing the Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival isn’t a huge deal. Considering it was a last-minute replacement for Captain EO. The Seas with Nemo and Friends could have stayed The Living Seas. WDI also could of went through with the plans to make it themed around The Little Mermaid.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the park affected the most by Pixar not being there. Toy Story Midway Mania is their most popular attraction. Losing that would dramatically change the park. Including Pixar Studios and the upcoming Toy Story Land. Disneyland and DCA would lose more attractions. DCA would be decimated of Pixar.
Imagining a Walt Disney World or Disneyland without Pixar is eerie. Pixar has created many beloved characters. That has been used for merchandise and marketing. Would Walt Disney Animation ever get out of the dumps without Pixar? Would the park have more original concepts? The world will never know. Just take a step back and imagine going to one of these parks without the influence of Pixar. This piece is supposed to make you think about what could have been.
The experience drastically changes. Disney has relied on Pixar over the years to make overlays of attractions among other things. Having that property gone would hurt the parks.
Thankfully we live in a world with Pixar in the parks. Hopefully with more on the way soon.
Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief at the Boardwalk Times.
