Pixar Pier in Disneyland’s California Adventure park, which opened June 23 of 2018, boasts a multitude of Pixar related food options. Jack-Jack Cookie Num Nums, which is inspired by super baby Jack-Jack’s love for cookies in the movie “Incredibles 2,” offers heavenly treats. However, the main restaurant of the pier is the Lamplight Lounge, named after the iconic Pixar Lamp used in opening scene of the animation studio’s movies. The building used to be the character dining experience, Ariel’s Grotto, as well as Cove Bar, but with Paradise Pier’s renovation to Pixar Pier, familiar attractions were altered to adhere to the Pier’s theme. I was at first skeptical of the extreme change, but after visiting, I am impressed by the Imagineers’ attention to detail and flawless integration of Pixar elements to the new land.

I was eager to book a reservation for Lamplight Lounge after reading glowing reviews online. I was captivated by pictures of the interior that showed Pixar memorabilia from the animation studio. The building was given a new, more sophisticated look, while still being comfortable and inviting due to a nice choice of lounging couches and other furniture. Immediately upon entering, a staircase leads down to more seating and an outside area over the water that looks out to the rest of the pier. There is also outside seating on the main floor, but most guests request to sit downstairs due to the view of the pier. The interior is covered in Pixar memorabilia, my favorites being a giant chandelier, which is made out of self-portraits of Pixar animators, and a wall of illuminated Luxo Balls.

My family and I were able to sit downstairs on the water with the stunning view of Mickey’s Fun Wheel and the Incredicoaster. Before we went, I had looked at reviews of the food to determine what we potentially wanted to order. The drink menu itself was extensive and beautiful as it illustrated all of the drinks with whimsical annotations. Looking at food, we decided to order the potato skins, carne asada sushi roll, and cheddar burger. I had heard that the food was good, but assumed that the praises about the restaurant revolved around its interior. But as someone who loves to research and try new Disneyland food, I can say that this was some of the best food I have had in the parks. The presentation alone was able to captivate my interest, with sauces and alois carefully smeared on the plates. Surprisingly, the potato skins, although a basic dish in comparison to other dishes on the menu, were my personal favorite due to the Chipotle sauces they were accompanied by that was a perfect balance of heat. The carne asada roll was also extremely unique as I had never heard of sushi rolls filled with the steak.

I wish I could have tried more dishes on the menu because of my very positive experience with what I ate. I would highly recommend this restaurant not only to Pixar fans, but for anyone who wants a relaxing break from the attraction-packed day to enjoy a quality meal surrounded by an inviting atmosphere.