We recently got to try out the new Lamplight Lounge at Disney's California Adventure Pixar Pier. Standing where "Ariel's Grotto" used to be, this lounge is strikingly different than the old princess-meet-and-greet. While I was initially sad to see the Grotto go, change can be good. Very good!
Much of the outside seems the same, minus the swirly-shell tower, and the looming King Triton. Since we were here the first day that annual pass holders could come, there was a line for the new Incredicoaster that wrapped right by the lounge towards the Little Mermaid ride.
Once inside, you are greeted by a chandelier adorned with sketches from Pixar movies. It's impressive, and reminds you of the animation theme present throughout the lounge.
The view from below is amazing!
There is a cozy lounge inside where you can sit. This would be a great place to stay cool on a hot day, or to warm up on a misty morning.
I love the brightly colored Pixar beach balls used as a partition at the server station!
If you just want light snacks and drinks, you can sit upstairs in the bar. We wanted to experience the full lounge, so we sat downstairs near the water. I love what they did with this place!
While we are huge Disney fans, it was surprisingly refreshing to be in a "grown up" style lounge while still in the park. If I lived closer, this is the kind of place I'd love to meet some friends for drinks. The chairs were so comfortable, I didn't want to get up!
...and talk about pixie dust, the tables were equipped with fires for chilly days using crackled glass instead of charcoal!
On to the menu....the drink menu was a work of art in itself! Each page had a Pixar theme, with drinks taylored around a movie or character. We started things off with the "Goofball Island" (non-alcoholic) and the "Open Ocean" (which was nicely alcoholic, not too weak for a foo-foo drink!).
Here's the entire drink menu if you want to shop ahead of your visit...
The drinks were great, and even had cool coasters with Pixar animation sketches on them! There was an amazing drink that a lot of people were ordering, called the "Infinity Fizz" that used dry ice inside the drink to create bubbles while you drink. I opted for the alcoholic counterpart, called "The Sequel", and it was amazing! The drink itself tasted fantastic, and the bubbling dry ice inside it made it an entertaining refreshment as well!
By now we were hungry, so we ordered some food. We ordered the lobster nachos and "Crispy Piggy Wings", which were a bit spicy for my taste. I think the lobster nachos are the best food I've had at any of the park restaurants, and I wish I could have more!
The menu was pretty simple, which I liked...
Usually a bathroom isn't anything to write about, but oh yeah, not here. The bathrooms are also completely cool, and not to be missed!
The men's and woman's entrance signs are indicated by characters from the Incredibles movie. Even the exit sign shows a little "Grape Soda" pin, from Up.
On the walls leading to the restrooms are quotes from movies, including this iconic one from Toy Story...
All in all, the Lamplight Lounge at the new Pixar Pier is not to be missed! If you're a Disney/Pixar fan, you'll appreciate all the little touches they've added to really make this the crown jewel for eating in California Adventure!
Thanks for reading, and if you've eaten at the Lamplight, comment below and let us know what your favorite drink or meal was!