by Beth Keating
Lifestyle – Park Visit
DisneyBizJournal.com
May 17, 2023
If you love a good character Meet-And-Greet, head on over to Hollywood Studios right away. It seems many guests are not yet aware that the former area of Municiberg (which was the former Toy Story Mania area) has reopened, transformed now into Pixar Place, with some of your favorite Pixar pals meeting and greeting and signing autographs in front of colorful backdrops.
The area reopened Sunday (May 14, 2023), and by mid-week, most guests were still walking by the gates to Pixar Place without giving the alleyway a second look. In fact, if you don’t know it’s there, you might hurry on by on your way to Slinky Dog Dash. The reimagined Pixar area is located straight past the “Walt Disney Presents” gallery, and just before you hang the sharp right into “Toy Story Land.”
On our visit to Pixar Place, the “Edna Mode Experience,” an indoor spot to get your fashion advice directly from Edna herself (NO CAPES!), was a walk-in. PhotoPass photographers were keeping Edna company for your family’s photos, and there was only one group in line ahead of us.
Elsewhere on the block, Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl (or Mrs. Incredible) were meeting together, and Sulley from Monsters, Inc. was scaring guests and giving monster-sized hugs. Both of those locations had PhotoPass-attended, colorful themed backdrops, and while poor Frozone had a PhotoPass friend, he had nothing but a brick wall to serve as his décor.
He didn’t seem to mind, however, and was offering a variety of antics with visitors. He was probably excited to be in the new zone with his pals, rather than in his previous, more isolated location on the lawn near Hollywood Brown Derby, tucked back from visitors. He appeared pretty happy to be teaching a few “heroes in training” how to freeze things, without having to speed up to accommodate a long line of guests. The kids were taking their time laughing and goofing with Frozone.
The longest of the Meet-and-Greet lines was for Sulley, and there was but a five minute long line with four or five families waiting. Sulley also relocated to Pixar Place from his former meeting spot inside the “Walt Disney Presents” gallery building. All in all, the kiddos were getting great play time with the characters, with plenty of moments for autographs and individual interactions.
When the Meet-and-Greet area closed later in the day, a large brown gate blocked off the street, so if you were hoping to use the shady benches for a bit of a peaceful rest (as many of us have done since Municiberg ceased active operations way back when), you’ll have to find a new secret relaxing spot.
Right now, Edna Mode, Mr. and Mrs. Incredible, Frozone and Sulley are the only scheduled characters meeting in the new Pixar Place, but there are a few slots that look to be ready to add additional friends, such as the Luxo Jr. lamp/Pixar ball backdrop that was empty this week. Who might be arriving there?
Oh, and if you are so inclined, the small Neighborhood Bakery kiosk has reopened, with the giant Jack-Jack’s Num Num Cookie ($6.19) once again for sale there. Who can resist a “super” giant chocolate chip cookie?
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Beth Keating is a theme parks, restaurant and entertainment reporter for DisneyBizJournal.
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