Disney Fans Outraged as Florida is Completely Ignored Once Again

New offerings reignite age-old debate

The official launch of Pixar Fest is bringing all kinds of fun experiences for the whole family to enjoy at Disney California Adventure — the heart of the celebration — and Disneyland Park, from unique character meet and greets to new entertainment offerings, mouth-watering treats, and more!

Credit: Disney

Sadly, previews from the unique event posted on social media triggered mixed reactions online, with many netizens questioning The Walt Disney Company’s decisions for this year’s Pixar Fest.

Perhaps the most discussed opinion involved an all-new parade that features characters from Pixar movies like Luca (2021) and Turning Red (2022), with Disney fans questioning why other beloved animated films had been left out of the daytime spectacular, particularly Onward (2020) — which features Tom Holland as Ian Lightfoot and Chris Pratt as Barley Lightfoot, Ian’s older brother.

Credit: Krysten Swensen, Inside the Magic

While the Anaheim-based Disney Resort obviously won’t change this exclusive parade to include new floats and characters (at least for this year’s event), the company quickly eased Disneyland fans after posting a video announcing that Ian and Barley Lightfoot would meet guests for a limited time before embarking on another epic quest. “To meet Ian & Barley, simply maketh your way to Pixar Pals Playtime Party at Disneyland Park during Pixar Fest,” said Disney in a TikTok post. You can see the video below or click here to watch it.

Let the quest beginneth! #Disney #DisneyParks #DisneylandResort #Pixar #PixarFest #Onward #Ian #Barley #Guinevere #Quest

@disneyparks

Let the quest beginneth! 🗺️🚐🧙 #Disney #DisneyParks #DisneylandResort #Pixar #PixarFest #Onward #Ian #Barley #Guinevere #Quest

♬ original sound – Disney Parks

Inside the Magic visited the Pixar Pals Playtime Party in the Fantasyland Theatre at Disneyland Park to meet the Lightfoot brothers and enjoy a party where everyone can dance and play the Pixar way. The location also offers a high-energy show, reading and coloring areas, and picture-perfect backdrops inspired by the worlds of Monsters Inc. (2001), Cars (2006), Onward, Up (2009), and A Bug’s Life (1998).

Credit: Krysten Swensen, Inside the Magic

Disney also revealed that guests can meet Luca and Alberto from Luca and Wade and Ember from Elemental (2023) during Pixar Fest at the Pixar Pals Playtime Party. You can see the video announcing Wade and Ember’s debut at the park below, or click here to watch it.

Meeting Ember & Wade would make us as emotional as Wade’s family #Disney #DisneyParks #DisneylandResort #Pixar #PixarFest #Elemental #Lutz #Ember #Wade

@disneyparks

Meeting Ember & Wade would make us as emotional as Wade’s family 🥹 #Disney #DisneyParks #DisneylandResort #Pixar #PixarFest #Elemental #Lutz #Ember #Wade

♬ original sound – Disney Parks

The chance to meet these new characters from Pixar’s newest movies eased Disneyland fans and sparked even more excitement to visit the resort during Pixar Fest. However, the news inadvertently reignited the constant debate surrounding The Walt Disney Company’s alleged preference for Disneyland Resort, excluding Walt Disney World Resort from some of the most awaited offerings.

“Be fair to Florida”

“Be fair to Florida,” or some form of this sentence is something that constantly pops up on social media whenever Disneyland Resort gets new offerings that haven’t been announced to be coming to Disney World, making Disney fans think that the company has a preference for Southern California over Orlando and frequently sparking outrage online.

Credit: Disneyland Resort

The most recent trigger for this discussion has been the debut of new characters from George Lucas’ Star Wars franchise making their way to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park. From Ahsoka Tano to Chopper and General Hera Syndulla, Din Djarin, Grogu, and even the all-new BD-X droids, Disney fans of all ages have voiced their opinions, feeling robbed of the experiences while The Walt Disney Company apparently ignores Florida, failing to release details about these characters arriving to Disney World, if there are any plans to do so in the first place.

However, the debate dividing Disney World and Disneyland gained traction before these characters debuted at Anaheim.

Credit: Disney Parks Blog

In 2022, Disney triggered a heated debate online with the debut of multiple characters at Disney California Adventure for Oogie Boogie Bash — Disneyland Resort’s yearly after-hours Halloween event — while Walt Disney World Resort only welcomed Max Goof in his Powerline outfit for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom.

Clearly, fans were not happy about this abysmal difference. However, it appears that, due to logistics, size of the resort, or any other reason, Disney will continue to debut new offerings at Disneyland Resort before bringing them to Walt Disney World Resort.

Credit: Disney

Other announcements that have prompted the rise of the “Be fair to Florida” debate around Disney Parks have been the return and debut of exclusive Disneyland After Dark events, including Star Wars Nite, Pride Nite, Disney Channel Nite, and Sweethearts’ Nite to mention a few.

While Disney World offers after-hours access tickets to its theme parks, the Orlando-based Disney Resort rarely hosts themed events apart from seasonal celebrations.

Credit: Disney

Sadly, Pixar Fest has not been the exception to this divisive discourse. Viewers from the videos we shared above quickly commented how they wished that Ian, Barley, Ember, and Wade would travel to Disney World to meet guests, mentioning that they love their movies. “Cries in WDW,” one user commented.

One user boldly claimed that Disney World only “gets crumbs […] compared to any of the other parks.” They added, “Sooo once again why are you not doing anything special at Walt Disney world in Florida! It’s your #1 visited park besides Disneyland which is VERY tiny and almost only locals go to!”

Credit: Disney

Related: Disneyland’s Billion-Dollar Expansion Could Kick off This Summer!

While, to many, it would be ideal to see The Walt Disney Company close the gap between Disneyland and Disney World, the differences between both parks make them unique destinations for guests of all ages. Additionally, each Disney Resort is gearing up to develop a series of thrilling updates, bringing new attractions, immersive lands, and more to Disney World and Disneyland.

Pixar Fest kicks off at Disneyland Resort

Despite these mixed reactions online, Pixar Fest is kicking off today, April 26! The unique event celebrates “friendship and beyond” with colorful décor, themed menu items, commemorative merchandise, and fun experiences for the young and the young at heart at Disney California Adventure and Disneyland Park.

What is Pixar Fest?

Exclusive offers debut at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure

What can guests expect when visiting the resort during this event?

As if these heart-stirring shows weren’t enough, guests can find character greetings throughout Disneyland Resort, 6 marketplaces in Disney California Adventure Park with tasty menus inspired by Pixar stories (starting May 10, 2024), unique merchandise to commemorate the event, and drinks and treats that will make you sing “Remember Me” with every bite.

Credit: Inside the Magic

To add even more fun, guests can enjoy their favorite everyday Pixar park experiences, including Incredicoaster and Toy Story Midway Mania! at Pixar Pier, Cars Land, Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, and Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage to mention a few.