Disneyland Resort's New Cars 20th Anniversary Tribute Is Upstairs at Pixar Place Hotel

A new Cars celebration has arrived at Disneyland Resort, and it is not tucked inside a theme park attraction. Pixar Place Hotel is now using its gallery space for an exhibit tied to the film's 20th anniversary, giving guests a close look at how the original movie came together.

A Cars exhibit has taken over the hotel gallery

The gallery space at Pixar Place Hotel now focuses on Cars, marking 20 years since the Pixar film first reached theaters. The display is set on the second floor, overlooking the lobby, which gives the exhibit a spot that is easy to notice once visitors head upstairs.

One of the first large visual elements is a mural built around a map. It calls out Route 66, the fictional Carburetor County, and Radiator Springs at the center, linking the movie's made-up town to the road trip roots that shaped it.

Rather than centering on merchandise or props alone, the exhibit leans into the movie's creative development. It brings together concept art, sketches, storyboards, maquettes, and other material from the first Cars film, with labels identifying both the artist and the medium for each piece.

What is on display inside

The collection is arranged in loose subject groupings, so certain walls and clusters focus on shared settings or characters. One grouping highlights Ornament Valley and the Cadillac Range, while another features residents and locations from Radiator Springs.

Among the standout pieces are maquettes of Lightning McQueen and Mater. These preliminary models were made from resin and clay by Jerome Ranft. Nearby, storyboard art titled Best Friends shows Lightning and Mater in sketch form. Those boards were drawn by Joe Ranft, Jerome's brother, who co-directed and co-wrote Cars.

The exhibit also carries a note of film history beyond the artwork itself. Joe Ranft died before Cars was released, and the finished movie was dedicated to his memory.

Other artists represented in the gallery include Garett Sheldrew, Bob Pauley, Bill Cone, Nat McLaughlin, Matt Nolte, Buck Lewis, Jay Shuster, Steve Purcell, Dan Scanlon, John Lee, Tia W. Kratter, and Bud Luckey.

A wider look at how Cars was built, and how Disney is marking the anniversary

The display is not limited to still artwork. A television in the gallery plays early animation tests and footage from research trips. Clips shown above include a rig test for Lightning McQueen, adding another layer to the behind the scenes material.

A nearby panel explains more about the real world research that informed the movie. The Cars production team visited Detroit automakers and also traveled along Route 66 with author and historian Michael Wallis as a guide.

Cars opened in theaters on June 9, 2006, and Disney has been marking the anniversary in several ways. The company has released a collaboration collection with Formula 1, and Lightning McQueen also appeared at the Formula 1 Gran Premio d'Italia 2026. The franchise is also continuing to expand in the parks. At Magic Kingdom, construction is underway on a new Cars themed area called Piston Peak National Park.

For Disneyland visitors, though, this anniversary stop is currently a quieter one, built around drawings, models, and research that show how Radiator Springs first took shape.

What a hotel tribute usually is

A themed hotel tribute is typically a small, self guided display built around a film or franchise milestone. At a Pixar themed hotel, that can mean character artwork, stylized props, memorabilia inspired by the movies, and photo friendly design touches rather than a ride or formal exhibit.

For Cars fans, these displays usually celebrate the series' visual world: Route 66 style details, racing imagery, and recognizable characters such as Lightning McQueen, Mater, and Cruz Ramirez.

How to experience it

Hotel displays are often meant to be browsed at your own pace. They can be a good low stress stop during a park day, especially if you want a quieter break, extra photos, or a close look at Pixar themed decor without committing to an attraction queue.

Access rules can vary. Some resort hotels welcome visitors in common areas, while others may limit entry at busy times or manage parking for non guests. It is smart to check current hotel access, dining options, and parking policies before making a special trip.

Why fans care

Cars remains one of Pixar's most park friendly franchises because its bright designs, automotive humor, and roadside Americana translate easily into themed spaces, merchandise, and family photos. A tribute inside a hotel also fits a broader resort trend: extending storytelling beyond the parks so fans can keep exploring even between attractions, meals, or overnight stays.