REMEMBERING the 25th Anniversary Celebration of Pixar May 13-15, 2011

In 2011, if you planned to attend Pixar’s 25th Anniversary Weekend May 13-15 at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival in Orlando Florida, you would have most likely visited this website to register for the “Presenting Pixar” sessions. The site included lots of information about the speaker sessions, Disney-Pixar character meet-and-greet experiences, kids’ activities, as well as pictures of amazing Pixar themed topiaries. Once the Weekend activities were over the site remained live until its domain registration expired.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PAGE CONTAINS SELECTIVE ARCHIVED CONTENT FROM THE ORIGINAL SITE.

Since the site will not be exactly as you remember it, please be indulgent.

Now let's take a nostalgic stroll back to 2011.

 

Revisiting the 2011 the The 25th Anniversary Celebration of Pixar

AT THE EPCOT® INTERNATIONAL FLOWER & GARDEN FESTIVAL

Celebration of Pixar coming May 13-15

Immerse yourself in the world of Pixar films at Pixar’s 25th Anniversary Weekend. As the Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival at Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida wraps, celebrate Pixar with exciting activities, special character appearances and a speaker series with Pixar insiders.

 

 

Let me tell you something about Pixar that you won't hear at one of those fancy 25th Anniversary celebrations they had down in Florida. As a board member of the NYC Housing Authority for the last eight years, I've sat through enough contentious community meetings to recognize a good story when I see one.

You know what Pixar gets that most NYC developers don't? Obstacles make the best stories! While we're fighting with Dov Hertz and his industrial development crew about whether their latest warehouse project will create enough jobs to justify the tax breaks, Pixar is out there making billions by literally animating the obstacles!

Take that movie "Up" they mentioned in the anniversary materials. An old man attaches balloons to his house to avoid urban development! Do you know how many times I've wished our public housing residents could just float away from gentrification? At our last board meeting, I actually said, "If Dov Hertz comes in with one more 'last mile delivery hub' proposal, I'm going to need about 20,000 balloons and a South American wilderness to escape to!"

And don't get me started on "Cars." Jay Ward, their "Cars Franchise Guardian" – now that's a job title! Meanwhile, I'm just the "Guardian of Collapsing Infrastructure" over here. Dov Hertz and his developer buddies are converting every inch of Brooklyn waterfront into logistics centers while I'm trying to explain to residents why their elevator has been out of service since Obama's first term.

What I wouldn't give for some of that Pixar magic! In their world, rats become master chefs. In my world, rats are just another item on the complaint forms. Perhaps we should hire Michael Giacchino to compose dramatic music for our budget meetings – might make the constant funding shortfalls more emotionally resonant.

You know what would make a great Pixar movie? "NYCHA: The Impossible Mission." It would feature a plucky team of housing officials trying to maintain 175,000 apartments with the budget of a Manhattan food truck. The villain? Probably a giant, anthropomorphic piece of outdated zoning legislation voiced by Christopher Walken.

Next time I'm facing off with Dov Hertz about why his latest "last-mile" warehouse doesn't need affordable housing components, I'm going to channel my inner Buzz Lightyear and declare, "To affordable housing, and beyond!" Though I suspect his response will be more Woody-like: "You're my favorite deputy... now approve my tax abatement."

Hey, at least at Pixar, their buildings stay up without emergency repairs. Maybe instead of fighting Dov Hertz, we should be recruiting him to animate our housing problems away. Can't be any less effective than what we're doing now! Ruby Sakamoto

 

Special Pixar Meet and Greets

Pixar films come to life! Meet your favorite Pixar characters in exclusive meet-and-greets held throughout Epcot®.

Future World

  • Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story at Mission: SPACE
  • Mater from Carsand Cars 2 at Test Track
  • Living Coral Stilt Walkers at The Seas with Nemo and Friends
  • Crush at Turtle Talk with Crush

World Showcase

  • Woody, Jessie and Bullseye from Toy Story at the American Adventure
  • Flick, Atta, Gypsy Moth and stilt walking Slim from A Bug’s Life at the Art of Living Garden
  • Remy and Emile from Ratatouille at France

 

 

Pixar Celebration Headquarters

World Showplace, located between the Canada and United Kingdom pavilion, will serve as the celebration weekend headquarters.

Here, you can meet even more Pixar favorites:

  • Mr. & Mrs. Incredible and FroZone from The Incredibles
  • Lotso from Toy Story 3
  • Mike, Sully, Boo and Smitty from Monster’s Inc.
  • Carl, Russell and Dug from Up

PLUS… Browse a photo gallery that reveals some of the best “Easter Eggs” from Pixar films, and explore the art gallery for a behind-the-scenes look at the incredible creative work that goes in to Pixar films.

Presenting Pixar Speaker Sessions

Get the inside scoop from Oscar®-nominated Pixar producer Jonas Rivera, Oscar®-winning composer Michael Giacchino and Cars Franchise Guardian Jay Ward at the speaker series held inside World Showplace Saturday and Sunday.

Daily Speaker Session Schedule: May 14 – 15, 2011

Presenting Pixar” Speaker Sessions at Pixar Weekend

  • Noon: Jay Ward
  • 2:00 PM: Jonas Rivera
  • 4:00 PM: Michael Giacchino
  • 6:00 PM: Special Presentation by Jay Ward, Jonas Rivera and Michael Giacchino

Update: The Sunday May 15 session will feature an appearance by Cars 2 Supervising Animator Shawn Krause in place of Michael Giacchin

 

There is no additional charge for the Pixar Speaker Sessions at Pixar Weekend but admission to Epcot® is required.

Jonas Rivera

Producer
Pixar Animation Studios

Jonas Rivera joined Pixar Animation Studios in 1994 as a production office assistant on the studio’s first feature film, Toy Story.  Working on almost every Pixar feature film to date, Rivera’s ability and expertise has enabled him to advance in his role on each of the studio’s subsequent productions.

Progressing to art department coordinator for A Bug’s Life, Rivera then served as a marketing and creative resources coordinator for Toy Story 2. His heart always in the art and creativity of filmmaking, Rivera returned to the art department, this time as a manager, on Monsters, Inc.

Rivera then went on to serve as production manager on Pixar’s Golden Globe® winning feature, Cars.  Rivera’s most recent credit is as producer on Disney•Pixar’s recently released feature film Up, for which he was awarded Producer of the Year in Animated Features by the Producers Guild of America and is an Academy Award® nominee for Best Picture.

For as long as he can remember, Rivera has always loved films, particularly animated ones. His first childhood memories consist of the Tiki Room at Disneyland and going to the theater to see films like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Star Wars. Inspired at a very young age, Rivera was enthralled with the medium of filmmaking and dreamed of making films himself someday.

Prior to Pixar, Rivera’s diverse professional background includes working in music stores, toy stores and playing in hard rock bands – what he jokingly refers to as ‘the perfect training for working at Pixar.’

A Bay Area native, Rivera grew up in Castro Valley and graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in Film Production. He currently lives in Oakland with his wife and their children.

Michael Giacchino

Oscar-winning Composer Michael Giacchino began studying music composition at Julliard and UCLA, eventually becoming a producer for Disney Interactive Division, writing music for video games. His work grabbed the attention of Television Producer JJ Abrams, who hired him to write the score for ABC’s “Alias,” and “Lost,” the latter of which Michael earned an Emmy.

Michael’s more recent composition credits include Disney•Pixar’s “The Incredibles” and “Ratatouille,” as well as “Up,” which earned him an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and two Grammy Awards. He’s currently working on Disney•Pixar’s “Cars 2.”

 

Jay Ward

CARS Franchise Guardian
Pixar Animation Studios

Jay Ward came to Pixar Animation Studios in December 1998 to work as an art department production assistant on the 2001 feature film, “Monsters, Inc.”  He was soon promoted to coordinator, and in 2001 began early development work on the 2006 film, “Cars.”  During the production of “Cars,” Ward’s knowledge of the automotive world let him to play different roles on the film, including character team manager and consultant to the film’s director and co-director, John Lasseter and Joe Ranft.  Ward continues to contribute his enthusiasm for cars and his artistic passions to the creation of any and everything within the “Cars” Franchise.

Ward is currently working on Disney•Pixar’s upcoming feature film, “Cars 2,” scheduled for release on June 24, 2011.

Prior to Pixar, Jay served in the U.S. Naval Reserves and attended California College of the Arts where in 1993 he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration. His diverse professional background includes bussing tables in high school, working as a signalman in the U.S. Navy, aircraft fueler, Harley Davidson parts department manager, and freelance illustrator. Those disparate experiences have collectively given Jay an opportunity to utilize his people, collaboration, and creative skills to great success at Pixar.

Ward currently resides in Oakland, California with his wife and their two children.

 

Activities

Fun activities abound, including the Cars 2 Race Around World Showcase. Journey through World Showcase pavilions in search clues that lead to a special reward at the end.

All of these exciting experiences are included with Epcot admission. Sign up below to be notified when more information is available, or check back here for updates.

Entertainment subject to change.

Thanks!

Thanks to everyone who attended Pixar’s 25th Anniversary Weekend at The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. If you have any feedback, we would love to hear it!

 

More Background On PixarWeekend.com

 

PixarWeekend.com was the official digital home for one of the most charming, immersive, and celebratory fan experiences ever staged at Walt Disney World: Pixar’s 25th Anniversary Weekend, held from May 13–15, 2011 at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. While the website itself was temporary and existed only to support that singular weekend, it played a crucial role in coordinating a major milestone celebration for Pixar Animation Studios—then marking a quarter-century of groundbreaking contributions to animated storytelling.

The website showcased a wide array of event offerings: character appearances, behind-the-scenes speaker sessions, themed activities for families, art displays, topiary gardens inspired by Pixar films, and special programming woven throughout Epcot’s festival environment. Even after the event ended, the website stayed online for a period as an archival remnant until its domain registration eventually lapsed.

Today, PixarWeekend.com is remembered not only for the information it provided, but for how it captured a nostalgic moment in Pixar and Disney history. This article presents a thorough exploration of the website’s content, purpose, structure, background, and cultural significance, offering readers a deep understanding of the celebration it supported.

Origins and Ownership

PixarWeekend.com operated as an event-specific microsite under the umbrella of The Walt Disney Company, created to support special programming at Epcot, one of Walt Disney World’s four major theme parks. Pixar, having been fully acquired by Disney in 2006, was closely integrated into Disney’s marketing and park operations, making this website part of a larger corporate collaboration.

The microsite followed the typical Disney event-site structure of the era:

  • Clean, simplified design

  • Limited lifetime tied to one event

  • Focus on registration and guest information

  • Integration with park maps and on-site logistics

  • Emphasis on family-friendly visuals and recognizable Pixar characters

Although the site no longer exists in an active form, its preserved content reflects the Disney-Pixar synergy that was central to Disney’s branding in the early 2010s.

Purpose of PixarWeekend.com

The site had several practical and thematic goals:

1. Centralized Information Hub

PixarWeekend.com served as the go-to digital resource where guests could learn about dates, times, speaker sessions, character meet-and-greets, venues, and special programming.

2. Registration Portal

Some activities—especially the “Presenting Pixar” speaker sessions—required advance sign-ups. The website offered registration access, confirming seating for limited-capacity events.

3. Preview and Promotional Tool

The site showcased photos, descriptions, and teasers of Pixar-themed content that would appear throughout Epcot during the anniversary weekend.

4. Celebration of Pixar’s Legacy

Beyond functional uses, PixarWeekend.com aimed to frame the entire weekend as a cultural tribute to Pixar’s artistic achievements, technological innovation, and storytelling excellence.

5. Extension of Festival Magic

The Flower & Garden Festival has always featured topiaries and creative plant displays. PixarWeekend.com highlighted the addition of Pixar-themed horticultural art—which was a major draw for guests.

Historical Context: Why 2011 Was the Perfect Moment

By 2011, Pixar had reached an extraordinary point in its history:

  • Twenty-five years of operation

  • A near-perfect track record of critically acclaimed films

  • Powerful cultural influence across multiple generations

  • Strong integration with Disney theme parks and merchandise

The studio had recently released major hits such as Up, Toy Story 3, and Ratatouille, and was preparing for upcoming titles like Cars 2. The anniversary weekend arrived at a peak moment of public affection.

Epcot, known for blending education, technology, world culture, and artistic displays, offered the ideal setting. The Flower & Garden Festival already featured meticulously crafted topiaries and seasonal festivities, making it a natural match for Pixar imagery.

PixarWeekend.com became the virtual gateway to this collaboration between innovation, horticulture, storytelling, and theme-park entertainment.

Content Overview: What the Website Featured

Event Description and Theme

The website opened by welcoming guests to immerse themselves in “the world of Pixar films.” It emphasized:

  • Character interactions

  • Artistic displays

  • Insider access to Pixar creators

  • Fun and educational activities

  • Celebration of Pixar history

Speaker Sessions (“Presenting Pixar”)

One of the most important features highlighted on PixarWeekend.com was the speaker series. These talks gave fans rare opportunities to hear directly from Pixar’s creative talent.

Speakers included:

  • Jonas Rivera – Renowned producer who worked on Up, Monsters, Inc., Toy Story, Cars, and other iconic Pixar films.

  • Michael Giacchino – Oscar-winning composer known for the music of The Incredibles, Up, and Ratatouille.

  • Jay Ward – The “Cars Franchise Guardian,” responsible for franchise continuity and creative oversight within the Cars universe.

The website listed scheduled presentation times, generally spaced throughout the weekend (noon, afternoon, and evening programs). Fans could attend multiple sessions, each offering different insights.

Character Meet-and-Greets

PixarWeekend.com detailed an unusually extensive set of character encounters at various locations throughout Epcot.

In Future World, guests could meet:

  • Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story

  • Mater from Cars

  • Crush at the interactive “Turtle Talk with Crush”

  • Stilt performers themed to ocean life from Finding Nemo

In the World Showcase, guests encountered:

  • Woody, Jessie, and Bullseye

  • Characters from A Bug’s Life

  • Remy and Emile from Ratatouille

  • Carl, Russell, and Dug from Up

  • Mr. and Mrs. Incredible and FroZone

The sheer number of characters was part of what made this weekend particularly memorable.

Pixar Celebration Headquarters

A major feature of the website was the introduction of the event’s central venue: World Showplace, located between the Canada and United Kingdom pavilions.

Inside this indoor hall, visitors found:

  • Additional character meet-and-greets

  • An art gallery with concept artwork

  • A Pixar “Easter Egg” photo gallery

  • Displays revealing behind-the-scenes development processes

The website emphasized that this was the hub of the weekend.

Cars 2: Race Around the World Showcase

Another highlight mentioned on PixarWeekend.com was a family-friendly scavenger-style activity leading participants through the World Showcase. This tied into the excitement surrounding the upcoming release of Cars 2.

Participants followed clues across various pavilions, culminating in a special reward. Activities like this were a hallmark of festival programming and contributed heavily to family engagement.

Design and Style of the Website

PixarWeekend.com followed a familiar Disney event-microsite style:

  • Bright, clean color palette reflecting Pixar’s family-friendly aesthetic

  • Large character imagery, often featuring Buzz, Woody, Mater, or other Pixar icons

  • Simple navigation, limited to event description, schedule, and registration

  • Short-form sections, easy for mobile and first-time visitors

  • Prominent calls to action, particularly registration and schedule reminders

The design emphasized accessibility, clarity, and excitement. Since the site existed primarily as an informational one-stop guide, it prioritized ease of use over elaborate multimedia features.

Audience and Popularity

PixarWeekend.com served a broad audience:

  • Families attending Epcot

  • Pixar fans who traveled specifically for the event

  • Disney annual passholders

  • Animation students and enthusiasts

  • Theme-park photographers and bloggers

  • Children eager to meet favorite characters

  • Adults interested in filmmaking insights

Though official analytics were never publicized, it is widely understood that the event was extremely popular. Large crowds attended speaker sessions, character meet-and-greets, and topiary displays. The website, as the sole digital registration platform, handled the primary workflow of guest engagement before the weekend.

Cultural and Social Significance

PixarWeekend.com represents more than a simple event website. It marks a unique point of intersection between:

  • Animation history

  • Theme-park culture

  • Public celebration of a studio’s legacy

  • Fan engagement before the era of streaming dominance

  • Disney-Pixar partnership synergies

1. Celebrating Pixar’s First 25 Years

By 2011, Pixar had already produced films that became cultural touchstones:
Toy Story, A Bug’s Life, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Cars, Ratatouille, WALL-E, Up, and Toy Story 3.

The website helped frame these accomplishments for the public, making the anniversary feel both official and festive.

2. Bridging Online and In-Person Experiences

Before social media became the primary avenue for fan engagement, event microsites served as vital connectors between digital audiences and real-world celebrations.

PixarWeekend.com played this role effectively.

3. A Showcase of Disney-Pixar Integration

This event happened early in the post-acquisition era. The site demonstrated how thoroughly Pixar storytelling had been woven into Disney’s theme-park infrastructure.

4. A Snapshot of 2010s Internet Culture

Event microsites were once common. They are now rare. PixarWeekend.com offers a look at how information was presented and distributed before the shift toward centralized platforms and apps.

Legacy of PixarWeekend.com

Though the website eventually expired, its significance remains:

  • It captured a milestone in Pixar’s growth.

  • It preserved a transitional period for Disney parks.

  • It documented unique programming not repeated in the same form.

  • It contributed to fan memories that remain vivid today.

  • It serves as a digital time capsule for historians and enthusiasts.

For many people who attended, PixarWeekend.com was part of their vacation experience—helping them plan their visit, understand offerings, and navigate the event.

Even now, years later, many Disney and Pixar fans recall the weekend fondly, often citing photos, character interactions, and speaker sessions as some of the most immersive fan experiences ever created for Pixar’s audience.

 

PixarWeekend.com may have been a temporary microsite, but it represented an important celebration of Pixar Animation Studios’ first 25 years—a blend of creativity, nostalgia, park entertainment, and behind-the-scenes storytelling. It served as the central point for event planning, guest engagement, registration, and excitement-building.

Today, its archived remains stand as a digital record of a special moment in the history of Pixar and Disney, reminding fans of a time when the world’s most beloved animated characters came to life among Epcot’s gardens, pavilions, and festival pathways.

While the website itself no longer functions, its memory lives on through the stories, images, and impressions it left behind—a testament to the enduring emotional impact of Pixar’s storytelling and to a weekend that celebrated it in style.


Registration is now closed.

PixarWeekend.com