Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival (A Resorts Gal Guide)
The Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival is an attraction located in the Magic Eye Theater, adjacent to the Imagination Pavilion at Epcot. Formerly, this space was home to Captain EO, which featured Michael Jackson.
However, a while back, Disney turned the theater into an attraction featuring an 18-minute festival of popular Disney and Pixar short films. Below, we’ll go over the information you need to know to experience this attraction, discuss the best times to experience the film festival, and touch on whether or not it’s worth taking up your valuable touring time.
Below is a quick reference chart for experiencing the Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival.
| Disney and Pixar Short Film | Epcot Attractions |
|---|---|
Location: | Imagination Pavilion |
Height Requirement: | None |
Lightning Lane: | Yes, with Multi Pass (Tier 2 Category) |
Early Theme Park Entry: | No |
Extended Evening Hours: | No |
Our Traffic Signal: | Green Light (Anytime) |
Ride Type: | Cartoon films |
Seating: | Theater |
Duration: | 18 minutes |
Good For: | Taking a break. |
Scare Factor: | Low |
Must Do List: | Low |
Perfect For: | All Ages |
Special Mention: | This is an excellent place to wait out an afternoon rain shower. |
Additional Info: Guests with accessibility needs may remain in wheelchairs or ECVS. Video captioning and handheld captioning are available.
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Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
The Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival combines three shorts (cartoons) from Disney and Pixar. A few warnings are listed outside of the entrance. They indicate that the films are presented in 3D animated shorts with loud noises and musical soundtracks. A warning notes that the attraction might be frightening for children.
At the theater’s entrance, there is a Lightning Lane and standby queue. The only wait you should expect is for the next show to begin. Therefore, you probably don’t want to select this option for a Lightning Lane.
At the time of this update, a special character meet-and-greet takes place inside the theater’s entrance. However, this should soon change with the debut of the Mickey and Friends character spot.
The following short films play inside the theater.
- “Get A Horse”
- Piper
- Feast
You’ll pick up a pair of 3D glasses as you continue to the waiting area.
Here is a look at the pre-show. Most everyone who arrives early ends up grabbing a seat on the floor.
Overhead, the pre-show shares fun facts about Pixar’s history. Every couple of minutes, the screen provides the wait time until the next show begins.
Then, the doors to the theater open, and everyone is asked to find a seat.
Within a few moments, the first film begins. It’s usually “Get A Horse,” featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Peg-Leg Pete, Horace Horsecollar, and Clarabelle Cow.
While you’re watching the three films, a few unique effects occur. For instance, the theater slightly shifts and shakes during abrupt moments. However, it’s not jarring by any means.
Ultimately, while the Short Film Festival is cute, it might not be worth the time for some. Most of the cartoons are available in various places online if you would like to see them. But, of course, you won’t get the full effects of the 3D theater.
However, if crowds are high or you need a break, the Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival is an excellent location. Additionally, this is a great stop if you end up touring Epcot on a rainy day.
The Imagination Pavilion offers a variety of things to do in one covered area. In addition, since the Shorts Film Festival is only a few feet away, you can easily access the theater from the Pavilion.
For more Epcot planning, you might enjoy the following:
- Living with the Land Review
- Journey Into Imagination with Figment
- Turtle Talk with Crush
- Frozen Ever After
While we cover a good deal of information on the site, Resorts Gal specializes in providing detailed information about the Walt Disney World Resorts. Browse our entire list of Disney World Hotel Reviews to begin planning your next Disney vacation. You might also be interested in these nearby Epcot Hotel Reviews:
- Disney’s Beach Club Review
- Disney’s Yacht Club Review
- Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Review
- Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Review
- Disney’s Swan Reserve Review
In the Comments
Hopefully, you’ll have enough time to check out the Disney and Pixar Film Festival. Do you have a favorite Disney short? Let me know below in the comments.
