Pixar's Immersive Exhibition Opens in London, Bringing Animated Worlds to Life
Visitors to Wembley Park in north London can now shrink to toy-size or dive into an ocean, thanks to the newly opened Mundo Pixar Experience. This immersive exhibition meticulously recreates scenes from some of Pixar's most beloved films, allowing fans to step directly into the animated worlds they adore.
Step Into Iconic Film Sets
From rummaging through books in Andy's towering bedroom from Toy Story to inspecting vintage trinkets in Carl Fredricksen's home from Up, the experience offers a tangible connection to Pixar's storytelling. Guests can salsa over a dancefloor adorned with Día de los Muertos decorations inspired by Coco or explore the shimmering undersea world of Finding Nemo, surrounded by colourful coral and translucent jellyfish.
Jay Ward, a creative director at Pixar, explained that the exhibition aims to recapture the studio's trademark attention to detail. "We are film-makers and we love to really lavish attention to detail on our movies, which you can tell when you watch them again and again. Same thing with Mundo Pixar – we want to give a lavish amount of details and hidden Easter eggs and fun things," he said.
Authenticity and Creative Liberties
Ward noted that the sets are about 98% authentic, with graphics sourced directly from Pixar. However, some creative liberties were taken to enhance visitor engagement, including added photo opportunities. The exhibition also highlights Pixar's painstaking research process, such as studying behaviour in daycare centres and using dogs as facial-expression models for Finding Nemo's fish.
This launch aligns with a broader trend for immersive entertainment, following successes like the Van Gogh immersive experience and Netflix's Stranger Things pop-ups. Ward believes the exhibition resonates strongly with families who have grown up with Pixar since Toy Story debuted in 1995. "There's something universal about our storytelling that has a deep emotional connection. It has an authenticity to it. These stories resonate with people. It may be toys or monsters or fish, but it's a human story that you can relate to," he added.
Future Pixar Releases and Audience Trends
The exhibition opens ahead of two new Pixar releases: Hoppers, an original film about a girl using technology to turn herself into animals, set for next month, and Toy Story 5 in June. Ward expressed hope that Hoppers, which he described as "wild, very funny and very unorthodox," might eventually be incorporated into the exhibition.
He acknowledged some sequel fatigue among viewers but emphasized Pixar's strategy to balance sequels with new originals. "The sequels are beloved [intellectual property] that people know. Have you a little bit less of a risk in making a sequel? In some regards – but it also helps fuel the desire for new originals," Ward said.
As films approach their 20th anniversaries, interest often spikes, with a new generation of parents sharing childhood favourites. For instance, Cars, released in 2006, is "coming back into the popular consciousness again," potentially paving the way for another instalment.
Adapting to Changing Audience Habits
Pixar is navigating shifts in audience habits, including more home viewing, fewer cinema trips, shorter attention spans, and quicker cuts in film-making. Despite these challenges, the studio remains committed to producing high-quality full-length films. Ward noted, "I do think that attention spans tend to be shorter. People are distracted. People are looking at a mobile device while they're watching a movie now, which is incredible. You're hearing stories of people saying: 'Oh, you have to reiterate the plot three or four times to get it.'"
He added, "I hope we're not at that point. [But] if so, do we find a smarter way to do that? So it doesn't feel like you're beating people over the head with something." The Mundo Pixar Experience stands as a testament to Pixar's enduring appeal and innovative approach to engaging audiences in an ever-evolving entertainment landscape.
