Boardwalk games have been a part of Disney California Adventure since its opening in 2001. However, the games have changed over the years from nostalgic "carnival pier" games like skeeball to exclusive Disney Pixar IP themed games. Also, the number of games offered has changed from the original seven1 in 2001 to only four2 games by 2008. Thankfully, the reduction in games made way for the very popular Toy Story Midway Mania attraction.
The current four Pixar Pier boardwalk games were part of the Paradise Pier to Pixar Pier reimagining that opened on June 23, 2018. Currently, "Boardwalk Row" attractions include the La Luna Star Catcher where floating stars are the focus and everyone wins, Heimlich's Candy Corn Toss where successful players toss candy corn into Heimlich's mouth for the win, WALL·E Space Race where players compete to lift Eve and WALL·E into space with "fire extinguishers" for the win and Bullseye Stallion Stampede where players frantically roll balls at targets to make their horse run faster than the completion. All games offer prizes for a win. However, La Luna Star Catcher, a game even the very young can play, assures that all player win a prize!
The cost of these Boardwalk attractions, in keeping with a longtime tradition :-), have increased in cost from $2.00 in 2001 to $5.00 per game by 2022. Of interest to Disneyana collectors, around January 2022 the original 2001 game card system, which had at one time supported a points system for varied cost games, was replaced with this new $5.00 per game token system. At that time, only Mad T Party (2012-2014) tokens were dispensed. Then in late 2022, the Pixar Pier themed tokens became available. The new token vending machines still only accept cash, $5, $10, and $20 bills as payment for game tokens. (However, credit card purchases of games can be made via a Games Of Pixar Cast Member. Also Ricky K. shared that Cast Members have also offered tokens of your choice for sale / trade at the game booths.) Where the old card system provided both cashless game play and a collectable souvenir card after use, tokens now provide a more traditional, less confusing system. Plus if a token is not redeemed for game play, they can make an excellent, collectable keepsake souvenir even if a bit pricey.
1 Games at Disney's California Adventure opening in 2001 included Boardwalk Bowl, Dolphin Derby, San Joaquin Volley, Shore Shot, Angels in the Outfield, Cowhuenga Pass and New Haul Fishery. 2 This renovation was part of the $1.1 billion expansion project for Disney California Adventure. The new games opened on April 7, 2009 and included Goofy About Fishin', Casey at the Bat, Bullseye Stallion Stampede, and Dumbo Bucket Brigade which evolved into the games onstage in 2022.
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