Pixar Experience London review: first look at the new immersive exhibition

After wowing audiences across Europe, including Madrid and Barcelona, the new immersive Pixar exhibition arrives in London with an exclusive new room created for its UK stop.

As a movie buff with a passion for behind-the-scenes storytelling, I was thrilled to get an exclusive look at life-size sets from some of Pixar’s most popular films in a one-of-a-kind experience that brings these beloved stories into the real life.

What you’ll see inside: an immersive look into Pixar’s best stories 

The exhibition spans 3,500 square metres and includes 14 rooms, each dedicated to a different Pixar universe, including a London-exclusive room featuring 25 life-size sculptures.

The one-way trail takes you through the best of the Disney Pixar universe, including the Monsters, Inc. scream factory, complete with portal doors into the human world and yellow canisters storing precious children's screams. Make sure you stop by to take a picture with Mike and Sulley, and try your best grimace!

Highlights from the Pixar Mondo experience

This absolute gem of an exhibition will keep fans on their toes with an element of surprise. Discover some of the rooms that were some of my personal favourites.

London exclusive: Toy Story – step inside Andy’s world 

Your sense of reality is turned upside down as you enter the world of Toy Story. First, you step into Andy's bedroom, where you appear to be the same size as his toys including statues of Buzz and Woody. This is quite an eerie experience as you try to jump up to reach the enormous door and climb the huge furniture.  I was awestruck by the scale of the room which makes it easy to miss small details, from toys to books, posters and much more besides.

Next up is the London-exclusive room, a recreation of Sunnyside Daycare, and what a room it is!  A place where endless playtime and fun await, everything looks like a dream come true for your inner child. Shelves are packed with an endless supply of games and toys, and I feel like I’m part of the gang.

Take the time to explore every corner of the room, from the flying butterflies on the walls to the countless children's drawings portraying Andy and his friends. Pixar Animation Studios Creative Director, Jay Ward, tells us that “these were provided by Pixar Studios, as well as by the crew members' children”. This room offers multiple interactive elements including a giant playground where you'll meet Lotso, aka Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear, a staircase made of giant books, a gigantic red chair – the perfect spot for a souvenir photo – or hide in a toybox to jump out at friends and family. 

From Ratatouille to Cars: a change of pace 

As I walk from room to room, different universes and ambiences unfold, each bringing a unique energy designed to delight visitors with a wide variety of Pixar favourites.

In the Ratatouille room, we are invited to step into Remy’s world, where kitchen equipment, ingredients and other familiar objects are reimagined from a rat’s-eye view. Ingredients are scattered and stacked in exaggerated proportions, from enormous vegetables to monumental jars and utensils. The room perfectly captures the bustling atmosphere of a Parisian kitchen, creating the impression that something is always simmering just out of sight. If you look carefully, you might spot Remy’s brother spying from above.

Then Cars brings a real burst of energy to the place, with a bold Radiator Springs-inspired set complete with roaring engines and a 1950s-style drive-in at Flo’s V8 Café. This room embraces Route 66 nostalgia and is where I find Mater, the rusty tow truck with his cheeky grin and mismatched teeth. And, of course, the true star of the show: the sparkling red, high-speed car, Lightning McQueen. The set is packed with details that fans of the film will love, from the tyre-changing station to the petrol station, making it feel as if the cars really are racing around.  

Jay Ward recalls that creating the experience was very different from working on the films. Not only was a different type of storytelling used, but rather than working on a single story, the team tried to figure out the best way to make full use of the large spaces and bring not just one, but various universes to life. When selecting scenes to feature, it was clear that Toy Story is a firm favourite across all generations, with Andy's room being a particular highlight. 

Coco: a celebration of colour and music 

Welcome to Mexico! Step into the Rivera family home, which is decked out for Día de los Muertos. I encounter Coco and his loved ones as they are honouring past generations, singing songs and with a large display of food. Bursting with vibrant colours, it feels as if we have just been invited to Santa Cecilia. The music and décor create a striking visual impact, from the family portraits adorning the walls to the colourful banners and baskets of flowers that overflow with a tantalising scent.  

The following space, still in the world of Coco, made me want to dance around as I navigated a city showered in colour. Crossing a bridge leading to the land of the dead that is covered in red marigold petals igniting a fire. Meanwhile, Miguel and his dog are on stage singing the hit song “Un Poco Loco”, which kept me dancing throughout. Bright marigold pathways, glowing cityscapes and spectacular lighting recreate the film’s iconic afterlife world. This is easily one of the most visually striking rooms in the exhibition.

Enter the calm and mesmerising Finding Nemo: Under the Sea 

The Finding Nemo room takes us on a deep dive into the ocean and and into a calm underwater world where light is softened and the colours glow in deep shades of blue. Coral reefs frame the room, with some very familiar fish, Nemo and Dory, in prime spots, encouraging visitors to roam around. If you step into the giant diving mask and linger for a few minutes, you might see more of your favourite characters popping into view, as if they are swimming right past you.

The team wasn’t originally planning to include Dory, a character that I think is beloved by many visitors. However, they later decideed to add the forgetful fish and the diver’s mask, ensuring at least two or three photo opportunities per room. This approach allows visitors to interact with the environment rather than just attending as spectators. It also reinforces the exhibition’s one-way, walk-through format, where each space is designed to be experienced physically and sequentially.

Is Mundo Pixar London worth visiting? 

For fans of the films and families looking for a fun day out, Mundo Pixar in London is a must-visit in 2026. It's an experience that left me buzzing and eager to rewatch my favourite Pixar films. Expect an interactive exhibition that brings beloved films such as Toy Story and Finding Nemo to reality in extraordinary ways through meticulously recreated, life-size and sometimes gigantic sets.

While the visual aspect plays a big part in the experience, be sure to engage all your senses as you navigate the exhibition, as specially crafted scents for the Coco and Ratatouille rooms transport you right to the heart of those stories.

Mundo Pixar is much more than an exhibition; it's a truly unique, immersive experience designed for fun, offering plenty of photo opportunities and bringing beloved Pixar classics such as Toy Story, Inside Out and Up into our world. Or should I say, it allows you to step into the magical stories we all love.