Airbnb gives you the chance to stay in Disney & Pixar’s most iconic home, and it floats

Airbnb has just introduced Icons, in what it calls “extraordinary experiences from the world’s greatest icons” – one highlight of which is a chance to drift off in the Up house, Disney & Pixar’s most iconic home. We find out more.

If you’re a fan of 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen and his adventure to Paradise Falls in his house held up with balloons, inadvertently taking young stowaway Russell, then be prepared to be blown away…quite possibly.

Airbnb has announced its summer releases, amongst them – Icons, a new category of “extraordinary experiences” hosted by the greatest names in music, film, television, art, sports, and more. “Icons let you step into worlds you’ve only ever dreamed of,” it says. This month, it unveiled the first 11 Icons available to rent via its platform, and it plans to drop further experiences throughout the year.

A highlight is the chance to literally drift off in the Up house and sleep inside one of Disney and Pixar’s most iconic homes – and yes, it really does float. Inside, you can explore Carl’s world in this detailed re-creation of his home, complete with over 8,000 colourful balloons, and set in the scenic red rocks of Abiquiu, New Mexico.

Looking inside the candy-coloured property, it’s beautiful (and satisfying) to see the level of detail at play. As far as we can tell, nothing has been left out or forgotten from the original animated movie, released in 2009 and was a hit with many of us – even though we spent the first ten minutes undoubtedly crying.

As a young lad, Carl Fredricksen wanted to explore South America and find the forbidden Paradise Falls. About six decades later, he gets to do just that, along with Boy Scout Russell, by tying thousands of balloons to the roof of the charming home he shared with his wife Elie and flying away. Carl and Russell inevitably make friends along the way, including a talking dog called Doug. And so, as you’d hope and expect, all of these aspects of the story feature in the Airbnb rental, as you’d hope and expect.

There are the two armchairs, pushed together, alongside a little footstool and Carl’s walking stick. You’ll spot Elie’s beautiful painting of Paradise Falls on the chimney breast and a pair of binoculars on the mantlepiece – an essential companion to great adventurers. Russell’s bright yellow backpack is in the hall, and My Adventure Book sits on one of the side tables. A dog bowl with a wooden stick is even featured in the kitchen, and a small dining table lies in the charming bay window. But there is so much more, and anyone lucky enough to stay here will enjoy picking their way through the furnishings and accessories, spotting the things that match the film.

Alongside the Up house, you can spend a night in the Ferrari Museum, immersing yourself in the racing world in Maranello, Italy. You’ll sleep on a bed crafted from the same leather as Ferrari seats, take a lap with Scuderia Ferrari ambassador driver Marc Gené, and head to Emilia-Romagna’s premier race as a VIP.

Or if race cars aren’t your thing, how about stepping into X-Men ’97 with a 2D animated re-creation of Marvel Animation’s X-Mansion in Westchester, New York? “You’ll discover your mutant abilities and even train in the Danger Room,” promises Airbnb.

What about going VIP with Kevin Hart? Now you can, as the American comedian and actor takes you inside his members-only Coramino Live Lounge for an A-list evening. Wow. You’ll join Kevin and his friends in this secret speakeasy, where they’ll treat you to a tequila tasting and live stand-up by the best comedians in the game. Where do we sign up?

For the sports fans among you, how about a stay at Paris’s Musée d’Orsay and its iconic clock room? Mathieu Lehanneur, designer of the Paris 2024 Games torch and cauldron, has transformed the clock room into a luxurious bedroom. “From the terrace, you’ll witness the historic Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games along the River Seine,” says Airbnb.

Wait, there’s more. You can join a living room session with Doja Cat, who’s fresh off a tour performing on the world’s biggest stages; get the chance to stay in Prince’s Purple Rain house – a Minneapolis, Minnesota home featured in the legendary film Purple Rain, but it’s never been available to the public until now; you can game with TikTok sensation Khaby Lame, who invites you to his hometown of Milan for an epic, overnight gaming experience; go on tour with Feid, or live like Bollywood star Janhvi Kapoor, staying at her never-before-seen family home in Chennai, India.

Finally, we return to Disney and Pixar in anticipation of the June release of Inside Out 2. You’re invited to an overnight stay at Headquarters, the control centre of Riley’s emotions. Excellent. Your host, Joy, will welcome you into her “vibrant world to witness the emotions in action and help keep things in balance”.

And now for the official company statement. “Icons take you inside worlds that only existed in your imagination – until now,” says Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky. “As life becomes increasingly digital, we’re focused on bringing more magic into the real world. With Icons, we’ve created the most extraordinary experiences on Earth.”

You can find out more about Icons over on Airbnb.