Meet the Cast Members Who Are Making Magic Happen at Disney’s Pixar Place Hotel
With this week’s grand opening of the Pixar Place Hotel at Disneyland Resort, Disney is taking the time to shine some spotlight on the Cast Members who helped bring the hotel to life.
From the moment you step inside the Pixar Place Hotel, you are surrounded by the magic of Pixar and its cast of colorful characters.
One of the driving forces behind the creative vision of the property was Walt Disney Imagineering art director Kirstin Makela, who used detailed graphics and textures to create special touches throughout the hotel.


Photo: Disney Parks Blog
“We had so much fun working closely with our Pixar partners to bring all of this incredible artwork that our guests haven’t been able to see before into these vibrant new spaces,” Kirstin shared when discussing some of the new art featured in the hotel.
Telling a Story Through Costumes
The story of the Pixar Place Hotel is even told through the Cast Members’ costumes worn throughout the property.


Photo: Disney Parks Blog
Costume designer Yonit Olshan used inspiration from Walt Disney floor-to-ceiling art to create “pixelated costumes.
Yonit even worked with Pixar to weave some of their classic stories into the Cast Members’ costumes.


Photo: Also Disney Parks Blog
“It is the smallest inspiration point of the digital art process,” Yonit explained when describing the pixel design displayed on the cast member’s costume for bell service. Guests are greeted upon arrival with the spark of animation through the pixelated pattern.
Inspired By Pixar
In the hotel’s lobby, guests are welcomed with unique art inspired by Pixar stories. This includes the front desk, where the Cast Members wear costumes with strips of color.
“To see something that hasn’t been done before, especially at the Disneyland Resort, is really magical,” Christine Donegan, front desk lead at Pixar Place Hotel, shared. “We are the first hotel in the United States to be fully dedicated to Pixar, and the cast are so excited about that.”


Photo: Also Disney Parks Blog
Just like Pixar’s stories, the front-dest costumes have a deeper meaning. The color strips used by animators to visualize the films inspired the front desk costumes.
“We are literally wearing a piece of Pixar,” said Christine. “When you know how much meaning and thought has gone into even just a shirt, it is incredible.”
Making Magic Happens
As guests head to the room, they will meet the housekeeping and custodial employees who make the hotel so magical.


The housekeeping costume. Photo: Also Disney Parks Blog
“[These cast members are] managing a lot of the important responsibilities in the hotel, so their costumes have actual characters on them,” Yonit shared regarding the housekeeping and custodial roles. “Like our heroes, they’re our kind of main characters.”
Susanna Mercado, a room attendant at the hotel, is excited to debut the new costumes.


A room at the Pixar Place Hotel. Photo: Also Disney
“From the start of it all, ‘Toy Story’ to ‘Elemental’ – to bring those characters to life, across the property from the lobby to the guest rooms – and even to our costumes, to show the variety of characters from favorite Pixar films is incredible. It’s a huge privilege,” Susanna shared.
The Excitement is Palpitable
The excitement shared by Cast Members even extends to behind-the-scenes employees. Luis Chavez, for example, has seen the hotel transform multiple times during his 28-year career.
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“We are really excited about the arrival of Pixar Place Hotel,” Luis shared. “Being part of the stories of Pixar Animation Studios is a unique opportunity and we’re proud to add another touch of magic to Disneyland Resort.”
I, for one, can’t wait to see the Pixar Place Hotel in person!
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