Pixar Place Hotel has joined the Halloween fun at the Disneyland Resort. Guests will see Mike, Sulley, and other favorite monsters dressed in their Halloween best on the hotel walls. This is the first time that Pixar Place Hotel has gotten a Halloween overlay. Throughout the hotel, there are playful costumes and hidden seasonal details to be found during Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort. These decorations were brought to life through the artistic talents of Brett Snodgrass and others on the Resort Enhancement team, the Pixar team, and the Walt Disney Imagineering team. The Disney Parks Blog shared about Brett and the creative process that brought this seasonal overlay to Pixar Place Hotel. Take a look below!
A Monster-Sized Idea Comes to Life
While guests see the finished experience, bringing this vision to life requires months of creativity and collaboration between Walt Disney Imagineering, Pixar, and Resort Enhancement at Disneyland Resort.
Brett explains how the storyline is carried through each design, including the trick or scream candy bags.
Behind the unique Monsters, Inc.-themed fall decor is digital artist Brett Snodgrass, a passionate creative on the Resort Enhancement team who has been bringing stories to life around the resort for over eight years. “I’ve been a designer for a really long time,” shares Brett. “And that moment when I see the piece completed is really exciting to me.”
The inspiration for this year’s decor is the perfect blend of Halloween fun with features from the monster world that fans know and love. When a fellow team member suggested exploring what Halloween would look like for Mike, Sulley, and Boo; Brett’s wheels immediately started spinning on how to bring the story to life for hotel guests.
Original concept art Brett designed for Pixar Place Hotel.
“I started to think: Monsters, Inc., Halloween, trick-or-treat, and doors,” explains Brett. “You can see all of our monster characters in the artwork having fun, wearing costumes and passing the candy back and forth between our world and theirs.”
The result is a collection of artwork filled with playful storytelling, giving guests new details to discover as they explore the hotel.
A Scary-Good Collaboration
For Brett, creating new art centered around beloved Pixar characters comes with a unique responsibility. The designs must feel authentic to the world fans know while adding a distinct Halloween touch.
“There are some brilliant concept artists who’ve worked on the Monsters movies over the years, and I think they’re just beautiful movies,” Brett smiles. “So, I really dug into what the other artists have done. Guests are going to see a lot of shapes and compositions that really reflect some of that early concept artwork,” he continues.
Brett worked closely with Pixar to ensure the characters stayed true to their established designs and personalities. After the artwork got the final seal of approval, the project was handed over to talented printers, graphic technicians, and installers who worked together to transform the creative concepts into the immersive environment guests and cast experience at Pixar Place Hotel.
The Final Reveal
Over the course of the past decade, Brett has established his own personal tradition to commemorate each new art piece he has contributed to the resort. Immediately following the installation, he walks the location where his art is displayed and takes it all in. And this Halloween decor is no different.
Brett sees his designs installed in Pixar Place Hotel for the first time and points out his favorite elements.
“It’s a really incredible feeling knowing that after two years of development, people are finally going to be able to experience this… this just feels really special,” Brett smiled.
But beyond seeing the artwork itself, one of the most rewarding parts is knowing families, friends, and Disney fans will be interacting with the new decor, searching for their favorite characters, discovering hidden details, and making memories together during the Halloween season.
(Left) Original concept art Brett designed for the Pixar Place Hotel entrance side by side with the final installed entrance carpet (right).
Make sure to check out the first-ever Monsters, Inc.-inspired Halloween decor at Pixar Place Hotel this fall season to get in on the monster-sized fun.
Mr. Daps is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Daps Magic, a premier Disney news community established in 2004. With over 20 years of experience as a journalist and media creator, he has become a trusted voice in the Disney fandom, appearing as an expert on KTLA, NPR, and the Orange County Register.
Known for his signature trilby and bow tie, Mr. Daps provides optimistic, informed coverage of the Disney Parks, Pixar, and Marvel. He is the weekly host of Geeks Corner and a proud Her Universe Brand Ambassador. Follow his adventures on Twitter, Instagram, and Threads, or join the conversation live on the Daps Magic YouTube channel. If you see him at Disneyland, be sure to say hi!