A new “Elio” exhibit has opened in Pixar Place Hotel at Disneyland Resort, replacing the “Win or Lose” exhibit. There’s also “Elio” photo ops in the hotel’s lobby.
“Elio” Photo Ops
This photo op is next to Store-E and above the Sketchpad Cafe dining area. It features Elio and his new alien friend Glordon. In the film, Elio hopes to be abducted by aliens and gets his wish. But he’s then mistaken as the ambassador of Earth.
Elio and Glordon are in the foreground of the photo op. Guests can step behind them, in front of a background featuring other alien ambassadors and the “Elio” logo against space.
An “Elio” mural features Elio being pulled up to a crystalline spaceship by a light beam. The “Elio” logo is in the upper corner.
“Elio” Art Exhibit
The art exhibit is on the balcony above the lobby. This maquette, created by Matt Nolte, depicts a leviathan. It’s a large whale-like creature with sharp talons and spikes along its back.
The maquette of Glordon was created by Greg Dykstra. Glordon is voiced by Remy Edgerly. Maquettes are clay models created to help animators keep consistent with a character’s design.
The last maquette depicts Elio, who is voiced by Yonas Kibreab. This figure was also created by Greg Dykstra.
For the first time, a Pixar Place Hotel exhibit includes a TV monitor. It shows 3D modeling demonstrations and storyboard slides. These images depict the creation of the Communiverse, the film’s main setting.
Concept art for the Pixar film is displayed on the wall with labels indicating the artist, medium, and subject. In the photo above are digital paintings by Xin Yingzong, Maria Lee, and Ernesto Nemesio of Communiverse disk rings, Communiverse Plaza, and characters. Communiverse is the film’s main setting.
These four pieces by Nolte, Crystal Kung, Lee, and Guilherme Jacinto depict Ambassador Helix and Ambassador Questa. Guilherme voices Helix and Jameela Jamil voices Questa.
An early Communiverse “exploration” by Harley Jessup depicts the space station as circular with colorful lights. A piece by Valerie Kao shows the Communiverse Grand Assembly Hall.
This digital drawing by Yingzong depicts various versions of OOOOO, a gelatinous super computer voiced by Shirley Henderson who can take multiple forms.
These pieces by Yingzong and Nemesio are for a cloning element in the film.
The artwork is organized into sections. The above are mostly based around the Communiverse.
This group of artwork features Lord Grigon and the Hylurgian Ship. Grigon, voiced by Brad Garrett, is Glordon’s father. A leviathan is also pictured.
This collage of images is similar to a film’s storyboard, but instead of showing one scene, it’s a collection of various moments from the film.
This group of artwork is focused on Elio and Glordon’s friendship but also includes a look at the Communiverse.
This piece is a reproduction of ink and pencil on paper, originally drawn by Adrian Molina, one of the film’s directors. Molina (“Coco”) directs with Madeline Sharafian (“Burrow”) and Domee Shi (“Turning Red”). The “Elio” screenplay is by Julia Cho, Mark Hammer, and Mike Jones.
This reproduction of ink and pencil features sketches of Elio and Glordon by Shi and Sharafian.
This collection includes more artwork based on Earth, featuring Elio and his Aunt Olga Solís. The aunt character was originally set to be voiced by America Ferrera. She left the project due to scheduling conflicts, and the character was ultimately rewritten to be Elio’s aunt, now voiced by Zoe Saldaña.
As is clear by her uniform in this artwork and trailers, Aunt Olga is an Air Force major. This digital painting by James Woods shows Elio and Olga.
More digital paintings and reproductions of hand drawings show the pair in various versions of their outfits.
There are two digital painting studies of Elio’s bedroom. One by Jessup shows Elio’s obsession with aliens via a rug, bedding, and posters on the walls. Art by Nemesio offers a closer look at Elio on his bed with alien decorations and glowing stars around him.
Another digital painting by Kristian Norelius depicts Camp Carver, where Elio is sent early on in the film. There are notes on the painting designating the “Abducted Area,” “Elio’s Log,” a beach, a path, and more.
“Elio” is in theaters now. Watch a trailer below and read our review.
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