Moviefan12 Welcome Foolish Mortals to The Month of The Mansion. For the next month we are turning our attention to one of the most beloved icons of Disney Parks as we celebrate The Haunted Mansion. Now first, I know that DisneyOtoko already did a Haunted Mansion event years ago but this will be different from his as you will be getting an insider's take. Going into much more about the history And for those morbidly curious enough to know, here is what we will be digging up from the grave.
10/4/16 – Meet & Greet: Hitchhiking Ghosts (With Les)
10/5/16 – Meet & Greet: Madame Leota (With Les)
10/6/16 – Meet & Greet: Singing Busts (With Les)
10/7/16 – Grim Grinning Ghosts Music Fridays
10/10/16 – Meet & Greet: Ghost Host (with Les)
10/11/16 -Meet & Greet: The Hatbox Ghost
10/12/16 – Meet & Greet: The Bride Vs. Constance
Hatchaway
10/13/16 – The Haunted Mansion Around The World
10/14/16 – Haunted Mansion Music Around The World
10/17/16 – A Look at The Museum of The Weird
10/18/16 – Top 6
Haunted Mansion Moments (With The Creature)
10/19/16 – A Look at The Haunted Mansion In Other Media
10/20/16 – Lonesome Manor (With The Creature)
10/24/16 – Story and
Song From The Haunted Mansion
10/25/16 – Tales from The Haunted Mansion
10/26/116 – The Haunted Mansion # 1
10/27/16 – Seekers of The Weird # 1
10/31/16 – The Haunted Mansion (movie) (with Les & The Creature)
Now, please welcome a spirit that has risen from the dead that is just dying to be here as we welcome my fellow Ghost Host for the first article in this event as we look at The History of The Haunted Mansion as The Creature materializes in this Happy Haunt.
TC: The Haunted Mansion has always been my favorite ride in any of the Disney Parks and has played a part of my personality. So, hearing about your monthly Haunted Mansion event, I knew I would have to join you for this event.
Moviefan12: Indeed, the Mansion is one of the most iconic pieces of real estate on property but to think that it almost wasn't a Mansion at all. It at one point was going to be a Museum. A Museum of The Weird.
We shall unearth more information about this proposed Museum as the Month of The Mansion creeps through the month of October but as the tome known as The Haunted Mansion Wiki states
Now, it may be gnawing at your brain on how this would have worked. Well, it at one point was going to be a walkthrough attraction. Though I do imagine that there would be no chase scenes.
I said no chase scenes. Ahem yes, well back to this proposed vault of macabre, it was at one point even suggested to be a restaurant to now beloved Mansion. Creature, do you have anything to add on what could have been with wonderfully weird storage gallery that would have been this Museum that was recomposed into the now ghoulishly Mansion that we know today.
TC: It sounds like it could have been an interesting attraction. While I do like the idea of a walkthrough attraction from Disney, plus having oddities of the world would have been a unique experience in the park, I don’t think it would have been popular enough to last like the Mansion has over the years.
Moviefan12: Yes well, this museum was not to be. It had been demolished before it's time but there were many other ways that this mansion was to be brought to life. The first known incarnation was put together by Disney Legend, Harper Goff. The eerie mansion to be was first seen on a Black & White drawing of a Mansion on crooked street. This was just the start of the Mansion to be but Goff would have to rely on another to resurrect his Mansion. And this is where, Imagineer, Ken Anderson comes into play.
It was decided that a small New Orleans area would be put between Adventureland and Frontierland and had drawn up a sketch of a haunted house walkthrough that that would have had weeds, dead trees, and a swarm of bats. Ooh, sounds spooky and seems to set the mood wonderfully but Walt would have none of it as he wanted his park to be as pristine as possible and a rundown building wouldn't do.
TC: The look of an old plantation house does fit well with New Orleans Square and it does look better having it cleaned up a bit rather than being overgrown in weeds and decaying structure. Walt even said that ”We’ll take care of the outside and let the ghosts take care of the inside.” since if they left it as an old decaying building, it would have stuck out like a sore thumb in the whole park.
Moviefan12: Indeed, that is true as the Ghosts do have free reign of the inside. The custodial staff from time to time must be reminded not to dust the cobwebs. There are two big places that inspired the look of the Mansion. The first being the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California as Walt was enamored with all the details within such as doors that led to nowhere. And the other known building amongst Mansion fans that inspired Gracey Manor is located in Baltimore Maryland being that of The Shipley-Lydecker House that brought to life in 1803.
TC: I can imagine the Winchester Mystery House being a big inspiration for the mansion with its seemingly endless length and with the spirits that haunt the house within. I must admit, I’m surprised that the Shipley-Lydecker House and Gracey Manor look exactly the same.
Moviefan12: Now to close out our look at The History of The Haunted Mansion. Let's observe, how many times it took for the Happy Haunts to be unleashed amongst the guests at Disneyland. In 1961, there were handbills passed out that announced The Mansion would open its doors in 1963. They were half correct as the exterior was completed by then. Walt previewed the attraction on an episode of the beloved Wonderful World of Color. And here is Walt previewing the attraction on said episode.
The ride would go through a few redesigns with many ideas scrapped such as turning the aforementioned Museum of The Weird into a restaurant that would be adjacent to the Mansion. Sadly, Mr. Disney wouldn't live to see The Mansion unleash the ghosts among the hoards of guests that dare enter Gracey Manor as it wouldn't open until 1969. Four years after Walt's passing. But even then, this happy haunt has gone on to become one of the most iconic attractions that Disney has ever created with perhaps the most dedicated fanbase for any single ride.
TC: It is amazing to see how popular the ride has become since it opened. While it has gone through many changes, mostly with technological advancements, it will always be a unique ride for any of the Disney Parks.
TC: The Haunted Mansion has always been my favorite ride in any of the Disney Parks and has played a part of my personality. So, hearing about your monthly Haunted Mansion event, I knew I would have to join you for this event.
Moviefan12: Indeed, the Mansion is one of the most iconic pieces of real estate on property but to think that it almost wasn't a Mansion at all. It at one point was going to be a Museum. A Museum of The Weird.
We shall unearth more information about this proposed Museum as the Month of The Mansion creeps through the month of October but as the tome known as The Haunted Mansion Wiki states
The Museum Of The Weird was to have been a Madame Tussaud's-like attraction inside The Haunted Mansion's entrance. Designed and created by Rolly Crump and Yale Gracey, this attraction within an attraction was to have been a spill area, showcasing an unnerving display of oddities from all corners of the world.
Now, it may be gnawing at your brain on how this would have worked. Well, it at one point was going to be a walkthrough attraction. Though I do imagine that there would be no chase scenes.
I said no chase scenes. Ahem yes, well back to this proposed vault of macabre, it was at one point even suggested to be a restaurant to now beloved Mansion. Creature, do you have anything to add on what could have been with wonderfully weird storage gallery that would have been this Museum that was recomposed into the now ghoulishly Mansion that we know today.
TC: It sounds like it could have been an interesting attraction. While I do like the idea of a walkthrough attraction from Disney, plus having oddities of the world would have been a unique experience in the park, I don’t think it would have been popular enough to last like the Mansion has over the years.
Moviefan12: Yes well, this museum was not to be. It had been demolished before it's time but there were many other ways that this mansion was to be brought to life. The first known incarnation was put together by Disney Legend, Harper Goff. The eerie mansion to be was first seen on a Black & White drawing of a Mansion on crooked street. This was just the start of the Mansion to be but Goff would have to rely on another to resurrect his Mansion. And this is where, Imagineer, Ken Anderson comes into play.
It was decided that a small New Orleans area would be put between Adventureland and Frontierland and had drawn up a sketch of a haunted house walkthrough that that would have had weeds, dead trees, and a swarm of bats. Ooh, sounds spooky and seems to set the mood wonderfully but Walt would have none of it as he wanted his park to be as pristine as possible and a rundown building wouldn't do.
TC: The look of an old plantation house does fit well with New Orleans Square and it does look better having it cleaned up a bit rather than being overgrown in weeds and decaying structure. Walt even said that ”We’ll take care of the outside and let the ghosts take care of the inside.” since if they left it as an old decaying building, it would have stuck out like a sore thumb in the whole park.
Moviefan12: Indeed, that is true as the Ghosts do have free reign of the inside. The custodial staff from time to time must be reminded not to dust the cobwebs. There are two big places that inspired the look of the Mansion. The first being the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California as Walt was enamored with all the details within such as doors that led to nowhere. And the other known building amongst Mansion fans that inspired Gracey Manor is located in Baltimore Maryland being that of The Shipley-Lydecker House that brought to life in 1803.
TC: I can imagine the Winchester Mystery House being a big inspiration for the mansion with its seemingly endless length and with the spirits that haunt the house within. I must admit, I’m surprised that the Shipley-Lydecker House and Gracey Manor look exactly the same.
Moviefan12: Now to close out our look at The History of The Haunted Mansion. Let's observe, how many times it took for the Happy Haunts to be unleashed amongst the guests at Disneyland. In 1961, there were handbills passed out that announced The Mansion would open its doors in 1963. They were half correct as the exterior was completed by then. Walt previewed the attraction on an episode of the beloved Wonderful World of Color. And here is Walt previewing the attraction on said episode.
The ride would go through a few redesigns with many ideas scrapped such as turning the aforementioned Museum of The Weird into a restaurant that would be adjacent to the Mansion. Sadly, Mr. Disney wouldn't live to see The Mansion unleash the ghosts among the hoards of guests that dare enter Gracey Manor as it wouldn't open until 1969. Four years after Walt's passing. But even then, this happy haunt has gone on to become one of the most iconic attractions that Disney has ever created with perhaps the most dedicated fanbase for any single ride.
TC: It is amazing to see how popular the ride has become since it opened. While it has gone through many changes, mostly with technological advancements, it will always be a unique ride for any of the Disney Parks.
Moviefan12: Indeed and it has inspired many other translations in other forms of media such as comics, a movie, a video game, & a Young Adult Novel series.
TC: I do remember seeing most of those around…including the movie [Shudders].
Moviefan12: Soon, soon, the movie will be held accountable for it's crimes but until then we shall materialize with happy haunts. Join me tomorrow as we continue our stay at Gracey Manor with another guest as we look at three ghosts that just want a ride out as we give a ride to...
The Hitchhiking Ghosts
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