Haunted Mansion Week, Day 7: 45th Anniversary

Well Specters, the 45th Anniversary of Disney's Haunted Mansion is here at last! On this day, in 1969, the grandfather of the haunted attraction industry opened it's doors to the public, and history would never be the same. I sometimes wonder if the Imagineers who created the Mansion had any idea what they were unleashing into the world? If they knew what they created would be the beginning of a new industry, and (for many people) a way of life? Granted, the Mansion isn't sole responsible for the rise of haunted attractions (Coney Island and Knott's Scary Farm deserve some of the credit) but it certainly accelerated things, and changed the way haunts were thought of. No more black walls and cheap rubber masks - haunts could now be living, breathing works of Art. To me, that is the legacy of the Haunted Mansion, and why I celebrate it.

For our final entry in Haunted Mansion Week, I though it appropriate to celebrate the people who have kept the Mansion alive (undead?) for so long: the fans. It is they who gave the Mansion it's status, who cemented it's legacy, and who made sure that the Mansion, unlike other Disneyland attractions, is still alive and well 45 years after it opened. There is the most obvious fan tribute, the excellent and always informative website www.doombuggies.com, but there is so much more. There are fan films:
There are makeup tutorials:
And of course, there are Haunts based on the Mansion:
One man even lives in his own private Haunted Mansion!
If one thing can be concluded from all this: Disney's Haunted Mansion is here to stay!

Haunted Mansion Week, Day 6

For the second-to-last day of Haunted Mansion Week, I thought we'd take a look at the Music. It's a known fact among Mansionites that (almost) every piece of music heard through out the ride is a variation on the ride's theme song, Grim Grinning Ghosts. It is heard as a funeral dirge in the foyer, a waltz, a creepy piano tune, and jazzy jamboree in the graveyard (Fun Fact: the organ seen in the ballroom is in fact the organ from Captain Nemo's office in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea). In fact, the only scene that doesn't use the Grim Grinning Ghosts theme is the Attic, which instead had a version of "Here Comes the Bride" as it's soundtrack. And of course, who could forget the iconic narration by Disney veteran Paul Frees?
When the Mansion was brought to Paris as Phantom Manor, the score was rework into a lush, Gothic orchestral score that would be right at home in a film adaptation of Phantom of the Opera. Paul Frees was replaced as Ghost Host by the famous horror actor Vincent Price, who did his own narration exceptionally well.
The Mansion has also inspired a few sound effects records that have become desirable among collectors of vintage horror records:
The influence of the Haunted Mansion and it's soundtrack should not be underestimated. Truly the first real "Halloween music", and can be heard as the soundtrack to countless haunts every year. And besides, what Halloween fan (including yours truly) hasn't wanted to waltz among the ghosts in the ballroom and lose himself in that delicious organ music?

Haunted Mansion Week, Day 5

So far, we've covered the History of the Mansion, the spinoffs, and the Hat Box Ghost. Today, we're going to take a look at the Bride in the Attic. For some reason, this single scene (to me), is the single creepiest scene in the entire ride. Something about that faceless bride with the beating heart.... *shudder* So, I've assembled a collection of goodies related to this scene, including a ghost story that came out a while back. Enjoy!

The music from the attic: A Ghost Story: Part One: Part Two: Part Three: For more information, go to http://doombuggies.com/myths2.php

Haunted Mansion Week, Day 4

The Hat Box Ghost. Arguably one of the most iconic characters from the Haunted Mansion, and yet he's not in the ride. At least, not since it opened in 1969. All that was left of the character were photos, not even molds of the animatronic. No one was sure why the eerie character was removed. Well, I am very happy to say I came across some RARE film footage of the Hat Box Ghost himself! Take a look!

And just for extra fun, what follows is an extremely creepy story based on the legend of the Hat Box Ghost. Dim the lights and take a listen:

Haunted Mansion Week Day 3

Today, in our countdown to the 45th anniversary, we are talking about the spinoffs of the Haunted Mansion: Phantom Manor in Disneyland Paris, and Mystic Manor in Hong Kong. Post what you think of them in the comments below, and enjoy!
Phantom Manor:
Mystic Manor:

Haunted Mansion Week, Day 2

Continuing on from yesterday in our Haunted Mansion Week, I thought I'd post a few things on the history of the Mansion. A truly excellent (and fun!) resource is Doombuggies.com, but since I can't just post a whole website, I found some well-made documentaries on the subject of our favorite spook house, and here they are. Enjoy!

Haunted Mansion Week, Day 1

Haunted Mansion Week is here! To begin our celebration of all things Haunted Mansion, I thought we would start off with some ride-through footage of all the different versions of the Mansion: Disneyland, Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, Phantom Manor in Paris, and Mystic Manor in Hong Kong:

Welcome Foolish Mortals! Haunted Mansion Week has arrived! To start off, I thought we'd begin with the basics: a ride through of every Haunted Mansion ride in existence. Hope you enjoy, and remember - Look Alive!

Disneyland version:
Disney World:
Tokyo Disneyland:
Phantom Manor:
Mystic Manor: