You've come a long way baby...

Greetings Ghost Fans,

There was always one concept piece in the thousands for the Haunted Mansion that intrigued me. Marc Davis created an early rendition of the Corridor of Doors, not as we know it today, but as a large dark void filled with many doors in different stages of openness. Doorways to somewhere unknown. Of course, today its a regular hallway filled with doors that knock, clack and bend to the point of breaking.

On a related note, when the creators of the Haunted Mansion movie were researching for their scenes, they apparently came across this concept as well.

However, the scene was never shot, and the idea of the Corridor of Doors was saved until later in the movie when Sara Evers is running from Gracey. The door knockers in the hallway to her room all start clacking in unison as she runs. Which of course is interesting, as none of the doors even featured knockers.

We'll take care of the outside...

Hi Ghost Fans,


Back in the late 50's when the idea of a Haunted Mansion was being established, Walt expressed to Sam McKim and Ken Anderson that he wanted a pristine mansion facade in his park, not something terribly run down. He explained that Disneyland would take care of the outside, and the ghostly inhabitants of the Mansion could do whatever they wanted inside.



This statement, until the mid-90's held true not only for Disneyland, but also Walt Disney World. The Mansion's grounds used to house many tree and beautiful foliage, unlike today where there are broken and toppled fountains, overgrown foliage and a worn paint job on the facade.


One Maid who has been at the Mansion for decades recounts that back then, it really did look like an estate, with trees everywhere, also without the current canopy it gave the full illusion of a residence.







I would like to take a moment and give a big thanks to my friend Mike at WidenYourWorld for the material for this post. Thanks Mike! Hope to see you at the studio soon!

Phantasy in the Sky

Hi Ghost Fans,

Being in such close proximity every day with The Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, I have seen quite a number of their night time spectaculars in the sky. More recently, as in, last night, I was able to watch Fantasy in the Sky, the New Years Eve countdown fireworks. This was my first time viewing and hearing the show. There are references to nearly all the lands of the Magic Kingdom. The choice for Liberty Square? The Haunted Mansion of course. Giant Green and Purple fireworks blazed across the sky. Projections of ghosts flew across the castle, then up into the smoke clouds in the sky. Quite a performance.

Here for you, I have posted an excerpt of the Grim Grinning Ghosts performance from the show. Enjoy!