The Haunted Mansion – Page 4

Magic Kingdom’s “The Yankee Trader” To Become Haunted Mansion Store

WDWNT on June 29, 2014

It’s one of those rumors seemingly as old as the internet, but come October, it seems likely that The Yankee Trader in Liberty Square will become a store selling just merchandise themed to the Haunted Mansion attraction. The store is scheduled to be closed from July 7th until September 30th, 2014, opening just in time for some new Haunted Mansion merchandise that will be arriving at Walt Disney World.

Just last year, a line of very popular Haunted Mansion home décor items were released as a test to see if guests would buy more-expensive luxury items based on attractions. The test was a huge success and for several months, Walt Disney World had a hard time keeping any of these items in stock. The success of the line inspired most of the merchandise you’ll find at Centerpiece in the Marketplace Co-Op, but also over 100 new Haunted Mansion items set to arrive at Disney Parks this Fall.

In order to showcase and sell over 100 items, every square inch of the Yankee Trader will be needed. 100 items is a lot considering this one display in the store pictured above is holding just 6 different items…

Just a few weeks ago, Disney teased the art styles for some of this new merchandise on the Disney Parks Blog. Maybe we’re reading into the Disney post too much, but the store may have a heavy Madame Leota theme…

Nothing has been confirmed and all of this is pure speculation at this time, but it seems highly likely. Stay tuned as we receive more information on this story as it develops…

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UPDATE: On July 28th, 2014, Walt Disney World confirmed that the Yankee Trader would become a Haunted Mansion-themed store. The store will indeed have a theme mostly focusing on Madame Leota as we had speculated. No further details have been made available at this time.

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So, what do you think? is a dedicated Haunted Mansion store a good idea?

Tom Corless’ 7/12-14/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

I spent a majority of last weekend visiting the Magic Kingdom and I took a number of newsworthy photos to share, so let’s take a look at what’s new around the park:

The Villas at the Grand Floridian are looking great

Moving to the Magic Kingdom, the MyMagic+ service center is sitting dormant in Town Square Theater for now

Speaking of Town Square Theater, some guests decided to write on Mickey’s hand…

This is not alright people…

A few new character banks are now on sale

There is also now a kid’s Toodles shirt

Another pair of giant glasses has come out, this pair looks like Minnie’s bow

The gutters have returned to Sleepy Hallow Refreshments, meaning work is finally done on the facade

The new ear hat ornaments can be found at Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe

The shoe ornaments are still in stock as well

There is now a Haunted Mansion candlestick holder available

Everything but the Haunted Mansion throw blanket is currently available

Some new Winnie the Pooh merchandise has arrived at Hundred Acre Goods

Some new shirts with Pooh, Tigger, and Eeyore

FastPass+ signage at the Tomorrowland Speedway

Work is speeding up on the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train in New Fantasyland

So, after the new FastPass+ merge point at “it’s a small world”, there is currently a free-for-all of people in line with no divider… hopefully this will be fixed before FastPass+ rolls out

The stroller name tags currently feature Disney Planes

You can now get Monster Energy Drink at some food carts

In an effort to keep strollers away from Pirate’s Adventure kiosks, signage was added. People don’t read…

The replica of the Be Our Guest Restaurant music box has finally been released and retails for $90

New Images for Haunted Mansion Movie

WDWNT on July 10, 2012

From Peter Sciretta on SlasherFilms.com:

Update: Disney blogger InsideTheMagic informs us that: “That sculpt has been around for years. It has nothing to do with the film. It was inspired by HBG but isn’t related to del Toro. Here’s a commercially-available version of that sculpt. Nothing new. (Still cool though…)” Original post follows.

At Comic Con 2010, Guillermo del Toro surprised the crowd at the Disney panel in Hall H by announcing that he would be producing (and probably directing) a new big screen adaptation of the classic Disneyland attraction The Haunted Mansion. The center of his plan is the reintroduction of the Hatbox Ghost, a character that appeared originally in The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland but was removed shortly after the attraction’s debut.

Illusion Industries has been creating concept designs for del Toro’s Haunted Mansion, andAICN found an image on their website which looks very much like a reimagining of the Hatbox Ghost. Hit the jump to check it out.

As Harry notes, this could be one of several things:

A sculptor at Illusion Industries could have just been a fan of Disneyland’s HAUNTED MANSION and of Bernie Wrightson and just did this because he knew that it must be sculpted by him because the world would destroy itself if it didn’t happen. It could be that Guillermo has asked a selection of companies to bid via creating a HATBOX GHOST and he’ll decide which companies work on it based upon their interpretation.

It sure looks creepy — I really hope this project happens. Del Toro called the Hatbox Ghost “one of the scariest” images created for the ride, but a character which he also considers “incredibly whimsical.”

“There’s a legend that it was discarded on the first day of the ride’s operation because it was too scary,” said del Toro. “I like that legend, but the reality is that the imagineers could not make the illusion work, so they took it out.”

Here is a bit of history on the character from wikipedia:

Because The Hatbox Ghost featured prominently in artwork and narration for popular Haunted Mansion record albums sold for many years at Disney parks, and because Disney continues to market the ghost’s image, he has never been forgotten and has become somewhat of a legend, complete with cult following. Many fans of the ride wish to see him returned and have gone so far as to circulate petitions calling for the figure’s restoration.

Last we heard, The Haunted Mansion was being written by del Toro and Mimic/Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark remake scribe Matthew Robbins. Del toro said he wanted to make a scary movie in live-action 3D, set in “a heightened reality, which is super designed, incredibly innovative, narratively and visually.” It would not be a comedy, and he would attempt to make “the Haunted Mansion the most haunted place on Earth” and “doing it by being true to the spirit and the art and the aesthetic of the original Imagineers that created the mansion.”

Hayley Nance’s 1/13/12 DLR Photo Report

WDWNT on June 11, 2012

DLNT Reporter Hayley Nance was at the Disneyland resort this past weekend, and has some newsworthy photos to share…

Jolly Holiday Bakery has quite a crowd

The Adventureland entrance getting some TLC

Main Street refurbishment

Haunted Mansion is closed for holiday removal

The Matterhorn Bobsleds is currently closed for its refubishment

Looks like the loading gates have been removed

A tunnel has been constructed to protect guests from the construction

Over in DCA, the parade route work in front of Mermaid is still underway

Cars Land

Buena Vista Street

We cant figure out if that lettering was there before, or if it just was really faded.

The memories float has been removed

The improvements on the shuttle area have begun

New Haunted Mansion Vinylmation Series

WDWNT on March 31, 2012

From Steve Miller of the Disney Parks Blog:

I love visiting the Haunted Mansion in the fall, as there is something extra special about the attraction during the Halloween season at Disney Parks. Perhaps that is one reason why we waited until September to release the much anticipated Vinylmation – Haunted Mansion series #1. This limited release, mystery series has been in development for over a year, and contains a handful of the 999 happy haunts. I spoke with Disney Design Group artist Casey Jones about how he selected the characters for the series.

“We knew we couldn’t feature every single character from the attraction,” explained Casey. “So we selected a character from almost each of the different show scenes. This set gives us a strong foundation to build upon for a future Haunted Mansion series.”

One thing I noticed is that the series contains a lot of accessories. Eight of the figures have some type of accessory item, which Casey explained “helped add the essential touches for each character.”

I was happy to see that the Hatbox Ghost is included in this series. He is also featured on the packaging, which was designed by Thomas Scott with help from artist Dan Salgo. Thomas told me the packaging (which looks stellar) was a nod to a different kind of vinyl.

“We used the cover of the ‘The Story & Song from The Haunted Mansion’ vinyl album as inspiration for the packaging,” said Thomas. “We even used the unique ‘Haunted Mansion’ lettering found on that album as a nice tribute.”

One of Casey’s favorite figures is the singing bust, as he felt it translated the best to the Mickey Mouse-shaped canvas. (Look for the hidden Mickey on the back of the figure.)

To celebrate the release of this series, we will be holding two different release parties. On Friday, September 21, the series will be released at D Street at Downtown Disney West Side in Florida. Casey will be meeting with fans from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day. We will also release a one-of-a-kind custom 9-inch Mariner figure designed by Casey.

Casey will then make an appearance from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 22, at D Street in the Downtown Disney District in California. That morning, we will release the mystery series; Casey’s one-of-a-kind, custom 9-inch Bride figure; and additional custom figures by Javier Soto, John Henselmeier, Julie West and Miss Mindy.

WDW Haunted Mansion Debuts New, Cutting-Edge Hitchhiking Ghost Scene

WDWNT on April 4, 2011

While this isn’t exactly Disneyland related news, I think it is very important that we take a look at what was revealed today over in Orlando. For the past few months, the hitchhiking ghost scene in the Haunted Mansion in the Magic Kingdom has had temporary projections in place of the mirrors. Today, the “new” mirrors were revealed. Phineas, Ezra, and Gus are now executing some ghostly gags through the use of new infrared technology. Guests are now seeing their heads “vanish” before their very eyes and ghosts not only sitting in the vehicle with them, but also on top of their Doombuggy. The technology also recognizes if there is one, two, or even no one in the Doombuggy and gives different effects accordingly as you’ll see in the provided video. The Disneyland Haunted Mansion still has the original mirror scene but, the rumor is that this is just the first version of this scene to be tested while Imagineering works out the kinks with the system. Once this test and adjust period is through, expect to see the effect improved through some simple software updates and then rolled out to the Haunted Mansion here in Anaheim and around the world.

The Haunted Mansion Celebrates 40 Years of Happy Haunts!

WDWNT on August 11, 2009

Its been 40 years since the Grim Grinning Ghosts first opened their doors and invited guests into the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. Take a look back to the beginning with Walt and the Imagineers who created the beloved attraction. From stretching rooms to hitch hiking ghosts the 999 Happy Haunts never disappoint and always invite guests to hurry back!

Little Sleep for a Sleepover at The Haunted Mansion

WDWNT on August 10, 2009

According to the OC Register’s Around Disney blog:

The Sutton family survived an overnight’s stay in the room with no windows or doors at Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion. But they didn’t get much sleep.

The mansion’s occupants simply wouldn’t let them: They stuffed the family with chocolate and soda. They groaned, screamed and cackled. Hitchhiking ghosts and a butler serenaded the visitors. A video camera was on the four family members all night.

And when the Suttons finally dozed off, the butler startled them awake.

But the family didn’t mind.

“Sleeping is for rookies,” said Jessica Sutton, 12.

The Sutton family of Santa Clarita won a night’s stay inside the classic attraction in a 95.5 KLOS radio station promotion for the Haunted Mansion’s 40th anniversary. (Read a story about the Haunted Mansion celebration HERE)

Daughters Jessica and Stephanie, 10, got the most votes among kids in a talent contest for singing “Happy Birthday” with a dog singing in the background. The girls brought their parents, Tim and Cyndi Sutton.

The family moved in at midnight after the park closed Sunday and left at 6 a.m. this morning.

The parents prepared their youngest daughter, who can be frightened sometimes, for a scary experience by playing spooky sounds and turning out the lights before bedtime at home. On Sunday afternoon, the family took a two-and-a-half hour nap at the Disneyland Hotel.

Although they were tired this morning, the Suttons were still thrilled after admittedly one of the best night’s they’ve ever had.

The family, who visit Disneyland about once a month, started the night with a tour of the mansion while Disney employees set up three twin beds and a coffin in the chamber at the beginning of the ride. That’s the elevator that stretches as guests first enter.

After the tour, Disney treated the family to a dessert banquet, including tomb-shaped coffins, brains with raspberry sauce and cheesecake eyeballs.

“That was just to keep us up all night,” Jessica said.

Then the family was led into the suite, where they got visits from hitchhiking ghosts. A Web cam from KLOS was on them as viewers from around the world watched. Tim Sutton wrote on a specially created blog, disneyjoe.wordpress.com, which got messages from as far away as Singapore and Isreal. The family spent time playing cards, but their stay was frequently interrupted by creepy noises or warnings of critters on the loose.

Jessica chose the coffin for a bed. But both girls ended up in beds with their parents.

At the end of the night, each family member was given a key to return — in the afterlife.

WDWNT Fan Meets – August 1st and 2nd at the Disneyland Resort

WDWNT on July 22, 2009

I’d like to remind everyone about our upcoming fan meets at the Disneyland Resort on Saturday August 1st and Sunday August 2nd. First up on Saturday:

Come enjoy an evening of fun on Saturday, August 1st, with the WDWNT Network and Disneyland News Today staff at Disney’s California Adventure park at the Disneyland Resort. Among the fun and surprises, here is a schedule of group gatherings that will be a part of the unofficial fan meet:

4:00 PM – Meet outside the Blue Sky Cellar for distribution of “free gift” Group walk through the Blue Sky Cellar
4:30 PM – Meet directly in front of the Blue Sky Cellar to watch the Pixar Play Parade
5:30 PM – Group meet n’ mingle (and possibly some eating) at Bountiful Valley Farmer’s Market
6:30 PM – Meet for group photo and showing of MuppetVision 3-D in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot
7:15 PM – Meet for group ride on Mickey’s Fun Wheel in Paradise Pier
8:00 PM – Meet in front the former Orange Stinger attraction (Silly Symphony Swings construction walls) to watch Disney’s Electrical Parade

Then on Sunday:

Come enjoy an afternoon of fun on Sunday, 8/2/09 with the WDWNT Network and Disneyland News Today staff at Disneyland Park. Among the fun and surprises, here is a schedule of group gatherings that will be a part of the fan meet:

3:00 PM – Meet n’ mingle and group photo at Carnation Gardens on Main Street U.S.A.
3:30 PM – Meet for group showing of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room in Adventureland
4:15 PM – Meet for group ride on the Jungle Cruise in Adventureland
5:00 PM – Meet for group ride on Pirates of the Caribbean in New Orleans Square
5:45 PM – Meet for group ride through the Haunted Mansion in New Orleans Square
6:30 PM – Group meet n’ mingle (and possibly some eating) at the Hungry Bear Restaurant
7:30 PM – Meet for group ride on The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh in Critter Country
8:00 PM – Meet in the hub on Main Street U.S.A. to view “Magical – Disney’s New Nighttime Spectacular of Magical Celebrations In the Stars”

You can R.S.V.P. (although not necessary to attend) and get more information on Facebook about the Saturday meet at this link or our forums at this link and the Sunday meet at this link or our forums at this link. These will be the first fan meets the WDWNT Network has done at the Disneyland Resort, and we hope you come by and enjoy the fun with us!

Chris Lastrapes’ 2/14/09 Photo Report

WDWNT on February 14, 2009

WDWNT’s very own Chris Lastrapes was at the Disneyland Resort celebrating his birthday this past Thursday, and shares with us a few photos of the latest happenings around the Resort: