August 12, 2019

Imagineering Stories Tie Disneyland's Haunted Mansion to Pirates of the Caribbean

Did you know there are Imagineering ties that bind Disneyland's 50 year old Haunted Mansion to its also iconic Pirates of the Caribbean? Read more below and you'll discover there were almost ties to these attractions and Tom Sawyer Island as well. That one never materialized, but oh what it would have been!

Beautiful, creepy- and just the beginning of what was planned.

Let's begin with a question- Why do these two beloved attractions have in common that cements them as fan favorites generation after generation? A great story, rich atmosphere, memorable music, and a chance to explore the mysteries of the unknown. All done without lessoning the experience of the guests by cutting corners. 

The very first generation of Disney Imagineers truly understood what Walt Disney was trying to accomplish at Disneyland. Why? Because Walt himself recruited men and women who came from a background in the film industry. He made sure they shared his heart for his new pet project! Storytellers and artists such as Marc Davis, Herb Ryman, Claude Coats created classic attractions, but they also prepared the next generation to carry on, including men like Tony Baxter who kept the torch burning until his retirement. This elite group also included the very gifted Eddie Sotto - the man with a great but unrealized attraction using Tom Sawyer Island to tie together three thrilling and different park experiences. 


Overhead look at Disneyland's Crown Jewel.

Disneyland was already an international sensation by the time New Orleans Square debuted at the park in the mid-60's. Imagineering then hit its stride with the masterpiece Pirates of the Caribbean. The new land was a stunningly beautiful recreation of the famed and colorful Louisiana city. Guests soon discovered its beautiful lacy ironwork, intricate back alleys, delightful shops, and restaurants with authentic food and drink. Seeing the Mark Twain riverboat round the bend from the land just brought it all together. It was so elegant, so unexpected, so Disney.

If Imagineering's stride was hit in 1967, the land itself hits its peak once more with the opening of the long awaited The Haunted Mansion in 1969. Being right next door to each other, Pirates and Mansion deliver a one-two knockout punch, giving park guests an experience unrivaled from any other land in any other Magic Kingdom park. The closest competitor is found in Disneyland Paris where the Phantom Manor works in unison with Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, where its Frontierland tells the story of the effect of the gold rush on a wealthy family doomed to disaster.


Imagineer Ken Anderson's concept art
for "Captain Gore". 

As originally planned, New Orleans Square would have its own story to tell, tying the newly opened Mansion to the Pirate adventure. The wicked sea captain pictured at the top of the article was an undeveloped character considered to bring the two together, one with a difficult part and a bloody intent. "Captain Gore" shown above was another direction that was considered, the groom of the mansion's wedding story who turned out to be a bloodthirsty pirate. Those stories remain untold with only a sailing ship - or is it pirate ship- weather vane that sits atop the mansion to this day.


Concept Art by Eddie Sotto for the unrealized new attraction.

Speaking of stories, Imagineering secrets and those ties that bind...

Back to Imagineer Eddie Sotto. Like others, he had once been involved in some new ideas to tie the two iconic attractions together. He offered up the idea of using historical references to real life pirate Jean Lafitte. This is where Tom Sawyer Island comes into play. There's still a remnant of Eddie's plan to be found in the park. Imagine entering into an old crypt for a brand new and very creepy walk through adventure...

Go to this incredible Long Forgotten Haunted Mansion post to see a number of photos and read the story in full.   


One more piece.

Do you want to find out more about the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean? Or perhaps more detail about Disneyland Paris' incredible Frontierland? This blog has more than 3,000 posts contains dozens of articles about the Disney parks including rare pieces of concept art, photographs, trip reports (like my recent visit to Disneyland's Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, found below) and more. Browse around and check it out!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

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