Bet You've Never Seen These Pieces of Disneyland's Haunted Mansion Concept Art!

Disneyland's Haunted Mansion- a stellar attraction in New Orleans Square that has been bringing guests into the world of spirits since 1969. There's nothing like it! Imagineer Marc Davis created an enormous amount of concept art, and I bet you've never seen these two pieces. 

With their honor at stake, the two men above agree to a duel, and they're condemned to take action over and over again for all eternity. The Ballroom scene in the attraction may be the highlight of the whole experience, and it takes dozens of rides past it to see many of the details both large and small. 

 

Is this haunted room actually stretching? I thought I'd throw in this bonus piece of the original four posters just for fun.

Due to the investment of a very, very gifted team of first generation Imagineers- everyone from Claude Coats to Ken Anderson, X. Atencio, Harper Goff, Leota Toombs, Holly Crump, and perhaps many more unsung heroes, the long empty manor at the end of New Orleans Square continues to draw guests even after almost six decades. Incredible!

(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Disneyland's New Orleans Square As You've Never Seen It

New Orleans Square as you've never seen it. This is a bird's eye view Imagineering style, but if you're like me, you get the sense that this piece of concept art for Disneyland is only a slice of something bigger and better. I had this filed away, and while searching for something very different, I discovered this unceremoniously misfiled. Pirates of the Caribbean's original one level entrance if off to the left, and the Haunted Mansion is farther afield on the right. Even with Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the Indiana Jones Adventure, and Splash Mountain in the park, these two iconic attractions in New Orleans Square remain the epitome of the art this is Imagineering- and the land they reside in is every bit as stunning with its alleyways to get lost in, mix of dining options, and scores of shops and entertainment all set in layer upon layer of design detail. Newer Stateside lands try to be this good, but they only come close and never do truly measure up.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Shag-a-Delic Haunted Mansion

Welcome Foolish Mortals! 

Perhaps only a handful of times in the life of the incredible Disney Imagineers that they get to be part of an attraction this beloved, and dare I say, immortal. Those involved in the creation of the beloved Haunted Mansion have this honor. The list of those involved reads like a Who's Who of Imagineering:  Marc Davis, Claude Coats, X Atencio, Ken Anderson, Yale Gracey, and many others.  

Disneyland's original spook house has thrilled guests since 1969, a full forty five years.  It's a record of popularity and accomplishment unmatched by any other Disney attraction with the exception of Pirates of the Caribbean and perhaps to a lesser degree, the Jungle Cruise. The enduring popularity of the attraction has spawned other versions, but in my opinion, although each are great, none match the original Mansion in California. Phantom Manor  at Disneyland Paris and Mystic Manor in Hong Kong Disneyland are world class attractions, no doubt, but they owe their roots to this one.

Artist and Disney fan Josh Agle, aka SHAG, designed this incredible piece honoring the mansion at its 40th Anniversary. It's just great! I cannot wait to see what he will create for the 50th!

Speaking of the 50th, perhaps the Imagineers that brought back the Hat Box Ghost are planning to surprise us with even more enhancements...

(Art copyright Josh Agle for the Walt Disney Company.)