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"Official" WDW info on the Haunted Mansion.
One of HMDotInfo's dedicated spies landed us this nifty tidbit. Below is the actual online fact file from Walt Disney Company's intranet. We stripped out the links (they don't work unless you are logged into WDC), but other than that, here is the official background info.
Of special interest: only TWO hidden Mickeys are "officially noted."
Since we have heavily edited this, and are reporting this under the Fair Use Clause, we don't feel like we are violating our copyright policy on this one. But, yeah, we are awfully close.
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The Haunted Mansion Facts Online Opening Date: October 1, 1971 Description: The Haunted Mansion casts a beautiful, yet eerie, shadow over Liberty Square. The latest census reveals that 999 ghosts, ghouls, and other associated poltergeist are currently in residence. They are keeping a watchful eye for anyone who might wish to "volunteer" to be number 1000!
Architecture: The Mansion is themed after the English Tudor style, common to the spooky, rolling hills of the lower Hudson River Valley in New York State Rip Van Winkle country. Statistics: Show Time: 7 1/2 minutes POINTS OF INTEREST: Ballroom Illusion: The ghosts appearing in the ballroom of The Mansion are caused by a variation on an illusion known as "Pepper’s Ghost."
Crypt Names: The following names are found in the crypt at the exit to The Haunted Mansion: Asher T. Ashes Disney theme parks: The Haunted Mansion is the only attraction featured in different lands at each of the four Disney theme parks worldwide.
Ghost Host: The narrator of The Haunted Mansion, voiced by Paul Frees. Many may recognize his voice from the animated cartoon series The Bullwinkle Show, in which he provided the voice of Boris Badenov. Paul also provided the voices for most of the rogues in Pirates of the Caribbean. "Grim Grinning Ghosts:" Attraction's theme song, with lyrics by X Atencio (who also wrote the Ghost Host’s script), music by Buddy Baker; and recorded by the Mello Men. (see also Singing Busts)
Hidden Mickey: The following Hidden Mickeys
can be seen in the attraction:
Hitchhiking Ghosts: The ghosts that "ride" with the guests toward the conclusion of the attraction.
Little Leota: Little Leota is the small figure at the conclusion of the attraction that encourages Guests to "make final arrangements" to stay in The Mansion. Her form and voice both belong to the late Leota Thomas (maiden name Toombs). Madame Leota: Madame Leota is the character in the crystal ball. Her face is that of the late Leota Thomas (maiden name Toombs), an artist and model designer for Walt Disney Imagineering. The voice is done by Eleanor Audley, who also provides the voices of Maleficent and Lady Tremaine in Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella respectively. OmniMover Ride System: This ride system allows large numbers of guests to be transported through The Mansion. It also gives Imagineers 360-degree control over what the guests are able to see. Each vehicle is programmed to dip and turn at specific moments, thus directing the guests’ attention to important show elements. Singing Busts: The people who appear on the five singing busts in the graveyard are Thurl Ravenscroft, Jay Meyer, Verne Row, Bob Ebright, and Chuck Schroeder. Thurl is the soloist for "Grim Grinning Ghosts."
Tombstone Epitaphs: The names that are featured on the tombstones are actually those of some of the attraction’s original designers and developers. • Rest in peace, brother Huet. We all know you didn’t do it. • R.I..P., good friend Gordon. Now you’ve crossed the river Jordan. • Master Gracey laid to rest. No mourning, please, at his request. Farewell. • At peaceful rest, he’s brother Claude. Planted here beneath this sod. • Here lies good ol’ Fred. A great big rock fell on his head. • Here rests Wathel R. Bender. He rode to glory on a fender. • Dear departed brother Dave, He chased a bear into a cave. • Here lies a man named Martin. The lights went out on this old Spartan.
Last Update:10/24/99 05:59:23 PM
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