This week marks a macabre milestone as Disney will celebrate 50 years of Haunted Mansion magic. As a result, this boo-tiful balance of silly spooks and dark delights delivers hot and cold running thrills for fans.
Walt’s retirement home for the afterlife enjoys a Golden Anniversary on August 9th. With this macabre milestone comes a haunting host of eerie events, creepy collectibles, and other assorted fiendish fun.
As foolish mortals prepare for this swinging wake, parties, products and tributes materialize. Which begs this chilling challenge: How will YOU celebrate 50 Years of Haunted Mansion Magic. Of course, there’s always my several ways. We’ve listed several of these below.
A Haunted History
Walt Disney initially wanted his haunted house on Main Street. Inspired by real-world wonders, the iconic antebellum edifice ultimately landed in Disneyland’s New Orleans Square. For a while, the mansion manifested as mere eye candy. Its stylish façade kept guests curious. Ultimately, once enough spirited retirees took up residence, the attraction was ready for the arrival of foolish mortals. On August 9th, 1969, The Haunted Mansion opened its moldering sanctum to the delight and amazement of fans from all over the world. Today, Disney’s ghostly retirement home resides in all but one of its worldwide theme parks. Each incarnation inhabiting a different land within the host park.
Over the years, “Grim Grinning Ghosts,” the mansion’s theme song, enjoyed scores of variations and re-recordings. The Haunted Mansion even enjoyed a brief moment on the silver screen. Numerous documentaries detail the dark ride and its fans. Considered the inspiration for countless professional and home haunts, this beloved attraction earned its opportunity to celebrate 50 years of Haunted mansion magic.
Celebrate 50 Years of Haunted Mansion magic with Eerie Events
Disney delivers the ultimate swinging wake with two nights of paranormal parties. This ultimate eerie event includes entertainment, refreshments and special anniversary merchandise. Items include highly coveted Dooney and Bourke Haunted Mansion 50th Anniversary bags.
Thankfully, Disney knows that fans on the East Coast want to celebrate, too. For Florida fans, one-day macabre mansion magic manifests on August 9th, at the Magic Kingdom.
Disneyland (Anaheim) recently opened an art exhibit, “Happy Haunts Materialize,” featuring concept art from the Haunted Mansion. Rare figurines and other artifacts also haunt the art show on Main Street.
In California, a trio of parties materialized for those who cannot attend the official event at Disneyland, or just want a bit of extra excitement. “Soiree from Regions Beyond” includes dinner on August 9th. Silicon Valley Comicon hosts “Tomb Sweet Tomb: 50 years of Disney’s Haunted Mansion” at noon on 8/18/19. Finally, “A Swinging Wake” takes place on September 28th
Celebrate 50 Years of Haunted Mansion Macabre Merchandise
Collecting creepy cool spooky swag is yet another way to celebrate. Collectors love Disney’s official commemorative event items. Those are likely to become priceless works of art.
Alternatively, artists like Topher Adam, Shelby Denham and Emma Mosier manifest mansion materials perfect for any tomb sweet tomb.
Like to read? Courtesy of Amicus Arcane, “Tales from the Haunted Mansion” delivers dark delights.
Additionally, fearless fans found fearsome fun from Etsy and Amazon.
“Disney Parks Presents: The Haunted Mansion” ($17.99)
Enjoy Haunted Mansion magic with some At Home Imagineering
Many foolish mortals shared their passion for the Haunted Mansion with ITM readers over the years. From office makeovers to boo-worthy bedrooms, Disney’s dark attraction inspired many. There’s even a Haunted Mansion themed automobile!
At Home Imagineering isn’t limited to elaborate embellishments to one’s crypt. DIY lovers can recreate their own ballroom place setting.
Haunted Mansion delights from Haunted Dimensions offer perfect papercraft creations.
Along the same lines, the living can download and craft their very own Haunted Mansion game.
More eerie embellishments for home computers materialize at the Disney Experience. More than likely, all that crafting will scare up an appetite. This is easily vanquished with a serving of haunted mansion cookies.
How will YOU celebrate 50 years of Haunted Mansion magic?
With all these ghostly gatherings, spooky swag and dark DIY delights, it seems there’s 999 ways to celebrate! Of course, there’s always room for one more – YOUR paranormal party. Yes, dear readers, we’d love to know what you are doing to celebrate 50 years of Haunted Mansion magic.
Need a little spiritual guidance for your trip to Disneyland? Start with our preferred travel agent partner Academy Travel! They can not only book you a reservation but they can also offer you expert advice and a no-obligation quote on a dream vacation. Academy Travel provides their services at no extra cost to you and you can click here to get a no-obligation quote and discuss your vacation with a Vacation Planners at Academy Travel.
In the absence of a ghost host to curate, please personally post your creepy cool celebration plans in the comments section of our Facebook post of this story. Perhaps even share a bone-chilling image or two?