Haunted Mansion Pop Up Rock Ghost and Gargoyle

Welcome, Foolish Mortals, to The Haunted Mansion.  A place where Grim, Grinning Ghosts come out to socialize.  But we mortals shouldn't socialize at the moment, due to the pandemic.  So I've been busy making figures using stones, shells, and shark teeth sourced from the beach in Venice, Florida (the beaches are still closed, but I have a stockpile).  My latest source of inspiration is Disney's Haunted Mansion.  Instead of focusing on the Hitchhiking Ghosts, I wanted to build something different.  So I made a Pop Up Ghost and a Gargoyle.

The Pop Up Ghosts in the Mansion are a throwback to the Ghost Train and Spook House attractions found at fairs and carnivals many years ago.  They are really simple, but can be legitimately frightening.  I was particularly terrorized by the ones in the Attic scene.  The one here is based on one that is now gone from the Attic at Walt Disney World's Mansion in Florida.  For a while, the Pop Up Ghosts in the Attic were dressed up as grooms.  Sadly, the Pop Ups were removed years back when the Haunted Mansion got a new Bride accompanied by moving portraits of headless grooms.

The Gargoyle is based on the gargoyles found in the Stretching Room.  When looking at the Haunted Mansion's gargoyles, I noticed that they seem to look like a cross between a frog and a Boston Terrier.  The flames of the candles are shark teeth, as are the Gargoyle's ears.

Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom: A Mickey Mouse Review

If you visited Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom nearly 40 years ago, you may recognize the Mickey Mouse drama masks from the curtains of Fantasyland's Mickey Mouse Revue Audio Animatronic show. The attraction debuted at the Florida park in 1971, and closed in 1980. It was shipped to Tokyo Disneyland in Japan for that park's 1983 opening. The Mickey Mouse Revue had its last performance in 2009. In both Florida and Japan, the theater that housed the Mickey Mouse Revue now plays the Mickey's Philharmagic 3D show.

I found the Mickey Mouse mask pin set at a shop at Disney's Boardwalk Resort during my August 2011 vacation at Walt Disney World in Florida. I stayed at Disney's Yacht Club Resort from August 25th to August 29th. On this trip, I visited 6 Orlando theme parks in 4 days. How do you see everything in such a short amount of time? You don't.

Day One (Thursday, August 25, 2011): The Magic Kingdom

I woke up at 5:30 am to make sure I got to my 8:30 am flight to Orlando on time. I got to Disney's Yacht Club Resort in the early afternoon. The Yacht Club is a beautiful resort. I had not stayed on Disney property since 1994. It definitely has its advantages, and made the visit so much easier and pleasant. The front of the hotel has the bus stop to the Magic Kingdom and Downtown Disney. Walk out the back of the hotel and you'll find Disney's Beach Club Resort next door, plus the the walkways and boat launches to Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Boardwalk Resort, and the Swan and Dolphin Resorts.

Before walking to Epcot to pick up my 3 Day Park Hopper ticket, and walking through World Showcase and Future World to get to the monorails to the Magic Kingdom, I had to make sure I had my Mears shuttle reserved for my trip the next day to see a certain wizard and his new world. On my way through Future World, I stopped at the Land and saw that Soarin' had a 70 minute Stand-by wait. Yikes!

I don't know what time I finally got to the Magic Kingdom, but I know it was sometime after 3:00 pm, because the Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade was heading for Liberty Square.

One of my favorite things to see on Main Street, U.S.A. is the great window displays in front of the Emporium.
I can still remember a window with a scene from The Fox and the Hound on my first visit to the Magic Kingdom in 1983.

Walt Disney's first animated feature, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, is a good way to start off the day at the Magic Kingdom.

I like that you can see Main Street in the reflections in the windows.

A Little Mermaid dark ride is currently under construction in Fantasyland.

For now, you can enjoy Ariel's adventures on Main Street.

Cinderella dances the day and night away.

Walk down Main Street to find Cinderella's Castle. You can't miss it.

Cinderella's Castle is even more spectacular at night.

One of my favorite souvenirs from this trip is a 1971 Map Magnet of the Magic Kingdom.

The park has changed quite a bit over the years.

Walt Disney World has some nice merchandise celebrating the resort's 40th birthday. I think it would have been great if they offered Disney character plush based on the toy designs from the Seventies.
It may be a nostalgia thing, but I have a soft spot for these retro 1970s stuffed toys of Mickey, Minnie and Pluto. These were made using a lot of hot glue. Today's plush toy technology could retain the appealing charm of the character designs and make the toys much more durable.

Originally, I wanted to go to the Haunted Mansion first, but because of the parade, I went to Adventureland.

There was no wait for Pirates of the Caribbean at all. This classic attraction (updated to include Jack Sparrow and other characters from the films) can handle large crowds. I made sure to get some pressed pennies on this trip.

Pirates of the Caribbean first appeared at Disneyland in California in 1967. It was not originally planned to appear in Florida. Instead, Frontierland was supposed to get a section called Thunder Mesa, which would have included a mine train and a cowboy themed Pirates style water ride called Western River Expedition. Magic Kingdom guests demanded to see the Pirates attraction featured on the Disneyland TV show, so in 1973 the Pirates arrived in Adventureland.

Thunder Mesa wasn't built, but the Big Thunder Mountain mine train opened in 1980. Western River Expedition wasn't built, but Splash Mountain was added to Frontierland in 1992.

After Pirates, I grabbed a Fastpass for Splash Mountain (the Stand-By wait was over an hour) and headed to the wildest ride in the wilderness, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

After Big Thunder, I took the boardwalk path near the Rivers of America to the Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square.

The Haunted Mansion recently got a new optional interactive queue line. I did not see this queue on my trip. I am glad it is there to soak up some of the crowds.

Before this vacation, I had never bought any Vinylmation stuff. I love this Haunted Mansion clock pin.

I think I like these pins more than the actual Vinylmation figures.

Walt Disney World's Haunted Mansion has a fun new ending, featuring interactive Hitchhiking Ghosts.
I don't remember which Ghost I got.

It was time to head back to Splash Mountain. This is a big log flume ride based on the Brer Rabbit stories featured in the 1946 Disney film, Song of the South.

The host/narrator for this attraction is Brer Frog.

Brer Frog greets riders on the first lift hill of Splash Mountain.

The logs climb high up Splash Mountain, offering a good view of the park, then drop into the Audio Animatronic world of Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox and Brer Bear.

Here we see Brer Goose fishing, singing the song "How Do You Do?". You remember Brer Goose from Song of the South, right? If you don't, that's OK. Most people haven't seen Song of the South. But Brer Goose wasn't in the film anyway.
Brer Goose, like many of the characters in Splash Mountain, is from a Disneyland show called America Sings, which played at Disneyland in California from 1974 to 1988. When America Sings closed, the animal cast found a new gig as supporting characters for Disneyland's Splash Mountain.

Brer Bear and Brer Fox get outwitted by Brer Rabbit.

Splash Mountain is a special attraction to me because I know one of the Imagineers who worked on it. I even got a tour of the place before the ride opened!

Brer Frog sings "Everybody's Got a Laughing Place" while lounging on Brer Gator.

There is a jumping fish character in this scene that I have only seen working once (in 2004). I did not know it was there, so seeing it was a surprise. The fish wasn't working this time, either.

The log drops into total darkness, into a beehive, then drops us into the Laughing Place. Then Brer Fox catches Brer Rabbit.

Brer Fox can't keep his big mouth shut. Literally. This figure was broken.

Brer Rabbit is in trouble! The vultures are circling as we climb the last lift hill for the final big drop into the Briar Patch.
At this point, the ride shut down and the work lights came on. Some of the boats were stuck at the very top of the drop. Luckily, we were only stopped for a short amount of time.

Splash Mountain empties into a gift shop, which had some cool items. On this trip, I took pictures of merchandise that I liked, but knew I wouldn't be buying.

Here's a great shirt featuring one of Splash Mountain's Vultures. The Vulture character is one of the animals from Disneyland's America Sings show. The Vultures were in the Headin' West sequence of America Sings, and they sang "The End of Billy the Kid."

As you plunge down Splash Mountain's final drop, your photo is taken.

This photo frame is a great place to display your special souvenir.

After Splash Mountain, I visited It's a Small World.

The animal characters are my favorite part of the ride.

It was time for dinner, so I went to Pinocchio's Village Haus in Fantasyland. Visiting this restaurant is a tradition for me.

The menu here has changed a bit. This place used to serve burgers and fries, and now it has pizza and pasta. I got a personal pepperoni pizza. Yum!

Pinocchio's Village Haus overlooks the load station for It's a Small World.

I ate near that viewing location, by this mural. People were eating in front of the Monstro mural, so I did not take a picture of that.

I never knew this restaurant had a second floor!

You can eat inside or outside, upstairs or downstairs.

Here is the view from the balcony upstairs.

From here, you can see Fantasyland's expansion construction, Dumbo, Pooh, Space Mountain and the Seven Dwarfs shop.

One thing I had to do was say my goodbyes to Snow White's Scary Adventures.

I had experienced the original version of this ride, but not the 1994 upgrade.

The Witch played an important role in this attraction. Originally, Snow White was not even featured during the ride.

The version I remember was very dark. I think they really improved the experience.

I love the mural at the load station.

While waiting in line at Snow White's Scary Adventures, I got a picture of something you won't see much longer.

Here we see the Dumbo ride in front of the Beast's castle (the under-construction Be Our Guest Restaurant) taken from Snow White's Scary Adventures. Dumbo will soon move over near the Tomorrowland Speedway, and Snow White's Scary Adventures will become the location for a Princess Meet and Greet.

The line is moving quickly, and it's almost time to ride. Of all the Fantasyland dark rides, this line moved the fastest.
Before you board, you get a little preview of the ride, as the vehicles pass the Wishing Well.

After you board the vehicle, which moves rather quickly, you see Snow White.

The vehicles crash through some doors and enter the dark ride portion of this attraction, which is tough to photograph.

It's easy to get a picture at the end.

Dopey waves goodbye.

I'll miss you, Snow White's Scary Adventures!

Fantasyland had some nice pressed pennies of Snow White and two Dwarfs.

Snow White also has a gift shop, the Seven Dwarfs Mine.

Was this always the name of this shop? In a few years, Fantasyland visitors will get to ride a new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Coaster which will be located near this shop.

While in Fantasyland, I also visited Mickey's Philharmagic 3D film.

There was no time for the Tea Cups, but I had to get a pin of the Dormouse.

This character is in the middle of the action at Walt Disney World's Mad Tea Party.

Up next was Space Mountain in Tomorrowland. The wait time for this was not bad. The new games installed in the queue line seem to be well received.

Then it was on to Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. My score was decent for once.

I look so serious here. I'm concentrating!

It was now time for Disney's Electrical Parade. I watched this from the Adventureland side of the Hub.

This is actually Disneyland's Electrical Parade, which was refurbished for Disney's California Adventure. Missing was the Dumbo's Circus segment.

When Pete's Dragon appeared, I heard several people in their twenties ask if Elliot was Puff the Magic Dragon or Mushu from Mulan. I had to tell them who he was. On this trip, I got a Hasbro Disneyland/Walt Disney World Park Series 10 Collector Pack. I felt the figures in the bag, and got a pack with Elliott, Summit Plummet (from Blizzard Beach), and the Expedition Everest coaster train. The Elliot Electrical Parade pin is from my 2008 visit to the Disneyland Resort, though I did see one for sale this time at Walt Disney World.

Here is part of the Pleasure Island Pinocchio unit of the Parade in front of Cinderella Castle, headed towards Liberty Square. I don't think this segment was in Florida's original Electrical Parade.
To finish off the day, I had an Orange/Vanilla Swirl Dole Whip at Aloha Isle in Adventureland. So tasty, and maybe the only thirst-quenching ice cream I've had.

Since Friday was going to be a big day, it was time to leave. I would return to the Magic Kingdom on Sunday, August 28th.

Up next: I'm off to see the British wizard!

When Two Holidays Collide-Nightmare Before Christmas Treats

This is Halloween! Halloween! Halloween!

When Tim Burton's stop-motion animated film, The Nightmare Before Christmas, debuted in 1993, there wasn't much merchandise tied to the film. There were watches at Burger King, gift items from Applause, and a line of action figures. A good bit of that merchandise wound up getting marked down. Times have changed, and Jack Skellington and his crew are quite popular among collectors. The Jack plush toy above was a Disney Gram sold through the Disney Catalog.

When "Nightmare" debuted, it was actually released by Disney's Touchstone Pictures. There was some concern that the film was too dark. I believe the film was originally a Walt Disney Pictures release, but executives got cold feet and switched it to Touchstone.


The Disney Catalog has released a huge assortment of merchandise over the years. This cover featuring Lock, Shock and Barrel is from 2005.

I love seeing Halloween inflatables in neighborhoods. I have yet to see these, but I like them (especially Jack's flailing arms!).


Sally was also available. It looks like she and Oogie Boogie were stationary.




If you wanted, you could really give your home a Halloweentown makeover.



How about dressing up like Nightmare Before Christmas characters for Halloween? You can even dress up your dog, though your dog may not appreciate that.


It looks like it would be really tough to see out of that Jack Skellington mask.

Don't forget to decorate your front porch!


Those carved pumpkins look really impressive! There's lots of designs to choose from...



I really like these eerie lights.



How about decorating your Christmas tree with Jack Skellington heads? The animators working on the movie had different heads to pop on to the puppets. These ornaments show a few of Jack's facial expressions.



How about an Oogie Boogie candy dish for Halloween? Maybe you could fill it with gummy worms.


You can make your own Halloweentown with different miniature buildings.


It takes a village to create Halloween.

In 2005, Hawthorne Village created their own version of Halloween Town.

Hawthorne Village brought many of the buildings and characters from the movie to life (in light-up form).

I'm not sure if that cool moonlit background was included with the set.

Go ahead and get every piece in the set.  It's only money.

Hawthorne Village created other town themed collectibles, too.

You may want to check out It Takes A Universal Studios Monsters Halloween Village.

High-end collectors should not feel left out. The Disney Catalog offered limited edition pieces, too, like a Jack Skellington mask.


How about a mirror for your haunted dining room?


I like the character designs used for this nesting doll set.




I also think these felt ornaments are great...



As are these fun Christmas stockings!



Here's a great cuckoo clock by artist Addis Zaryan (he created some fantastic stylized Lion King merchandise for the Disney Catalog, too).


I've seen lots of Nightmare Before Christmas snow globes.

This one features the song "What's This?" I love the Christmastown Carousel with its Beluga Whale and other critters.

Ten years ago, Disneyland in California started changing its Haunted Mansion for Halloween and Christmas (Tokyo Disneyland in Japan also does this).



In October 2008, I got to visit Disneyland in California to experience "Haunted Mansion Holiday" for myself. It was one of my favorite parts about the trip.



New Orleans Square got mighty crowded with folks eager to see what was going on in the Haunted Mansion.


I did not even try to take pictures inside the attraction. I especially love how the Stretching Room is changed, and the Gingerbread House in the Grand Hall sequence (it is animated and smells wonderful).

I did manage to get some souvenirs!


Jack and his ghost dog, Zero, replace the Haunted Mansion's Caretaker and dog in the wonderful winter wonderland Graveyard scene. The Singing Busts have pumpkins on their heads.

Disneyland also had a great Jack Skellington bobblehead. Actually, I only saw this at the Disneyland Hotel, which is a short walk from Disneyland.


This bobblehead can also be found at Walt Disney World.

The hot item at Disneyland was a pair of Jack Skellington Mickey Mouse ears. I got a pair, of course!



Yes, I even had it personalized!


Happy Halloween, and Merry Christmas!