Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
One of Disney’s most enduring attractions is easily The Haunted Mansion, which continues to draw new followers each year. Fans obsess about its every detail, and fresh stories keep emerging about its history. I love The Mansion even more than I did as a kid because there are so many layers to it. It’s funny yet still can scare you through inventive special effects and brilliant design. Author Jeff Baham captures that diverse history well in his book The Unauthorized Story of Walt Disney’s Haunted Mansion. He founded Doom Buggies.com back in the ’90s and is an expert on The Mansion. The drama behind the scenes is almost as interesting as the real attraction.
Baham is my guest on the latest episode of The Tomorrow Society Podcast. We discuss the origins of his Disney fandom and interest in The Mansion. Our conversation barely scratched the surface of the different aspects of the attraction’s history. There are so many fun anecdotes on Rolly Crump, Yale Gracey, Marc Davis, and the other key figures that helped to create it. We also cover the origins of Doom Buggies.com, Baham’s work as a co-host of the Moustalgia podcast about Disneyland, and his process for developing the book. He released a second edition of the book in late 2016 via Theme Park Press and has learned even more since that point.
Show Notes: Jeff Baham
Read my review of The Unauthorized Story of Walt Disney’s Haunted Mansion by Jeff Baham.
Learn more about the Moustalgia podcast and visit Baham’s tribute site to The Haunted Mansion at Doombuggies.com.
Great interview. I too miss the old (non-projection) bride in the attic (WAY spookier and mysterious!), and the old-style hitch-hiking ghosts. It was a wonderful effect that did not need to be “plussed.” Thanks for all your insights, Jeff!
Melanie, it’s so tricky for Disney to find the right time to “plus” an attraction. I like it when they try new things; it’s just the cheap effects that lessen the experience. I still love the Mansion, though, and it was great to talk about it with Jeff. Thanks for the comment!
Excellent show as always, Dan. Space Mountain and the Haunted Mansion (Disneyworld of course) are my favorite attractions. Do you plan to do future episodes regarding the history of other iconic rides? My nostalgia began as a child during my first visit circa 1986 and have been enthralled with the parks since.
MJ, I don’t have specific plans yet to look at other attractions, but I suspect it will happen. The key is having the right guests that are experts like Jeff. I know a lot but don’t have the same degree of knowledge. Thanks for the comment!