The world's largest Halloween fan convention will honor the 50th anniversary of Disneyland's Haunted Mansion this August.
Midsummer Scream will host two sessions and a whole lot more devoted to Disney's Haunted Mansion at this year's event in Long Beach, California. (This is where Disney trivia fans jump in to mention that the city almost became the site of Disneyland's second gate, which would have been an American version of Tokyo DisneySea. Alas....)
"A Chilling Legacy: 50 Years of Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion" will hit the stage in the Grand Ballroom on Saturday, August 3. A spirited discussion will follow with the designer of the Mansion's Doom Buggies, Disney Legend Bob Gurr, along with long-time Walt Disney Imagineer Tony Baxter, plus Don Hahn, the producer of The Haunted Mansion movie, and former Imagineer and current Universal Creative creative director Jason Surrell, who has written several books about the Mansion.
Surrell will return on Sunday, August 4 for a seminar devoted to storytelling in themed thrill entertainment. He will talk more about Disney's Haunted Mansion, Phantom Manor, and Mystic Manor, tying them into a tradition of storytelling that begins with home haunted houses and leads up to major theme park attractions.
"The Haunted Mansion is the most recognized 'haunted house' anywhere," David Markland, Executive Director of Midsummer Scream, said. "We've had its 50th Anniversary on our radar since founding the convention four years ago. Now that the moment is finally here, we are thrilled to celebrate this beloved attraction with fans all weekend long with panels, presentations, vendors, and everything else we can conjure!"
Midsummer Scream will continue its Mansion tribute on a section of its show floor, the Corridor of Creepy Creeps, where vendors will be selling Haunted Mansion-inspired art and merchandise as well as offering everything you need to stock your own attic with the spookiest props and haunt gear.
And the celebration swings on with Midsummer Scream After Dark's Saturday night party, the Grim Grinning Gala. The party starts at 8pm on Saturday and will include a screening of The Haunted Mansion with commentary from Don Hahn. Leota's Lounge will feature tarot card and palm readers, and a dance party will continue until midnight in the Grand Ballroom. (There's a $500 costume contest, too.)
Tickets for Midsummer Scream are available now on the convention's website, MidsummerScream.org.
Tweet
My life-long favorite attraction-literally! And yes, I see the irony in that statement:)
Do I have to show myself out if I say that I am dying to see this?
Robert, there's room for one more, volunteer! :) Maybe TH, you and me can enter that costume contest as the Hitchiking Ghosts....
I LIKE IT!
Having recently been on the WDW version with all of its upgrades, improvements, and polish, is it odd that I greatly prefer the DL version? I like how you enter it, and love the long walk to the doombuggies. I like how you go 'up' into the attic. And...Hatbox Ghost.
This article has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.
The godfather of all theme park dark rides. Team members that built'Men in Black: Alien Attack' held the Disney classic in great reverence.