The Haunted Mansion: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies (Paperback)

~ (Author) "THE ORIGIN OF THE HAUNTED MANSION dates back to 1951, four years before the opening of Disneyland and a full year before the birth of..." (more)
Key Phrases: singing busts, happy haunts, portrait chamber, Phantom Manor, Marc Davis, Doom Buggies (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Welcome, foolish mortals, to The Haunted Mansion, one of the most popular attractions in Disney theme park history. The Haunted Mansion: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies fleshes out how the Mansion's 999 grim grinning ghosts were brought to life. Rare early sketches and story concepts, and stunning architectural drawings illustrate the Mansion's evolution as it was constructed at each Magic Kingdom Park around the globe. The attraction has now been brought to an afterlife like never before in a movie starring Eddie Murphy, with special effects by Rick Baker. Readers will get an insider's view of uncanny costume creations, spine-tingling set developments, and the latest in CGI (computer ghost imaging) technology. This is one book you'll be dying to have on your shelf!

Product Details

• Paperback: 132 pages
• Publisher: Disney Editions (September 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786854197
• ISBN-13: 978-0786854196
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #233,346 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Welcome foolish mortals..., October 7, 2003

By A Customer

Don't let the age range fool you - I hesitated buying this book because I thought it was simply a children's book to introduce the movie. It has tons of information about the movie - but it is also a MUST HAVE for any Haunted Mansion fan! The drawings and photographs of all of the Haunted Mansions around the world are just fantastic. Plus...have you ever wondered what the ghost hanging in the portrait gallery looks like up close? Well, wonder no more. Jason Surrell does a fantastic job of telling the story of the Haunted Mansion from the original idea all the way up to the soon-to-be released movie. Since Mr. Surrell is a Disney Imagineer himself, he was able to include wonderful photos and artwork from the original Imagineers who worked on the project. I find it hard to believe that anyone would be disappointed with this book...if you're looking for information about the movie, you'll find behind the scenes photos, artwork, and more. If you are interested in art/design, you'll enjoy the drawings, paintings, photographs, and models from the creative minds at Disney! And if you are a Haunted Mansion fan - you will be in absolute heaven!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 Mansions in one book - Inside & Out !!, February 6, 2004

By	Rob (Hornsby, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews

With 4 Haunted Mansions in existance as rides, and another existing on the silver screen, it's hard to find a book that encompasses all of these, let alone one that goes into such great detail as "The Haunted Mansion: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies"

I have been a Mansion Fan ever since the opening of the Disneyland one was broadcast on TV. I have been through the two USA Mansions, but living in Australia, have as yet to see the movie.

Jason Surrell has masterfully woven facts, behind-the-scenes tales and even a little fan folklore to come up with this, the definitive Disney Attraction Book.

Previous reviews have mentioned many of the delights contained within, however it's wonderful to see so much of the "Blue Sky" phase and the richly detailed imagineering models, maquettes and artwork from the rides and the movie alike. Yes, it's like being able to X-ray the goose that laid the golden eggs, but you don't have to kill the goose to do it - you come away from this book wanting to go on the rides or see the movie again just to check out more of the minutae.

At 132 pages long, you get plenty of "bang for buck" with this book, and even when you have finished it from cover to cover, it is the sort of book you can happily take up time and time again, to re-read, and to show others.

Mansion Fans - Don't miss this one.
Disney Fans - A valuable addition to any Disney book collection.
Anyone Else - Read this, and you will be longing to visit a Haunted Mansion near you, I guarantee !!

....Hurry back..... Hurry back....

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST-HAVE TREASURE!!, September 17, 2003

By A Customer

This is an unbelievable book! It will tell you everything you've ever wanted to know about the evolution of the "mansion," including various story ideas, loads of concept art, and little details about all of the reincarnations all over the world. Even if you're a casual fan of the mansions, you'll probably really like this book!! ...