Family Turns Home into “Haunted Mansion”-inspired House

A California family that loves Halloween and Disney Parks used their talents to create a one-of-a-kind attraction at their home during this spooky season, and their efforts caught the eye of a legendary Disney icon.

Mike Stanley, his wife Dawn, and his son Wyatt live in Aliso Viejo, California, and they love Halloween; in fact, they’ve been known for their passion for the spooky holiday for more than 10 years now. The family has a “go big or go home (or at least back inside the house)” approach to decorating their Oak Ridge Circle home for Halloween, and this year, fans of the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort will find the home extremely familiar, as it’s incredibly reminiscent of Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion.

We even think we saw the Ghost Host, and we know we saw the famed Madame Leota.

“This year’s theme is near and dear to our hearts because it’s our favorite ride at Disneyland,” said Mike Stanley. “So, we’ve always wanted to give it the respect it deserves and really go big.”

The Stanley family’s attraction pays homage to the legendary Haunted Mansion ride–specifically, the ride at Disneyland Resort in California.

“The neighbors are involved now, so we worked together to get a different scene from the ride in every front lawn,” said Mike Stanley.

The enormous attraction is open to members of the community. Visitors can stop by and enjoy the spooks, haunts, ghosts, and ghouls–and it’s all for a good cause. While they’re there, they can also purchase cookies, churros, hot chocolate, and apple cider. The proceeds from each purchase are donated to the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support group.

The Stanley family says the charity is very near and dear to their hearts.

“We wanted to kind of do something in honor of my dad to give back that’s why we chose that charity,” said Dawn Stanley.

And as if that wasn’t enough, the Stanleys’ exciting take on Halloween decorating earned them a very special visit from legendary Disney Imagineer Bob Gurr.

Bob Gurr, Disney Imagineer Puts Theme Park Magic Into Motion | Investor's  Business Daily

The Stanleys were excited to host Gurr, and they even served him cake in celebration of his 91st birthday. Before he left, they also gave him a tour of the attraction they created, and according to the California family and Haunted Mansion fans, the legendary Imagineer Bob Gurr approved.

“Bob Gurr gave his stamp of approval last night,” said Dawn Stanley, “so, if we can get his stamp approval for how good it is, it’s good, so the kids should come out.”

Disney Imagineers at This Year’s Comic-Con

San Diego Comic-Con will go digital again this year in an event titled “Comic-Con at Home”. Lucky for Disney fans, the convention has announced that one of their panels will feature Imagineers describing the creation of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway!

“Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway: From Animation to Imagineering” offers the perspectives of a number of individuals involved with the original vision and creation of the ride.

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The description from Comic-Con states:

“Ever wonder what it takes to turn a classic cartoon into an immersive experience at Walt Disney World Resort? Join Disney as we bring together Disney Television Animation and Walt Disney Imagineering to discuss the process of creating Mickey and friends’ first-ever ride-through attraction in Disney history, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.”

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“This history-making attraction features an original story based on the award-winning Mickey Mouse shorts and features favorite Disney cartoon characters Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, and Pluto.”

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“This panel includes Charita Carter (senior producer, Walt Disney Imagineering); Kevin Rafferty (retired Imagineer and executive creative director for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway); Paul Rudish (executive producer and supervising director, The Wonderful World of Disney); Christopher Willis (composer, The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Parks attraction); and Elsa Chang (character designer, The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway Parks attraction)”.

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The event premiers on July 25, 2021 at 11:00am Pacific Time.

Imagineer Zach Riddley Gives Closer Look at New World Celebration Pavement

Via wdwnt.com

We’ve been tracking the ongoing pavement replacement across EPCOT, and now, Imagineer Zach Riddley has given a closer look at the pavement and selection process.

“Continuing to look at the inspiration and design details of EPCOT, today I’m sharing a story about paving. It’s a surface you don’t often pay direct attention to, but the color and texture of the ground under your feet are a primary surface for storytelling. Cobblestones, brick, curbing, scored concrete, patterned terrazzo (like the new flooring coming to Club Cool and Creations Shop that I’ve shared previously) all work to immerse you in a believable place,” said Riddley in an Instagram post.

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Pavement may seem like a trivial detail to garner such precise decision making, but that attention to the smallest details is how Imagineers take theming to the next level. Minute elements can register unconsciously, creating a more “believable” experience.

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Riddley’s team has been using color to tie World Celebration together. Like the new color palette for the façade of the Creations Shop, warm grays were chosen to emulate Spaceship Earth. Riddley shared photos of a number of samples the team used to select the perfect tone, reflectivity, and color.

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Above is a recent photo from near Spaceship Earth where the new speckled gray pavement can be seen. The red-toned pavement is being removed section by section as the work continues.

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Former Disney Imagineer Sells Disney Memorabilia on eBay

Via DisneyTips.com

Remember former (and very famous) Disney Imagineer, Joe Rohde? Well, of course! Joe retired in January 2021 after working 40 years with Disney. He was the lead designer of Disney’s Animal Kingdom with major influences on Expedition Everest. He was also one of the lead designers behind the Disney Vacation Club property Aulani in Oʻahu, Hawaii. As he’s cleaning out, he’s finding Disney memorabilia that he has decided to sell via eBay!

As shared via Joe Rohde Instagram: “Retirement involves downsizing a bit which has surfaced a pile of old Disney memorabilia from 40 years of “Oh that might be worth something.” These are now emerging from plastic bins and cardboard boxes in basement, attic, garage, studio, and dark corners of closets where no one has been since before Friends was cancelled. All of it is now in the hands of a friend who is selling it off. eBay. Link in bio. So much you might ask. “what are you keeping?” Well…my various trophies, a few Disney’s Animal Kingdom bits, an Aulani lamp, and social harmony in the household.”

Interested in checking out the merchandise? Currently, various items are available on eBay via Joe’s friend’s account: fairytalerachel. Check them all out at the link here.

Disney Imagineer Helps Design “Gives Kids The World Village” New Ice Cream Parlor

Need a dose of good news? Look no further! Give Kids The World Village has offered a magical respite for critically ill children and their families since 1986. What better way to share sweetness than with a yummy ice cream scoop?! Well, a very special Disney Imagineer stepped up and helped design their new ice cream parlor.

As shared by Walt Disney World Cast and Community Facebook page: “Since 1986, Give Kids The World Village has offered a magical respite for critically ill children and their families. Now, visitors to the Village are able to enjoy an extra helping of sweetness with the addition of Henri’s Starlite Scoops — a space-themed ice cream parlor that was designed to be accessible for all, with the help of our very own Cast Members. Imagineer Joe Parinella was part of the design team and took part in a special ribbon cutting ceremony alongside members of the community. Here’s to the entire Walt Disney Imagineering team for making some extra magic for Central Florida and beyond! #Community #GKTW #Imagineering #DisneyCastLife”