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Are you a huge Haunted Mansion and Muppets fan and will be visiting the Disneyland Resort soon? Make sure to visit the new exhibit that is now open! Not visiting soon? Do not worry as I will take you through the exhibit myself!
The Haunted Mansion Exhibit
The Haunted Mansion is a guest favorite attraction at many different Disney parks around the world.
In August of 2019, The Haunted Mansion attraction celebrated its 50th anniversary.
To celebrate the festivities, a new exhibit, “Happy Haunts Materialize” opened inside Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln on Main Street U.S.A.
The exhibit gives you a behind-the-scenes look into the concept state of the Haunted Mansion. This “ghoul-ery” displays very early sketches and sculptures of the Haunted Mansion concept and shares how they evolved into what you experience today.
Designs featuring original ideas for the Haunted Mansion line the walls, including concepts for the walk-through attraction that the Haunted Mansion was going to be.
The gallery also includes inspiration concept art and drawings that were never used in the attraction itself.
One of them is an art portrait originally designed for the Portrait Hallway located inside the attraction.
In the center of the exhibit, guests can see figures that were created as models for the actual ghosts and ghouls that are seen in the attraction to this day! It is a really fascinating and educational exhibit that is still available for guests to view even though it first opened in 2019.
20th Anniversary of the Haunted Mansion Holiday Overlay
This year happens to mark the 20th Anniversary of the Haunted Mansion holiday overlay at Disneyland park.
It also happens to be my (Marisol) favorite Disney overlay. I could ride it over and over again and not be bored. There is so much to see each time I ride it!
During the seasons of Halloween and Christmas time, the residents of the Haunted Mansion temporarily relocate as the residents of Halloween Town from The Nightmare Before Christmas take residency for the two special holiday seasons.
In fact, it is such a popular overlay attraction that many guests have pleaded for it to come to The Haunted Mansion attraction at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World.
You can read more about the popular overlay attraction and the special 20th Anniversary merchandise HERE.
Muppets Haunted Mansion Exhibit
The new Muppets Haunted Mansion, which is an original special, debuted on Disney+ on October 8, 2021.
If you have not watched it yet, you need to. It was thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end!
THE BRAND-NEW SPECIAL WILL FEATURE A STAR-STUDDED MUPPETS CAST, CELEBRITY CAMEOS, ALL-NEW MUSIC AND SPOOKY FUN FOR FAMILIES TO ENJOY TOGETHER. “MUPPETS HAUNTED MANSION” TAKES PLACE ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT, WHEN GONZO IS CHALLENGED TO SPEND ONE VERY DARING NIGHT IN THE MOST GRIM GRINNING PLACE ON EARTH …THE HAUNTED MANSION.
I constantly found myself giggling with various celebrity cameos and the amazing ‘a la Muppets comedy demeanor they are known for!
The special will certainly become part of our annual fall viewings complete with hot cocoa and popcorn!
Are you currently a Magic Key holder at the Disneyland Resort? Do not forget to get your exclusive Muppets Haunted Mansion photo op at the new Magic Key Lounge. You can read more about it HERE.
Behind-the-Scenes ‘Muppets Haunted Mansion’ Exhibit
It makes great sense that a behind-the-scenes exhibit featuring props from the Muppets Haunted Mansion special would be on display at the Haunted Mansion attraction.
The exhibit is located inside the current “Happy Haunts Materialize” exhibit.
Walt Disney Imagineer Dani Iglesias told OC Register, “This is your peek behind the curtain at the art and design that went into the production of the special itself.”
The new exhibit features many props and set pieces from the original special. For example, the séance scene featuring Madame Pigota and her magic ball are present.
In the special (not to give anything away for those who have yet to watch), there is a scene that revolves around the funeral of Gonzo and his King Prawn friend, Pepe.
Their two tiny coffins are displayed in the exhibit. They were quite tiny indeed!
“You can see how Gonzo’s coffin is cut away so that they can put their hand in there to puppeteer Gonzo,” Walt Disney Imagineer Kim Irvine said. “You can see the cut in the seat where Miss Piggy sits. It’s got really fun ways of understanding how muppeteering works.”
A funeral wreath, complete with wilting flowers surround Gonzo’s portrait, offers a Congratulations on his recent death.
Lastly, on display is a single display case including props from the VIP hearse featured in the special.
It includes a keychain, steering wheel cover, bat head hood ornament, “2 DIE 4” vanity plate, and The Great MacGuffin’s magic trick card.
To complete the Muppets Haunted Mansion exhibit, guests can watch select clips from the original special to the left of the prop exhibit.
It plays in a loop making it easier for guests to take a seat and watch the short clips. Additionally, it also gives guests an opportunity to take a rest from walking throughout the park!
Final Thoughts
I would highly suggest taking the time to visit both the “Muppets Haunted Mansion” and “Happy Haunts Materialize” exhibits located inside Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln on Main Street U.S.A.
My daughters and I had a nice time taking our time and walking around reading and looking at the various props and artwork.
Each time one of my girls saw a prop they were quick to note which scene in the special it had occurred.
The Muppets Haunted Mansion exhibit opened at Disneyland Park on October 8, 2021 to coincide with the release of the special on Disney+.
Have you watched the new Muppets Haunted Mansion that is currently streaming on Disney+? Which prop would you like to see from the special? Let us know in the comments on Facebook and in our Facebook group.
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