Haunted Mansion - The Fairest Run Of All

Ron Howard Goes To The Haunted Mansion

October 26, 2021October 26, 2021Leave a comment

Happy Halloween week, kids! I can think of no better way to celebrate than by going to the Haunted Mansion. If you’re in the parks right now, you’re obligated. If you’re not? Never fear; I have you covered! Sure, we could watch a few on-ride videos, or even dig up some archival material. But since we’re all groovy dudes, I’d like to bring to your attention some vinyl records. Both were produced officially by Disney in the ’60s to promote the upcoming/new Haunted Mansion attraction, and they’re absolute musts for any Haunted Mansion fan (Me! Me!). CHILLING, THRILLING SOUNDS...

21 Thoughts I Had While Watching Muppets Haunted Mansion

October 12, 2021October 12, 2021Leave a comment

Normally my Thoughts While Watching posts revolve around vintage park media, like the Disneyland opening day TV broadcast or, most recently, the 1993 WDW vacation planning video. Muppets Haunted Mansion, by contrast, just came out last week, but I think it’ll still work for the brief: normally we are viewing the Disney parks through the lens of the past, and all we’re doing now is shifting that lens. Now, we’re viewing The Haunted Mansion through the lens of the Muppets! Now that I’ve got you all on board, let’s get to the meat of the piece. Muppets Haunted Mansion...

Thoughts While Watching: 1970’s “Disneyland Showtime”

March 30, 2021August 16, 20212 Comments

I had a ton of fun doing my last Thoughts While Watching about the EPCOT film, so I decided to do another one! And just as I threatened in that last post, I tracked down the Kurt Russell episode of The Wonderful World of Disney, which is called “Disneyland Showtime.” Sadly, Kurt does not wear that suit the whole time, but it was interesting nonetheless. Watch along here: And now: 47 Thoughts Jenn Had While Watching “Disneyland Showtime:” I’m getting a strong “A Salute to All Nations But Mostly America” vibe from this opening. Did the old monorail have...

In Which Jenn Reviews Sights & Smells From The Haunted Mansion

January 26, 2021August 16, 20212 Comments

I’ve never performed the lengthy soul-searching required to select my favorite Magic Kingdom attraction, but if I had to make a quick call based on gut feelings alone I would probably say the Haunted Mansion. Sure, it’s not the most thrilling experience in the park, but in terms of theme, aesthetics, and storytelling, I think you’d be hard pressed to top it. So it should come as no surprise that much like the hitchhiking ghosts, some Haunted Mansion items have followed me home! And since they’re – shh – third party items readily procured via the internet, I thought...

In Which Jenn & Pat Are Frozen With Fear At The Haunted Mansion

June 9, 2017September 1, 20214 Comments

The trip report proper is over, but we’re not done yet – I’ve still got lots of thoughts, including food reviews and photos! You can see all the posts in this report here. Onward! It was Pat who spotted the PhotoPass photographer, not me. I blazed right past her in my quest to ride the Haunted Mansion, but he saw and asked if I wanted to stop on the way out. Post doom-buggy exit, we pulled off to the side of the path, just pass the pet cemetery. The mini photo shoot seemed unremarkable. The photographer took the usual pictures –...

In Which Jenn & Moon Have A Haunted Mansion Adventure

October 31, 2013August 15, 20213 Comments

JENN: In honor of Halloween, I am SUPER EXCITED to retell one of my all-time favorite Walt Disney World stories. The year: 2004. High school orchestra trip. The scene: The Magic Kingdom’s Haunted Mansion. Picture it: Sicily, 1937. MOON: Was it really THAT long ago?! JENN: Yup! We are old. MOON: ;-; JENN: Yes. MOON: Indeed. JENN: This is why we return to WDW so much: to feel young and happy again. Because none of us are married with kids to take. But then none of us are divorced, either, so: winning. MOON: That’s what we’ll call it. JENN:...

In Which Jenn & Elizabeth Go to Busch Gardens Williamsburg

October 22, 2013August 15, 2021Leave a comment

Hooray! Elizabeth is here again to help me with another review! Join us as we head to Busch Gardens Williamsburg. JENN: A round of applause for my faithful guest judge, Interplanetary Explorer Extraordinaire Elizabeth! ELIZABETH: I dunno about interplanetary: after watching Gravity I don’t think I ever want to go out there. JENN: Haha, good call. ELIZABETH: I have my moments. JENN: So, a few weeks ago Elizabeth and I got a great deal on Busch Gardens Williamsburg tickets. This was the good news. The bad news was that the only remaining days of the season were all Howl-o-Scream...