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But who knew that the next six years would prove to be so eventful for both the Disneyland and the Walt Disney World version of this much-beloved attraction? With Constance moving into the attic, Leota learning how to fly and those nifty transforming portraits being installed on the West Coast while the East Coast version of the Mansion received an ex-Scream makeover. With the Endless Staircase & the “Eyes-in-the-wallpaper” sequence being added, while the Stretching Room got an audio upgrade.
So much new stuff had been added to the stateside versions of the Haunted Mansion that – last year -- the powers-that-be at Disney Editions felt that it was time to release an updated version of “From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies.”
Now what makes this revised version of “The Haunted Mansion” special for Surrell is that – in his role as an Imagineer – he actually worked on the enhancements that were done to the WDW version of this attraction back in 2007.
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Speaking of which … This Friday, September 11th on Stage 23 at the D23 EXPO, Jason will be talking at length about the work that was done to enhance & improve the Florida version of the Mansion. Surrell will then follow this talk up with a book signing in Hall C, where he’ll be happy to autograph your copy of the updated version of “The Haunted Mansion: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies.”
What’s that you say? You already own a copy of the 2003 version of this book. And you’re wondering if there’s really enough new material in this updated version to justify the expense of buying a new copy.
Well, if you’re really a Haunted Mansion fan, I’d say that you have no choice. You really are going to have to pick up another copy of “From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies.” You see, Surrell reworked significant portions ofhis text – including fleshing out the part that discusses Marc Davis’ efforts to put together a workable storyline for the Mansion back in the early-to-mid 1960s.
And then there are those new images of the Shipley-Lydecker House in Baltimore (which many consider to be the true inspiration for the Disneyland version of The Haunted Mansion) as well as a period illustration that obviously had an influence on the look of WDW’s mansion … Jason insisted that these two shots be included as part of the updated edition of “From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies.”
And then you factor in all of the new material that Surrell folded in this time around, which goes into great detail about all of those enhancements that were recently made to the East Coast & West Coast versions of the Haunted Mansion … “From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies” has undergone a pretty significant makeover. Which is why you really probably should add the updated edition of this 128-page paperback to your Disneyana library.
FYI to all you hardcore Haunted Mansion buffs, especially those of you who will be attending tonight’s 09-09-09 merchandise event at Disneyland: Jason will be in the Park tonight helping to celebrate the 40th anniversary of this much-beloved attraction. And if you’re not going to be able to make over to the Anaheim Convention Center on Friday to catch Surrell’s presentation at the D23 EXPO … Well, if you’re looking to get your copy of the updated version of “The Haunted Mansion: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies” signed, tonight would be a really good time to hit Jason up for his autograph.
Your thoughts?
Someone ask Jason why they canned his Stitch show.
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