Updated “The Haunted Mansion: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies” is well worth adding to your Disney booo-k collection

Jim Hill

15 years ago

When “The Haunted Mansion: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies” was initially published back in September of 2003, I seriously doubt
that Jason Surrell ever thought that he’d have to “hurry back … hurry back …”
to revisit this material.

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.

Speaking of which … This Friday, September 11^th
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 40^th
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?