The Unauthorized Story of Walt Disney's Haunted Mansion

Really fantastic read! Just completed this book and it left me wanting more! I'm a big Disney fan and Haunted Mansion is by far my favorite ride in the park. I loved reading all about it's rich history and fascinating back story. Also being a loyal WDW visitor, this entire story made me more motivated than ever before to plan a trip out West to the original park. I would recommend this to any person interested in delving further into the world of past imagineering. Jeff also takes part in a very entertaining podcast called Mousetalgia, which is how I found this book. I would also recommend that for a fun listen. Keep up the great work!! My only comment is that I would have enjoyed learning more about the WDW and Disneyland Tokyo versions also, as well as their counterparts Paris and Hong Kong (Phantom and Mystic Manors? What's that all about??) But maybe that's for the third edition!

If you're looking for a pretty picture book full of glossy color photos and cute Disney anecdotes then this is not your book. If, however, what you want is to know how the Haunted Mansion came in to existence then this is the book to get. Baham painstakingly delves into Walt Disney's life to speculate on his desire to have a haunted house in the Mickey Mouse park years before ground was ever broken on Disneyland. You get a sense the many false starts and conflicting direction the mansion took in preproduction. Disney was announcing it before they really had any idea what it was going to be: IE ride through or walk through, scary or funny. Politics and conflicting personalities, as well as Walt Disney's death, almost killed the attraction deader than its 999 resident ghosts. This book is a history book that lays all that out with a few b&w photos along with written descriptions of the various attraction's effects and experiences. I liked the book quite a lot, but if you're more of a casual fan or looking for glossy photos of how the ride works it might not be the book for you. I recommend it for the fan who comes off the ride realizing the tremendous amount of work, collaboration, and determination that went into creating this unique haunted house experience and who wants to know more about those people that created it.

Just finished this book, and the kid in me still LOVES Disney's Haunted Mansion, and also remembers the wide-eyed 10-year old I was in 1975 when I first rode on it and was blown away. That trip to Disney influenced me enough to go to college for engineering and enjoy a 30-year (so far) career in industrial automation. Jeff may go into too much detail or some (devoting entire passages to the architecture of the façade, for example) but I loved the scene-by-scene description of the ride and detailed histories of the illusions, who designed them, how they are maintained. The chapter about the opening night an Disneyland was very interesting, and unknown to me (even though I have studied much about the ride systems and Disney's audio animatronics). If you love the ride I highly recommend this book, UNLESS you prefer to not know about the inner workings and prefer it to remain a mystery. :-)

I am a life-long fan of the Haunted Mansion and have been following Doombuggies.com for many years, so I was extremely excited for the release of this book from none other than "Chef Mayhem"! This book is a very intricate look at the Haunted Mansion, through the development and planning, delays and setbacks, and amazing engineering and "imagineering" feats that were accomplished through its creation. For those who may have limited familiarity with the attraction, the descriptions and walk-through of the attractions in California and Florida (as well as some mention of differences in Tokyo and Paris) will help orient you in the discussion. This attraction was designed and influenced by some of Disney's best artists (in my humble opinion) and it's so much fun to read Baham's interviews with them and get their insight -- and even a little gossip! To be fair, you will have to have at least a basic knowledge of the attraction to find the appeal of this book. (I don't mean to frighten you prematurely) But if you've ever ridden it and wondered "how'd they do that?" or "what kind of person came up with the idea of haunted wallpaper?" this book will answer all those questions and more. I'd recommend to any fan of the Disney theme parks - or theme parks in general, as the Haunted Mansion is one of the penultimate "dark rides" found anywhere in the world. Fun reading, excellent material, wonderful insight and anecdotes -- perfect, all the way around!

As a hardcore Disney (and Haunted Mansion, in particular) fan, I was dubious when I read that this book contained material that hadn't been included in other histories of this great attraction. But who am I, a mere foolish mortal, to question the guy who created the legendary DoomBuggies.com website? And indeed, he did a first-class job on this project. No Mansion collection is complete without it.

As a Haunted Mansion fan, I must say I enjoyed this book. Most of the information I have learned through other books and various Haunted Mansion websites. Mr. Baham writes in a simple but entertaining manner. While I considered getting the book I was concerned with how factual the information contained in the book was. However all the facts are footnoted with a great index at the back of the book. The book is divided into two parts, the first being the history of the attraction and the second half of the book a walkthrough of the attraction with some behind-the-scenes facts thrown in. I purchased the book mostly for the first part, as I love to learn about the thought process that goes into the Disney attractions, however I must say the second half of the book was just as enjoyable. I learned some things about the mansion I didn't know before. If you're a fan of the attraction you will definitely enjoy this book. A quick, fun and enjoyable tribute to a classic Disney attraction.

I LOVED reading this book--the inside story of what happens and why in Disney's Haunted Mansion. I was a Tour Guide at Disneyland during college and thought I knew quite a bit about it, but I was amazed at how much I learned. The interviews with the people who actually worked on the project were informative and explained so many things I had always wondered about. The book is detailed but easy and fun to read. It's the kind of book I will read again because there is so much information to absorb. Thanks to Jeff Baham, one of the foremost experts on this topic in the world, for clearing away the cobwebs and sharing the magic behind the Mansion.

I'll admit, I've purchased this book originally to fill myself up on facts about the Haunted Mansion for a fanfiction I'm writing and while it's more of a history on the making of the mansion rather than -say- the fictional history/storyline of the ride itself, it does highlight notable parts of history like Disney's constant pursuit of a haunted house for his guests, the conflict of the imagineers trying to come up with ideas of the ride, and a inside look into the opening day and detail tour of the ride itself. Highly recommended this book

Great book to learn more about the Haunted Mansion. I felt that it gave a great history of the creation of the mansion and how all the effects work. I've always been fascinated by how the pepper's ghost effect works and this book goes through all the effects used. I felt like it added more magic to the ride after reading this book, just knowing the story of the ride and interesting facts I had never pieced together before. Well written and the information in it was credible. I highly suggest it to anyone who wants to know more about the Haunted Mansion.

Part 1 is a complete history of The Haunted Mansion, from concept through design and up to implementation. Part 2 takes the reader through the ride, pointing out details that are overlooked when actually on the ride. Full of insights from the designers and operators of the attraction.

Really fantastic read! Just completed this book and it left me wanting more! I'm a big Disney fan and Haunted Mansion is by far my favorite ride in the park. I loved reading all about it's rich history and fascinating back story. Also being a loyal WDW visitor, this entire story made me more motivated than ever before to plan a trip out West to the original park. I would recommend this to any person interested in delving further into the world of past imagineering. Jeff also takes part in a very entertaining podcast called Mousetalgia, which is how I found this book. I would also recommend that for a fun listen. Keep up the great work!! My only comment is that I would have enjoyed learning more about the WDW and Disneyland Tokyo versions also, as well as their counterparts Paris and Hong Kong (Phantom and Mystic Manors? What's that all about??) But maybe that's for the third edition!

If you're looking for a pretty picture book full of glossy color photos and cute Disney anecdotes then this is not your book. If, however, what you want is to know how the Haunted Mansion came in to existence then this is the book to get. Baham painstakingly delves into Walt Disney's life to speculate on his desire to have a haunted house in the Mickey Mouse park years before ground was ever broken on Disneyland. You get a sense the many false starts and conflicting direction the mansion took in preproduction. Disney was announcing it before they really had any idea what it was going to be: IE ride through or walk through, scary or funny. Politics and conflicting personalities, as well as Walt Disney's death, almost killed the attraction deader than its 999 resident ghosts. This book is a history book that lays all that out with a few b&w photos along with written descriptions of the various attraction's effects and experiences. I liked the book quite a lot, but if you're more of a casual fan or looking for glossy photos of how the ride works it might not be the book for you. I recommend it for the fan who comes off the ride realizing the tremendous amount of work, collaboration, and determination that went into creating this unique haunted house experience and who wants to know more about those people that created it.

Just finished this book, and the kid in me still LOVES Disney's Haunted Mansion, and also remembers the wide-eyed 10-year old I was in 1975 when I first rode on it and was blown away. That trip to Disney influenced me enough to go to college for engineering and enjoy a 30-year (so far) career in industrial automation. Jeff may go into too much detail or some (devoting entire passages to the architecture of the façade, for example) but I loved the scene-by-scene description of the ride and detailed histories of the illusions, who designed them, how they are maintained. The chapter about the opening night an Disneyland was very interesting, and unknown to me (even though I have studied much about the ride systems and Disney's audio animatronics). If you love the ride I highly recommend this book, UNLESS you prefer to not know about the inner workings and prefer it to remain a mystery. :-)

I am a life-long fan of the Haunted Mansion and have been following Doombuggies.com for many years, so I was extremely excited for the release of this book from none other than "Chef Mayhem"! This book is a very intricate look at the Haunted Mansion, through the development and planning, delays and setbacks, and amazing engineering and "imagineering" feats that were accomplished through its creation. For those who may have limited familiarity with the attraction, the descriptions and walk-through of the attractions in California and Florida (as well as some mention of differences in Tokyo and Paris) will help orient you in the discussion. This attraction was designed and influenced by some of Disney's best artists (in my humble opinion) and it's so much fun to read Baham's interviews with them and get their insight -- and even a little gossip! To be fair, you will have to have at least a basic knowledge of the attraction to find the appeal of this book. (I don't mean to frighten you prematurely) But if you've ever ridden it and wondered "how'd they do that?" or "what kind of person came up with the idea of haunted wallpaper?" this book will answer all those questions and more. I'd recommend to any fan of the Disney theme parks - or theme parks in general, as the Haunted Mansion is one of the penultimate "dark rides" found anywhere in the world. Fun reading, excellent material, wonderful insight and anecdotes -- perfect, all the way around!

As a hardcore Disney (and Haunted Mansion, in particular) fan, I was dubious when I read that this book contained material that hadn't been included in other histories of this great attraction. But who am I, a mere foolish mortal, to question the guy who created the legendary DoomBuggies.com website? And indeed, he did a first-class job on this project. No Mansion collection is complete without it.

As a Haunted Mansion fan, I must say I enjoyed this book. Most of the information I have learned through other books and various Haunted Mansion websites. Mr. Baham writes in a simple but entertaining manner. While I considered getting the book I was concerned with how factual the information contained in the book was. However all the facts are footnoted with a great index at the back of the book. The book is divided into two parts, the first being the history of the attraction and the second half of the book a walkthrough of the attraction with some behind-the-scenes facts thrown in. I purchased the book mostly for the first part, as I love to learn about the thought process that goes into the Disney attractions, however I must say the second half of the book was just as enjoyable. I learned some things about the mansion I didn't know before. If you're a fan of the attraction you will definitely enjoy this book. A quick, fun and enjoyable tribute to a classic Disney attraction.

I LOVED reading this book--the inside story of what happens and why in Disney's Haunted Mansion. I was a Tour Guide at Disneyland during college and thought I knew quite a bit about it, but I was amazed at how much I learned. The interviews with the people who actually worked on the project were informative and explained so many things I had always wondered about. The book is detailed but easy and fun to read. It's the kind of book I will read again because there is so much information to absorb. Thanks to Jeff Baham, one of the foremost experts on this topic in the world, for clearing away the cobwebs and sharing the magic behind the Mansion.

I'll admit, I've purchased this book originally to fill myself up on facts about the Haunted Mansion for a fanfiction I'm writing and while it's more of a history on the making of the mansion rather than -say- the fictional history/storyline of the ride itself, it does highlight notable parts of history like Disney's constant pursuit of a haunted house for his guests, the conflict of the imagineers trying to come up with ideas of the ride, and a inside look into the opening day and detail tour of the ride itself. Highly recommended this book

Great book to learn more about the Haunted Mansion. I felt that it gave a great history of the creation of the mansion and how all the effects work. I've always been fascinated by how the pepper's ghost effect works and this book goes through all the effects used. I felt like it added more magic to the ride after reading this book, just knowing the story of the ride and interesting facts I had never pieced together before. Well written and the information in it was credible. I highly suggest it to anyone who wants to know more about the Haunted Mansion.

Part 1 is a complete history of The Haunted Mansion, from concept through design and up to implementation. Part 2 takes the reader through the ride, pointing out details that are overlooked when actually on the ride. Full of insights from the designers and operators of the attraction.

I knew I would like the subject, but what I wasn't prepared for was how well it is written. Much like the ride itself -- It is extremely detailed and thorough while moving along at a steady pace. There are fascinating stories and interesting facts around every corner. At one point I was worried that the Haunted Mansion would never get completed-- I was that engrossed. Though not a picture book, it does have many great black and white photos to compliment the thrilling tale.

I purchased this after finishing Jason Surrell's "The Haunted Mansion: Imagineering a Disney Classic (From the Magic Kingdom)." Since I had already read Surrell's book, I didn't expect to get too many additional details reading another book, but I did. I'm happy to have and have read both. The book was very enjoyable and so is the author's site: doombuggies.com.

I need to go to California to see how different this ride is from the one in Florida! Very good read. Very informative if you are a fan of Disney. Happy reading.

I love anything and everything Haunted Mansion so I'm very pleased with this! It's very informative if you want to know a good deal about the ride with 999 happy haunts!

Jeff is one of the definitive experts on the history of the Haunted Mansion. His original book was a wonderful snap shot look at this history. Now Jeff takes us deeper into the history of this wonderful attraction. His many years of research and interviews have been compiled into an informative, fun, and interesting look at one of Disneyland most iconic attractions. This is a must have book for the Haunted Mansion enthusiast, Disneyland park buff, and the general Disney history reader.

A wonderful review of the history of the Haunted Mansion, if you happen to be a big fan. There is so much more I would like to have seen in the book: More history on the Paris version, or some on the Hong Kong Mystic Manor. I feel like there is enough additional material Jeff could cover, to justify a revised version of the book. But what he does have in there is wonderful!

I love the Haunted Mansion, and it was wonderful to get a glimpse behind the Doom Buggies. I felt like I was getting my own special tour IMO of the most wonderful ride in the world. If you feel a certain nostalgia and love for this ride, you'll enjoy this book.

This was the perfect present for my mom, and avid Walt Disney World fan. It gives the true history of the ride at Disney World, starting from the beginning concepts to what it actually ended up being. It explains specific aspects of the mansion and what they were originally intended to represent, so it is basically a history book about this ride. If you are looking for a picture book with just fun facts, this is not it. However if you really love this ride and want to know the specifics on how it came to be, absolutely this is the book for you!

This author must be the world's leading expert on the Haunted Mansion. One of the most complete descriptions I have read and has a great web site too.

This book was a blast, full of History, anecdotes, and technical details about Walt Disney's Haunted Mansion. It's maybe not as much fun as riding the ride itself, but the book does a great job bringing the details and atmosphere to life.

There's not much I can add to what's already been said about Chef Mayhem's wonderful book. I'm a long time Disney fan, and knew a bit of the HM's history, but this book has made going on the attraction an even more fun experience for me. It's just that much better when you're aware of the incredible talent and hard work that went into creating it. Not to mention all the little details you'll notice once you've read about them. Great job, Mr. Baham!

I love all things Disney and enjoy learning about the back story and how attractions came to be in the parks. Jeff Baham did a great job discussing the genesis and road to the Haunted Mansion, a good read and a good explanation of all the give and take to develop this iconic ride. A good read and lots of great information.

I loved this book. It was just an enjoyable read. It wasn't just the wonderful in depth information but that it was written by someone who was passionate about the Haunted Mansion. Jeff Baham wrote in such an easygoing conversational tone that you felt he was just telling you stories right in the room with you. You can feel his love in his writing. This book has spurred my interest for The Haunted Mansion even more and look forwarding to visit his website to learn even more!

Being a Disneyland fan and a fan of the Haunted Mansion the book was very informative.

Fun read if you are into the Mansion. Amazing how creative some people are wired.

My daughter loves the Haunted Mansion at Disney World. She's not a big book reader but she really enjoyed this one.

If you are a Haunted Mansion fan than this book is just for you. Have you ever wondered how the Haunted Mansion was put together or about the special effects than look no further. I loved it from beginning to end!!

This is a really interesting book about the Haunted Mansion in Disneyland and how it came to be. It even compares the Haunted Mansion to its counterpart in Disney World. Even those who are familiar with the history of the story behind the Haunted Mansion will find something new in this book.

Better than described...Thank You!!!

I feel like every single book I order off amazon comes with huge dents/creases or wear to the cover/binding. I’m starting to wonder if a reduced price is really worth it.

👍🏼

This was a gift well received . This person does research on Disney, his life and movies.

If, like me, you are fascinated by the story and history of Disneyland's inner workings then this is a book you will enjoy. It covers the story of how Disney's Haunted Mansion ride came to be, how it was planned and developed, and how it has changed over the years. There are several things I did not like about the book. First, there are not enough photographs. Secondly, a plan of how the ride is laid out would have greatly complimented the text which at times can be confusing without something pictorial to refer to. Lastly, I would have liked to have seen more on how the ride differs between the various Disney theme parks. All in all this is an enjoyable and highly informative book. I'm glad I purchased it.

Got to meet the author at a fan meet! Very nice guy and he is very passionate about the haunted mansion. This book dives into all that you have ever wanted to know about the ride. I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves this ride!!

FINE

Great read. Full of the behind the scenes history of one of Disneyland's most iconic attractions. If you are interested in the history of this happy haunt, I highly recommend this book.

Wished it was longer! I loved it, I had always wondered about a lot of stuff in the haunted mansion, now I understand!

ok

Jeff Baham is the authority on Haunted Mansion! If you have the old book hurry and sell it and buy this one. This is like a whole new book! Make sure you listen to his 2 podcasts as well called Mousetalgia and the Doombuggies Spook Show. In all the over reaction to everything in the world of Disney, Jeff is the calm in the storm that lets us know when to be excited and when to calm down! Thanks Jeff!

Wonderful read. The two things I appreciate most about is how well sourced it is, love the citations, as well as the editing. So many of the "self published" books are hard to read because of little to no editing. Your attention to detail and voice are fantastic.

Very interesting book. Tons of little known facts on one of the most iconic Disney Attractions.

Great book! Great Interviews and Inserts from Imagineers like Rolly Crump. I wish it was longer but thats my only want.

An interesting look into the past of one of my favorite rides at the Magic Kingdom. And interesting possible backstories for the ride also.

Good book. It gives lots of insight to the Haunted Mansion, which I've been going into for 45+ years.

Enjoyed learning about the history of the attraction. Also loved to learn about the attraction changes throughout the years. Fun read!

Excellent book for all Haunted Mansion fans!!

Another must read book about The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland.

Fun

Fantastic book. Jeff has really hit it out of the park with this one giving us a wonderful history of Walt Disney's Haunted Mansion. Highly recommended.

Its good, and has a bit more theory on how and why things are the way they are, but most of the facts are the same as every other haunted mansion book.

This book was honestly one of the coolest books I've ever read. I received it from Amazon just a few days after my copy was published and I couldn't put it down. Not only does it dive into all the behind-the-scenes about how the mansion was brought to life, it also tells the personal stories of the people who helped create it. This is a must-have book for any Haunted Mansion fan and I highly recommend it.

Good book if you like Disneyland stuff

Great - Just what your looking for from a book like this... Wish there were more on similar attractions such as the Pirates or the Caribbean

It is a wonderful history of this great iconic ride. The different ideas that were presented were incredible and it would be wonderful to see some of them come to life in future upgrades to the ride!

Very fun read, great information for a person who loves Disney and Disney history.

very happy will order again

Awesome

Great read for any fan of the haunted mansion!

An enjoyable and well written book, giving a deep history of one of the best and most original them park rides ever. Well worth the time to read.

First one was damaged, but was quickly replaced and was very happy!!

Very entertaining and well written. For Disney history buffs, it is a must-have book.

My Daughter the Disney Person in the family Loved the Book!

Fun and informative. The writer can be a bit repetitious, but his enthusiasm is hard to ignore.

Great read!

Great book. Very interesting. If your a fan of the Haunted Mansion, you will enjoy this book.

Great read if your a haunted mansion fan

Great Book a must for any Disney of dark ride lover

Must read for the super-fan or the casually curious. Who knew a single amusement park attraction had so much history and craftsmanship.

Excellent book on the Haunted Mansion. I couldn't put it down.

A must have book for any Haunted Mansion fans. This book will give you every small detail about the attractions and will leave you ready to ride it once again.

Great book for Mansion lovers and plain old Disney geeks.

I'm a huge Disneyland History buff and listen to the Doom Buggies podcast hosted by the author Jeff Baham. This is an excellent source of information regarding The Haunted Mansion, it's conception and it's final ending result!

Interesting read with lots of new details of the Haunted Mansion I had never heard of before.

Amazing stories and astonishing attention to detail..for all lovers of grim grinning ghosts, Disneyland lore and technology. Loved it.

Great book. So much history.

Just what I wanted to add to my Haunted Mansion collection!

Fantastically detailed. A wonderful read for the Haunted Mansion fan!

This book has my complete attention. It had a lot of detail

Surprised my dauther with this book. In her own words, "Best spontanious gift ever!" Needless to say, she loved it. Any Disney fan, especially one who loves Halloween will enjoy this read.

Fun facts and if you love the Haunted Mansion ,you'll learn lots of new and interesting revelations about this famous attraction. Well written and well researched.

A great read for any Haunted Mansion enthusiast! Jeff Baham gives us a wonderful inside look at this classical ride. Even though I've read as much as possible about the Disney attraction, I found lots of great info I've never heard about before. Truly a must-read on the subject!

It is full of information not well known. It really focusses on the development teams and the long road to opening the attraction.

This book is so detailed and interesting on the creation of one of my favorite attractions. Very fun to read.

My wife is a big haunted mansion fan and just loved this book.

fantastic book if you have a love of behind the scenes stories. Could not put it down. I would highly recommend this book for any Haunted Mansion fan.

Awesome!!!! So much info I never would've thought about. It takes a lot of planning and organization and imagineering!!! Jeff Baham puts a ton of wonderful stuff in here to discover!!

Excellent book for Haunted Mansion geeks, like myself. It may not be as palatable for the general masses, as it reads a bit more like a history book. Still, it is an excellent addition for enthusiasts!

Fantastic!

This is great for Disneyland fans, especially Haunted Mansion fans. So much in this book is so interesting and insightful. Great book.

A thorough, well referenced, and dare I say, spirited history of an experience that I thought I knew everything about.

Good book full of facts. For HM fans only. A bit short.

Fun and interesting read. A must for any Haunted Mansion fan!

This book while well researched and well written could have been better. It also could have been thicker. There is so much more to the haunted mansion then what this book covered. It seemed to skip around a lot to different timelines and it was sometimes hard to follow. All in all though it was a good book and will more then likely whet the appetites of newcomers to mansion and make them want to know more.

Very well done, and an interesting read. Would have really benefited from some additional photos. Other than that, a really entertaining read on the history of one of Disney's most famous E ticket rides!

It was a gift, so I have no idea what the person thought of the book. I know she was very excited to get it.

The writing style meanders a lot and overall the book could use tighter prose and organization. Much of the details in the book are things you can learn or hear about the Haunted Mansion by just reading the internet for a half-hour or so. There is very little direct quotes or interviews with the key Imagineers and artists involved. The book has strengths too, it finds interesting tidbits of Walt's life that likely influenced the Mansion's inclusion in the park and it illustrates why and how the ride wound up the way that it did with its unique blend of camp and ghoulish delight. The book makes no attempt to document the fan culture or collectibles associated with the ride and while it provides some technical details on the effects throughout the ride, at times these details are very high level. A very decent book overall, but I'm convinced the more definitive encyclopedia for this ride has yet to be written.

Gift for upcoming occassion.

Jeff Baham's book about the Haunted Mansion is the most detailed book ever written about a theme-park attraction. I give it four stars. I can't give it five stars because of a flagrant error. In the forward, Imagineer Rolly Crump says that Jeff "really did his homework." Not so. Walt Disney was born at 2156 North Tripp Street in the Chicago community of Hermosa. When Walt was four, the family moved to Marceline, Missouri. When he was ten, they moved to Kansas City. On page 3, Jeff wrote that Walt, after serving with the Red Cross during the first World War, "returned to Kansas City, Missouri---his hometown." Such an egregious mistake is inexcusable! What possible explanation can he have for misidentifying the birthplace of such a world-renowned man?

...When hinges creak in doorless chambers, and strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls; whenever candle lights flicker where the air is deathly still - that is the time when ghosts are present, practicing their terror with ghoulish delight!... For forty-five years, the Haunted Mansion has delighted Disneyland visitors with its curious blend of spooky atmosphere and bewitching humor. It is one of the park’s most popular attractions, and incarnations of the ride appear in every Disney park, from the Magic Kingdom in Disney World in Florida to the Disney resorts of Tokyo, Paris and Hong Kong. But the path that led to the mansion was rocky and full of unanticipated twists, as multiple visions of a proper Disney haunted house competed to make it into the ride. In this new book by Doombuggies.com creator Jeff Baham, the evolution of the Haunted Mansion is explored in rich detail, from its first appearance as a tiny sketch on the first map for Walt Disney’s proposed theme park through several incarnations in the 1950s and 60s that eventually coalesced into the attraction that opened to the public in 1969. Along the way, key Imagineers are recognized for their contributions, secrets of special effects are revealed, and a room-by-room walkthrough reveals changes that have been made to the Mansion’s scenes and story over the years. Of all the rides in Disneyland, the Haunted Mansion is definitely my favorite. Other haunted houses rely heavily on gore and on live actors jumping at you, which makes them overwhelming for a weak-stomached person like myself. By contrast, the Haunted Mansion successfully creates a gothic atmosphere that feels classic and creepy, scary without crossing the line into frightening. Making a family-friendly ghost house without crossing the line into cheesy or childish is difficult, and one of the things I most enjoyed about "The Unauthorized Story" is the author’s exploration of what creative decisions were made by the Disney Imagineers to achieve this balance. The book also explores the Haunted Mansion from a technical perspective, explaining how certain effects are achieved (no holograms, folks!) and the impact changes in technology have had to the ride. For example, a character called the Hatbox Ghost was only in the Mansion for a few days, right after it opened, before he was pulled because of his special trick wouldn’t work in the ride. Madame Leota, a medium whose head rests inside a crystal ball, used to sit stationary in the center of a table, but new projection technology now allows her crystal ball to float around the room as if guided by otherworldly forces. A ghostly bride has had her appearance and her story dramatically altered with each upgrade to her attic room. It’s truly fascinating to fans of the ride. If I had to quibble, I do wish that there were more pictures in the book. One glimpse at the book’s title explains the relative scarcity. Unauthorized Story = not published by Disney = big bucks to use official Disneyland photos. But this is a book for fans, and I imagine that most readers will already be familiar enough with the ride that pictures aren't necessary. This is a must-have book for fans of Disneyland, and a necessary read for anyone who has ever wondered just what “Imagineers” do as they develop new attractions for the Disney theme parks.

I'm a Disney fan - not hard core but a fan, especially of Disney World. The Haunted Mansion is one of my favorite attractions so I thought this book would provide some insights and behind the scenes info I wasn't previously aware of. I rate this a 3 but would have given it a 3.5 if that was an option, having found the 1st half of the book a 3 and the 2nd half a 4. The first half felt like I was at a reunion with a bunch of folks I didn't know, listening to old stories that were funny and relevant to them but didn't mean so much if you weren't there when it happened. The 2nd half of the book was more what I was hoping for around particular aspects of the Haunted Mansion, the technology and tricks used, changes that were made, etc.

This book shares the history of the Haunted Mansion, from concept to current. Little known details, back stories, and information from persons inside and outside of of Disney are found throughout the pages. Additionally, photos of art, storyboards, and the venue itself add to the thoroughness of these pages. Even the notes, links and bibliography share important connections to investigate long after completing the reading. 5 stars and 2 thumbs up! Foolish mortals should not miss this learning opportunity...

The second half of the book is a walk through of the ride. Appendix describes various merchandise that is available. I would have liked to see how the Haunted Mansion affected the theme park business after it's opening.

Mr. Baham clearly knows his stuff! This is a fun read all about the Haunted Mansion. You will learn about nearly every detail of the Mansion and feel like an expert when you put this book down. The historical context provided in this book really brings to life Walt Disney's interest in making this iconic attraction! You will find information in here that you will not find in any other book. Definitely worth reading and buying a second book for a friend (I bought a second book to gift to my dad who loves Disney and is a history nerd and he loved it too!)

It's clear that Jeff Baham did a lot of research to compile the stories of The Haunted Mansion in this book. I enjoyed the way that he splits the story into two main parts on the history and the actual ride experience. Another highlight is the collection of illustrations, photographs, and other visual aids throughout the book. It’s mostly a text-based project, but the images make the material even stronger. Since this isn't an official Disney book, Baham also is able to dig further and go beyond the expected narrative. It's a must read for any Mansion fan!

When I was in college one particular professor was my role model. He was knowledgeable, but also allowed himself to have some fun. He could communicate clearly with little confusion. He spoke about facts and let rumors and off-hand stories be heard but clearly noted for what they were. I think this is why I have come to respect Jeff Baham for his work on the Haunted Mansion. He knows the gossip around the attraction, but he also labels it for what it is. And his own quest to find more truth about the Mansion has helped uncover lost history behind the famous Walt Disney attraction. And these new truths are one he has been able to communicate in an easy to understand manner. The Unauthorized Story of Walt Disney's Haunted Mansion by Jeff Baham is a comprehensive history of the world famous Haunted Mansion. Baham starts his tale decades before ground was broken in Disneyland, discussing the haunted houses and theme parks that Walt Disney would have been exposed to especially in Kansas City. The story heats up in the 1950s as Walt Disney builds his first theme park and plans for a Ghost House within his new adventure. Baham next outlines the evolution of the concept as the Ghost House was transformed from a walking attraction to the Omnimover driven dark ride we have today. In describing the concept evolution he details the roles of Imagineers such as Ken Anderson, Rolly Crump, Yale Gracey, Mark Davis, Claude Coats and X. Atencio including their disagreements and rivalries. Much of the inside story follows Crump's tale, with the Imagineer also writing the Foreword. After developing the ride, Baham takes his readers for a tour through the Haunted Mansion discussing history and variances between different versions. And finally he provide an Appendix focused on Haunted Mansion themed merchandise. I am going to sneak in my two nit picky issues while also pointing out how much I like this title. First, I really wish that an index was included. Luckily, this is a short book under 150 pages so it is easy to scan through. But it is both well-written and filled with excellent history of the Haunted Mansion. In fact, as Haunted Mansion history evolves it is likely the most complete to date with the inclusion of the Sauer "Castle" and discussions of the homes that inspired the facades of both American Haunted Mansions. But an index would be such a nice tool for younger researchers who might want to dig into the design story of the attraction. Second, I wish there was a conclusion from Baham about his thoughts on Haunted Mansion history. The text as is feels like it abruptly stops with the attraction walk through and then merchandise. I think it is fair to say that Baham knows more than the typical Disney fan about the Haunted Mansion. And this deep knowledge and understanding comes out in his very easy to read informative text. But I would have loved to see his reflections on either the Haunted Mansion or his own personal quest to fully document the Mansion in great detail. Yes, it may not have added to the facts. But I feel it would have been a more than fair addition, especially since my experiences listening to his Mousetaliga podcast have shown him to have great insight into Disney history. Let us be honest, I complain only because I enjoyed this book so much. And these are really minor quibbles. Then there is the ghost in the room, what if you bought Baham's first Haunted Mansion book, An Unofficial History of Disney's Haunted Mansion? Do you buy the second one? Baham in interviews makes it clear there is new material and reorganized material. There are at least 20 additional pages in the newer book. And it seems to me that there are less images in the updated book, which means there is even more text. Additionally the new book's page size is around half an inch bigger. All of this means again more content! And the content includes greater discussion of Walt Disney and the people who made the attraction. Another difference is images. The pictures found in the updated history are sharper and clearer. If you are considering purchasing between the new history and the older Baham history I would select the newer one just due to the influx of new content. And if you have the old Baham book, buy the new one too because you are clearly a big Haunted Mansion fan! When I heard that Jaff Baham was going to be working with a publisher to offer a new updated Haunted Mansion history, I got excited. Since I heard it mentioned on his podcasts, I have kept this book on my radar despite having reader the earlier book. The Unauthorized Story of Walt Disney's Haunted Mansion is a must have for Disney book fans, Haunted Mansion fans and parks fans. It is well written, well produced and filled with fact about one of the most storied Disney attractions of all time. It is clear for Baham that the Haunted Mansion is a passion. We are just lucky he is willing to share the vast history he has uncovered. Review Copy Provided by Theme Park Press

Disclaimer: I was provided with a review copy of this book at no charge. However, I did not allow this to influence this review (and there was no expectation that it would). ---------- When I started reading this book, I thought I already had a fair amount of knowledge on the subject of the Haunted Mansion. However, this book served to illustrate how little I actually knew. Filled with insights small and large, this book makes me feel like a bona fide expert now. Much of the book is very fact-centric and so it can be slightly dry at times. That's a very minor complaint though; because the quality of the writing is very good and the facts themselves are so compelling, I never found myself becoming disinterested. Besides that, the author's enthusiasm for the ride does frequently shine through. With regard to the Haunted Mansion's secrets, no stone is left unturned. I was happy attention was paid to everything from set design, to special effects, music and sounds, lighting, and even to some interesting bits about what kind of maintenance is required to keep the attraction looking amazing. There's even a great deal of information about marketing and merchandising in the appendix that I think could have warranted being an "official" chapter. The book is divided into two main parts with the first part being dedicated to the history of the attraction. It describes who the major players were, their (frequently conflicting) ideas about what the attraction should be, and what ideas "won" and (almost as interestingly) what ideas didn't win. Surprisingly, not even Walt himself seemed to have a clear idea of what his long-sought "haunted house" should entail! The second half is a step-by-step walkthrough of the ride. At first, I thought this section wouldn't be as remarkable as the first because I've ridden the ride many, many times. As it turns out though, this format is a great vehicle for the author to sprinkle a lot of scene/gag-specific notes and anecdotes in context. I've always loved the Haunted Mansion, but this book has given me a new appreciation for just how much went into its long, drawn-out creation. It's also given me an itch to go back to Disneyland and give it another whirl with a new, more critical, and more appraising eye. A lot of painstaking effort clearly went into writing this book and I found it to be fascinating from cover to cover. If you're a fan of the Haunted Mansion or even Disney in general, you'd be well-served having a read; highly recommended!

This was a fun and very readable book with probably everything you ever wanted to know and some things you hadn't known you wanted to know about the Haunted Mansion. It tells you all kinds of technical details without dispelling the magic and mystique. We visited the Haunted Mansion a few days ago while I was in the middle of reading the book and looked around with fresh eyes and really enjoyed myself. I was lucky enough to get "paused" in the middle of the attic room and was able to see some things I had never really noticed or paid attention to before. Jeff was right- most people don't mind a short stop in the middle of a detailed room. I can only hope to have a nice long pause in front of the ballroom someday. Enjoy reading the book and then plan your next trip to Disney to see everything you learned about. Dont skip the introduction or the appendixes, there's plenty of good stuff there too. Extensively footnooted.

I would have loved to have seen a lot more images. There was so much info to take in (not complaining about that) but I wish there was more images to really be able to emotionally latch on to it all. I guess that is what happens with its an Unauthorized book about Disney. A good read regardless

Perfect for the crazily avid Disney fan, this book focuses on the Haunted Mansion attraction at the Disney Parks. Author Jeff Baham takes the reader through the attraction’s development, from its original walk-through design to its current “Doom Buggy” approach. The book chronicles the lengthy creative process and the fevered debate over whether the Mansion should be a funny or scary experience. Most focus is on the original Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. It’s really a mini textbook. The trivia and bits of Disney history are quite entertaining.

This book is exactly what us Haunted Mansion fans have been looking for. A true behind the scenes view of our favorite Disneyland attraction. I picked this book up and I could not put it down until I had flipped through every last haunted page filled with backstage stories, history and much more. Jeff Baham's book is filled with tons of wonderful history from the Imagineer's themselves and he digs deep into the background of our favorite attraction to show us the imagination that went into the design, creation and execution of the Haunted Mansion including direct stories, quotes and feelings from the people who made it happen. Jeff also breaks down the illusions and magic created to make this attraction what it is today. Yes, it is true that most Haunted Mansion super fans might know some of the information presented within these pages, but coming from the standpoint of a true fan, it is fantastic to revisit some of this information, all the while being shown new and exciting facts. This is a must own for any novice or veteran Haunted Mansion fanatic. I already plan on revisiting this book again and again.

The book really enlightened me on my favorite ride, from the story of how it came to be to how the effects were created. Well researched and written, the book can even paint a picture of the ride for anyone who has never rode. A must read for fans of Disney, Disney Theme Parks or the Haunted Mansion.

Great history of this ride at both US parks. I would recommend for all Disney lovers that want to learn a little more about the creation.

I found this book very informative about the Haunted Mansion and learned more than I knew about one of my favorite Disney rides. It was interesting to read about all the different ideas that the mansion was going to go through and how many of the different people's ideas are found in the mansion. Overall I found the book a fascinating read and would recommend it to any Disney or Haunted Mansion fan out there.

Got this book as a Christmas present and pages are just falling out as I page through.

yes but the rumors are true i have a 1963 photo of people going into the newly opened Haunted Mansion attraction! If you dont believe it just look at the 1963 landscaping.

This is a great book on one of disney theme parks greatest attractions. This book gives the planning and history of this E ticket attraction. Jeff Baham is well really did his homework preparing for this book and telling the story of how this ride was developed. Also this books gives a historical walk thru of the mansion. This book will be a must have for diney park fans!!

This is the best book I have ever spent my money on. I highly recommend it if you are interested in whatever this book is about. Jeff Baham is actually my photo teacher and he is currently yelling at me to do my project. I instead of doing said project bought this book and showed him that I bought his book. This is a great book and Mr. Baham is a great teacher. That’s it.

Mr. Baham is the most passionate and knowledgeable Haunted Mansion fan of all time. I love this book and highly recommend it to anyone looking to learn more about this most excellent Disneyland Attraction. Get two copies, so that you can keep one in mint condition, for that matter, get two copies for each of your family and friends, you'll be glad you did.

Being an imagineer, I expected to catch at least a couple mistakes, but it was all spot on. Moreover, Jeff makes the story interesting...a great read.

Detailed historical information that any fan of the haunted mansion would love to read about! Definitely recommended reading for anyone with some extra time in their doom buggy. But, beware of hitchhiking ghosts!

It was interesting read. Growing up in Southern California I enjoyed Disneyland but was never super obsessed with it. As an adult it is fun to look back behind the scenes as to the amount of effort and technology it takes to make it work. Plus this book answers a lot of questions as to how they did it.

Read this in one night! Good, concise history of one of my fondest childhood memories. Well written with a ton of info in a relatively short book. Awesome read if you listen to the ride soundtrack at the same time!

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was written very professionally, and did not sound like someone's home project. My only suggestion would be that the book include more photographs.

I have removed many people's ashes from the mansion! We vacuumed the floor and they go in the trash with everything else!

This is a very fascinating book! I've always loved the haunted mansion in Disneyworld, so to learn about its history is a way to help me love it more!!! The book has a few pictures of things like: some of the original designers of the ride, what a character looks like without any effects, and a rare snapshot of the 'Hat Box Ghost'. Also explains how many of the effect work. Very good book, and would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in Disneyland and Disneyworld.

Own it! Love it! -and mine is signed by Jeff and Mousetalgia Kristen!

I have found no other book that so throughly delves into all things Haunted Mansion. One of the best Disney attraction books, ever.

The behind the scene parts were a lot of fun. The history of the Disney parks has always intrigued me and this book delivered.

fun and entertaining read

Who would have guessed that this particular ride would hold such personal meaning for Walt Disney. This is a great book and really is a must read for Haunted Mansion enthusiasts.

Great job lots of new information. Please update with info on the new work for the other houses in Asia

This book was a disappointment and not at all what I hope it would be. Maybe the lesson learned is to not by "unauthorized" books especially when it comes to learning more about the inner workings of Walt Disney theme parks.

Any haunted mansion buff will know exactly what the book is talking about

Item arrived on time and as described.

Fast Fun and Friendly!!

This was a great read. Packed with information and written in a clear and easy reading style. If you love Disney and the Haunted Mansion especially I highly recommend, you will not be dissapointed!

Awesome book

Great item, thanks

Long, in depth look at surely the best attraction in the world.

The information in this book is very, very interesting. I felt like I learned a lot about the development of the Haunted Mansion, both the Disneyland and Walt Disney World versions. However, the author told many of the stories in a very convoluted way. He'd move us forward in time following one stand, and then a page or so later he'd take us back a decade or so and move another strand forward. At some points it was hard to tell just what point in time we were at. The book is divided into two sections, the first being a a history of the attraction. Baham includes quotes from many of the people who helped develop the Mansion, including Rolly Crump. The second section is a description of the ride. It focuses mainly on the Disneyland version, but Baham does note the differences between it and the WDW version. He also talks just a bit about the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay. That being said, I enjoyed learning about how different parts of the Mansion evolved, like Madam Leota for example. There is also some discussion about the houses that were the inspiration for the mansion. And, Baham writes about just a little bit about the Mansion attractions elsewhere in the world, but I wish he would have spent a little more time on them. While I feel that the writing style can be a bit confusing in places, I still enjoyed this book. However, I think the podcast Stuff You Missed in History Class did a much better job retelling the history of the Mansion.

Bought this as a Christmas gift for my 14 yr old daughter who is a Haunted Mansion fanatic. She can't wait to read it! Great quality book. It looks full of fun information and facts.

Love this book all the way through. Especially the stories of the special events at the haunted mansion. Didn't really need the section describing the attraction because I know it well but i read it anyways :) I would love more books like this on other classic attractions from the Disney parks!