Having been a resident of Florida for most of my life it goes without saying that I’ve been to Walt Disney World countless times since it first opened it 1971. Throughout the years I’ve seen the evolution and growth of the happiest place on earth and for me it still has the same Disney Magic that it has always had.
One of my favorite attractions is the Haunted Mansion located in Liberty Square. I’ve photographed it many times over the years but this time I wanted to do something special. I envisioned what the Haunted Mansion might look like if it really existed somewhere. I imagined it in different environments, times of day, and a variety of weather conditions. I wanted to make it look like somebody, or something, actually lived there and was just waiting for a visitor to come up and ring the bell or knock on the door.
So come on in and say hi. Be sure to bring your death certificate. You know what they say, the Haunted Mansion has 999 Happy Haunts. And yes, there IS room for one more…
More info: mark-andrew-thomas.pixels.com
The Haunted Mansion as it really looks at night.
A long exposure photograph of Disney's Haunted Mansion at night. Depending on what night you go there are many color and lighting variations on the Haunted Mansion. The color scheme varies from a deep dark purple to a brighter and warmer hue as seen in this pic..
I'm not so sure it's any safer inside...
One of the first ideas I had was to show what the Haunted Mansion might look like on a dark and stormy night. I imagined my car running out of gas in the middle of a thunderstorm and of course...no phone signal.
Early morning mist and a full moon peeking out from the clouds.
I wanted a slightly more sinister look for this. I imagined walking up a hill and seeing the Haunted Mansion materialize out of the early morning mist with a full moon visible through the clouds.
The famous hearse and an approaching storm. Better get inside before you end up in one...
Perhaps my favorite. I wanted a vision of the Haunted Mansion that included the famous hearse in front. I went back to my stormy night idea and this was the result.
Who knew ghosts were so festive during the holidays?
The Christmas Season is my favorite time of year so reimagining the Haunted Mansion wouldn't be complete without a holiday theme. I figured the occupants of the house might decorate for the holidays. But only a little 😉
A spooky moon, a foggy night, and an irresistible desire to walk closer...
The Haunted Mansion on a moonlit night with just a touch of fog is exactly how I think it would look on Halloween night. I wonder if they get any trick or treaters?
The Haunted Pet Cemetery.
So I have to be honest. It's fun, quirky, and comical and Disney hit all the marks with this one. But the Pet Cemetery located in front of the Haunted Mansion always makes me a little sad. I like to imagine that the ghosts in the Haunted Mansion have a soft spot for their departed pets and always look after their spirits.
Dawn of the Haunted
The Haunted Mansion emerging from the fog at dawn with lights glowing from behind the windows. I wanted to do another early morning vision of the Haunted Mansion. Living in Florida some mornings actually look like this!
The Haunted Mansion transformed into a Winter Wonderland.
Ever wonder what the Haunted Mansion might look like if it was located up north? Well wonder no more 🙂
When hinges creak in doorless chambers....
This was actually the first image I worked on and it was this one that sparked the idea for this series. This is the darkest and most foreboding of the images and I like how the mansion is completely dark. No lights, no sign of life, and you need shelter quick. Guess there's only one logical choice. There's obviously nobody home...so what could happen?