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This article is from the Disney's Haunted Mansion FAQ, by Don Bertino bertino@netcom.com with numerous contributions by others.

18. Did the HM recently celebrates its 25th Anniversary? (Disney's Haunted Mansion)

On a hot Tuesday, August 9, Disneyland celebrated the 25th Anniversary
of the Haunted Mansion opening. The day started with Veteran Imagineers
"X" Atencio, John Hench, Sam McKim, Bill Justice, as well as current
Imagineers Dave Mumford, Russell Brower, and Archivist Dave Smith being
escorted to chairs set up in front of the Mansion gates.

The gates were closed and shrouded in spider webs and drapery. Dead
leaves were scattered in front and several big oval signs declared the
event. The Make-Believe-Brass was costumed in Mansion Host green butler
garb and began to play some dirgefull tunes. An "Undertaker"-looking
M.C. took the podium and proceeded thru some ghoulish pater with 2 cutsie
Mansion Maids. The Undertaker introduced "X" Atencio, who talked
briefly about designing and building the Mansion. The Undertaker then
brought out Mickey in a snappy tux. Mickey and the Undertaker opened the
locked gates and invited all to join them in a ride thru the Mansion.

I sat with "X", Sam and John as they reminisced about the early days,
the changes, the old stories. Moments of pure gold for me!

 

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