For those you unfamiliar, the Hatbox Ghost debuted with the Haunted Mansion on August 7, 1969. The ghost’s head was to disappear from his shoulders and reappear within the hatbox he was holding. This effect was to mirror the beating heart of the adjacent bride. The effect was modulated through shifting lighting: a black light on his face would turn on and off while a light within the hatbox would change accordingly. However, it was apparent that the effect had failed due to the ambient lighting in the attic scene. Attempts were made to remedy the situation, but the effect was not convincing enough and the Hatbox Ghost was decommissioned after a few weeks.
So what happened to the Hatbox Ghost? What is his story? Why so loved to this day? Let’s explore the ScareLA panel to learn more!
Disney Legend Tony Baxter, Imagineer Daniel Joseph (who led the development on the 2015 Hatbox Ghost) and artists Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily discussed this legend Saturday morning. Kevin and Jody even created a life-sized Hatbox Ghost for the 2014 D23 Expo, which ended up in Guillermo del Toro’s Haunted Mansion room! Del Toro is currently working on a Haunted Mansion movie, and “if you’re listening Eddie Murphy, you aren’t in this one.” In this film, Del Toro has big plans for the Hatbox Ghost: “I’m going to make him so important to the movie that Disneyland will have to put him back in the ride.” Little did he know, Disneyland did put him back in, even before his movie was released. So now he has to do his part, and finish that movie!
But the Hatbox Ghost wasn’t always this popular. Disneyland even underestimated the appeal of the Hatbox Ghost. When a pin of his likeness (the head could be removed as a separate pin–how cool is that?!) was produced, Disneyland refused to sell it, stating “Why would we sell something not even in the ride?”. So it was not released in the parks but only in the catalog. It sold out extremely fast, and Disneyland was forced to buy some to sell in the park.
Dan Joseph recounted the uphill battle he found to get the Hatbox ghost re-added. He is a legacy fan, with Yale Gracey being his Michael Jordan. Since the 1990’s, Imagineers have wanted to bring back the Hatbox Ghost. However, the problem with this implementation is that special effect has to happen 14 times a minute for 17 hours a day, 365 days a year . It isn’t like Las Vegas where you do one magic trick once a night and then get time to reset it up. This effect is personal. Patrons pass nearly feet away from his face. This effect had to be perfect if it was re-added. So how did they do it? Well they went to Home Depot, bought foam, PVC pipe, and all the other high end building materials, and made a mock-up of the Hatbox Ghost. This grassroots effort was shown to executives and became a real project over time, in conjunction with the 60th Anniversary. This labor of love is what allowed the Hatbox Ghost to rejoin his 999 Happy Haunts on May 9th, 2015.
They went to discuss the 2015 model’s beginnings. The updated technology was used as a means to achieve the effect, not the end goal. Thus, the core of the Hatbox Ghost is old. They could have digitally rendered a new face for him, but instead they went back to the original beautiful, albeit decrepit, molds. If they would have cheated this step, it would be missing the original love put into this mold: the finger prints, the brushstrokes, the asymmetries. So after scanning it, they can see all of these details: creating an analog product. So the rest of the mansion won’t be seeing an upgrade, unless the technology serves the look and feel of the mansion.
© Disney
Now, some people only want the Hatbox Ghost to be a resident of Disneyland, and not be added to Disney World. But Dan goes on to tell that there were two Hatbox Ghosts. The first was added to the Haunted Mansion, but the second was to be added to Disney World a year later. After Yale Gracey decommissioned the first, the second was unincorporated as well. And now both live as nuts and bolts within the Haunted Mansion and probably other animatronics of Disneyland. So will we see a Hatbox Ghost at Disney World? Well, I guess only time will answer that one.
Have you ever wondered why the Hatbox Ghost was placed where he is? Well Tony Baxter knows the answer. He was always bothered by the fact that as you left the attic, you become painfully aware that the cemetery had a ceiling: ghosts flew out from their graves and then traveled across the ceiling. So if they could place something to distract you as you leave the attic, you won’t pay attention to the ceiling. They did some mock ups of other characters, but when the Hatbox Ghost was reincorporated into the ride, this location became his home for this very reason. They also adjusted the track of the Doombuggie to face the Hatbox Ghost and then track backwards. This effect focuses your attention on him, but seriously, would you not be looking at him anyways?
And good news for Hatbox fans: he won’t be donning a Santa outfit, a Rudolph nose, or any festive garland. The Hatbox Ghost will be staying right where he is while he visits that nostalgic land of Christmas and Halloween.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][banner728 banner=”557356c28958a”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
