Hey y'all,

Just got off of the phone with the manager of Merchadising Special Events for the Disney theme parks. Here's a rare opportunity for you to share some feedback directly with the management in terms of special event planning...

As many of you know, Walt Disney World is hosting a Haunted Mansion event this Halloween (October 30, actually.) Here's the first exclusive leak of the title: "The 999 Happy Haunts Ball at the Magic Kingdom." The event will cost $109.99 per guest (with a 9.99% discount to AP holders.) It'll take place from 8 pm till the stroke of midnight on October 30, 2002. The evening will include a delightfully ghoulish buffet dinner, as well as a chance to meet your favorite characters from the Haunted Mansion. Participants will be limited to a total of 999.

Tentatively scheduled events include early admission to purchase exclusive limited edition merchandise, exclusive souvenirs available only to event participants, a chance to meet and greet the artists of some of the special merchandise and have it signed, exclusive pins, storytelling events, souvenir photos, and more. The Magic Kingdom will be closed to the public, but the surrounding areas of Liberty Square and Frontierland (including the Country Bears, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, and of course, our Haunted Mansion) will be open for event participants to enjoy. And, of course, the event won't be complete without a trip through the Haunted Mansion, which promises a few eerie surprises of its own for this special evening.

Disney is soliciting feedback, so feel free to send me your comments and I'll pass them on. Does it sound like an event worth the ticket price? What special features would you include? Would you plan to attend?

More information will follow as I receive it. Sounds like a perfect evening to me...