DoomBugs at the Haunted Mansion's 40th birthday!

On August 9, 2009, the Haunted Mansion celebrated its 40th b-day in style, with an artist signing at the Disneyana store in the morning by Shag, and a gathering of DoomBugs (above) to celebrate the Mansion's birthday properly. On the evening of August 8, a private "Swinging Wake" was held at Disney's Paradise Pier to honor Shag for his new release of 13 frightful Haunted Mansion images, featuring an open "Shagtini" bar, an undertaker jazz band, and endless sweets and hors d'oeuvres. But the real star of the weekend was the Haunted Mansion, which was open at midnight Aug. 9th to a select family for the first-ever sleepover in the manse. A live webcam of the entire night showed some mysterious goings-on... including a serenade by the Hitchhiking Ghosts themselves! Amazing!

Be sure to listen to this week's Mousetalgia podcast for a special Haunted Mansion birthday episode!

RIP.