Figurines Inspired by the Legendary 'Haunted Mansion' Attraction from Disneyland Echo the Essence of the Original Ride
Steve Thompson, the artist and product design manager behind the Haunted Mansion figures, has created a unique collection of light-up stretching portrait icons that pay homage to the beloved Disney attraction. Thompson, who grew up visiting Disney Parks and found inspiration there, has a deep appreciation for the Haunted Mansion and the tradition of its characters and stories.
Thompson's goal was to give Haunted Mansion fans something they haven't seen before. He approached the figure design with a dedication to honouring the tradition of the portraits in the stretching room and drawing them as he sees them. The poses of the characters are similar to the portraits in the attraction, but not exactly how fans remember them.
The collection includes two standout figures: the Sarah “Sally” Slater Light-Up Figure and the Dynamite Gentleman Light-Up Figure. The Sally figure showcases Sally as "The Tightrope Walker," balancing above an alligator, similar to her original stretching portrait. The base glows with haunting multicolored lights, making it an eerie Halloween centerpiece. The Dynamite Gentleman figure captures the character’s pose as a sophisticated "stretching portrait" man who is pantsless and loaded with TNT, complete with a flickering candle and a burning fuse.
Thompson was inspired by the original paintings by Disney legend Marc Davis for the design of these figures. The figures depict Sarah Sally Slater over her crocodile and the Dynamite Gentleman on his precarious barrel. The Dynamite Gentleman's ornate barrel base has a faux wood finish and lighting effects to simulate sparks flying from his fuse, capturing the dark humor and fiery energy of the original attraction.
These highly detailed, light-up collectible figures are specific creations for Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort merchandise collections. Thompson feels a great responsibility as a designer to honour the tradition of the characters and stories he works on, and his dedication is evident in these stunning figures.
The Haunted Mansion release and other Halloween season goods are available online at the Disney Store. The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland will be taking over with a spooky Christmas mashup through the end of the year holidays. Thompson, who has been a fan of The Haunted Mansion since his first trip to Disneyland in 1980, has fond memories of seeing his own creations being sold in Disney Park stores.
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[1] Disney Store (2021). Sarah “Sally” Slater Light-Up Figure
[2] Disney Store (2021). Dynamite Gentleman Light-Up Figure
[3] Disney Store (2021). Haunted Mansion Merchandise Collection
[4] Disney Parks Blog (2021). New Haunted Mansion Merchandise Now Available
- Steve Thompson, the artist behind the Haunted Mansion figures, has created two standout light-up figures: the Sarah “Sally” Slater Light-Up Figure and the Dynamite Gentleman Light-Up Figure, which are available as part of the Haunted Mansion Merchandise Collection at the Disney Store.
- In the future, fans of entertainment, fashion-and-beauty, technology, lifestyle, toys-and-collectibles, Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, DC Universe, and Doctor Who can find news and articles about these topics on io9.
- The Dynamite Gentleman Light-Up Figure, inspired by the original paintings by Disney legend Marc Davis, captures the dark humor and fiery energy of the Haunted Mansion attraction with a faux wood finish and lighting effects on a barrel base simulating sparks flying from his fuse.
- Thompson's Haunted Mansion figures, including the highly detailed Sarah “Sally” Slater and Dynamite Gentleman Light-Up Figures, are specifically designed for Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort merchandise collections, reflecting Thompson's dedication to honouring the tradition of the Haunted Mansion characters and stories.
