As summer draws to a close, The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland prepares for Jack Skellington to take over with his spooky Christmas mashup through the end of the year holidays. But the ghostly retreat evokes Halloween all year long and has become a Disney Store staple for collections inspired by the beloved attraction.
With the latest Haunted Mansion merch drop, you can bring some of the spectral energy of the ride home for your seasonal fall decor. Two of the most standout pieces from the collection are the Disney Store light-up stretching portrait icon figures by artist and product design manager Steve Thompson. The incredibly detailed statues look like animation come to life, depicting tightrope walker Sarah Sally Slater over her crocodile and the Dynamite Gentleman on his precarious barrel.
io9 recently caught up with Thompson, who shared original concept art of the figures with us, to discuss his process for the figures and his relationship with Disneyland as it celebrates 70 years.
Sabina Graves, io9: Could you elaborate on the inspiration behind your unique interpretation of the Sally and Dynamite Gentleman figures?
Steve Thompson: I’ve been a fan of Haunted Mansion since my very first trip to Disneyland back in 1980. One of my favorite rooms in the attraction is, of course, the stretching room and its portraits. As with any new project, I never want to repeat myself. We have done some very cool collectibles, ornaments, and artwork of these characters in the past that stay very true to the portrait characters as you know them. So, for me the challenge was, how do we portray these characters in a new way?
The portraits in the stretching room have been painted by different artists over the years. As a result, the way they look has also changed. My approach with the design of these figurines was to honor that tradition and draw them as I see them. It all started with my initial sketches. I would say my biggest inspiration or jumping-off point was the original paintings by Disney legend Marc Davis. His paintings were fun and a little eerie at the same time—there was magic in the eyes!
When an attraction has been around for as long as Haunted Mansion has, the challenge is giving Haunted Mansion fans something they haven’t seen before. I wanted the poses of the characters to be similar to the portraits in the attraction, but not exactly how you remember them. Almost as if you are catching a slightly different moment from the same portrait session, something as unique as the mansion itself. I hope fans enjoy this take on some of their favorite characters!
io9: What has been your personal connection to Disneyland and The Haunted Mansion over the years?
Thompson: I grew up going to Disneyland, and like many who grew up in California, the park was always an inspiration to me. It is truly a magical place. I knew from a very young age that I wanted to work for Disney as an artist, and being able to visit the park on a regular basis helped keep that dream alive for me. I can say I have been incredibly lucky to be doing just that for the past 31 years! Haunted Mansion to me is one of the all-time great Disney attractions; every detail is perfect. I still feel like after all these years there is always something new to discover.
io9: In what ways have Disney Parks served as one of your earliest fandoms, and how has that influenced your career path as a designer?
Thompson: Growing up visiting the Disney Parks made me feel like anything is possible. The parks were a safe space for me to dream and imagine. You can see the love, talent, and craftsmanship that has gone into every detail. As a designer, I always keep in mind that I am just one of a long line of artists that have helped keep these characters and stories alive over the years. It comes with great responsibility and a true love for the source material.
Some of my favorite recent memories of the parks are the times I’m there on my own after an art signing or work meeting, making my way through the park and seeing things I’ve helped create being sold in the stores. It’s something I always dreamed about as a kid. And the park brings out that kid in me that can take a step back and appreciate that. It always makes me excited to see what we’re going to design next!
io9: Beyond the specific figures, are there any other aspects of The Haunted Mansion and spooky season at the parks that particularly resonate with you creatively?
Thompson: As a kid I wanted to live in the Haunted Mansion—I also wanted the caterpillar ride vehicle from Alice in Wonderland to be my car! Haunted Mansion to me is a must-stop every time I am at the park. Besides the great characters and music, I love the architecture; no detail was overlooked in its creation. It’s something only Disney could do; going on the ride at night is just about as magical as it gets, and for me as a designer, those conditions are perfect for finding my next bit of inspiration. You never know what we’ll do next. Stay tuned.
See this Haunted Mansion release and more Halloween season goods online at the Disney Store.
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