In honor of the 30^th Anniversary of the Haunted Mansion attraction, a two day celebration was held on June 26^th and 27^th. On the evening of the 26^th, over 1000 guests witnessed a panel discussion at the Fantasyland Theatre with some of the creative people who brought the Haunted Mansion to "life."

After the Executive Vice President of the Disneyland Resort, Cynthia Harriss, introduced the panelists (with the aide of a ghoulish Madame Leota), the Dapper Dans materialized as the Hitchhiking Ghosts and the Grave Digger from the attraction. They struck the classic "hitchhiking" pose, to thunderous applause. They then proceeded to sing a rousing rendition of the theme song from the Haunted Mansion, "Grim Grinning Ghosts" along with the Ballroom Ghost and organ accompaniment played by the Bride from the Mansion’s attic. As the song concluded, the Hitchhiking Ghosts,Grave Digger and Ballroom Ghost hopped a Doom Buggy to exit.

The tall Hitchhiking Ghost (Jim Campbell) emerges from his coffin to help the Grave Digger (Bill Lewis) find his dog.
Panelist on left is Disney Legend Marc Davis, responsible for many creative ideas in the attraction.
On the right is Haunted Mansion Lyricist, X Atencio.

Jim Campbell, Shelby Grimm,
Tim Reeder, Bill Lewis.

Singing the opening strains of "Grim Grinning Ghosts."

Jim Campbell, Shelby Grimm,
Tim Reeder, Bill Lewis, Herbie Raad.

"Grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize…"

Haunted Mansion Lyricist X Atencio,
Shelby Grimm, Jim Campbell,
Tim Reeder.

The classic "Hitchhiking Ghost" pose.

Tim Reeder as a "Hitchhiking Ghost"
attempts to spook Disney Legend Marc Davis.

Tim Reeder, Shelby Grimm,
Bill Lewis, Jim Campbell,
Herbie Raad.

Hopping aboard a moving Doom Buggy as "Grim Grinning Ghosts" comes to a spirited finish.
Disney Legend Marc Davis, Lyricist X Atencio and Disney Artist Sam McKim look on.

Tim Reeder, Shelby Grimm,
Bill Lewis, Jim Campbell, Herbie Raad.

Close-up of the Doom Buggy as it exits.
The Hitchhiking Ghosts, Grave Digger and Ballroom Ghost recreate the "ghost sitting next to you" effect as Walt Disney Imagineer Roly Crump  looks on.