For 65 years, Disney has been delighting guests with creepies, crawlies, and happy haunts at its iconic Haunted Mansion attraction. The spooktacular ride first opened in New Orleans Square at Disneyland Park in 1969. Since then, nearly every Disney theme park resort has opened its version of the ride.
Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland both have the Haunted Mansion. Disneyland Paris’s version is called Phantom Manor, and Hong Kong Disneyland houses Mystic Manor.
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Even though the original Haunted Mansion attraction did not open until three years after Walt Disney’s death, he was still incredibly involved in its creation. Originally, Walt had wanted the attraction to be a walk-through experience, but that idea was not coming to fruition. Eventually, the attraction was given the ride vehicles we know and love today — the Doom Buggy.
Of course, Walt didn’t come up with all of these amazing ideas himself. He worked with people who were nearly as creative as he was, a group called Imagineers. Walt Disney Imagineers took Walt’s ideas, built on them, and brought them to life.
One of the most famous Imagineers in Walt Disney history is Bob Gurr. Mr. Gurr was hired by Walt Disney himself just one year before Disneyland opened. Gurr, who had a background in car design, is the brain behind many of the iconic ride vehicles that are still seen at Disney parks today.
Over the years, Mr. Gurr designed the cars used on Autopia, the bobsleds for the Matterhorn, and the Haunted Mansion Doom Buggy. He was also a key figure in creating the first-of-its-kind audio-animatronics, which can now be seen all over Disney theme parks. He most famously designed the mechanisms that brought Abraham Lincoln to life in the attraction, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.
Related: At 90 Years Old, Former Imagineer Bob Gurr Still Knows How to Shake and Shimmy
Over the years, Bob Gurr has become one of the most well-known and beloved people in the history of The Walt Disney Company. Even at 92 years old, he can still be found at Disney events, taking the time to get to know the fans who love him.
Recently, Mr. Gurr attended Midsummer Scream, a Halloween and horror convention that takes place in Long Beach, California. While there, he was absolutely blown away when one fan rode up to where Mr. Gurr was in his very own Doom Buggy! To say that Mr. Gurr was blown away would be an understatement.
DIY Doom Buggy fan meets Doom Buggy Design Legend
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A shocked Gurr climbed into the Doom Buggy, which lit up and even played the music found on the attraction! He was quickly off, ready to take the Doom Buggy everywhere he could.
The Doom Buggy was designed by Vito Pace, AKA DIY Light Guy (@diylightguy) on Instagram. Over the years, Mr. Pace has created some gorgeous Christmas light displays. He even designed a light-up pirate ship that surrounded his motorized scooter. He truly takes his lighting talents to the next level.
What do you think about this incredible Doom Buggy? Let us know in the comments!
