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Tania McKnight Norris and Walt Disney
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Former Imagineer Worked With Walt Disney And Created Iconic Design

Posted by: Lana Porter April 18, 2023

Disney Parks official Twitter account just dropped an interview with Tania McKnight Norris, a former Disney Imagineer that worked with Walt Disney himself! This video is the newest treat in Disney Parks’ celebration of Halfway to Halloween. In her interview, Tania gives us some insider information about the creation and decor of the infamous Haunted Mansion ride.

Tania Mcknight Norris worked alongside Walt Disney while he developed the top secret “Project X.” That top secret project is now the largest vacation spot in the world known and The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. To speak about the Haunted Mansion attraction, Norris has returned to Disney World for the first time since she was there with Walt Disney in 1965!

RELATED: Your Zodiac Sign Matches A Disney Parks Snack!

Tania McKnight Norris and Walt Disney

Disney

Calling Haunted Mansion one of her favorites, Norris explains that she’s worked on some aspects of Disney land now labeled iconic, or “so they tell [her].” In fact one of her designs is now on clothing that Guests frequently wear throughout the Parks.

The “Purple Wallpaper” from Haunted Mansion started out as a “doodle in her notebook!” Norris describes the “Purple Wallpaper” design as taking on “a life of its own.” Not only did the aesthetic become emblematic of the classic ride, the pattern spread to merchandise, and now will even be featured in the upcoming reboot film from the Walt Disney Studios, Haunted Mansion (2023). You can see it in theaters on July 28!

Purple Wallpaper

Disney

Reflecting on her experience, Disney legend Tania McKnight Norris concludes, “I guess that’s the magic of Disney, isn’t it?” Walt Disney would be proud to see what an impact even his Imagineer’s smallest designs have made on Guests. The Haunted Mansion ride is located in Liberty Square of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom as well as Disneyland in California, and Tokyo Disneyland.

Halfway to Halloween is an annual Disney Parks celebration that occurs about six months before Halloween. There are limited-time activities and food and beverage offerings in the Disney Parks, as well as a slew of content for people to enjoy from home.

Read more here for 2023 activities: Disney’s Halfway To Halloween Activities and Announcements

Read more here for 2023 treats: Disney Announces “Haunted Mansion” Themed Sweets & Treats

Halfway to Halloween 2023

Disney Parks Blog

About Lana Porter

Lana has never lost a Disney Trivia night. Maybe it’s the hundreds of times she’s been to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, her love for Disney’s ’90’s era hand-animated musicals, or the fact that she’s often likened to cartoon characters, but Disney and its magic have a special place in her heart. Her favorite Disney experiences include the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival, eating Mickey Bars on the PeopleMover, and crying during the Magic Kingdom fireworks show. One day she hopes to be chosen as the rebel spy on Star Tours. When Lana isn’t Park Hopping, she’s at home reading books of all topics, watching her favs on Disney+, or snuggling her two cats, which she swears are not named after Disney characters. She loves surprising people with her knowledge of the Marvel Cinematic Universe but admits she is still catching up with Star Wars. She is happy to combine her excitement for writing with her love for Disney-style storytelling and share what she can with the world!