Walt Disney

Walther Elias "Walt" Disney (1901-1966) was an American businessman, voice-actor, animator, producer, director, artist, writer and founder of the Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney Productions and WED Enterprises.

Haunted Mansion connections

Development

Walt Disney was the one who conceived of The Haunted Mansion, originally aimed at being a walk-through ghost attraction. Walt would oversee many of the choices made for the mansion including that it should look nice on the outside but derelict on the inside.

Walt Disney died in 1966, three years before Disneyland's Haunted Mansion would open.

Appearances

Haunted Mansion

Walt Disney was set to appear in audio-form in the queue for one draft of the Haunted Mansion penned by Ken Anderson.

Main Street, U.S.A.

Disneyland Railroad

Walt Disney is identified as chief-engineer of W.E.D. Locomotive Works which runs the Disneyland Railroad (a railroad which in-universe makes stops in New Orleans Square and Thunder Mesa).

Main Street Cinema

"Walter Elias Disney" is identified as founder and director emeritus of the Disneyland Casting Agency which references recruiting spirits for the Haunted Mansion via the the Ghost Relations Department. Said organization is also identified as hiring recruits to work in Rainbow Ridge.

Walt and Roy Disney as seen in the queue of Mystic Manor.

Mystic Manor

Walt and his brother Roy cameo in a photograph of Mystic Manor opening in 1908. Admittedly this is anachronistic as Walt Disney would have been seven years-old at the time the picture is set in.

Trivia

• There is a popular urban-myth that the Uncle Theodore bust is a projection of Walt Disney's own face. This is false as in reality it is the face of Thurl Ravenscroft who could be seen as having a passing resemblance to Walt Disney.
• Most if not all depictions of Walt Disney at the Disney Parks will hide Walt's hands from view or use photo editing to make his hands empty, leaving him with an unnatural looking two-finger pointing hand gesture. This is due to Walt having been a prolific smoker and being seen holding cigars and cigarettes in countless photos, in-part due to Walt having died from lung-cancer due to smoking.
• There are many urban-myths and stories told of Walt Disney's ghost supposedly haunting Disneyland and being seen around the park and going on rides after-hours. Some of these stories regard Disney's ghost being seen in the window of the Haunted Mansion or coming out of it as he could never enjoy the attraction in life.