Vault of Walt 9: Halloween Edition: Spooky Stories of Disney Films, Theme Parks, and Things That Go Bump In the Night

Welcome, foolish mortals, to spooky Halloween stories about all things Disney! Step into the dead center of the book to learn about the ghosts, devils, witches and other nightmare creatures that haunted the magical worlds of Disney to give us all moments of humor and horror.

Chapters are devoted to Disney animation, Disney live-action movies, Disney theme parks, Disney witches and much more including the Ben Cooper Halloween costumes, the Halloween comic book stories of Carl Barks, Walt Disney’s connection to Halloween, and Disney Halloween television specials among many other things.

While living in Marceline, Missouri as young boys, Walt Disney and his older brother Roy loved exploring and playing in an old house that was rumored to be haunted. Some unknown incident happened on one of those visits and they never returned but it effect Walt even though he never spoke of it again.

Did actor Bela Lugosi famous for his portrayal of Dracula actually pose for the Chernabog demon in Fantasia (1940) using his Dracula cape? Why was the Silly Symphony short The Skeleton Dance (1929) considered too grotesque to be shown to theater audiences?

What were the secret stories behind Billy the Zombie in Hocus Pocus (1993) in his own words? What were the behind-the-scenes shenanigans in the Halloweentown made-for-television movies?

What details are at Walt Disney World’s Twilight Zone Tower of Terror that don’t exist at any other version of the attraction at other Disney theme parks worldwide?

What was the story behind Imagineer Yale Gracey who created so many of the iconic special effects in The Haunted Mansion including quotes from people who knew and worked with him?

Discover what made the Wicked Witch from Snow White, The Marvelous Mad Madam Mim, and The Enchanting Magica De Spell some of the most memorable and beloved spell-casters around the world for decades.

And there’s much more to enhance your trick-or-treating fun with over a dozen additional short stories about Disney’s connections with the Halloween holiday.

Dedicated to Jack Hannah, the director of the Disney Halloween short Trick or Treat, who was the first Disney animator I ever interviewed and who always gave me little treats of information.

Like me, he loved that particular cartoon and, of course, the lesson that was in its theme song: "Trick or Treat. Trick or Treat for Halloween. When ghosts and goblins by the score ring the bell on your front door, better not be stingy or your nightmares will come true."