Where the Tombstones Quake

More well-known and easily-discoverable Hidden Disney references are found in the small cemetery at the side entrance to Gracey Manor. The humorous epitaphs keep Guests entertained as they await an opening of the doors. Each of the names on these tombstones is actually a tribute to one of the individuals from WED Enterprises (now Walt Disney Imagineering) who helped create the Haunted Mansion.

MASTER GRACEY - Yale Gracey was a Special Effects Designer who created many of the illusions used throughout the attraction. Over time, Gracey has come to be attributed as the owner of the mansion, although that was not the original intent.

GOOD FRIEND GORDON - Gordon Williams was responsible for creating sound effects for the show.

GRANDPA MARC - Marc Davis was a legendary character animator who moved to Imagineering in the 1960s. He contributed character designs and some of the Mansion's signature humor.

FRANCIS XAVIER - Francis Xavier "X" Atensio was the Show Writer on the Mansion project. He helped develop the story, wrote the script for the Ghost Host, and penned the lyrics to "Grim Grinning Ghosts."

A MAN NAMED MARTIN - Bud Martin was head of the Special Effects Department at WED.

MISTER SEWELL - Bob Sewell worked in the Model Shop at WED.

BROTHER CLAUDE - Claude Coats painted backgrounds for many of the Disney animated features. For the Haunted Mansion, Coats helped create the settings throughout the attraction. Coats' moody sets combined with Davis' humorous characters set just the right tone for the Mansion.

GOOD OLD FRED - Fred Joerger was an Art Director credited with much of the plaster work and character paint (simulated age and weather effects on surfaces) throughout the attraction.

BROTHER DAVE - Dave Burkhart built several of the key models for the Mansion's construction.

WATHEL R. BENDER - Wathel Rogers has been called the "father" of Audio-Animatronics. He programmed the movements of many of the figures in the show.

UNCLE MYALL - Chuck Myall was a planner who helped lay out the Mansion along with much of the Magic Kingdom.

COUSIN HUET - Cliff Huet was an Architect and Interior Designer on the project.

DEAR SWEET LEOTA - Leota Toombs was an artist at WED who also served as the model for the disembodied medium Madame Leota in the Seance Circle scene of the Haunted Mansion. Leota's tombstone was added as an enhancement in 2001 and comes with a little surprise. Keep your eyes on her visage long enough... and she'll open her eyes on you!