Hidden Disneyland Details - Sparky's Empty Grave from Frankenweenie

Every Autumn, Disneyland's Haunted Mansion undergoes a whimsical transformation, becoming the Haunted Mansion Holiday. Inspired by Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), Madame Leota and the mansion's 999 haunts open their eerie estate to the quirky ghouls from Halloween Town. Beginning in 2001, Jack Skellington has hosted the annual holiday overlay, a mishmash of the otherwise mismatched Halloween and Christmas holiday seasons.

A new Disney Detail has been added to this year's Haunted Mansion Holiday. In anticipation of Tim Burton's latest Disney project, the stop-motion animated Frankenweenie (2012), a special grave and marker have been added to the pet cemetery in the mansion's front garden.

Sparky's Empty Grave in front of Disneyland's Haunted Mansion

Though empty gravesites may not seem strange in a pet cemetery, or more specifically - Pet Sematary. This empty grave and bone shaped cross are tributes to Sparky, the four-legged star of Burton's Frankenweenie, which was released in theaters on October 5, 2012.

Ginnifer Goodwin, Self-Professed Disneyphile

During her September 26th appearance on the ABC Network's Jimmy Kimmel Live, actress Ginnifer Goodwin admitted to being a huge Disney fan. The vivacious Goodwin acknowledged that she's living out a childhood dream, by starring as Snow White on ABC's fairytale-inspired Once Upon A Time. The real life Disney Princess is a frequent park visitor, sharing a few of her favorite (and not-so-favorite) Disneyland attractions.

The self-professed Disneyphile also gushed about her membership to the exclusive Club 33, secretly located in Disneyland's New Orleans Square. Goodwin acknowledged the restaurant's extremely limited membership and extensive waiting list. It seems odd that the star of a Walt Disney Company production would have several difficulties just getting a dinner reservation, let alone a club membership.

Its great to hear that the actress entrusted with portraying Disney's first princess, is at heart, a true Disney fan. The next question, does Ginnifer Goodwin know about Hidden Mickeys? 

Hidden Mickey Monday ºoº - Matterhorn Hidden Mickey Coat of Arms

Posted along the Matterhorn queue are actual crests or shields symbolizing several Switzerland's twenty-six cantons, or states. A red and white coat of arms featuring a stylized key, represents the Swiss canton of Obwalden. Concealed on the Obwalden coat of arms is a miniature Hidden Mickey, a classic three circled shape painted in black.

Obwalden Coat of Arms in Disneyland's Matterhorn queue.

Although the key's head is also reminiscent of a Classic Mickey, the actual Mickey appears at the base of the key's stem. The Matterhorn facade features two shields with this striking red & white design. This crest, which includes the Hidden Mickey, is displayed in the Fantasyland side of the Matterhorn's queue.

A Hidden Mickey appears on the Obwalden Coat of Arms in Disneyland's Matterhorn queue.

Flashback Friday: Mickey's Halloween Party Family Edition

Today officially kicks off Halloween Time 2012 at Disneyland! Here is a flashback of our family's Disney themed costumes since we started attending Mickey's Halloween Party in 2009. This year our baby daughter gets to join in the fun! Who will we be? You'll have to wait and see! :)

Phineas and Ferb 2011

UP 2010

Alice in Wonderland 2009

Hidden Disneyland Details - The Three Marionettes

As Disneyland guests exit Pinocchio's Daring Journey, they pass by an often overlooked window display. Featured in a little workshop-inspired vignette are three marionettes, Pinocchio, a girl in a green dress and an unpainted wooden figure.

Three Marionettes in Fantasyland, Disneyland, Anaheim, California

Probably added during Fantasyland's 1983 refurbishment, the three marionettes are meant to symbolize Disneyland. Pinocchio, the star of Walt Disney's 1940 animated feature, is a reminder of Disneyland's storied past. The doll in the green dress is a dressed like a Fantasyland Cast Member. The Cast Member marionette symbolizes the present day and the people who make Disneyland such a happy place. The unfinished marionette represents the infinite possibilities in Disneyland's future.