35. The Museum of the Weird

Episode 35 – The Museum of the Weird

In this mini episode of The Swinging Wake Podcast, we're diving into one of the most fascinating "what ifs" in Disney history—the legendary Museum of the Weird. Originally conceived by Imagineer Rolly Crump as a companion attraction to the Haunted Mansion, this bizarre collection of surreal oddities never officially opened... but its influence can still be found throughout Disney Parks around the world.

Join Alex and Kris as they explore the history of this unrealized attraction, Walt Disney's plans for it, and the many ways its strange legacy continues to live on today.

In This Episode

• Disneyland's upcoming Haunted Mansion closure for the Halloween overlay
• New Haunted Mansion and Nightmare Before Christmas rubber ducks
• New Haunted Mansion merchandise currently available at Disneyland Resort
• The origins of the Museum of the Weird
• Rolly Crump's surreal concepts and artistic inspirations
• Walt Disney's vision for integrating the Museum into the Haunted Mansion
• Why the Museum was ultimately never built
• Museum of the Weird concepts that survived inside the Haunted Mansion
• References throughout Disney Parks, Disney Cruise Line, and Mystic Manor
• Unproduced films, comics, and other media inspired by the Museum

Listener Poll

If Disney finally built the Museum of the Weird today, how would you want to experience it?

• As its own standalone attraction?
• As a Haunted Mansion pre-show or post-show walkthrough?
• As part of a Haunted Mansion expansion?
• Or do you think it's better preserved as a legendary piece of Disney history?

Let us know on Facebook, Instagram, or in our Patreon Discord!

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References & Further Reading Museum of the Weird & Haunted Mansion History

• Walt Disney Family Museum – Imagineering the Haunted Mansion: Rolly Crump https://www.waltdisney.org/blog/imagineering-haunted-mansion-rolly-crump
• Museum of the Weird (Haunted Mansion Wiki) https://hauntedmansion.fandom.com/wiki/Museum_Of_The_Weird
• Unproduced Haunted Mansion Animated Special https://hauntedmansion.fandom.com/wiki/Unproduced_Haunted_Mansion_Animated_Special
• It's Kind of a Cute Story by Rolly Crump & Jeff Heimbuch (2017)

Disney Comics

• Disney Kingdoms: Seekers of the Weird https://www.amazon.com/Disney-Kingdoms-Seekers-Brandon-Seifert/dp/0785154523
• Disney Kingdoms: The Haunted Mansion https://www.amazon.com/Disney-Kingdoms-Haunted-Brandon-Seifert/dp/1302926624

Disneyland News

• Haunted Mansion Closing for Holiday Overlay https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2026/07/disneyland-will-temporarily-close-this-popular-attraction-heres-why.html
• Haunted Mansion & NBC Rubber Ducks https://wdwnt.com/2026/07/the-nightmare-before-christmas-rubber-ducks-at-disneyland-resort/
• New Haunted Mansion Merchandise Collection https://wdwnt.com/2026/07/new-haunted-mansion-merchandise-collection-arries-at-disneyland-including-grandfather-clock-loungefly-bag-starbucks-accessories-and-more/

Additional Reading

• ScreenRant – Haunted Mansion: Stray Spirits & Ride Closure https://screenrant.com/disney-the-haunted-mansion-stray-spirits-series-and-ride-closure/