Tag Archives: Kevin Kidney

With less than one month to go before the doors creak open to the Pasadena Convention Center for ScareLA 2015, the massive Halloween/horror show continues to roll out exciting news and surprises for fans eager to get the haunting season started!

Joining the Legend of Disneyland’s Hatbox Ghost panel presentation is Walt Disney Imagineer Daniel Joseph, also referred to as an “Illusioneer”, following in the footsteps of the late, great Yale Gracey. Daniel was the creative in charge of bringing the Hatbox Ghost back to Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion attraction this spring, as part of the park’s 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration.

Daniel Joseph is a Senior Special Effects and Illusion Designer at Walt Disney Imagineering. Before Disney, Daniel made haunted attractions in his parents’ basement starting at age 11. He then studied Industrial Design in Philadelphia, where for several summers, he was a special effects designer for the Eastern State Penitentiary’s Terror Behind the Walls haunted attraction. He has been an Imagineer since 2006, when he won first prize in the Imagineering-sponsored Imagi-Nations design competition. Since joining WDI, Daniel has conceived, designed, and installed many new special effects and illusions in Disney theme parks around the world, including Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, Test Track, Magic Kingdom expansion, and both Trader Sam’s tiki bars, to name a few. Most recently, Daniel was the “Illusioneer” in charge of bringing the Hatbox Ghost back to The Haunted Mansion for Disneyland’s 60th Anniversary. Daniel holds 20 Patents with the Walt Disney Company.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to announce Daniel’s inclusion in our Hatbox Ghost presentation,” said Rick West, Founder and Editor of Theme Park Adventure and Creative Programming Producer for ScareLA. “This robust and diverse presentation celebrating our love and fascination with The Haunted Mansion is going to be a must-see cornerstone moment at this year’s ScareLA show. We are honored to have the support and partnership of Walt Disney Imagineering in this effort, and cannot wait to hear Daniel’s incredible story of bringing the attraction’s Hatbox Ghost back from the grave, if you will!”