The Haunted Mansion
That is Master Gracey. That portrait hangs above the fireplace at the Haunted Mansion in DisneyWorld (well minus the OMG and Tia.) Before your very eyes he changes into a decaying corpse.
The Haunted Mansion.
When I was a cast member, the Haunted Mansion was a wonderful counterpart to the rambunctiousness of Splash Mountain whenever I was not feeling particularly magical or overtired. Curling up in a doom buggy alone before my shift was a daily habit for several months. In the darkness of that ride the ghosts could do all the work while I recharged, so to speak; the quiet before the storm. To have endless patience for guests, and the constant optimism despite everything, I had to spend time on the ride with characters that seemed to grumble that you were there, but performed for you anyway. There I would find my bit of peace, and I could go to my shift at the mountain feeling centered.
At Disney, Frontierland and Liberty Square are separated by the Little Mississippi bridge, and while we work we are not allowed to cross it. There were times, however, that I would stand on the Frontierland side of the bridge and talk to a butler from the mansion during parade times. He and I got into the habit of teasing one another in character; the 'Frontierland Cowgirl' was uncultured while the 'Stuck-Up Butler' was hounded about being frightening and unwelcoming. It was such a fun game, and our little story had a tinge of romance! What a secret forbidden love between a classy reserved mansion butler and a rambunctious Frontierland woman! She would teach him how to smile. I doubt that I will ever find out who he really was, but that makes it all the more tragic and lovely, doesn't it?
In short, the Haunted Mansion rocks. The Haunted Mansion soothed me when times were hard. I love it passionately and how it has inspired me creatively in different areas over the past five years. I could go on and on about why I love it, but I'll end with this: If you stop by sometime, blow Master Gracey a smooch from the southern belle who thinks he hung the moon.