The Haunted Mansion has long been my favorite attraction at the Magic Kingdom. It has been my favorite since I was five years old and first visited the Magic Kingdom. With long lines and huge crowds, rides at Grad Night weren’t my priority, but I made it a point to see the Haunted Mansion! I skipped seeing Brittney Spears live (before she was HUGE) to go on this ride! So for all my fellow Haunted Mansion lovers, this blog’s for you!
This attraction was originally dreamed up by Walt as a walk through ghost house. In his concept, it had a rural americal design, and was supposed to be at the end of a crooked path off of Main Street USA in Disneyland. After Walt’s death, it changed significantly. The attraction opened in 1971 at the Magic Kingdom. It also opened at Tokyo Disneyland in 1983, and Disneyland Paris (as Phantom Manor) in 1992. It is an original attraction for each of these parks. It is also the only attraction to be placed in different lands in every park. In Disneyland, it’s in New Orleans Square and looks like a southern plantation home. In the Magic Kingdom, it looks like a Gothic Revival, and is located in Liberty Square. At Tokyo Disneyland, it is in Fantasyland, and Phantom Manor, in Disneyland, it’s in Frontierland, and is Second Empire style.
What about the rumors? There are tons of rumors that surround the Haunted Mansion, mostly about people who have died of fright while riding. Let’s nip that in the bud right here. No guests have ever died of fright on the Haunted Mansion attraction. There has long been a rumor that Walt Disney himself is one of the singing busts’ voice. This is also not true.
Just go and enjoy the attraction. Take a moment to stop and read the tombstones, some are really funny and creative!