Tag Archives: Haunted Mansion

Oct 15 2019

Frightening Facts About Disney’s Haunted Mansion

With Halloween right around the corner, there is no better time to take a look into The Haunted Mansion at Walt Disney World. As a person that is terrified of anything paranormal, I am strangely a huge fan of The Haunted Mansion. But to be honest I was scared to death of the attraction until I was a teenager. After my friends forced me to watch countless horror movies, The Haunted Mansion began to look more like a Halloween version of “it’s a small world.” If you are brave enough, here are some frightening facts about The Haunted Mansion courtesy of Disney:

Happy haunts — 999 to be exact — welcome ghoulish-loving guests to The Haunted Mansion at Walt Disney World Resort with a doom buggy full of tricks and treats in the eerie gothic manor.

A Magic Kingdom classic, The Haunted Mansion is one of the most beloved attractions at Walt Disney World Resort and has been eliciting all-in-fun chills and shrieks since Walt Disney World Resort opened its gates October 1, 1971.

The Haunting Highlights:

  • Once inside the wrought-iron gates that surround the stately mansion, guests step gingerly past the home’s cemetery, with tombstones featuring witty epitaphs to the dearly departed.
  • Throughout the interactive queue, voices, music and other paranormal behaviors get passersby in the “spirit.” Guests can tap on embossed musical instruments to hear a haunting tune at a musical crypt, play with water and bubbles from a leaky tomb and help a ghost writer overcome writer’s block outside the front entrance.
  • Thanks to a little Disney magic, ghostly apparitions seem to appear out of thin air to dance and sing in certain rooms. And eager “hitchhiking” ghosts even appear inside each doom buggy at the end of the ride to follow guests home – but not before performing ghoulish new pranks.
  • Summoned to the front entrance, guests enter the foyer and then an octagonal gallery that stretches…and stretches — or does it?  Paintings on the wall grow longer, but the floor and ceiling never seem to move. Other portraits morph into ghastly images, including a dapperly dressed gentleman that transforms into a decrepit corpse.
  • Guests board doom buggies for their ghost-guided tour of the mansion. Sound and lighting effects create the mood as the darkened, eggshell-shaped vehicles glide silently through the cobwebbed library, conservatory, hallways, ballroom, attic and graveyards.  Guests even ride through Madame Leota’s séance, a collection of flying objects choreographed by a disembodied spirit trapped inside a crystal ball.
  • Synchronized speakers inside each doom buggy allow a narrator to explain the supernatural scenes to riders.

Fright Facts:

  • The five singing busts in the graveyard scene warble the attraction’s theme song, “Grim Grinning Ghosts.” Though sometimes mistaken for Walt Disney, the face on the bust farthest to the left actually belongs to Thurl Ravenscroft, the song’s soloist.  Ravenscroft is known to millions of fans as the voice of Tony the Tiger, the mascot of Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes cereal.
  • The witty epitaphs on the tombstones at the attraction’s entrance pay tribute to the designers, developers and artists who originally created The Haunted Mansion. One of the newest tombstones honors the late Walt Disney Imagineer Leota Thomas (her maiden name was Toombs). Periodically, Leota’s tombstone can be spotted slowly opening and closing the eyes on its sculpted head.
  • Madame Leota also graces the crystal ball in the attraction’s séance scene. Leota Thomas provided the face for the crystal ball, and voice artist Eleanor Audley provided the voice. Audley is also famous as the voice of the evil Maleficent in Disney’s classic animated feature “Sleeping Beauty.”
  • In addition to its home in the Liberty Square area at Walt Disney World Resort, The Haunted Mansion is featured at Disneyland Resort (in New Orleans Square), Tokyo Disneyland (in Fantasyland) and Disneyland Paris (known as Phantom Manor and located in Frontierland). It is the only Disney attraction to be featured in four different park “lands” worldwide.
  • Ghosts aren’t the only ones hiding in The Haunted Mansion. There are several “Hidden Mickeys” to be found as well. The ballroom scene features one of the most famous — a plate and a pair of saucers on the dining table form Mickey Mouse’s familiar silhouette.
  • Legendary voice artist Paul Frees — known to many as Boris Badenov from “The Bullwinkle Show” — is the attraction’s narrator, or “ghost host.”

Looking for more spookiness? Check out these Disney Ghost Stories including my creepy experience inside The Haunted Mansion!

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

What is your favorite part of Haunted Mansion?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

Nov 11 2015

Jungle Cruise Is Now Jingle Cruise For The Holidays

Jingle Cruise

If you are a fan of the Disneyland Resort, you are probably already familiar with the special overlays like Jingle Cruise, The Haunted Mansion Holiday, and “it’s a small world” Holiday that the Disneyland Park receives during the holiday season every year. Taking a page out of Disneyland’s book, two years ago Disney World finally joined in on the fun by transforming their version of the legendary Jungle Cruise into the “Jingle Cruise” as well. Due to its popularity, the Jungle Cruise has made the switch once again this year. The Skippers are missing home this holiday season and have decorated the queue and boathouse with festive decorations, the boats have been renamed to receive holiday names, the Skippers are getting guests laughing with additional seasonal jokes, and there is even a holiday radio-show playing in the queue. In addition to being open during daily park hours, Jingle Cruise will also be in operation during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parties.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World for the holidays?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Have you been on the Jingle Cruise?
What did you think? Please leave a comment!

Oct 30 2015

Disney World Ghost Stories

In honor of Halloween, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at some of the Disney World ghost stories that are out there. Could the “most magical place on earth” actually be haunted, you ask? Well, it depends on who you talk to, what you read, and your own personal beliefs in that sort of thing. I would consider myself an open-minded skeptic. In other words, I think anything is possible, but I believe most of the “sightings” are probably more urban legend than reality. In all of the years that I have been visiting Walt Disney World, I have only once experienced anything unusual which I will share with you in a bit.

First, let’s take a look at a few of the Disney World ghost stories – some famous and some lesser known. Now as we all know, no one dies at Disney World. It has long been reported that no one is pronounced dead until their body has actually been removed the property. So who are all of these ghosts said to be roaming the resort? Good question!

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates 1George

This tale is probably the most well-known of all of the ghost stories of Disney World. As the story goes, a young construction worker named George fell to his death while working on a high area of the Pirates’ building. Each day cast members say good morning and good night to George over the PA system, and if they don’t give him the respect he desires, it is sure to make a long day for them. This ghost is known to cause all sorts of mischief such as shutting down the ride, causing breakdowns, making phone calls from an empty control room, and appearing on the ride monitors. Many guests have reported feeling a mysterious chill especially in the room with the burning city where it is believed George fell to his death. His favorite hang outs are rumored to be near the pirate with the pigs, under the bridge of the pirate with his leg hanging over, and near the door (known as George’s door) by the dog with the keys. Word of warning about George: There have been reports of guests going on Pirates of the Caribbean shouting that they don’t believe in George and have later found themselves stuck on the attraction for a long period of time due to a breakdown.

The Ladies

There is another pair of apparitions that are said to call Pirates of the Caribbean home and they are known as The Ladies. This mysterious duo is rumored to have met their untimely demise when the boat they were riding in, came off the track at the bottom of the drop and crashed as they sat in the front row. It is believed that they still linger in this area to this day and can sometimes be felt with a cold chill.

Haunted MansionHaunted Mansion

Man with a Cane

In this tale, many cast members working alone have said that they have seen a “man with the cane” riding the attraction late at night. When spoken to, he does not respond and then disappears out of sight. Who is this mysterious man? He is said to be the ghost of a pilot that died when his plane crashed in the 1940’s into what is now known as Bay Lake.

Little Boy

Another spirit that is rumored to inhabit the Haunted Mansion is that of a little boy. Unlike the Disneyland ghost story of the little boy who cries while looking for his mother, this child appears to be happy and just rides the attraction alone peering out from his doombuggy. There are a few photos circulating the internet that are said to be of this particular apparition.

Main Street, U.S.A.

Several guests have reported seeing the ghost of Roy Disney on Main Street during Wishes smiling and seeming to be thoroughly enjoying himself.

Tom Sawyer Island 1Tom Sawyer Island

For years, guests that venture over to Tom Sawyer Island have reported getting an unnerving feeling and seeing shadowy figures in the tunnels and caves of the attraction.

Spaceship Earth

This ghost story tells the tale of a little girl with long blonde hair and a young boy that are often seen playing together in front of the attraction as well as riding together.

Impressions de France

Many cast members have reported seeing a figure late at night in the theatre after it is closed. When they approach to escort him out, the apparition disappears.

Tower of TerrorTower of Terror

In this story, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is said to be haunted by a former “Bell Hop” (cast member) that died during his shift on one of the loading platforms. The story goes that this “Bell Hop” ghost is known to appear on Platform D, flicker lights and freeze the attraction when cast members are trying to do their final ride through at the end of the day.

My Experience

As I said at the beginning of this post, I consider myself an open-minded skeptic. Despite the fact that I have visited, lived in, stayed in, and dined in places that have been deemed haunted by some of the countries most respected ghost hunters, I have yet to experience anything that I can say without a doubt was “supernatural”. I’m actually quite scared of the paranormal, so maybe that’s the reason I never really feel or see anything that I would claim as beyond our reality. However not long ago, I had an unusual experience at the Haunted Mansion.

Haunted Mansion

On a solo trip I took earlier this year, I headed over to Magic Kingdom on a day with early morning Extra Magic Hours. I arrived 30 minutes before the park was to open to find that the crowds were very light. I knew that once the park opened, I would easily be able to walk on any ride that I wanted. I decided that I would make my way to Big Thunder with a quick stop in Haunted Mansion first. When the gates opened, I strolled down Main Street taking in the sights just as the sun started to rise. Most of the guests walked towards the castle (on their way to Mine Train or an important meeting with a Princess, I would guess) while a few others hurried to Tomorrowland. I found myself completely alone as I meandered towards Liberty Square. It was a strange feeling for it to be so quiet in the park during the day. My kids and I have been in Adventureland at night when we were the only guests in sight before, but the daytime isolation had a very eerie feeling about it. In no time, I arrived at my destination – Haunted Mansion.

As a child I was absolutely terrified of this attraction, and to be honest, I was probably a teenager before I really felt comfortable experiencing it. Now it is one of my favorites, and I look forward to riding it several times during each of my trips. On this particular day, it would be my first time experiencing the attraction alone. As I approached Haunted Mansion, I noticed that no one was in line. There was a cast member out front, and she waved me on through to the entrance. Once inside, it was so early the doors were open through the stretching room to the loading area. I slowly walked in unsure of whether to bypass the pre show and head straight for the doombuggies or not. After a couple of moments of standing alone, I left the stretching room and made my way directly to the loading area. The cast member waved me into the doombuggy and said that I was the first “happy haunt” of the day. I climbed in with no one else in sight except for me and the cast member.

I sat back to relax and enjoy the attraction as my doombuggy began to creep down the first long hallway. A few seconds later as I’m looking ahead at the backs of the empty doombuggies ahead of me, I see what looks to be the face of a little boy peering out of his ride vehicle back at me. I nearly jumped out of my seat, because I thought that I was the first rider of the day and that I was alone. I quickly calmed down rationalizing that the cast member that boarded me must have been confused and that there was a family already on the attraction before me. I went about my ride not giving the little boy another thought as I enjoyed the grim grinning ghosts around me; until I reached the end. As I climbed out of my doombuggy, the cast member as I exited said that he hoped that I had enjoyed being the first “happy haunt” of the day. Startled by his comment, I quickly asked him if he was sure and that didn’t someone just get off the ride a few cars before me. He said no, I was definitely first and that if I wanted to stay, I just needed to bring my death certificate next time.

Spooky, huh?

Have you seen a ghost in Disney World? Please leave a comment!
Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

Nov 11 2014

Disney World News – Jungle Cruise Transformed To Jingle Cruise

Jingle Cruise

If you are a fan of the Disneyland Resort you are probably already familiar with the special overlays like Jingle Cruise, The Haunted Mansion Holiday and “it’s a small world” Holiday that the Disneyland Park receives during the holiday season every year. Taking a page out of Disneyland’s book last year, Disney World finally joined in on the fun by transforming their version of the legendary Jungle Cruise into the “Jingle Cruise” as well. Due to its popularity, the Jungle Cruise has made the switch once again this year beginning Friday, November 7. Here’s the scoop from Disney Parks Blog:

The popular Magic Kingdom Park attraction, Jungle Cruise, has gone “Jingle Cruise” again for the second holiday season in a row! The additions, which debuted in the park on Friday, November 7, offer guests the chance to experience a holiday transformation of this fan-favorite Disney attraction. Jingle Cruise is again themed as if the Skippers are once again homesick for the holidays and decorated the attraction queue and boathouse with homemade decorations, gifts and items from back home. (If you listen carefully, you may also hear a holiday-themed radio broadcast playing in the background in the queue). The boats have been renamed to receive holiday names and the skippers are getting guests laughing with additional holiday jokes. The jungle has also received new seasonal supplies. Unfortunately, some missed their final destination falling deeper into the jungle. In addition to being open during daily park hours, Jingle Cruise will also be in operation during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parties.

Happy Holidays!

Oct 31 2014

15 Little Known Facts About Disney’s Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

In honor of the scariest holiday of the year, I thought it would be interesting to take a deeper look at Disney’s spookiest attraction: Haunted Mansion. Growing up I was always scared of anything having to do with ghosts and to this day I still try to avoid all things paranormal. My kids laugh every time I tell them the story about how I worked as a Scare Actor at a Haunted House in Kansas City one Halloween and that many of the visitors ending up scaring me instead of the other way around! I am truly a big chicken when it comes to scary stuff. However, I love the Haunted Mansion. Something about its perfect mix of supernatural with a touch of Disney magic and humor makes it more fun than terrifying. Here are 15 little known facts about Disney’s Haunted Mansion:

  • The Haunted Mansion was originally imagined as a walk through attraction.
  • Several times a year people are caught trying to spread their loved-one’s remains in the Haunted Mansion.
  • For years there were rumors that someone died of fright on a test ride of the Disneyland version and that is why it took so many years for it to open to the public.
  • In one of the versions considered, it was the bride that was to have “lost her head” instead of her many grooms.
  • The hitch-hiking ghosts, Ezra, Gus and Phineas, were given their names by fans.
  • Madame Leota in the Séance Scene is actually the face of the late Model Builder and Imagineer, Leota Toombs, whose face fit perfectly the dimensions for the crystal ball.
  • In the stretching room, the ceiling rises in Walt Disney World while in Disneyland you are in an elevator that is being lowered.
  • Fake dust and cobwebs are added inside the Haunted Mansion to make it look old.
  • On Madame Leota’s tombstone in the queue area, her eyes open and close and her face moves as guests walk by.
  • The raven that is seen several times throughout the attraction was originally going to be the narrator.
  • There are 13 candles on the birthday cake in the Grand Ballroom Scene.
  • The ghosts in the Grand Ballroom Scene are actually reflections of animatronics located above and below the Doom Buggy track. This is a variation of the “Pepper’s Ghost” illusion.
  • There are really only 107 ghosts in the Haunted Mansion not 999.
  • The caretaker and dog in the Graveyard Scene are lit differently to denote that they are living not dead.
  • With Walt Disney growing up in Kansas City and being friends with the Sauer family, it is thought that the Sauer Castle may have been an early inspiration for Walt Disney’s idea to add a Haunted Mansion to his theme parks. (I grew up in Kansas City as well. We referred to the Sauer Castle as Igor’s in my day and often drove past it during the Halloween season to see if we could witness anything creepy happening through the windows!)
Sauer Castle

Sauer Castle In Kansas City

The Organist

In the spirit of Halloween, if you would like to “ride through” the Disney World version of Haunted Mansion, just check out this video!

“Dying” to know more about the Haunted Mansion? Please check out the haunting website DoomBuggies or purchase The Unauthorized Story of Walt Disney’s Haunted Mansion written by Jeff Baham and published by my friend, Bob McLain, of Theme Park Press who also published my new book “501 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Walt Disney World Vacation“!

 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!