Those that know me can tell you that my favorite Disney attraction is the Haunted Mansion. Much to my family's dismay, it is absolutely necessary for me to recite all the words every time we ride, because I know every single word. I have a sticker proclaiming that my other car is a Doom Buggy, and if I had the financial means - I would probably have every single one of the Haunted Mansion Dooney and Burkes. I am in love with the Haunted Mansion.
So when prompted to write a "Halloween" article, naturally I jumped at the opportunity to write about Haunted Mansion. Who wouldn't?
It is no understatement to say that the Haunted Mansion has a cult following. There are tons of other people, like myself, who have a love and appreciation for the Haunted Mansion. It is one of the few attractions at Disneyland/World that deviates from the sparkly, "whatever I'll be a mermaid" concept that other Disney attractions follow by. It is one of the few attractions that will probably never run a risk of being taken over by Elsa and her army of obsessed eight year olds (let it go, you guys). And that is only a few things that serve to make Haunted Mansion amazing.
Today, I'm going to give you some more reasons to love the Haunted Mansion - besides the pretty wallpaper.
The History of Haunted Mansion
In the original concept art for Disneyland, there is a crooked street leading away from Main Street, featuring a run down manor atop a hill. This was the original placement and design for what is now the Haunted Mansion, designed by Disney Imagineer Harper Goff. Goff's design featured a graveyard and a haunted house, all visible throughout Main Street.
Using Goff's design, Ken Andersen was later assigned to design a story-line and attraction. By this point, it was decided that the Haunted Mansion would be shifted from it's location in Main Street to the new, New Orleans themed area of the park. Andersen's original idea for the Haunted Mansion was coined, "a haunted house walk through," that was advertised in the souvenir map announcing the development of the new land. It also promised a thieves market and a pirate wax museum. Like the original concept for Haunted Mansion, one of those two advertised ideas would also be scrapped by Uncle Walt and changed entirely. He had a way of suddenly deciding, "I don't like it, change everything." But the story of how Pirates of the Caribbean came to exist as it is today is best saved for another article.
Andersen's design for the Haunted Mansion was designed and revisited several times, Walt rejecting the original suggestion of a rundown, decrepit house existing in the parks and directing the project to be influenced by the Winchester Mystery House (with stairs to nowhere, doors that open to walls, etc).
Despite advertisements claiming Haunted Mansion would have a 1963 opening - the project delayed opening for six years due to large-scale focus on the Worlds Fair, and Walt's eventual death in 1966. During this six year delay, the concept for the Haunted Mansion had been changed again following Andersen's departure of the project. Rolly Crump, another Imagineer, had conceptualized a "Museum of the Weird" featuring oddities like candle-men, talking chairs, and man eating plants. This concept was never realized, and they eventually switched back to Andersen and Groff's shared idea for a haunted house type attraction.
There was a lot of disagreement between the Imagineers working on the project - trying to decide if the ride should be scary or funny. Their compromise eventually spawned the Haunted Mansion we know today, with easily recognizable characters like the Hat Box Ghost, Madame Leota, and many more of the 999 happy haunts.
Crump's idea for a Museum of the Weird did eventually come to fruition with the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland. Hong Kong's Mystic Manner used a lot of Crump's original concept art. There is also a scarier version of the attraction we know and love, known as Phantom Manor. This version of the ride can be experienced in Paris and Tokyo.
The Story of Haunted Mansion
All rides at Disney have some kind of story to them. For some, the stories are obvious. For example, Splash Mountain basically spells it's story out for you. For others, like Expedition Everest, the story is a little more subtle. Haunted Mansion makes some aspects of it's overall story obvious, but some of the details are left to mansion enthusiasts like myself to discover.
As a side note, my rendition of the story is applicable to the Walt Disney World attraction. There are some differences at Disneyland.
The beginning of the story is obvious - you have been welcomed to tour the Haunted Mansion. Maids and butlers eagerly usher you into the house, where you are greeted by your Ghost Host who therein traps you in the mansion and whisks you off to your doom buggy. You are then transported into the main part of the Mansion to begin your tour. He shares with you about their library of priceless first editions, all ghost stories, of course. He boasts about the 999 happy haunts, and offers you a spot at the mansion. You have a brief run in with Madame Leota, and then are an observer to a truly ghostly party (that is a true testament to the wonder of Disney Imagineering). The Ghost Host states that the ghosts have received your sympathetic vibrations and are assembling for a swinging wake.
What they don't tell you straightforward is that the wake is for you.
From the ballroom, the doom buggy transitions into the attic where you encounter a variety of particularly creepy portraits featuring brides and their headless husbands. Here you are faced with Constance (though before Constance joined the Mansion in 2006 the bride was reportedly named Emily). You leave the attic via the window, your doom buggy suddenly turning backwards. Those of us who haul backpacks around the park all day love this part of the ride, because descending down the steep hill is a great moment to align and crack your back (if you haven't tried it, you should). This moment is also a key part in the storytelling elements of the Haunted Mansion, however.
There are two variations to the story. One, you were pushed from the attic by Constance. This is presumably the current story being told. The other variation is that you jumped from the attic, thereby committing suicide. This story makes the most sense when applied to the version where Emily is the bride in the attic. Either way, the transition from the attic to the graveyard marks your death. You've died, and that is why you can suddenly see all of the ghosts and hear them singing.
As I mentioned previously, the wake is for you!
You are treated to everyone's favorite Grim Grinning Ghosts as you proceed through the graveyard. You must only have a brush with death, however, because the ghost host sends you on your way in the company of a lovable hitchhiking ghost. Of course, before you get the chance to exit, a spectral figure urges you to "hurry back," presumably so Constance can push you out the window again.
The Haunted Mansion Phenomenon
It is safe to say, Walt probably never anticipated the Haunted Mansion becoming as popular as it is. But, for all the struggles that went into imagining the Haunted Mansion as it is today, it has proved truly successful. It has spawned a movie, merchandise, and a bunch of weirdos that love the ride - myself included.
Everyone has their own reason for loving the Haunted Mansion. For me, it's because it was the very first ride I was able to go on as a cast member. This gave it a very special place in my heart, and now I feel obligated to ride the Haunted Mansion everytime I visit the Magic Kingdom. (Well, actually, I'm returning to DisneyWorld to work attractions and am hoping the ghost host can get me a spot at the mansion).
Now that you know the history and story behind the Haunted Mansion, you can impress your friends ... or annoy your family.
I'll be writing more articles on Disney attractions in the future. Next time we'll be travelling to Serka Zong to talk about another one of my personal favorites, Expedition Everest. So hurry back, and be sure to bring your death certificate!
