13 Fun Facts About Walt Disney World’s Haunted Mansion

Fall has officially kicked off at Walt Disney World, with the opening nights of Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party! To celebrate the arrival of this most spooktacular time of year I though I'd share 13 fun facts about Liberty Square's popular attraction, The Haunted Mansion.


13 Fun Facts About Walt Disney World's Haunted Mansion


1. While waiting in the queue to ride this original Magic Kingdom attraction, look for the Bride's Ring embedded in the pavement. This charming jewel is a nod to fan created storytelling.

2. As you consider the tombstones in the graveyard, not only will you find amusing epitaphs, but you may discover you are being considered too.

3. The portrait in the front foyer of the Haunted Mansion changes and ages eerily as Guests are welcomed into the house.

4. The owner of the house 'Master Gracey' is named for Disney Imagineer Yale Gracey.


Ghostly Storyteller Spins Haunting Tales


5. 160 Doom Buggies move through the mansion's haunted halls at approximately 1.5 miles per hour.

6. There are at least 3 classic Hidden Mickey's that can be viewed from riding in your Doom Buggy.

7. To keep it looking as spooky as possible, Disney uses theatrical dust to give the interior of the Haunted Mansion that neglected feel. Since it's debut in 1971 it's rumored enough dust has been used that they could have buried the attraction entirely.

8. No ghosts materialize in the Haunted Mansion until after they are summoned by Madame Leota during the seance scene.


Here Lies Good Old Fred


9. Madame Letoa was named after the Disney Imagineer, Leota Toombs, who was the face model for the head inside the crystal ball.

10. The ballroom scene uses an old magician's trick called 'Peppers Ghost' to achieve the diaphanous effect.

11. Ghosts in the graveyard scene seem even more realistic after Guests take a tragic tumble out of the attic window, because after the "fall" they too have passed to the other side.

12. The famous hitchhiking ghosts actually have names! They are Phineas (with the suitcase), Ezra (the skeletal ghost), and Gus (the bearded prisoner).


Memorials In The Haunted Mansion Queue


13. 999 happy haunts reside in the Haunted Mansion. But - there is always room for 1,000.

If you want to learn more about The Haunted Mansion, check out these previous articles!

• The Haunted Mansion: Legend of the Bride's Ring
• Frightfully Fun Facts about Walt Disney World's Haunted Mansion
• 999 Happy Haunts At The Magic Kingdom's Haunted Mansion