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 Oct. 1, 1971.

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.

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.

Thanks to a little Disney magic, ghostly apparitions seem to appear out of thin air to dance and sing in certain rooms. An eager, “hitchhiking” ghost even appears inside each doom buggy at the end of the ride to follow guests home.

Type - indoor ride

Location - Liberty Square, Magic Kingdom

When to go - Popular, visit before 11am, or in the hour or two before park closing.

Duration - 9 mins

Fastpass

Restrictions
Guests must be able to transfer from wheelchairs to board the attraction.
The special effects of this attraction may be too intense for some Guests.

Tips -

Though the premise of The Haunted Mansion is a frightful one, the ride is intended for the entire family. The attraction is presented in a humorous light, though parents should be aware of the dark rooms and a few things that “go bump in the night.” Birnbaum’s Walt Disney World For Kids By Kids, the official Walt Disney World guide authored by children and teens, rated The Haunted Mansion as one of its “Reader Pleaser” attractions at Walt Disney World Resort. “This haunted house isn’t too scary, but there are plenty of ghosts to keep you on your toes,” editors wrote in the 2003 edition.

The Haunted Mansion is one of 23 attractions at Walt Disney World Resort that features FASTPASS, the patented, computerized system that gives guests an alternative to standard “lines” at popular attractions.

For the Haunted Mansion at MK, When you go into the room with all of the pictures on the wall, stand under the lady in the pink. This is where the exit the the DOOM BUGGIES is. also take the right hang queue, because it curves to the right so the left queue has further to go - Louise Smith

Facts/History

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.
Some of the epitaphs on the tombstones -
'Here lies good ol' Fred. A great big rock fell on his head.'
'Dear departed brother Dave, He chased a bear into a cave.'
'Rest in peace, brother Huet. We all know you didn't do it.'
'Master Gracey laid to rest. No mourning, please, at his request. Farewell.'
'RIP good friend Gordon now you've crossed the River Jordan'
RIP in memorium Uncle Myall Here you'll rest for quite a while'
Here rests Wathel R. Bender, he rode to glory on a fender'
'At peaceful rest lies Brother Claude, planted here beneath this sod'
'RIP Mr Sewell, the victim of a dirty duel'
'In memory of our patriarch, dear departed Grandpa Marc'
'Requiescat Francis Xavier, no time off for good behavior RIP'
'Here lies a man named Martin, the lights went out on this old spartan'

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.”

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.

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.

Legendary voice artist Paul Frees -- known to many as Boris Badenov from “The Bullwinkle Show” -- is the attraction’s narrator, or “ghost host.”

Hidden Mickeys
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’s familiar silhouette.

Click here for the Haunted Mansion Script.

Reviews

"I loved the ride! There was no wait, but we did go in February do that kindof helps the lines. Fastpass was no need. I would give away some of what is in this ride but some of you who are reading this have not been. All I will reveal is that it is one of the best rides I have been on in my entire life! It is not too scary, but some small children probably would prefer to wait with their mom or dad outside and just look at the invisible horse, pulling the carriage. Enjoy it to the fullest! If you want to try to figure out some of the secrets, look really close at the Busts in the Foyer, the Madem Lyota Crystal Ball, and the Ball Room banister. This might help you find out some of the secrets." Austin Wessel

"my reveiw may be a little dated because we were there in 1998, but i assure you the haunted mansion is as much fun today as it was when it opened. there never seems to be a wait at the mansion due to plenty of things to look at outside. ghoulish tombstones and creepy screams fill the air.fast pass was a new option when we went there so we did not take advantage of it. although with no kids in tow we were in no rush. my only tip for this ride is to wait until the parades start around nightfall. all lines clear out as parents jockey for space on main street. be sure to go through a few times its worth it, plus i bet youll see something you never did before . although this ride could use some updating it still has a charm that cannot be recreated in any other haunted house ride. maybe someday soon the disney imaganeers will take this ride to the next level." pat

"Thee best attraction in the entire WDW Resort? - I'd agree! This is a MUST SEE attraction - it almost defines a trip to the Magic Kingdom. My fiance and I go to Disney at least once every two to three months, and consitantley go on Haunted Mansion (AND notice something new every time!)Young children might get scared, I remember I had reservations about going on it during my first few trips to WDW 19 years ago. TIP: Do not bother getting a Fastpass for the ride - the ride is moving continuously and I have never waited more than 15 minutes. ENJOY!" Kristen

"I THINK THE HAUNTED MANSION IS THE BEST RIDE IN THE PARK , NOT TO SAY IT S MY FAVORITE RIDE. I HAVE BEEN TO DISNEY 9 TIMES AND OVER THE COURSE OF THE NINE TIMES WHEN I GET TO THE PARK I RIDE THAT RIDE ALL DAY LONG I DONT CARE HOW LONG THE LINES ARE OR HOW LONG I HAVE TO WAIT ONE DAY TOWARDS THE END OF MY VACATION I WENT INTO THE PARK AT 7 AM AND GOT ON THAT RIDE 7 TIMES THEN IN THE AFTERNOON5 TIMES AND OF COURSE EVERYONE WAS STARTING TO THINK I LOST MY MIND SO THE PEOPLE I WERE W I TH LEFT ME THERE WENT AND DID THERE OWN THING AND I KEPT RIDING(ITS MY FAVORIT RIDE ITS AWSOME WHOEVER DESIGNED THAT RIDE MUST HAVE A LOT OF SMARTS I ONLY WISH I COULD BUILD THE HAUNTED MANSION IN MY BACK YARD BUT I CANT SO I WILL HAVE TO WAIT TILL I GO TO DISNEY FOR THE 10TH TIME." ELIZABETH

"though it is one of the older attractions in the park it is definately one of the best. It is one of those rides you absolutely have to ride while in Disney World. I have been to d w three times and I always took time to go to the haunted house. Go in the morning or last couple of hours the park is open to avoid the long lines. The realistic value is not there but the holographs are incredible. Don't miss the hidden mickey!" jeff

"the haunted mansion is the best one i have ever been in. it is not too scary for kids and there is some humor thrown in as well. the details and special affects are amazing which makes it something to see." Lag

"Welcome Foolish Mortal to the Haunted Mansion Ride. This ride is 15% walking, in which you'll go through the foyer and gallery and meet your ghost host and some mansion residents. It's also 85% ride, where you'll be taken through the mansion and shown what happens when you get 999 happy haunts together. This ride is a Disney Classic and should be seen by everyone.The Haunted Mansion is good for all ages and is NOT scary. The Ride has no jumping out or gruesome scenes where children would get scared. The Mansion offers a fun look with your Ghost Host (voice by Paul Frees) at a visually entertaining Haunted House. tips = The only tip for this ride is DON'T miss it ....It doesn't fill up to a very long line that often." Chris Raimondo

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