Celebrate 55 Spooktacular Years of Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion
Are you a grim-grinning ghost who loves this attraction? Let’s join the many Happy Haunts in celebrating this iconic ride’s 55th anniversary.
Haunted Mansion at Disneyland opened on August 9th, 1969, and only two years later, in 1971, opened its doors in Florida. The new ride concept paved the way for four more attractions around the world and captured the imaginations of fans everywhere.
Let’s take a look at the history of this influential mansion and the various attractions around the globe!
The Early Years
The Haunted Mansion concept began in 1957 when Walt Disney tasked Imagineer Ken Anderson with creating a haunted house experience for Disneyland.
Anderson traveled all across the U.S. looking for inspiration and incorporating architectural influences, including the Shipley-Lydecker House in Baltimore and Stanton Hall in Mississippi.
Though he envisioned a decaying mansion with overgrown landscaping and a run-down look, Disney did not want a drab building in the middle of the “Happiest Place on Earth.”
They compromised, creating a well-maintained exterior with the “ghosts responsible for the interior’s spooky atmosphere.”
Disney died in 1966, leaving the Imagineers debating whether the mansion should be scary or funny. They ultimately decided on a spooky yet humorous and whimsical environment filled with larger-than-life ghostly characters and scenes.
The attraction was a success and opened with the famous tune “Grim Grinning Ghosts!”
International Expansion
The Haunted Mansion’s success led to the inspiration of more attractions at the Disney parks.
The Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom opened in 1971 in Liberty Square. This spooky home includes a red-brick, colonial-style exterior inspired by the Harry Packer Mansion in Pennsylvania.
The ride combines Gothic elements and an English Tudor style, making it appear a bit more solemn and spookier than the California version.
Tokyo Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion, which opened in 1983, is located in Fantasyland and features a Dutch Gothic style similar to the Magic Kingdom’s version.
However, its interior features Victorian elements that are similar to the original attraction.
Phantom Manor opened in Disneyland Paris in 1992 and has a cool and unique twist on the Haunted Mansion concept.
This version reflects the ghost towns of Virginia City, Nevada, and follows the phantom of Henry Ravenswood, founder of Big Thunder Mining Company.
Mystic Manor in Hong Kong Disneyland completely breaks from the previous themes.
Opened in 2013, the ride follows Lord Henry Mystic and his mischievous monkey, Albert, in a Victorian-style mansion. Even cooler? The home is filled with artifacts from all over the world that come to life.
Experience Haunted Mansion
From New Orleans Square at Disneyland to Hong Kong Disneyland and all of the spooky haunts in between, the Haunted Mansion has captivated guests for 55 years.
Be sure to experience your favorite Haunted Mansion attraction and celebrate this iconic experience. And stay tuned to MickeyBlog to stay updated on this and all things Disney.
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Article Source/Feature Photo: Disney