VIDEO: Haunted Mansion Reopens at Disneyland

The Haunted Mansion has reopened at the Disneyland Resort after its annual run where Jack Skellington decks the halls with his own version of the holidays for it to become Haunted Mansion Holiday. On February 10, 2023 the Haunted Mansion returned in its classic form as the grim grinning ghosts once again came out to socialize.

The attraction looked spookier than ever as guests made their away aboard this Disney classic on the morning of its return. For the first couple of hours the line was fairly short before it grew as the morning progressed. The attraction looked and sounded great as the ghosts continued to look for one more spook to fill its halls. Here is a video of the opening morning of Haunted Mansion:

Haunted Mansion Ride-Through POV

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The Haunted Mansion opened at Disneyland in 1969 after a lengthy development process. The Haunted Mansion itself was built in 1963. Even then there had been plenty of thought already put into the attraction. It would take six more years for it to open. Through the years of development there were plenty of creative ideas that would be explored. One of the ideas for the Haunted Mansion was to make is a “museum of the weird.” Another thought was to have it be a walk-through attraction. Some of the ideas had it being scary and others humorous. What ended up happening was a scarier start that evolved into a charming and humorous grim grinning journey through the attraction.

Part of the charm of this attraction is the music found in it. Imagineer X Atencio wrote the lyrics that Buddy Baker set to the music that is heard today in different versions throughout the attraction. Another iconic part of the attraction is the “ghost host,” brought to life through the vocal talents of Paul Frees. The iconic Madam Leota was brought to life through the magic of the Imagineers and the voice and likeness of Leota Toombs Thomas.

Through the years, the Haunted Mansion has received multiple updates but at its core, it remains the same. In 1994, the attraction added a ghost to play the piano in the attic. In 2004, Madame Leota’s crystal ball began to float. Two years later Constance Hatchaway would join the Haunted Mansion, along with her backstory of marrying men and then killing them. Fast forward to 2015 and the Hatbox Ghost returned. This garnered a lot of excitement from fans who loved the lore of the Hatbox Ghost and also the new figure that they had gotten a preview of at the D23 Expo.

The Haunted Mansion Holiday became an annual tradition at Disneyland in 2001 at the Haunted Mansion. The attraction is transformed into a version of the attraction influenced by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Each year a giant gingerbread house is built in the ballroom with a different theme.

The Haunted Mansion is a classic Disneyland attraction that is beloved by young and old. It will remain in its current form throughout the spring and summer before once again being transformed to Haunted Mansion Holiday for Halloween and the Holidays. What is your favorite part of the Haunted Mansion? Do you have a favorite ghost? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!


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