Uncovering Walt Disney World’s Haunted Mansion Secrets
As a fan favorite, the Haunted Mansion attraction at Disney’s Magic Kingdom was one of the original rides that opened with the park in 1971. It has become such a beloved ride that there have been instances of guests spreading the ashes of their loved ones in the graveyard scene. Surprisingly, this is not the only ride this happens on (or place in the park even - flower beds and bushes on the Magic Kingdom lawns come to mind). However, despite the spooky atmosphere, there is no evidence that the ride is actually haunted. There are plenty of Easter eggs to find before you even sit down on the Haunted Mansion ride located in Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom. When we say “Easter eggs”, we aren’t referring to the brightly colored variety brought out once a year each Spring. Easter egg refers to a special hidden surprise that Imagineers have placed thoughtfully within their rides (including the queues) and throughout the park for guests to find. It adds a little something extra to your day at The Magic Kingdom while allowing you to experience a new appreciation for the detail that goes into every attraction at Disney destinations.
Let’s get started, foolish mortals. Walking up to the iconic manion and as you enter the queue, you'll encounter busts featuring the Dread Family members. The twist? They met their demise through mutual greed for the family fortune. Your challenge? Unravel the family murder mystery! Each bust presents a cryptogram and a visual clue to assist guests in deducing who committed the sinister acts.
Our second Easter egg can be spotted in the queue in the interactive portion. It's a hard-to-spot wedding ring that can be found stuck in the pavement, so do not be afraid to ask a cast member for assistance in locating it. There are many tales and theories of how this ring ended up there. Some say a bride threw herself off the balcony and the ring became embedded in the pavement. Another theory is that Mr. Gracey (the Master of the Manor) was so upset at his bride for cheating on him that he threw the ring off the balcony and his horses stomped on the wedding ring until it became stuck in the cement! But then again, some say it's simply a made-up story. We may never know the truth of the ring's origin, but it is also believed that Disney fans made the stories so popular among Haunted Mansion fans that Disney added the ring themselves. We bet you’re dying to know.
As you are about to enter the attraction, to your left, there is a tombstone you should keep your eyes on. Or should we say she is keeping her eyes on you? Arguably one of the most iconic Haunted Mansion characters, Madame Leota's tombstone can be spotted in the graveyard on the left before entering the house. If you are patient, you will see her open her eyes and watch guests as they walk by. The next time you get a glimpse of Madame Leota, you will see her using her psychic abilities to summon ghosts from the spirit world in the actual ride. Not many people know that all the tombstones seen in the queue’s graveyard represent someone who was involved with the creation of the ride.
When you exit the Stretching Room, listen carefully. You should be able to hear gargoyles chatting amongst themselves, urging the crowd to stay together. Also, listen carefully to the singing busts and see if you recognize the voice of Thurl Ravenscroft, who was also the voice of Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes' Tony the Tiger. It is heavily debated whether one of the singing busts was designed after Walt himself. Experts say it is a myth, but the uncanny resemblance makes it hard for fans to believe.
Our next Haunted Mansion Easter egg brings recognition to the now-closed attraction, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. As you are departing the Haunted Mansion ride, keep your eye out for the pet cemetery towards the exit. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride ended in September 1998 and was replaced by the popular, “The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.” So why are we bringing it up? There is a tombstone dedicated to Mr. Toad in the Haunted Mansion pet cemetery, which states, “Here lies Mr. Toad, it’s sad but true. Not nearly as marketable as Winnie the Pooh.”
The Haunted Mansion is full of fun surprises, so keep an eye out for exciting details from the moment you step in the queue. These details keep bringing Disney fans back for more, making this a must-see attraction every time you visit Magic Kingdom!
