Vote up the delightfully dark details that would put a grin on any grim ghost.
Since 1969, Disneyland's Haunted Mansion has been delighting millions of foolish mortals with its 999 happy haunts, stretching portraits, and Doombuggies. And with five versions of the Mansion available to visit around the world, it quickly became a guest favorite and a Disney icon.
Over the years, tasty tidbits, eerie info, and tantalizing trivia have been gathered and shared by die-hard fans about the deliciously dark ride. Here are just a few selected details and trivia about both the Disneyland and Magic Kingdom versions of the Haunted Mansion, guaranteed to make a grim ghost grin from ear to ear.Â
In the large glass pane used for the Pepper's Ghost illusion in the ballroom scene, there is a small bullet hole from when a guest who brought .22 onto the ride back in 1974. The hole is covered by a small rubber spider. A similar spider is used in the Magic Kingdom version as well, although it does not hide a bullet hole. It is there for symmetry.
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53 VOTES
The Disneyland Haunted Mansion Was Inspired By The Shipley-Lydecker House
The Disneyland Haunted Mansion was inspired by the Shipley-Lydecker House in Baltimore, Maryland, which featured detailed iron work and railings.
The house was demolished in 1967.
53 votes
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52 VOTES
The Black Widow Bride Is Featured Throughout The Mansion
Constance Hatchaway is first spotted as an older woman sitting upon her husband's tomb as a stretching portrait in the elevator before guests meet her in the attic, surrounded by the portraits for her five former husbands.
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74 VOTES
The Three Hitchhiking Ghosts Have Names And A Backstory
Ezra Beane, Professor Phineas Plump and Gus each have their own backstory. According to the official Disney blogs, the tallest ghost Ezra was a "vagabond" while alive and is considered the leader of the group. Top hat wearing Phineas was a snake oil salesman who sold cure-all remedies, which he carried with him in his carpet bag. And the smallest ghost Gus went to prison for a crime he did not commit.
74 votes
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78 VOTES
Mr. Toad Has A Headstone As A Tribute To Defunct Ride
Mr. Toad has a headstone in the pet cemetery at the Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom at Disney World as a tribute to the now extinct Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.
Madame Leota, the face in the crystal ball on the Haunted Mansion ride, is named after Disney Imagineer Leota Toombs Thomas who provided her face for the character.
