‘Haunted Mansion’ Rides Into Theaters Again
On July 28, the second theatrical film adaptation of Walt Disney’s theme park attraction “The Haunted Mansion” is set to hit theaters. The ride that is now proclaimed to be one of the best ever to be opened at Disneyland was originally spun into a 2003 Disney film starring Eddie Murphy. Although not highly rated by critics, the film performed well at the box office. 20 years later the 2023 film this time called Haunted Mansion is based on the same Disneyland attraction and stars Rosario Dawson, Lakeith Stanfield, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tiffany Haddish and Owen Wilson. The plot follows a single mom named Gabbie who needs to exorcise her just purchased mansion in New Orleans after discovering it is inhabited by the paranormal. She hires a tour guide, a psychic, a priest and a historian to help.
How it All Began …
Wikipedia
Although it couldn’t have been known at the time, 53 years ago in 1969, one of the most famous attractions to ever exist opened its doors to the public. In the mid-1950s, Walt Disney developed the vision for Haunted Mansion as a walk-through ghost house, but later, artist Harper Goff was hired to design the attraction. The house originally had a rural American design and was intended to be at the end of a path that led away from Disneyland’s Main Street, U.S.A.. Eventually, the decision was made to place it in New Orleans Square, where it still stands today. The attraction consists of the guest traveling through a dark, abandoned house with flashes of ghosts appearing throughout and monotone notes being projected over a speaker. From doorknobs to candelabras, seemingly every part of the ride is haunted. This 9-minute experience is still leaving the guests with the same spooky feeling half a century later.
Interesting Reincarnations
BERTRAND GUAY/AFP via Getty Images
Phantom Manor in Paris
The Haunted Mansion became so immediately popular that attractions based off of it were opened in Magic Kingdom (1971), Tokyo Disneyland (1983), Phantom Manor at Disneyland Park Paris (1992), and Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland (2013).
The Haunted Mansion Eddie Murphy style
Walt Disney/courtesy Everett Collection
In 2003, The Haunted Mansion, an American supernatural horror comedy film directed by Rob Minkoff and based off the theme park was released to theaters. The film stars Eddie Murphy as a realtor who, along with his family, becomes trapped in a haunted mansion and must fight all the ghosts and the secret past of the house. Terence Stamp, Wallace Shawn, Marsha Thomason and Jennifer Tilly all appear in supporting roles.
Forever After Home?
In October 2018, it was reported that the Magic Kingdom was turning into a popular place for families to deposit ashes of their deceased loved ones, with the Haunted Mansion picked as their favorite location.
The Muppets Haunted Mansion
The Muppets even had their own TV special that aired in 2021, where it found Kermit and gang taking on a challenge to spend the night in the mansion while hoping to rub elbows with some famous ghosts. In true Muppet fashion, it included guests like Will Arnett, Alfonso Ribeiro and Ed Asner (one of his last roles).
Collectibles
Whether you are a high-end collector or just a general Disneyana collector, there is a price point for all.
Mickey Mouse Haunted Mansion Funko Figurine
ebay
This is a new figure in the line and is part of others celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World. Mickey is all dressed up for the iconic attraction in his grave digger outfit, complete with a lantern and a shovel.
Haunted Mansion Hand-Painted “Stretch” Canvas
Heritage Auctions, ha.com
In Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion ride, which opened in 1969, there was a room that descended via elevators; as the room lowered, four paintings on the wall would “stretch,” revealing more to the portraits than originally met the eye. Hand-painted canvases like this one were used from 1969-72 but were eventually replaced by easier-to-produce printed images. This original “stretch portrait” was designed by Imagineer Marc Davis and painted on canvas by Disney artists. It sold for $172,500 at the same 2016 Van Eaton Galleries auction of Disneyana.
The Haunted Mansion Light-Up Figure
Disney Store
At the Disney store, you can buy a light-up replica of the Department 56 house, along with a large variety of apparel or Haunted Mansion-themed stuff.
Haunted Mansion Madame Leota Popcorn Bucket
cinemark
Limited edition popcorn bucket that lights up and hold 85 oz of popcorn at select Cinemark theaters for the Haunted Mansion release.
Are you a big fan of the ride or a collector? Excited to see the new movie? Let us know in the comments!
Collecting Disney
August 2021
Celebrate the magical world of Disney collectibles
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