Given the day, it just seemed right to take a peak at the beloved Disney attraction, The Haunted Mansion. I was one of the fortunate ones to be at Disneyland in August of1969 when the park's scariest ride made its debut. We were visiting with a friend from Mexico who had never been to the USA before, so of course a visit to Walt's park was a must! The brand new attraction was one that provided happy screams of adults and kids of all ages ever since. Other companies may try to duplicate the feel, but they just can't beat this Imagineering classic. (The two movies attempt to create their own spell, but what awful films they ended up being! I actually found the Eddie Murphy original the better of the two.)
When I finally visited Walt Disney World for the first time in 1975, I was thrilled that the mansion ad an entirely different look and feel! Befitting to its placement in Liberty Square, its gothic inspired design and beautiful greenhouse made it an instant architectural favorite. Above is a terrific photo here of the Magic Kingdom's iconic Haunted Mansion on opening day in Walt Disney World on October 1, 1971.
The Disneyland original.
It would be years until I visited Disneyland Paris, the first being in 1997, when I would step into Phantom Manor. This visit would actually be our youngest son's first Haunted Mansion ride. Long before he'd see the originals in the Stateside parks. The darker tone, Western theme, and fantastic music made this version an instant classic all its own.
In Florida.
At Tokyo Disneyland.
So far, I have not been to the Tokyo Disney Resort. Yet. Unfortunately, I keep postponing my trip for various reasons, but Fantasy Springs at Tokyo Disneysea may finally be what tips the scale. Japan's Disney mansion seems to be a bit different as well, with tones of red and green providing the creepy lighting scheme. Can't wait to see it myself.
The Haunted Mansion themed bar on the Disney Cruise Line's new Treasure ship, will be home to a brand new experience never before seen or heard or now, tasted.
The Haunted Mansion's tropical themed distant cousin, Mystic Manor, in Adventureland at Hong Kong Disneyland, may have an entirely different storyline and feel, but the thrills are there. Will I ever see this one? Probably not. I'd enjoy visiting Hong Kong and China, but their government is becoming more invasive and is now even scarier than any ghost inspired theme park creation.
Will there ever be another Haunted Mansion as originally designed? Never say never. Theme park guests can't get enough of the attractions that mystify, thrill, and scare!
(Photographs copyright The Walt Disney Company.)
No comments:
Post a Comment