Pick a Haunted Mansion

Have you ever seen Imagineer Dale Hennesy's concept art for the exterior of the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland? If not, here it is in full color! Certainly, it is a very different take than the one Walt's park got. I have to admit, I'm so used to the original in New Orleans Square, that I took it for granted when I compared the exterior to the more gothic one at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom or the Psycho inspired house of Disneyland Paris' Phantom Manor. Yet, on the occasion I return to California, I am again impressed with the deceptive elegance and charm of it which fully betrays the evil inspired adventure within. Which one is your preference for exterior? In any form, the haunted attraction remains a masterpiece of Disney Imagineering!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Flooded Haunted Mansion

With COVID-19 affecting everything, it's just a matter of time before some maintenance lapses would occur at Disneyland or at the Walt Disney World resort. But why or why would Disney executives even be slightly ok with flooding at everyone's favorite, The Haunted Mansion? Well, the answer is when it was considered as a valid concept for the attraction early on in development!

Look at this image capture! You can see that, yes, an expansive boat ride version of the iconic attraction was once considered by the Imagineers! With the incredible success (and high capacity) of the nearby Pirates of the Caribbean, the suits really did consider a spirit filled attraction which culminated in a ride through a manor house filled with water from the bayou. Whether it was expense or the desire for a different ride vehicle or both, we know what eventually won out. But the story is just fascinating! And it's told by the folks at Park Ride History in the excellent video below. Enjoy!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)