Countdown - 87 Days to Go!

🕸️ 87 Days to Go: Haunted Mansion and the Ride That Came Before the Movie!

Haunted Mansion - Disneyland - Nightmare Before Christmas Overlay Photo Credit - JillianWallin

While Haunted Mansion might not be a box office juggernaut like Pirates of the Caribbean, it holds a ghostly grip on my heart. Long before Eddie Murphy tried to sell it or the Muppets moved in, 999 happy haunts were waiting for their final guest… and yes, you’ll need your death certificate!

So climb aboard your Doom Buggy—they’re just dying to meet you—and let’s take a spirited spin through Haunted Mansion history!

👻 Haunted Mansion Around the World

Park	Opening Date	Notes
Disneyland (CA)	August 9, 1969	Nestled in New Orleans Square—this original is my favorite! Don’t miss the incredible Holiday overlay.
Magic Kingdom (FL)	October 1, 1971	Located in Liberty Square—an opening day classic!
Tokyo Disneyland	April 15, 1983	Found in Fantasyland—also an opening day original!
Disneyland Paris	April 12, 1992	In Frontierland—this version channels the American Wild West. It got a spooky refresh in 2019!
Hong Kong Disneyland	May 17, 2013	Located in Mystic Point—this reimagined version respects traditional Chinese culture and offers a unique twist.
Shanghai Disneyland	—	No Haunted Mansion here—out of cultural respect, this park took a different path.

🎄 Fun Facts You Might Not Know

1. Tiny house, big secrets! The mansion’s facade is just the beginning. After the stretching room, you’re whisked away to a massive show building outside the park’s berm (especially in the U.S. parks).

   

   Haunted Mansion expansion area Photo Credit - D23

   
   

2. Four parks, four lands! Haunted Mansion is the only attraction to appear in four different lands across Disney parks.

   
   

3. Holiday overlays aren’t just for Disneyland! Tokyo Disneyland has also hosted the Nightmare Before Christmas transformation.

   
   

   

   Haunted Mansion Tokyo - Holiday Overlay Photo Credit: https://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120212130653/disney/images/4/48/Haunted_Mansion_Holiday_at_Tokyo_Disneyland.jpg

   
   

4. A ghostly tribute! At Magic Kingdom, peek into the pet cemetery and you might spot Mr. Toad—honored after his ride made way for Winnie the Pooh.

   
   

5. Gingerbread magic! During Disneyland’s holiday makeover, the ballroom scene features a custom gingerbread house each year—and yes, you can smell it! And fun fact, the wonderful Disney bakers create a new one every year!

   
   

   

   Haunted Manison Ballroom Gingerbread House 2023 - Photo Credit JillianWallin

   
   

Final Thought

Whether I’m on the East Coast or West Coast, I never miss a chance to hitch a ride in my Doom Buggy. Haunted Mansion is the perfect blend of eerie charm, clever storytelling, and Disney magic. It may not have started as a movie—but it’s always been a star in my book!

Want help turning this into a countdown series or adding some visual flair with graphics and overlays? I’m ready when you are!

Resources:

1.       Henniger, K. (2023, March 24). Why Shanghai Disneyland doesn’t have a Haunted Mansion. AllEars.Net. https://allears.net/2023/03/24/why-shanghai-disneyland-doesnt-have-a-haunted-mansion/

2.      D23. (n.d.). Thirteen fun facts about The Haunted Mansion. D23: The Official Disney Fan Club. https://d23.com/from-the-magic-kingdom-to-the-movies-13-fun-facts-about-the-haunted-mansion/