Jeepers Creepers

Today I am sharing 12 things at WDW Haunted Mansion that park goers may have missed!...

If you did, or plan to go to WDW - make sure you look for them on your next visit!

WDW Haunted Mansion is an iconic ride since its debut at Disneyland in 1969. Two years later at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, the Gracey estate made its debut in Liberty Square. 

While there are differences in the rides between the Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Tokyo Disneyland versions, most of the things you can spot at any of them.

1 THE HIDDEN MICKEY

Turn your eyes to the table in the ballroom scene as the waltzing duos and dueling ghosts celebrate their eternal birthday party. Seated at the end of a large dining table is an apparition blowing out the candles on their ghostly birthday cake. Guests who gaze down at the dining table can spot a trio of plates that have been arranged to form a classic Hidden Mickey. Sometimes those pesky spirits feel a little prankish and move it, though!

2 You're a Mean One, Grinning Ghost

As you travel through the graveyard, you’re treated to a vivacious group of marble busts singing the catchy tune, “Grim Grinning Ghosts.” One of the voices sang another song that became a cultural touchstone all its own… veteran voice actor Thurl Ravenscroft. 

If you’ve never heard his name, you still know his voice if you’ve ever seen the classic cartoon adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Ravenscroft sang “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” a song that’s come to define the most delightful holiday heartwarming since Ebenezer Scrooge had his iconic night. Ravenscroft also voiced several pirates on Pirates of the Caribbean, Buff in the Country Bear Jamboree, and Fritz in the Enchanted Tiki Room. 

You can also see his name, “Ravenscroft” as the manufacturer's name on the ghostly organ you can play simply by placing your hands above the keys while waiting in the queue. 

3  The Rose at Master Gracey's Tombstone

 Gracey Manor is named in honor of an influential Imagineer, Yale Gracey, who was selected by Walt Disney himself to create the effects that helped make The Haunted Mansion the delightful experience it is. Like other Imagineers who worked on the ride, there is a special dedication in the form of a tombstone as you work your way through the queue. 

On special nights, cast members will lay a red rose on Master Gracey's tombstone as a silent tribute to Yale Gracey. You may never see it, but then again you just might, so keep your eyes open!

4  You Encounter Madame Leota Not Once, Not Twice...But Three Times!

The first encounter with the mistress of the macabre, Madame Leota, is in the graveyard just before you enter the mansion. Look for her tombstone to the left as you’re just about to walk in, and you’ll see her eyes open to peer into this world from regions beyond.

As your carriage winds through the macabre manor, Madame Leota's disembodied head invokes a spooky incantation from within a floating crystal ball to summon spirits in tune with your sympathetic vibrations.

Madame Leota is based on Imagineer Leota Toombs, but while it's her face you see in the crystal ball, the voice belongs to Eleanor Audley, the vocal talent who spoke Lady Tremaine (Cinderella) and Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty) into being.

Leota Toombs’ actual voice is heard at the very end of the attraction beckoning guests to “hurry back” with their "death certificate."

5  Do You Want to Play a Game?

Hiding things in plain sight is a time-honored tradition. That's just what Marc Davis, a legendary Imagineer who worked his sense of humor into rides from The Haunted Mansion to Pirates of the Caribbean, did...accidentally. As he was working on the attraction, he left his own chess pieces around the models, and one night left them on top. This moment led to them becoming a part of the final design! But there's one piece missing – the Knight. Or is it? As Mr. Davis would say, "It’s not missing. Every evening NIGHT falls on the Haunted Mansion.”

***I could not find any proof of this on the WDW Haunted Mansion Ride. I did however find skeletal pirates playing chess on The Pirates of the Caribbean at WDW - but no proof of chess pieces left on WDW Haunted mansion Ride.

IF you happen to see them, please use contact form above and let me know!

6  Behold Your Ghost Host!

The Ghost Host was voiced by Paul Frees. His disembodied dulcet tones are essentially the voice OF The Haunted Mansion, from the moment you enter to the moment you depart your carriage. 

But did you know you can actually SEE the Ghost Host on the ride? 

The portrait of the Ghost Host hangs on the wall after you pass the casket with the hand escaping, as you’ve turned backwards. It hangs on your right before you swivel around and see the grandfather clock. Around his neck is the rope that served as his entry to the mansion, and in his hand is the axe that he used to climb down!

7  Smile for the (Hidden) Camera

In April 2019, the the hall of portraits added a new trick. After your doom buggy takes you on a tour of portraits shifting spookily on their canvases with each flash of lightning, be sure to say BOO as you reach the last. The flashes of lightning hide a camera taking your ride picture! 

If you have a second-generation magic band, the picture will automatically sync to your Photo Pass account.

***Not sure if this still exists - again, contact me and let me know!

8  The End of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

As you’re leaving the attraction in WDW, look to your left and you’ll see the graveyard for pets of The Haunted Mansion. Look closely and you'll notice that, in the middle of the pack in the back, Mr. Toad likeness is bidding adieu. 

Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride was an opening day Fantasyland attraction in WDW that was replaced by The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. At least now his memory can endure close to where his ride once operated 

(HOW SAD! With all the available land in Florida for WDW, you'd think they wouldn't have to remove/replace ANYTHING!)

9  Haven't You Seen That Somewhere Before?

The pipe organ in the ballroom scene should look familiar to any longtime Disney fan. 

It's Captain Nemo's from the classic Disney film, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea! The one important distinction is that the organ is a replica in Walt Disney World's The Haunted Mansion, but it's the actual set piece from the movie in Disneyland!

10 How to Be the First on the Ride

Everyone wants to know ride hacks and how to be the first on a ride! Now, this won’t work if everyone does it, but if you want to be the first on the ride then stand under the painting of the girl with the parasol. 

That’s where the secret door to the ride opens up after your Ghost Host introduction!

11  Pay Attention to the Shadows

As your doom buggy rolls past the ghostly piano that appears to be playing on its own, look down at the floor. While the player is invisible, his shadow remains to remind you that the instrument still need assistance to play. Be a respectful audience, and appreciate the work of a musician so dedicated to his craft that not even death could stop his desire to bring music to the world!

12  A Heartbroken Bride

As you exit the ride, look on the ground for a wedding ring stuck in the pavement. 

It’s the bride’s ring you see in the attic scene. The story that most goes with is that it was thrown from the attic and then trampled by the invisible horse. 

The true story of the ring’s origin is actually a testament to how inventive storytelling can make even the mundane interesting. 

The ring is part of a pole that was a part of a crowd control fence that couldn’t be removed from the ground. Since it couldn’t come out, they turned it into a ring embedded in the pavement and let the legend grow from there!

So much fun to learn about mysteries that Disney's Imagineers created!