Haunted Mansion around the world: Disney’s spooky ride in (almost) every park
"Welcome, foolish mortals..."
Since 1969, the Haunted Mansion has been delighting, and spooking, guests with its clever mix of gothic horror, mind-bending illusions, and wry humour. It’s more than just a ride; for Disney park fans, it’s a rite of passage.
Whether you’re a Disney die-hard or a spooky-season traveller, the Haunted Mansion earns a spot on nearly every must-do list. From the foggy bayou of New Orleans Square to the uncharted rainforest of Mystic Point, each version around the world blends local culture with eerie effects — proving there’s more than one way to hitchhike a ghost. Even at sea.
To mark the anniversary of the Haunted Mansion’s opening on 9 August 1969, we’re taking a quick tour of its global variations, digging into its origins, and sharing a few of our favourite tips from beyond the grave.
Origins of the Haunted Mansion
📍 Location: Disneyland Park, Anaheim
📅 Opened: 9 August 1969
The idea for the Haunted Mansion actually predates Disneyland itself. Walt Disney had plans for a ghost-themed attraction as early as the 1950s, but the path to the finished ride was anything but direct. Early concepts ranged from a walk-through Museum of the Weird to a far scarier “Ghost House.”
The stately Southern façade was completed in 1963 — but the ride wouldn’t open until 1969, three years after Walt’s death. Viewers of The Wonderful World of Color, Disney’s weekly anthology series, even got a televised preview in a 1965 episode (which we’ve embedded above).
After Walt’s passing in 1966, the project continued to evolve. Imagineers adapted the Omnimover ride system (originally developed for Adventure Thru Inner Space) into what would become the now-iconic Doom Buggies — transforming the concept from a walk-through into a dark ride that dips beneath the park itself.
The final result? A ghost train that blends chills, laughs, and some of the cleverest effects Disney ever built.
Haunted Mansions around the world
The Haunted Mansion has gone global — but each version offers something unique depending on where you’re riding it. It’s also found in a different land in each park: the original sits in New Orleans Square, but that changes with every location.
Each take reflects the local culture and the park’s own mythology — a nerdy traveller’s dream.
Magic Kingdom in Orlando (1971) – Set in Liberty Square, this opening-day attraction is a near-clone of the original, but with a larger show building and an expanded queue. It received a major upgrade in the mid-2000s.
Tokyo Disneyland (1983) – Found in Fantasyland, this version mirrors the Florida layout, but includes upgraded effects and some unique touches — including a ghostly figure said to resemble Peter Lorre.
Phantom Manor in Paris (1992) – Found in Frontierland, it naturally has a Wild West style of architecture, but the whole story is different, a darker variant with Wild West ghost town twist.
Mystic Manor in Hong Kong (2013) – It’s not just the name of the ride that’s unique: set in the unmapped rainforest of Mystic Point, this version ditches ghosts entirely out of respect for Chinese cultural beliefs. Instead, it uses a trackless ride system to tell a whimsical tale of magical artefacts and mischievous spirits.
Seasonal overlay: Haunted Mansion Holiday 🎃
From mid-September through early January, the Mansion transforms into Haunted Mansion Holiday, a Nightmare Before Christmas-themed takeover starring Jack Skellington and friends. You’ll find festive frights and a new gingerbread house each year in the ballroom.
Crowds surge early in Halloween season and around Christmas for this variation around the world. The overlay stays up through the holidays, so time your visit if you want the original. Halloween is always fun in the parks though, with pumpkins and not-so-scary decorations all around the parks.
Pro tip: Purists should visit in no later than August or early September before the switchover. Check the official websites for closure dates.
On our last trip to Tokyo Disneyland, the park was taken over by grim grinning ghosts out to socialise.
Beyond the parks: Haunted Mansion at sea
Disney’s spooky spirits aren’t just land-based — fans can now toast the dearly departed on the high seas thanks to the Disney Cruise Line.
The Haunted Mansion Parlor debuted aboard the Disney Treasure cruise ship in August 2024 and will also feature on sister ship, Disney Destiny in late 2025.
Along with themed cocktails, ghostly portraits, and exclusive storyline details, it’s anchored around a mysterious new character: a jovial sea captain and his strange fiance who met an untimely end.
The centrepiece, the space-dominating Ghost Fish tank, was designed for the original Museum of the Weird but abandoned. It’s just one more reason to add a Disney cruise to your nerdy travel bucket list.
The Haunted Mansion Parlour aboard the Disney Treasure, with its ghostly fish tank originally designed for the first Haunted Mansion. Image © Disney.
Planning Your Visit
There’s always a few tips if you’re heading to a Disney Park or cruise ships soon — or maybe just daydreaming about it.
Lightning Lane are best for avoiding long queues — or rope drop it. (The way virtual queuing systems work differs from park to park, so be sure to search for tips on how best to use it. We recommend Mammoth Club’s excellent videos).
Exclusive merch can be found in New Orleans Square for Haunted Mansion die-hards. You can find something unique in every park, of course. Should we try and collect them all?
Hidden gems are everyone. One fun detail can be found to the left of the queue line in Disneyland — it’s worth a peek. You’ll find a pet cemetery, said to have been designed by Imagineer Kim Irvine, who is the daughter of the late Imagineer Leota Toombs and Disney animator Harvey Toombs. Like the Ramones, it’s a place we don’t wanna get buried.
Photo tip: Take a photo of the gate lanterns at dusk for maximum spooky vibes.
💬 Been on more than one? Share your favourite Mansion on our socials! We’ll always have a soft spot for the original Anaheim version — but every Haunted Mansion tells a slightly different story. After all, there’s always room for one more…
