Attraction Stats

Location: Liberty Square, Magic Kingdom

Type: Dark Ride

Length: 10 Minutes

Audience: Kids, Teens, Adults

Open since October 1, 1971

5 Stars Out of 5 Rating

One of the Best Attractions in Disney World

Genie+ Lightning Lane Available Genie+ Lightning Lane Available

Encounter 999 happy haunts at the Haunted Mansion. Located in Liberty Square, guests enter a ghostly world filled with ghouls and spirits. Riders board “Doom Buggies” and are taken through the haunted halls of the Mansion. Scenes include a ballroom, a graveyard, and the famous hitchhiking ghosts. With classic narration, amazing special effects, and iconic songs, the Haunted Mansion is a must ride for any Walt Disney World guest.

While this remains relatively mild as far as haunted houses go, the subject matter and special effects might manage to scare some younger guests.

Be sure to visit the Haunted Mansion during the Halloween party, as the exterior features some extra spooky decoration.

Tips and Trivia

  • Here’s a trick to wait less time in line: know where to stand in the Haunted Mansion’s stretching room. This is the room with “no windows and no doors” that has all the painting that stretch. You’ll enter this from a room with a fireplace and a creepy portrait. As you enter, stick to the side closest to the fireplace. There are actually two stretching rooms side by side, and the exit is always between them. This will help you board the ride faster. The other way to find this spot is to stand directly under the painting of the woman holding a parasol on a tightrope.
  • This ride has inspired two different movies. The first premiered in 2003 and starred Eddie Murphy. Guillermo del Toro helms the second movie, which will be a reboot of the series.
  • Every winter at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, the Haunted Mansion is transformed to feature a Nightmare Before Christmas theme. Sadly, its Orlando counterpart does not get the same treatment. Hopefully Disney will bring the amazing Nightmare Before Christmas theming to Disney World.

Review

When I go to “haunted houses” around Halloween, I go to be scared. The Haunted Mansion is not a scary ride. When I was younger, I did find it spooky, but I have never found it to be particularly scary. So, if this ride isn’t particularly scary, why do I find myself going on it again and again? For what The Haunted Mansion lacks in pure scares, it makes up for in atmosphere and charm. From the special effects to the layout to even the temperature, everything about this ride gives it a sense of heightened reality. Despite the fantastical subject matter and visual trickery, The Haunted Mansion feels like a real place because the atmosphere is so specific and well done. If you’re looking for scares, this is not the ride for you. If you’re looking for a spooky and charming ride, jump on board your Doom Buggy and tour the mansion. Remember, there’s always room for one more.

Haunted Mansion Images