The Haunted Mansion From Tony de la Cruz
for Orlandoescape.com
 My father took me to the Magic Kingdom in November of 1971 when I was 7 years old. I only remember two attractions, The Hall of Presidents and The Haunted Mansion. The reason I remember is because that night at the hotel I had a nightmare that combined both attractions. As I recall it involved being chased by a decomposing Abraham Lincoln.
Funny that it should be that vivid because for the first two years I watched the Grinning Ghosts through my fingers, because I would cover my face every time. So it was with mixed feelings that I introduced my son to the Haunted Mansion when he turned seven.
On the one hand my wife and I wanted him to enjoy the experience for what it was an enjoyable experience. On the other hand some long-dormant child in me wanted him to cover his face so I would feel better about doing the same when I was seven.
To his credit he loved it from the first time he got on it. He found the whole experience hilarious and now when we go we have to ride the Haunted Mansion at least twice. Like me he has memorized the whole schpiel from beginning to end and we love finding out facts about it.
 For instance, the voice of the “ghost host” who welcomes the “foolish mortals” is Paul Frees, who also happens to be the voice of Ludwig Van Drake, Donald Duck’s German scientist uncle.
In the graveyard scene there are some singing marble busts, including a broken one that many people swear is Walt Disney. Although the resemblance is remarkable, the voice and face actually belong to Thurl Ravenscroft, a talented actor who is also the voice of Fritzz, the German bird on The Tiki, Tiki Room and more famously the voice of Tony the Tiger. When I hear him sing “Grim grinning ghosts about to socialize” I almost expect him to yell “They’re Grrreaattt!”
In the séance room the head inside the glass ball is that of Disney costume designer Leota Thomas. That is why at the cemetery by the main entrance you will see a large headstone designating the resting pace of Madame Leota. By the way, if you stare long enough you’ll see the eyes on the gravestone open and close. Ms Thomas is also seen right before disembarking the doom buggies as the little lady reminding you to “remember to bring your death certificate”.
If you’re into looking for Hidden Mickeys, you’ll find one at the birthday party where the plates at the lower left of the table are usually placed in the Mickey shape.
There are 99 happy haunts at the Haunted Mansion and almost as many details to talk about, so I will be back with another article about our friendly ghosts. And remember to “beware of hitchhiking ghosts”. Back to Orlando Travel Articles
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