Did you know the Haunted Mansion was constructed as a scale model on its way from original concept to final attraction? Walt Disney Imagineering shared photos taken inside the concept model, revealing multiple iconic scenes in miniature.
Haunted Mansion Concept Model
The Haunted Mansion opened in Disneyland in August 1969, but was initially announced to guests in 1961 with a 1963 opening; the instantly recognizable Southern Gothic exterior was actually completed by 1963. However, the interior underwent many iterations, as Walt Disney himself originally conceived of it as a walk-through attraction. When Disney passed in 1966, Imagineers pivoted from a walk-through attraction to the “Doom Buggy” Omnimover-based dark ride to accommodate a greater number of guests.
When the decision was finalized to make the Haunted Mansion a proper dark ride, Imagineers planned out the ride (which is largely located underground) with a scale model depicting the guest flow and ride experience, beginning with the portrait hallway, which features the same lacy-curtained windows and staring busts as the final attraction.
Miniature Doom Buggies are used throughout the model, complete with tiny park guests. Here is the original idea for the cobweb-laden loading area where guests leave the bat stanchion-lined platform to board their Doom Buggies.
Madame Leota was already summoning the spirits with sympathetic vibrations from this dollhouse-sized version of her seance room. The floating instruments, tasseled lamp, and table with her crystal ball are all distinct. Doom Buggies encircle the scene, showing the planned ride path.
The quintet of singing busts is all represented in the graveyard, although all five are intact, so one was purposefully broken on the way from model to reality. A jump-scare ghoul lurks just beyond at the end of the planter.
Finally, even the tiny guests had to beware of hitchhiking ghosts! While Phineas and Gus look very similar to their final designs, Ezra is a bit vague. The center hitchhiking ghost is a blocky, flat white figure with a slightly goofy face (similar to the Lonesome Ghosts from the classic 1937 cartoon) and a brown bowler hat.
Before the Haunted Mansion welcomed its first guests, it was a model on a table. ➡️ Swipe to see where one of Disney’s most beloved attractions took shape✨
More Imagineering Haunted Mansion History
Walt Disney Imagineering has been taking a closer look at the Haunted Mansion’s early development this October, sharing photos of character sculpts that include familiar spirits and ghosts that never materialized inside the attraction. Another post highlights Imagineer Jack Ferges, who translated early attraction concepts into maquettes and worked on early sculpts for the Haunted Mansion.
Imagineers also shared a hidden nod to Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas inside the Haunted Mansion at Walt Disney World, which also serves as an homage to the seasonal Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay at Disneyland.
What is your favorite version of the Haunted Mansion? Let us know on social media.
For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
The post Walt Disney Imagineering Shares Look Inside Original Haunted Mansion Concept Model appeared first on WDW News Today.
