The History of the Haunted Mansion PART 2

The spirits have materialized to bring you the history of their beloved Haunted Mansion. Part one of this two-part series covers the origins of the idea, and the struggle to bring Walt's dream to reality. Part two finishes the story, and takes you on a scene-by-scene tour of the attraction, showing you the changes made over the years!
Watch Part 1 here:
• The History of the Hau...
The Mystery of Brigham Young's Haunted Hearse:
• The Mystery of Brigham...
#Disneyland #HauntedMansion #WaltDisney
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Finishing Walt's Dream
3:07 "Our Tour Begins Here..."
6:14 "Is this Haunted Room Actually Stretching?"
8:30 "And Now, A Carriage Approaches..."
11:25 "We Find It Delightfully Unlivable Here..."
13:29 "Perhaps Madam Leota Can Establish Contact..."
15:41 "...They're Assembling For A Swinging Wake"
17:53 "Till Death Do Us Part."
19:25 "Weird Ghosts Gleam Where Spirits Dwell"
20:54 "Grim Grinning Ghosts Come Out To Socialize"
22:49 "Beware of Hitchhiking Ghosts"
23:55 Our Beloved 999 Happy Haunts
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CREDITS:
4k footage of the Haunted Mansion attraction is provided by the incredible LMG Vids channel:
• [2021] Haunted Mansion...
Special thanks to the Interactive Realm KZbin channel for Jason's wonderful support over the years. He creates all kinds of Disney crafts and signs, truly awesome stuff:
/ interactiverealm
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DISCLAIMER: I am not a University-educated historian, Alex the Historian was a nickname I got while working at Disneyland as a tour guide. After 5 years of using it as a stage name for my channel, it would be detrimental to the channel to suddenly change the name.

[@bobcheapek4334]

*"Is your pocket actually stretching? Or is it just me checking for your wallet, hmm?"* If it wasn't for Xavier Atencio we wouldn't have two of the most iconic Disney attraction songs. The Sherman Brothers get a lot praise but he deserves just as much

[@theaccidentalsenior]

Why is your name spelled differently than your internet bio Bob?

[@rattyeely]

@@theaccidentalsenior it's a pun

[@Trevelbond]

The deleted narration really bugs me. It established why Leota is in the ride. I believe there was another line removed regarding the casket in the hallway: "All our guests have been dying to meet you. This one can hardly contain himself. Unfortunately, they all seem to have trouble getting through..." I've always felt the deletions detracted from the story, and the prominance of the Ghost Host character.

[@AlextheHistorian]

I agree

[@markraymond3886]

You mentioned the Ghost Host narration for Madam Leota but there was also a piece of narration for the body in the casket. Both were removed before the HMH ever came about. Also, the portrait hallway paintings flashed with the lightning outside when the HM opened. Some time in the late 70s or early 80s is when all the items changed. I can't prove it but I've been told that the speed of the Doom Buggies was increased slightly about that time, and the speed increase caused all the Ghost Host narrations to run together. The fading portrait hall paintings never looked right and you could easily see the transition so I was happy when they brought back the lightning flashes. I love your videos and they are always well researched. I can't wait for the next one.

[@SeanLamb-I-Am]

The mirror hall scene used to have another feature. In the early to mid-1980s, a cast member dressed up in armor would be stationed there. As the doom buggies traversed the hall turned so the riders were moving backwards, the cast member would peek around the edge of about every second or third buggy for a live jump scare. After experiencing this myself, on subsequent rides, I would always peek around to see if the cast member was waiting for us in that hallway. I've never seen it done again, but it was a really fun addition then.

[@gort162]

I have been a Disneyland fan since first visiting there as a young child with my parents in the early 60's. Throughout my childhood and teen years, I visited the park almost every year. ALL of the legacy attractions hold special meaning to me. Some of my favorite attractions are now gone (Adventure Thru Inner Space, Rocket to the Moon, Carousel of Progress, Rainbow Caverns, etc.), but fortunately many still remain. Even as a child, I was obsessed with trying to figure out how the imagineers created the effects. In fact, my curiosity with Disneyland has been so inspirational that I grew up and became an artist, making my own imagineered creations for a living (I call my sculpture studio "Boyerland"). These well-crafted historical gems you have created are truly a delight. Thank you so much for them...keep up the good work.

[@jetsons101]

My first comment as a member.... Another GEM by Alex, thanks. You have raised the bar for other to strive for. This and the Disneyland Railroad are your best. My first time on the Haunted Mansion did scare me a bit, Walt must be proud how it turned out and how long it has gone on with minimal changes and up-dates. Thanks to Alex for his hours of work, Stay safe Stay strong.....

[@AlextheHistorian]

Thank you Mike!

[@candaceroberts3238]

I remember the anticipation awaiting the opening of the haunted house, it seemed like forever. At that time it was the most exciting event, worth the long wait. This haunted house is so much better than the Disney World facade and the holidays it looks wonderful.

[@justimagine2403]

All of the books and videos and even the Tony Baxter walkthrough weren't as thorough. Excellent details about this ride and the story that I never knew. Like the pop up heads saying " I Do!" . Excellent indeed !

[@AlextheHistorian]

Thanks!

[@calboy2]

This brings back so many happy childhood memories

[@jillliankp]

this is so unbelievably well made and thorough im always impressed by you!

[@dopenerd]

Yes, I’m binging, I know 😅 This is easily one of my top 5 rides at Disneyland. I really appreciate your videos, they literally make me want to visit again.

[@KrazzyKelsie]

Great content! You had me at the history of Disneyland train! Good luck, keep up the great work and godspeed! Grettings from Colorado.

[@MannyEmm]

This is one of those “must get on” attractions. It has so many different elements. It’s multidimensional. I just love it. Thank you for showing both parts. I am curious….why wasn’t it just one big part?

[@AlextheHistorian]

This video was made at a time when it was very popular to split long videos into multiple parts. (This video existed as a previous iteration before the publish date you might see on it today)

[@MannyEmm]

Got it

[@alexgeorge501]

welcome back...Foolish Mortals!

[@Kayjee17]

If you're with a guest in a wheelchair, you stay in the doombuggies and you get to see a curtained off area where employees monitor things on the ride, then they pause things to let you off back near the beginning and you go back up in the stretching room elevator. When my son with cerebral palsey was younger he said, "There's nothing scary back here" by the curtain, so an obliging employee gave an evil laugh and pushed the curtain towards us, much to my son's delight.

[@SkepticalChris]

The Haunted Mansion I think, edges out a slight bit over Pirates of the Caribbean for immersion for the park guest. The moment you step through the gates, you feel you're in the ride environment already and the spooky atmosphere already permeates your senses. I think, without any exception, the Haunted Mansion, by far, is the pinnacle of gold standard for a dark ride, and all great dark rides since, have been measured to the Haunted Mansion.

[@JoshuaOrro-MustangPrinceOR-YTB]

Kat Cressida aka Dee Dee (Dexter's laboratory) is creepy as Constance

[@tylerfrederick246]

Having seen the videos again, I now have the full history. Miss a lot the first time, but it happens. But this time, I learned a lot. This is exactly why read books and watch movies and videos over and over again so that I can catch what I missed the previous time. And now, seeing it the second time, it is very educational. Alex, I believe you are the next Walter Lord and John Maxtone-Graham.

[@jimringomartin]

Thank you Alex. This was such a fun video. I love your narration, and childlike approach to all that is creepy fun. I have never been to the Original Disneyland. But I have been to Disney World's version, a dozen times. I literally had a dream the following night of my first visit in which I snuck in to the ride after hours and was able to walk through all the scary props etc. I was only 32 years old. God rest ye Walt Disney, who like me, never grew up.

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

Disney: So do you want this ride to be scary or funny?" Marc Davis and Claude Coats: Yes Glad they stuck with focusing on the experience carrying the attraction rather than a storyline. For me when I ride an attraction it's not about the storyline but about the experience that story tells. Because it is the experience that catches your eye. And I know I'm not alone

[@dooneygirl7259]

Amazing, you are really on a roll!! I loved this and the railroad series. Please do more like this!! Pirates next?? 😁

[@greggirons67]

Another great series, Alex ..! HM is my all-time favourite Disneyland attraction, you did it justice ... Thanks for these new attraction videos ...

[@michaeleasler5249]

Excellent history; you exposited many arcane facts I hadn't before known. It remains my favorite Disney dark ride.

[@MsDana-mo9fp]

I have been the WDW many many years.....never knew why it was at Disney! I thought there was a movie that it was based on that I missed!

[@fionnmaccumhaill3257]

A "must see" attraction every visit since the early '70's.

[@opinian1068]

Little Leota at the end, while voiced by Leota Toombs, is meant to be a mini ghost of the bride....not Madame Leota. I'm surprised (but glad) they didn't have the dialogue re-dubbed for consistency by Kat Cressida who voices Constance.

[@chrisjeffries2322]

Thank you Alex you are the Best!

[@richarddelgado8913]

Alex, What an awesome job narrating both parts of the history of Disneyland's Haunted Mantion 👻. I've learned information that I didn't know job well done thank you.

[@ScanFan_Ed]

Hello, Alex! 👍👋

[@wesl8787]

Thank you Alex!!! Awesome Job!!!!

[@SouthFloridaSound]

An important note is that due to the delay in the design and construction of the interior, all of the props were made in duplicate to go into the Florida haunted mansion. They also liked the stretching rooms so much, they duplicated them in Florida except the Florida ones are not elevators and instead of going down, the roof goes up.

[@pearsooo6972]

Perfect

[@rickpontificates3406]

The crime, is that this EXCELLENT documentary doesn't have 50,000 likes

[@eliotjones9835]

That ride scared the shit out of me . That back in 1997 when I was 9 years old .

[@Doggeslife]

One year I went and the paintings were slowing changing from one image to the other, instead of simulated lightning flashes briefly showing the haunted image

[@AndyKnudsen]

Great Video!! You are really knocking it out of the park with these.

[@AlextheHistorian]

Thanks!

[@riparianlife97701]

A part 3 showing the seasonal changeover would be fascinating.

[@AlextheHistorian]

There will be an episode on Haunted Mansion Holiday at the end of the month.

[@riparianlife97701]

@@AlextheHistorian JOY!

[@bigmarco]

I miss the giant spider they used to have in the doom car lobby

[@Highland804]

An interesting factoid about the grim grinning ghosts singers. Apparently, they couldn't move while they sang, so were kind of strapped into things that held their heads stationary.

[@kappamannyce]

Superb presentation and narration on this one Alex!! Keep up the good work. Very well done!

[@cabbitkisser2620]

i remember back in 1982 i was 9 at the time my class went to disney i wanted go unto the hunted mansion. but it was shut down. i thought about year's later they must been updating the ride back then.

[@bobm2331]

Super video. Well done with clear details.

[@KLGChaos]

I went to Disney World for the first time at age 44 last year. When my friends, who go yearly, asked me what I wanted to do down there, I said the only attraction I had to see was Haunted Mansion. I wasn't disappointed. Though we did get stuck near the end due to a hiccup and spent 5 minutes with the executioner and opera ghosts. Lol.

[@tsitracommunications2884]

At 8:32 you can see the lit up button on the elevator control panel

[@ThePassionOfTheMarc]

I love these types of documentaries. Thank you, Alex!

[@AlextheHistorian]

You're welcome

[@ronaldmiller2740]

ALEX---- MY SON MAX AGE 7 YR.S OLD AND I ALL WAYS ENJOYED THIS RIDE .. YOUR STORY TOLD ABOUT THIS RIDE WAS SPOT ON (GREAT) INTERESTING,,.. THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO,, . MOST OF ALL I AM GLAD WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A HAUNTED HOUSE IN STEAD OF A HAUNTED QUEEN MARY!! THAT STORY IS TO OLD .. PEACE.. VETERAN..

[@markasao]

The amount of time and research it must have taken you to create this presentation is astounding. Thank-you for your effort. I do have a question though. I was wondering if a senior retired couple could expect the same type of experience by paying at the park for some form of immersive guided tour of the history, rides, and behind the scenes workings of the park.

[@AlextheHistorian]

While Disneyland does offer a personal host or hostess to provide you with a unique experience and information at your leisure, unfortunately, they don't know all the information down to the tiny detail like you see in my videos. I know because I used to be a VIP tour guide and host at Disneyland. The best they can do is give you answers on general history, but they are not allowed to reveal technology secrets, even if they knew how half the stuff in the park worked. After I moved on from Disney I started my KZbin channel to provide people with information they couldn't find anywhere else.

[@NorseNerdleMeister]

Excellent as always, Alex!

[@theaccidentalsenior]

Thank you for including the link to the Brigham Young video. It was interesting and added to your video.

[@AlextheHistorian]

Yeah I liked that video!

[@patrickperalta59]

I love the Hat Box Ghost.

[@christinacavaness5105]

I love your videos! It’s so fun to learn the stories behind these wonderful attractions

[@robertthorn8233]

Awesome.👻X

[@AXander1978]

Tokyo absolutely opened with the new portraits.... IE the resting B face mood of Tightrope Girl. Not sure which version MK opened with

[@morrisambrosia6785]

Outstanding

[@jbmbryant]

People actually steal things during a ride breakdown? OMG 😳 I hope they get caught and thrown out of the park.

[@Rivercoon]

I doubt there were any security cameras installed before the 1980s.

[@bunnymomjulie6719]

Love it, Alex. Wonderful job! xoxo

[@cyberla]

Wow, impressive video documentary! Always wanted to know where these rides originated! Shocked these 2 videos do not have millions of views!

[@MrButtonpresser]

Great video, love the Haunted Mansion ride.

[@gregoryedwards8781]

the production value is excellent. Love the narrations

[@oliversherman2414]

Imagine if the false cobwebs were actually real and the ride just had a really bad spider problem

[@tavonfenwick-yb5xv]

I’m subscribing because of how articulate you are; it’s refreshing to hear/know that proper grammar and articulation are still a « thing »…

[@AlextheHistorian]

Thank you!

[@mickeynoodles5285]

Great video Alex! So much info🙂

[@cliffl2406]

Another great finish to your stories

[@seriouslyyoujest1771]

Well done! Thank you!!!

[@belledorado5636]

Great job as always Alex.

[@AlextheHistorian]

Thank you!

[@Bigbuddyandblue]

I hate it when I accidentally step in the invisible horse manure. 😅

[@pauljono8164]

This is a great ride.

[@Rivercoon]

The scrims between the doom buggies and figures in the graveyard scene were not installed until the 1970's. They are not there for atmospheric effect but to protect set pieces from unruly guests. My cousin once bragged about nailing one of singing busts in Florida with a rock to the forehead leaving a large dent.

[@AlextheHistorian]

oh my gosh, lol your cousin get caught?

[@Rivercoon]

@@AlextheHistorian Not that he ever told me.

[@jtkirkfan2002]

Walt Disney World was in development as they were finalizing the Haunted Mansion. As a result, Imagineers built two of every set piece and animatronic knowing that WDW's Haunted Mansion would be an opening day attraction. As a result, it was the first attraction completed and was ready long before opening day.

[@candaceroberts3238]

I remember it opened more than 10 years after the opening day.

[@TheGarbalosafamilyAdventures]

That was a great video

[@Rama_Guru]

You missed something, the ballroom glass we hit by a bullet of something and the hole is created was made into a spider web as a way to cover the glass that can't be replaced... 33

[@AlextheHistorian]

I purposely left that out. No one can agree on whether it was from a bullet or BB Gun and I didn't want to stir up that argument again.

[@Rivercoon]

@@AlextheHistorian If they never had to patch a hole in the wall past the glass I'd guess it was a BB. That is what it always looked like to me before the web was painted over it.

[@Rama_Guru]

I ok my friend was a security guard there so I spend a lot of time there about 35 years ago and he said it was a bullet. I even got to drive the monorail most of the time it was the last trip back from the hotel so no passengers I did find 100.00 in a trash can, a guy I know told me where to look as people forget money on the food tray and dump it. For a kid like me it was a 2nd home. @@AlextheHistorian

[@bunnymomjulie6719]

Also, Disney would never want to admit to the public that a gun made it onto a ride.

[@rainbowrunner1550]

Well I heard the story about the spider on the ballroom glass from FreshBaked's video. And the last couple of times I rode Haunted Mansion (both of which during the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay), I was able to see the spider during the ballroom scene.

[@legokiller3579]

You Should do a series on the Society of Explorers and Adventurers! It’s a very interesting web of lore and attractions. It would make an excellent series with your attention to detail!

[@AlextheHistorian]

Yeah but I'm not interested in lore and back stories, which is why in this video I didn't go into detail about the original back stories intended for Haunted Mansion. I like the historical changes to the physical locations themselves.

[@megelizabeth9492]

Offhand Disney is great for disney parks lore, on the off chance you are unfamiliar.

[@MsDisneylandlover]

Here 4 the other part i love mansion ❤ #DisneyDiva ❤

[@WasatchWind]

I thought the urban legend about the hearse was just a Utah thing. Really have no idea how it all started. Maybe someone who didn't really like us thought it would make the mansion creepier?

[@michaeltowers990]

I love your videos!

[@AlextheHistorian]

Thanks!

[@rogerlollar4325]

I wonder if walt is one of them 999 happy haunts

[@changkwangoh]

Do you like WDW’s additional library scene with “ghost writers’ ghost stories”?

[@AlextheHistorian]

Yes I do!

[@megelizabeth9492]

Personally, I've always thought that the scene could use a bit going on than just the watch you busts, but it's still pretty cool.

[@AlextheHistorian]

But they also have books being pulled in and out of the shelves

[@lauri-jeancarlson8476]

haunted mansion is scary or funny make it both

[@viviennemorgan7217]

make a part 3 of the haunted mansion.

[@chrismetzger8875]

Hurry back.

[@MCastleberry1980]

I've seen some folks say every so often after the holiday overlay, the removed narration will be back on for a bit.

[@AlextheHistorian]

It's a malfunction, one doom buggy might hear it, while the next one doesn't. It has to do with the way the mechanisms pick up narration.

[@justint8851]

So do you plan on doing a video essay on Pirate's of the Caribbean

[@lenthisgoldstein9553]

good stuff Alex, Happy Halloween, The only ghosts I believe in ate in the haunted mansion, you foolish mortal.HAhhahahahahhahahhahaaaaaa

[@michaeltaylor1603]

"Drag yourself" into the DEAD Center of the story of Part #2 of the Haunted Mansion. Foolish mortals! Back in the late 1990's I bought the "floor plan" blueprints of this attraction. $$$ well spent!

[@shiekahfan01]

So i will say this, the Hatbox Ghost isn't in the spot as this video states it is. The Hatbox ghost is at the very end where the hitchhiking ghosts are because it's easier to replace it with the oogie boogie animatronic since both animatronics are set into the same spots

[@AlextheHistorian]

That is not true at all. Please watch a ride through video

[@shiekahfan01]

@@AlextheHistorian it was there when i rode it in 2018 so idk

[@kathrynodom9587]

Haunted mansion. Ghost.

[@kevinvalentefunfilmsclub3484]

Didn’t the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland opened on August 9, 1969?

[@AlextheHistorian]

Technically no. August 9th was what we call a soft opening, it is unofficial. The Haunted Mansion officially opened on August 12 which was the Grand Opening day. That's a little detail the internet often gets wrong.

[@kevinvalentefunfilmsclub3484]

@@AlextheHistorian huh. I guess a lot to people like me who knew August 9th, 1969 was the opening day of the ride. I’m guessing I learned August 9/12 are the opening days of the ride or something.

[@AlextheHistorian]

Yeah I mean if you Google it, almost every website lists it as August 9th. But they unknowingly are mentioning the soft opening day.

[@kevinvalentefunfilmsclub3484]

@@AlextheHistorian Ah. That makes sense. Also, I enjoyed both parts of your Haunted Mansion history video.

[@AlextheHistorian]

Thanks!

[@michaelhoward9932]

When I was 16 I kissed my now wife for the first time.. On this attraction

[@michaelhoward9932]

I'll be 60 in 7 months