Disneyland History 1969 - Mystery of the Hatbox Ghost

For more history of Disneyland, check out our Podcast: tinyurl.com/j34... - For the FULL Story of Disneyland's Creation, read... tinyurl.com/m26...

[@Popp1092]

4:56 This photo is absolutely frightening. Seriously, any time I look at it I immediately get chills.

[@tylermannor4290]

Yeah, compared to the new one, the original hatbox ghost is freaky

[@jmdavison62]

@@tylermannor4290 The 2015 Hatbox Ghost is a letdown. It's brightly colored, cartoonish CGI that isn't the least bit scary.

[@tylermannor4290]

@@jmdavison62 Yeah, honestly I think it has to do with the fact that the original's eyes appear to be more sunken. At least the 2015 one actually works as intended though

[@RipplyAnemone67]

Yes but I think it’s the flash and how the current ones eyes are less of a drastic distance from the original and also the fact both heads are in view and the monochrome color scheme and the head overall looking more skull like

[@hunterolaughlin]

@@jmdavison62Well, you should at least be thankful they were able to bring him back to the Mansion even if it isn’t the original animatronic.

[@6dash9dash95]

HE'S HOME AND I'M SO HAPPY YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND. I wrote a 10 page research paper on him in high school. I was made fun of SO much. But now he's back. So everyone who made fun of me in high school that's all amazed by him now can leave. I told you he was real. I. TOLD. YOU.

[@TemeryN]

Addie B do you remember the grade you got on your paper? I hope the teacher was not one of the one's who made fun of you.

[@6dash9dash95]

TemeryN I got a C because "KZbin isn't a credible source" even though a lot of my quotes were from Tony Baxter, an Imagineer and former cast member who WORKED AT THE HAUNTED MANSION WHEN IT OPENED like how is that not credible?? But she did include that my actual essay writing skills were the best in the class. It was just a weird situation.

[@puke.1393]

I wrote 9 pages on the history of the Country Bear Jamboree. Good thing the video I got my information from was a reuploaded extinct attractions video. Lol, I commend you for really writing about what interests you though and not being afraid to show it!

[@tabithaschultz6308]

+Addie B A C?!!!!!! Wth?!!!!! I would have maybe knocked it from a 100 to 95 for KZbin, but...a C?!!?!?!!! Booooo, boooo you, teacher!!!! Find your humanity!!!!!! ;)

[@tez_05]

Can I go out with you...😍

[@ManateeGhost]

He is materializing today!! I cannot wait for him to come out and socialize.

[@atsmithson]

Yes

[@evaglover5394]

Wait I'm kind of confused so near Christmas you know how jack and boo are at that corner when you lay down and then come around to the grave yard scene? Where the singing statue heads are? But when not near Christmas I always though the hatbox ghost was at that stage area. I kind of remember seeing it but if it was a illusion I'm really scared :s

[@yungccsonar]

DOUg

[@user-jj7uc9gg7b]

I know this comment is from 4 years ago, but you called Zero 'boo'??

[@KidzRuleStudios]

He has come

[@Fangzthewolf]

HE RETURNS!

[@TSaylor2001]

He's home:)

[@crashguy4196]

HOORAY! :)

[@daboz8753]

That is amazing...I’ve been fascinated with this guy since randomly stumbling upon an article online about him. I recently went to Disneyland, and without knowing he’d been added back to the mansion rode the ride...imagine my delight at seeing him waiting there passed the bride, I was awestruck! Thank you so much for this video, it still puzzles me over what could’ve happened to the original animatronic, but I’m so happy there’s a new one honoring his rightful place there.

[@CC007]

THAT IS FANTASTIC! :). My mom and aunt actually went to Disneyland back in '69 the weekend Haunted Mansion opened. She remembers it being quite an event, the cue almost starting where Pirates is located. Recently we were talking about the Haunted Mansion, and I had to ask her did she see this figure. Thanks to the internet, found a pic...and she was like "whoa!!...I remember that!...he was creepy..but we didn't get what he was supposed to do..." this very cool, thanks for posting.

[@UrbanPanic]

The photograph you used may be in part why the hatbox ghost was removed: flash photography would ruin the effect. In particular, any and all guest photos would have the effect spoiled, because low light photography was pretty much non-existent at the time, so flash bulbs would be the only way to get the shot. Which would make it look cheesy in the picture and for anyone else nearby.

[@AuraLeafstorm]

"I am the box ghost... Beware!"

[@MK1MonsterOck1989]

***** Danny Phantom Reference!

[@camilianSLC]

very underated

[@DeathlyPumpkin]

Omg that old footage!!! I want to see more!!! More!!! More!!!

[@ADAMSIXTIES]

I was there as a kid summer of '72, so missed it. Good detective work on this video!

[@elliegee7334]

I was lucky enough to ride this amazing attraction when it opened on August 9th, 1969. I was 9 years old and it just blew me away! A lot of it scared me, but I loved it and HAD TO get on and ride it again. Did I see the Hatbox Ghost? I honesty do not recall - maybe I did, but I have no memory of it. Thank you for posting this bit of history!

[@jupiter9099]

Watching this is so fascinating. All of this stuff that was there when the attraction opened that's not there anymore.

[@ItsIdaho]

I watch Homevideos from Disney Trips in the early days, I would never like to go there now. So much gone.

[@lachamaburda]

I just wish they could bring the old hatbox ghost back, just leave him as like a decoration, nobody cares. We just want him back

[@kidstufffilms3817]

Excellent job and presentation. I did see the Hatbox ghost in 1969 (I was 12 and remember it distinctly). I am so glad someone got it on film!

[@thrutheturnstyles]

And now he’s the star of a movie. How far we’ve come. I remember this video being like proof of a Yeti. Such a great revisit

[@Bobsheaux]

Wow... A rare piece of footage, this. I knew the original Hatbox Ghost existed, but to actually SEE him 'live'... Crazy...

[@VinluvAntonHandesbukia]

I always wanted to see the ORIGINAL hatbox ghost working

[@ponyboycurtis579]

Who took that video of the hatbox ghost? Was it your family's video?

[@FreshBakedDisney]

Fascinating. I'm ashamed to say I knew very little about the hatbox ghost.

[@rossfitzpatrick7549]

Didn't expect to see you here, hello from 8 years in the future where I'm still shocked the Hatbox Ghost is back 😂

[@thrutheturnstyles]

Haha wow what a cool Fresh Baked sighting!

[@gaialanzer81]

Y'know, it's a wonder that through all these renovations of the Haunted Mansion, they never brought back the idea of the Hatbox Ghost. I'm pretty sure with modern technology, they can pull off the effect better than they did back then. I know the guy said it seemed to grizzly, but I think it would've looked more cartoony compared to the bride. I remember seeing THAT bride(the one with the glowing eyes and glowing heart) before they switched it over to the modern one, and let me tell ya, that ALWAYS used to scare the hell out of me as a kid. It, in itself, is far more "nightmare fuel-ish" than the Hatbox Ghost, IMO. Maybe that was also something that lead to it's removal, the contrast(Hatbox being cartoony looking, the Bride looking like something out of a legit horror movie).

[@AJ17_]

It's been rumored for years now (with several hints dropped by WDI) that the Hatbox Ghost might make his way back into the Mansion at some point. I wish Disney would just do it. They're driving us Manson fans crazy! LOL!!

[@waikoloa555]

apparently for the 60th anniversary, its rumored that the hatbox ghost might come back for a limited time

[@ItzCaityCat]

waikoloa555 it's now confirmed!

[@atsmithson]

Or as a permanent resident of the haunted mansion

[@clintwilliams3818]

fast forward one year...

[@RRRandomRecordings]

Amazing footage of the Hatbox Ghost. By the way, that photo of the bride is most likely a prototype and not the original bride. Long Forgotten posted some good evidence that the original bride was "Corpse Bride". Notice how the bride in the photo is not holding the flowers. This is good evidence that it was a prototype and not the original bride. Check out Long Forgotten's "Here Comes the Bride" posts for more about the original bride.

[@RipplyAnemone67]

Wow that’s neat that it was the prototype at a point

[@RRRandomRecordings]

@@RipplyAnemone67 I had completely forgotten about this video and the comment I'd made. Back in June of 2020 the same "Long Forgotten Haunted Mansion" blog posted new photos that have been found of the "prototype" bride. It is now confirmed to be the real bride used in the Walt Disney World ride for the first few years of that ride's existence. The photos were supposedly taken in 1973 but may have been taken when the bride was being assembled before the ride was opened in 1971.

[@Caterpillarjon]

I think the original Hatbox Ghost was much more scary than the new one. Just something about the face that's more terrifying.

[@Senor0Droolcup]

Now that's an amazing discovery. :) That beats the Zapruder film hands down IMHO.

[@thisismysea]

I hope you're joking. It's certainly a cool find for fans of entertainment history, but is nowhere near as important as footage of a political assassination. Come on.

[@richarde.skywalker1977]

You guys might notice that in the mock up photo of the Hatbox Ghost in the Haunted Mansion is black and white. But, the face and hair of the Hatbox Ghost is green. And, in the photo, it was different.

[@rebeccabettinger3482]

Question: has any thought that maybe the Hatbox Ghost was recycled? Meaning his robotic skeleton was put to use in another location? After all, it saves money (think about when they moved America Sings audio animatronics to Splash Mountain) and explains why no one can find the original anymore.

[@TheWrongHands18]

There would be records if that had happened.

[@distantShade]

This made me SO happy. It reminded me how much I love this ride. And the hatbox ghost. He is one of those characters what Mansion fans hold dear and this takes the cake. He is one of those mansion legends.

[@Nocredit11208]

I remember watching this video when I was young, and now finally this year I got to see the hatbox ghost in the ride!

[@mindyschocolate]

Hatbox ghost looks AWESOME!!!! I rode it one day (I go to Disneyland a lot), and I nearly banged my head on the top part of my carriage when I went right by him. I didn’t realize he had been put in again! He looks great, and I’m glad they worked out the kinks.

[@CANADA-SOLD-AS-IS]

i went to disneyland 6 years in a row from 1973-1979 and i remember the hatbox ghost lifeless and in darkness but could see it by looking back to yor right after passing it like it was behind a curtain ... this was in 73 if i had to put a year down

[@CANADA-SOLD-AS-IS]

7 years in a row

[@timrose9826]

Tony Baxter is incorrect The head of the Hat Box Ghost is still in the Haunted Mansion It’s on one of the Pop Up Ghost in the graveyard Also the mold for the Hat Box Ghost was and is used for the head of the tall skinny Hitchhiking Ghost

[@carlyo72]

Let me just get one thing strait, if you read the Disney book, "haunted mansion from the ride to the movies" it clearly says that the hatbox ghost was there for the soft opening, but was taken out before the official opening

[@amiibler]

And now, he's back.

[@samwisethegamer9020]

HE'S BACK.

[@Eric930]

That's a great looking ghost & a really neat effect...They should put that back in the ride!

[@dankconspiracynut]

Still can’t believe this is the video that pretty much started the whole Hatbox craze and was the origin of the Hatbox ghost footage.

[@Kraele]

I know it's just about an attraction, but something about the way this video is presented sends chills down my spine.

[@CarrieVines]

Thank you Thank you!! You had us sitting on the edge of our seats! I've been waiting for this moment for a long time!!

[@McHaleMega]

I've read that when they reboot the Haunted Mansion film it will feature the debuts of several new ghosts, including Hatty, and act as an advertisement for the addition of said characters to the ride.

[@disneyfan81]

Not to mention when he tried to imitate the hatbox ghost, he held his right hand up, even though Old Hattie had the box in his left hand.

[@TemeryN]

how lucky for someone to have home video's from 1969, I didn't even realize that non-movie people had access to camera's then, it must have been huge and heavy to lug around DL. Thank you for sharing that bit of history =)

[@sforzandofilms]

O.O You're one of the only people in the whole world who has actual film footage of the Hatbox Ghost!!!!!

[@ConnL]

speculation says that the hatbox ghost may have been composed of human remains much like the skeletons in the grotto on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride and was taken off the attraction, spooky

[@cheriarnold]

Great video and I like how you combined different pieces of old footage and told the story in detail. Thanks for putting this together. Ignore the haters.

[@Spencerdude2000]

When the upcoming movie comes out, a special thing will happen in the mansion that was delayed for this movie. They plan to put him back in the Mansion or perhapes a new version of him since technogly makes his effect possible. He will also be in the movie.

[@TheHaarrrleyFan]

That's so cool!!! Though it only explains that in fact the Hatbox Ghost DID exist, not where he's gone to now. I've often wondered how it is something like a piece of a ride could just dissapear from the attractcion COMPLETELY without there being any records of it. This is a great find

[@Omeganed0]

Hattie also recieved a brief cameo in the Halloween episode of House of Mouse alongside other Haunted Mansion characters. Even if they haven't put him back in the ride, its nice to see them give a nice wink to the fans now and then.

[@manda1294]

it makes me so happy that the hatbox ghost is going to be returning next month (i believe). hopefully it will be a full time thing. cause i cant make it down there this year!!

[@QueenOfR0ck]

The Hat Box ghost has been remade recently and was at the D23 event and while looks different, looks very similar in the face of the original Hat Box ghost. So, I think they would possibly say something like that in order to stop people from asking about it, or create more mystery to the story.

[@rainbowduck4875]

If the hatbox ghost really had a Facebook page he would probably be like "hey y'all why'd ya kick me outta the mansion?"

[@FantasmicDragon1]

I officially love you now. Thanks for putting this up! Now, if only Disney would bring him back...if only if only!

[@Campbell22C]

This is awesome! Love your videos!!

[@TehFriskySquirrel]

your voice is like melted butter to my ears. it's safe to say, my pants are off.

[@MrRunts1234]

What an intellectual imagineer. He says he remembers the "Hat Box Ghost". But when he mentions as to where the head disappears then reappears to, he motions to the wrong side. The Hat Box Ghost holds the box in his left hand. 2:27.

[@NxTTxT]

i've heard rumors in other forums about a "hatbox ghost" in the Haunted Mansion but i never actually knew anything about it. thanks for the depth, really. it helped me understand the whole thing a lot

[@HAISPAM]

Heh; I didn't notice until now that you can see the hand holding the cane wiggling; that's such a creepy effect

[@NurseryCrimeDivision]

This just blew my mind! I've been a fan of the Hatbox Ghost since forever....

[@SorcererParker]

Happy Hatbox Day! 5/9/2015

[@DiamanteDea]

THEY SHOULD BRING BACK THE HATBOX GHOST. HE IS SO LEGENDARY!!!

[@RobertRonan]

This video is amazing. Thank you so much for putting it together!

[@Itstephaniie]

This is amazing and I literally got the chills. Ah, to go back in time I would love to see this eye to eye.

[@thevoodoocardteacher]

IT'S OFFICIAL, HE'S RETURNING!!!

[@abandonedaccount97]

Good thing that bride is gone, replaced with the new one. I like the new attic scene a lot better than the old one. The popping up heads always scared me as a kid.

[@robertozasky208]

I worked as an attractions host at the Haunted Mansion in 1977. We toured the mansion with the lights on several times, and at that time, there was no hatbox ghost in residence.

[@ABOSS302]

I remember when the antique also contained many great victorian furniture props, which also seemed to disappear over the years. There was combination oak bookcase desk that I loved and would always check on each visit. I have not checked lately to see if those artifacts have reappeared????

[@Mansionology]

@GrayManichean Yes, that is Paul Frees in the beginning. The clip is from a radio ad.

[@NoahSundayLefkowitz]

This is so mindblowing! Its amazing that YOU found evidence from your own home videos! (Although my heart was pounding throughout the video, because all of the silence throughout the video made me feel like something was going to pop up on the screen and scare me!) Awesome Hatbox Ghost Sighting!

[@schwakyl000]

Oh my God... YOU HAVE THE ONLY FILM FOOTAGE KNOWN TO EXIST THAT SHOWS THE HATBOX GHOST! I bet Disney would pay a SHIT TON to get their hands on it.

[@kristenjenkins2560]

Disney wants to add the ghost back to the ride. They are waiting for Guillermo del Toro's scary movie of the Haunted Mansion movie to come out staring The hat box ghost. He is working on the movie right now. I can't wait!

[@dallincf]

This video is priceless!!! Well done!

[@michaelforthriller]

the reason the new HM Movie is still in production is because Disney rejected Del toro's script as it was too intense for a Disney film. Most likely the script is being rewritten right now. Personally i dont worry about the movie not being R rated. It just needs to have the perfect balance of horror and comedy because that's what the ride is all about.

[@TFN5459]

Well, a "replica" of the Hatbox Ghost was built for the 2013 D23 convention in the Audio Animatronics section of the Imagineering open house. Who knows? Maybe they will install this "replica" in the Haunted Mansion in the next refurb. They certainly have the technology to make it happen now.

[@SiviRabbitLady]

It seems they have updated the hatbox ghost, but no words when he might return back to mansion.

[@AMan7323]

This is awesome! Keep posting more videos they're all great.

[@mikedegnan7489]

Here is a crazy theory I thought up. The hatbox ghost is the ghost host. It all adds up. The hatbox ghost used to be a young master gracy who was going to get married but the bride either killed her self by jumping out the attic window or falling out. After gracy finds out what happened he became depressed and grew old to look like the hatbox ghost. then one day he had enough of depression and hung himself in the rafters of his art gallery aka stretching room.

[@Tkfore21]

@rickamerson The illusion of the head disappearing from his shoulders and reappearing in the box was done by lighting. There were two heads, both staying put, however, the lighting was suppose to go out on one spot, and come up in another. The pic you see is both being illuminated. The main reason the Hatbox Ghost went away, is, well... the trick didn't work very well.

[@KramSacul]

Excellent film analysis. Now if only they could return the beating heart bride to the attic and toss the current cheesy talking one in the garbage.

[@taylorward3773]

I don't think it's cheesy, I quite like it.

[@shawnmulligan2894]

Kram Sacul Technically, according to many sources, the very first bride, at least for several weeks, had the line "I do... I did" in the WDW ride version. In the first one, the caretaker also said "Who's there?", but it was taken out really fast. However, I do hate the new bride! She's just a projection! The first one was enough to make a young child never get married ever!

[@thegraylink8269]

Well said, studying the history of the bride i wish that they would bring back the very first bride (the corpse one). The new one is boring

[@isaiahromero8024]

I never got to see the old bride :( she was so much creepier

[@morshuscloset]

New one sticks out like a sore thumb. I know some people like it, but honestly it barely fits with the tone of the rest of the attraction. It just feels too tacky and cliché for an attraction like The Haunted Mansion.

[@Spencerdude2000]

Still, it will be good to see the Hatbox Ghost in there. Oh by the way, he's going to be the villan in the movie.

[@thecreativekid13]

I don't want them to change anything in the ride because of the movie, unless the movie is SUPER good.....

[@kayliewalls2141]

So does the Hatbox ghost still haunt Disneylands The Haunted Mansion to this day and do u think its still possible to spot him

[@thecreativekid13]

Really? HM is supposedly haunted. But it's a little hard to believe your story because there are no longer pop-up heads in the attic, and the bride that's in the attic now isn't Emily. Her name's Constance....

[@LEGOMaster56]

@Blu923the2nd i was refering to how is head is still in the mansion, it's used as a pop up ghost

[@bradsatz]

Very cool! Enjoyed this video a lot.

[@Mansionology]

@spongebobslushpants1 Yes, the hanging skeleton is the Ghost Host's remains and the "hatchet man" painting is his portrait. The "aging man" portrait in the foyer depicts the master of the house, according to Jason Surrell. It still hasn't been 100% confirmed whether or not Master Gracey is the "master" in the foyer portrait.

[@softballfreako]

@SlasherV8 His face is used in Leota's room against one of the walls. It;s not the actual animatronic, but a projection.

[@lml6791]

The Hatbox Ghost should be re-added to the ride. He is one of the icons of the ride even though he isn't in it.

[@TheJixxNerd]

I love this video still. I am looking for the Murphy dragon video however. I am still wondering if it’s still on your Channel?

[@CTPerks]

That's astonishing! I never thought I'd ever see ANY video footage of the old guy!

[@makennarho]

He's back!

[@omcgh]

It's unbelievable how disneyland keeps exploiting the image of the hatbox ghost with almost everything related to the mansion, and still doesn't include the hatbox ghost back in the ride. He'd even make sense now with constance the head chopper. Oh well, I guess he will never ever be on the haunted mansion again.

[@999haunted]

They have GOT to put the hatbox ghost back in the ride. Technology has advanced very far from the 60's. They should have figured out how to pull off the effect by now.

[@LauraIsPink]

2:23 no don't stand in front of the murderous bride! lol that part always freaks me out.

[@lml6791]

I heard a rumor that the Hatbox ghost animatronic was used as Sam the Eagle in America Sings.

[@WhattheVloggity]

Wow this was awesome! Loved the information! Cant wait to see The Hatbox Ghost return to his home!

[@WhattheVloggity]

We visited the new Hatbox Ghost this weekend! It looks so awesome!

[@SRHunt85]

I read that they put the Hatbox Ghost back in 2012. I really don't know if that's true. And I won't be able to tell, I'm going back during Christmas, so it'll be all Nightmare Before Christmas.

[@maxmora7660]

It's kind if weird how this video claims the molds "vanished" when a Disney artist made a replica of Ol' Hattie with the original molds.

[@hqman100]

there are 4 portraits of the hat box ghost in the mansion in the hallway with the doors

[@maxmora647]

Does anyone else find it weird that the original molds "vanished"?There is no way that Disney could lose such a valuable piece of its history.

[@TemeryN]

wow that was really cool. I feel bad for the poor schlep who had to haul that camera around all day (I'm sure it was no camera phone!) but I'm so glad they did it.

[@manolisty]

In my opinion and it's just my opinion. When if ever they decide to do the haunted mansion reboot with del toro. Then they will bring del toro's movie hatbox ghost to the ride. Me think it so!

[@johnrankin6229]

They won't just brig it back to DL,but they'll also bringan it back to WDW since they made a second figure for Florida's version.

[@gqblues]

I never thought I would like to see that. Cool! Thanks for posting.

[@grothita]

The figure was most likely rented out by Disneyland from a small unknown probably now defunct prop making conglomerate for only a couple of days, remember they were probably still taking tests when the ride opened for the first couple of days, with like the satisfaction of customers and whatnot which might have led to the prop being removed.