Uncovering the REAL Story of The Haunted Mansion

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My apologies. As you read this, I am too busy riding Living with the Land repeatedly for 12 hours straight to write a video description. I'll at least leave a mention of Jean Lafitte down here for the true fans. You know who you are.
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Video Credits ▶
Haunted Mansion, LMGVids, • [2023] HAUNTED MANSION...
Sources: The Story and Song from The Haunted Mansion, 1969, The Walt Disney Company, Disneyland Records

[@Orkunkadunk]

OFFHAAAAAAND, MAKE A FULL BACKSTORY OF THE JUNGLE CRUISE AND MY LIFE IS YOUUUURS

[@metalstxrm]

LET HIM COOK

[@redspec01]

Be careful or he may accept your offering.

[@SRKStar]

Please let him would love it if he made a Tower of Terror Movie review as well. But I also think that movie is goated

[@holotape]

So, Dwayne Johnson is a boat captain that gets hired by Emily Blunt to go on an expedition…

[@LawnmowerManHWABAG]

don’t, I want this guy sad

[@StellarAvenger]

Whenever Offhand Disney makes a Haunted Mansion video, being seated is mandatory.

[@xBINARYGODx]

really? I like to rip off ALL my clothes and run around the room naked while they play in the background. but I guess... to each their own.

[@host_theghost507]

I would say that one of the strengths of the HM is that there IS no canon storytelling. Guests are free to imagine. I personally love the idea that Hatbox Ghost is the bridegroom... but it doesn't bother me if people have other theories. OTOH, I've never liked the way the Beating Heart bride was replaced with "Constance Hatchaway." It's too much storytelling and for me it introduces a goofy subplot into what used to be a genuinely chilling moment. In the earliest concept drawings it's not even clear that she's supposed to be a bride... somebody thought her shroud looked like a wedding veil, then it got hooked into the Bloodmere Manor narrative and, poof, she's a bride. Some people like the Constance mini-story and I don't begrudge them, but I prefer the mystery.

[@mitchellgillum]

I’d love to see you do one of these type of videos for space mountain/tower of terror/jungle cruise. They’re awesome

[@andyinmichigan9058]

One of the best Disney guys in KZbin. Thanks Dalen!

[@ericnelson8422]

You're stuff just keeps getting better and better!! Rock on, kid!!!

[@wendyg1059]

YO! I owned that record when I was a kid. In fact, I think I may still have it in storage, lol! Good times!!

[@skipbreakfast]

It never occurred to me that we're falling to our deaths after the attic scene. Neat.

[@jish55]

I remember a good 10 or so years ago seeing a long video on another channel that essentially was a history of the Haunted Mansion (not the history of the ride, but the history of the ghosts and how they got there). It was so good, I'm sad I can't find it. I think it was done by Doombuggy Productions when that channel was still active.

[@lilithcal]

Banshees make sense for the organ since they’re known for their shrieking.

[@brava_centauri]

14:22 i have to disagree honestly. i mean yeah its all up to speculation, the lore is SO contradictory but i see the beating heart bride and constance as different characters. the beating heart bride is a forlorn but also sort of evil figure who IS tied to the hatbox ghost, however constance is a heartless killer who is kind of unrelated to the hatbox ghost. but this has always been my personal opinion, i'm up to hear out other opinions

[@andyb7808]

Dang! I was just at Hollywood Studios on Tuesday! Enjoy them Muppets dude!

[@jarombarney1001]

It was super cool to see you at the parks last week in Soarin’! Hope you enjoyed your time there

[@jediconnor9349]

You should make a separate video on Mission Space: Orange Team.😄

[@gamberlane]

No mention of Master Gracey? It feels like he should be a major figure in the story.

[@WarholaSoup]

I love every story

[@Dizvillager]

Very interesting! We live near DWorld and go often. I’ll look more closely during the halloween party.

[@Justintime619]

Here’s a sad note in history.. the haunted mansion opened up the same day The Beatles walked across the famous crosswalk at Abby Road and Sharron Tate lost her life….

[@Undrave]

Is that Von Ginger on the last page?

[@emmagreening7710]

Putting this on my Haunted Mansion playlist now. ❤️❤️❤️

[@wordledad]

This was one of the most informative videos you've done since the Jean Lafitte conspiracy days. Good work!

[@MikeTheBeholder]

I always thought the Hatbox Ghost was just the Bride’s co-conspirator in a black widow scheme. He gets rid of the bodies/heads, takes his cut of the wealth, finds the next mark for the Bride to marry. She has no real faithfulness except to HG making her “his bride.”

[@jemmatilling]

Happy haunted mansion/phantom manor season to all who celebrate (all of us)

[@BrubySmalls]

The hatbox ghost hawk tuahed and constance went “weeeyoooh!”

[@briananderson344]

My theory is that the ghosts haven’t had a living soul (pun so intended) visit them in a long time so when we show up they give us a tour and can’t help but be both scary and silly.

[@TheInfintyithGoofball]

NON-MAGIC CANDLE COMPANY SPONSORSHIP??! I NEVER THOUGHT I'D SEE THE DAY OFFHAND! (this doesn't mean I dislike them tho)

[@mouse241988]

The hat box ghost reminds me of the mad hatter for some reason

[@rob2557]

Hey offhand, I'm trying to find a video about how they built the haunted mansion can you help? I've always wanted to try and do a graveyard scene for Halloween with the same type of effects as the graveyard in the haunted mansion, if you help I appreciate it.

[@brandonkstarr]

I would define the pop up ghosts as ghouls. Have they all been removed from the graveyard at this point? I can't remember, it's been a while since I've had a chance to ride it.

[@katiesparks2433]

Can you please do one about the the haunted mansions in Tokyo please

[@aliceincraftland3388]

I had that record!!! 🖤🖤🖤🖤

[@PhilMachi]

Here's a question: The book says "for this spook's playground" -- meaning it's referring to ONE specific spook. So, which spook are they referring to? Hmm...?

[@JosephDavies]

You're driving me crazy here, man! You can't repeatedly say you don't like the idea of the Hatbox Ghost being wedded to Constance when you know full well that Constance didn't even exist until 2006, nearly forty years after those lines in the LP were written (and clearly not the Bride it was speaking of)! I mean, honestly! Seriously though, I miss the original bride and wish she'd return. While I can see where Constance's concept was inspired by the Hatbox Ghost and his decades of mystery and rumor, now that he's back in the ride she feels even more out of place than ever. I wish they'd bring back the mournful Beating Heart Bride. But I'd settle for a rework of Constance so that she at least looks like she belongs in the ride. I grew up listening to this LP and always loved the alternate take on the ride. I'm glad the ride is a separate thing, but I enjoy a little what-if. I think it informs a lot about the _intent_ of many of the scenes and the tone, even where it diverges.

[@ronsorage78]

I would say the mummy could be considered a ghoul too. A mummy is what their dead body looked like. Not what they looked like in life.

[@TheLost_and_Tony]

my story of the Mansion that someday i will be in the park and get to ride it!

[@RiggsRealreal]

Cool

[@Jessica-rd2fu]

Hatbox ghost being before the seance room in wdw now is my villain origin story

[@rienailo]

The Haunted Mansion is actually connected to the People Mover, it was built as a people mover of the dead!

[@Katie-md3qg]

My one very random personal headcanon for the Haunted Mansion is that Constance Hatchaway and Madame Leota are exes. (this was inspired by seeing the bride-like Little Leota figure at the end of the ride and thinking "Another bride? But this one's Leota? They must be marrying each other!")

[@sunnyd1722]

Offhand Disney is the MatPat of Disney and Amusement Park KZbin

[@rattyeely]

Huge insult to Offhand...

[@sunnyd1722]

How dare you. I love Game Theory, Film Theory, Food Theory and GTLive and I have for years. I mean it with the most respect and compassion.

[@AndreaJingling]

So mostly my headcanon of the Mansion remains unchanged, but does take elements from the most recent movie, such as Alister Crump and the general location. Yes, this does include the Holiday Overlay, which also has a headcanon tied to it but, more on that in a minute. My personal 'just haunted mansion centric' headcanon is that Happy Haunt #527 is basically an alteration of a self insert character of mine, Andrea { the girly in my PFP }, but she's dead, an ex musician, and also in an active relationship with Constance Hatchaway. Listen if she kills THAT many men then she's got some burried lesbian thoughts. /lh Anyways, both of them are happy with one another, i personally named their ship name 'The Siren and The Slasher', since Andrea likes to lure them in, and Constance. Well. Ok next one: The Haunted Mansion basically only celebrates Halloween and Christmas all year round, and that Christmas is heavily altered by a Mr. Skellington. They've kept the standard decorations around in the attic, common storage type stuff, and Jack always brings the 'WHAMMIES', or the constantly altering stuff like the Gingerbread House, the Snow, etcetera. They genuinely like this change of scenery and vibe, as it changes their usual spooky atmosphere to something they genuinely wanted to experience again over time. One can only enjoy the jamborees for so long. Enjoying this Christmas alteration is perfect for them as it lets them finally experience something they really missed from their days alive.

[@gd515051]

The hatbox should be a practical visual effect. Not a digital screen. Man everything Disney does now is weak.

[@fahsky]

I'm so sad how rare OG HM is in DL. No hate on NBC, I love the movie, but the Haunted Mansion is it's own thing, I enjoy it because of what it is. I've only ridden the DL OG once, WDW once, & then NBC dozens of times. 🫠

[@rebeccaleek3852]

This. THIS is what is so great about Offhand Disney. Nobody does Haunted Mansion or Pirates history like you! 🤩👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@loribarker5781]

Ron Howard played the male teenage on the album. I always thought that was so cool. I had the album as a child. I absolutely wore it out I loved it so. 👻👻👻

[@Itachi8692]

Same here! I had the cassette tape and cd ^^ was just boutta say a comment bout Ron Howard but looks like someone beat me to it xD always loved that bit of disney history and still is one of if not my favorite story to listen to even now.

[@benirvin5609]

I actually still own it! Although it’s worn and well loved!

[@CatPianoClassics]

But i always thought that Snow Whites Scary Adventure was the scariest, they can change the name to Snow Whites Fun Happy Friends Go To A Picnic or whatever, its still the most frightening Side note, why hasnt there been a Haunted Mansion restaurant that sells an item called Goulash Delight?

[@bingotheraccoon]

I just applauded your comment. Physically. That...yeah. that was good.

[@leahpedroso5579]

They are making a haunted mansion themed bar on a disney cruise based around a sea captian

[@rebeccaleek3852]

Hey, Yellow Shoes! Check out this idea!

[@rattyeely]

The Hatbox Ghost being one of the bride's husbands is my favorite Haunted Mansion theory. It works with the original bride, but it works even better with Constance, almost as if they designed her AROUND the concept of the hatbox ghost and the other hatbox pop-up ghosts that used to be in the attic. He's her victim, he makes the whole scene complete and complements her character so much. I'm SO mad they put him in a random hallway in the Disney World version, it misses the whole point.

[@audrag.4756]

True story. They were still selling this album/book in WDW in 1978. My parents bought it for me that year on our first trip because I fell in love with HM the first time I rode it.

[@simpleanswer8954]

I had it around '82, no idea where my parents picked it up. We never went to any theme parks so it must have come from a plain old book store.

[@ConnorCampbell-ch5mk]

Dallin, we all know It’s Tough to be a Bug is the scariest Disney attraction, come on now we know this

[@rattyeely]

Yes

[@cathypiper9373]

That was truly a nightmare. It made my child cry .

[@ConnorCampbell-ch5mk]

@@cathypiper9373 almost made me cry

[@ryan7032]

Peter Pan is the scariest. You fly 7000 ft in the air ABOVE A VOLCANO!

[@brianb8060]

As someone who is afraid of bees and wasps. When they come down and "sting" me in the back... you bet.

[@gothicfairy2407]

I always thought that the original Beating Heart Bride(s) and Constance are/were different people. I like the theory that the Beating Heart Bride was a trapped ghost bride, maybe of the Hatbox Ghost, who was in an arranged or forced marriage against her will and still trapped there after her suspicious death.

[@AtticHaunt321]

I came here to say his. The Beating Heart Bride is absolutely NOT Constance. BHB was a victim, not a black widow. Man, do I miss her still.

[@jetsons101]

I enjoy variations on the same story, always fun to mix it up a bit. Another person's personal "Cannon" may have more or different detail than my personal "Cannon," this helps the story expand and grow. Thanks to Offhand Disney for their time, work and keeping Disneyland History alive and kicking..............

[@KLGChaos]

Just in time for me to change my phone theme to Halloween. Can't wait to visit the Haunted Mansion during the Halloween party in two weeks. Great video as always. I also just found out there's a book series called Tales from the Haunted Mansion that I now want to buy.

[@jediconnor9349]

Have you seen the new Haunted Mansion movie from last year? It’s sooo good.😅

[@KLGChaos]

​@@jediconnor9349 Yes! My friends and I watched it the night it came out and loved it! It may not be the best movie ever made, but it captured the spirit of the ride and the story was funny and heartfelt. Can't believe critics hated it so much.

[@KLGChaos]

@@jediconnor9349 Yep. Saw it opening night with my friends and we loved it!

[@jediconnor9349]

@@KLGChaos Awesome!😎

[@fredlopez5213]

When the Hatbox Ghost was added back to the Haunted Mansion, I think the Parks blog did an interview with the character that revealed he was not one of Constance's husbands (maybe there was something that said he actually hated her) and instead was in love with the old beating-heart bride.

[@gr33ngirlsea]

That's really funny. I love that they "interviewed" an animitronic! Makes sense, tho. His story in the book is connected to BHB, not Constance.

[@daydragoon331]

I actually think that’s more interesting than him being her husband, I like the dynamic that they actually don’t like each other.

[@rmack3720]

Saw a theory from another video that he was possibly an accomplice to her murders by helping her hide her husbands' heads in hatboxes only to be done in by her for knowing too much.

[@MannyEmm]

My theory is that it is based on nightmares which Walt had as a child. It could been based on relative he had or even a real haunted house in Marceline.

[@electricwizard3000]

Wait! I always believed the things popping up in the graveyard from barrels and whatnot to scream 'Boo!' are ghouls. No??

[@Plokman040]

Please tell me they keep Paul's voice, Boris Badinov should not be erased.

[@UCRfZb91nX-triozNmzvaRrA]

That's the same thing I'm worried about But everyone Bitched about the Hanging Man all Because it was a Damn Suicide taken that out won't solve shit there is STILL gonna be on going Suicide even at the same time I'm watching this Film or when do this shit it doesn't power anyone to defeat People Problems People that don't like The Haunted Mansion should NOT Ride it But Fuck it up for People that enjoy the Ride None of the Ghosts Dide Peacefully it was ALL Tragic Deaths But we have to stop Enjoying Life just for who Bitch about shit Including Splash Mountain, Snow White Jungle Cruise Peter and we are Forced to give a Shit about Childish BLM instead of Enjoying ourselves there goes our fun just for them. I hope Paul Freezes Voice is still there if not what good is the Haunted Mansion now?

[@kevinfraser7815]

Wow, this is such a well produced video. Thanks for the info and entertainment.

[@danieIIemydear]

I had my mom's copy of the album from when she was a kid (also one for it's a small world but I didn't like that one as much) when I was little and I used to listen to it on my little kiddy record player constantly when I a kid. Which I think explains a lot about me as an adult. The scratchy quality from listening to it on vinyl with what I'm sure was a too old/dull needle really added to the experience

[@Mrlaggy99]

My lil headcanon is that we are pushed from the attic but we land in some leaves or something soft to break our fall but we look like we’re a ghoul or something because of our fall that freaks the caretaker out.

[@hannahblespecter5325]

My completely unhinged story: The ghost host was Constance's butler, and lover. But they both wanted money. So Constance married and with the help of her lover, murdered and hid all these husbands while she and her secret lover enjoyed the wealth. But the angry spirits of her husbands discovered the butler alone and trapped him in the stretching room where either they killed him or he killed himself. And distraught and tormentted by the death of her lover Constance takes her own life with his spirit comforting her by her side. Now they wander tthe mansion together, secretly wanting to exact some kind of revenge but in the meantime, having rich people parties with all ttheir dead friends and relatives.

[@JustcallmeDebbieB]

Thank you for giving me my HM "fix". I miss going, but don't miss the crowds!!

[@lmb41]

I had the album with the cool jacket cover/book when I was little and I used to scare myself by listening in the dark by myself…I was so freaked out when we went to the mansion at Disney World that I cried through the entire ride. 😜

[@JohnMatthewVO]

My favorite Cannon story is the one where William Conrad ate a whole box of Chocodiles and barfed on Pirates of the Caribbean...

[@oshuhua]

I love me some Paul Frees and Thurl Ravenscroft!!

[@92JazzQueen]

I think the beating heart bride and constance are different characters. I ship emily and hattie.

[@j.7881]

I like to pretend that the hatbox ghost is "George" (tombstone) from the stretching portrait room that Constance is sitting ontop of🙌

[@GinaLynnGuesby]

I love how you tell a story. And especially this story. Thank you for this video!

[@hollydransfield1653]

My theory is in short Chandler loses auction for mansion and buys mill, which therefore destroys thunder mountain and making all the ghosts they’re angry bringing them to the haunted mansion. winner of auction dies by ghost murdering him . he has two twins sons, and they fight over who should be the owner. they do a dual ballroom ghosts, both of them live. One decides to hang the other. Surviving twin Mary’s constants hence hat box ghost Constance kills him, and She becomes owner. this is why there is a ghost host and master Gracie, brother who is hanged is master Gracie brother who marries Constance hotbox ghost=ghost host.

[@concertino58]

Which video did you hear this from? I saw one a year or so ago detailing this exact theory.

[@jetsons101]

Great Watch...... Nuff Said

[@TheBoyMechanic]

That's not Thurl Ravenscroft narrating. That was Peter Renaday, who sadly passed away last week. He was also the voice of Henry the Bear

[@JosephDavies]

I was expecting a mention or tribute to him, given the timing. Reneday was a terrific voice actor. RIP.

[@riviecore]

NEW OFFHAND VIDEO

[@envyq00]

My favorite headcanon is definitely that the Hatbox Ghost is moreso of a knowing accomplice to Constance rather than one of her former husbands. Something about putting heads in hatboxes feels very much in his MO somehow-

[@cecilyerker]

Offhand Disney is my favorite source of Haunted Mansion lore and history! God bless you my dude ❤

[@SP8inc]

I like the game's version of the story, and the overall mansion as well. That was a great game back in the day.

[@cecilyerker]

I miss the beating heart bride 👰 💓 I like it when they leave some things unexplained

[@Caleb-lc7tf]

Interesting fact, in a Random Rings short, it’s revealed that Scratch (the ghost from The Ghost and Molly McGee) resided in the haunted mansion for a time, and was the one who broke that one singing bust’s head (in a bowling accident - with Madame Leota’s head). It’s the only info we ever get on how that bust’s head broke, so I consider it as cannon lol

[@Ratmus1]

I have this book / record! It's awesome.

[@OakForestBoys]

These kinda vids are my favorite

[@robphillips1797]

Keep on talking about the Haunted Mansion. And keep talking about the Peoplemover!!😮

[@memsfai]

I absolutely love watching your videos, but I can't help but be terribly jealous of how often you get to visit Disney. I haven't been able to go since 1999.

[@edwardrizer8505]

How in gods name can this man make so many constantly entertaining videos about the HauntedMansion.

[@MissMTurner]

The original hearbeat bride and the new Constance bride are not the same person.

[@ClarkPaytonCrozer]

Couldn’t the arm that’s cementing in its own tomb be considered a ghoul?

[@TheInfintyithGoofball]

saving this video to my Halloween playlist RIGHT AWAY!

[@tcraiford]

I LOVE YOUR MANSION VIDEOS ❤❤❤

[@Turds-f9w]

Ron Howard gives a masterful performance 😅

[@Dippydipdip]

My friend said hello to you in Galaxy’s Edge last week! Me? I played it cool. And normal. Didn’t say a thing. My friend? Total nerd. Wearing a Han Solo vest, pointed at you and said hello. Terrifying.

[@nzjonty]

I finally did it. I bought some Magic Candle Company Candles and used your code. You got me. I’ll update with a review.

[@michaelfletcher2089]

I don’t think we are pushed out of the attic window. seems like we’re so frightened we back away and trip and accidentally off ourselves.

[@cherylmaden5989]

It's kind of hard for me to use my memory to come up with the whole story, cuz I'm from Florida and was born in 1978 to parents who insisted we go to WDW every year( because my uncle and grandma lived there( or very close) and my aunt worked at the MK) Then i went to UCF and was a dancer at WDW And UCF. So I've been going since my mom got pregnant 😂 and most of what I remember is from Florida, but then when I got married my ex husband and I went a few times to DL. but then if you REALLY want to talk confusing, I grew up watching Wonderful World of Disney every Sunday with my grandparents, AND ALSO the Disney Channel since it's inception...wheeeew😏🤣😄so yeah that's A LOT of input. But I treasure what I see from your channel too✨🖤💀✨😄 Thank you for bridging this gap from my kids to me!😀😎

[@BellePullman]

Mike and Karen, hmm? not Brad and Janet? It's amazing how the Hatbox Ghost has gone from urban myth to factual, practical, over-exposed character...

[@garrettvanallen159]

Hat Box Ghost! Activate that algorithm!

[@Outlander_man]

Make a backstory of Horizons, that would be awesome.

[@MannyEmm]

Except 2024 and that year during the pandemic!

[@Jura_Cilean]

Many moons ago (the 70s), in daycare, they played that record as a treat when the big kids had a full day off school. I loved those times and is why my office has so much HM memorabilia. Favorite ride ever!

[@FIREBRAND38]

This was a great presentation. It's obvious how Walt's original concept for a walk through with a Museum of the Weird was mixed in with the different visions the subsequent creators had for the attraction.

[@Randoplants]

Haunted Mansion and the People Mover are the only Disney things I actually care about, this is the perfect channel for me!

[@michaelsullivan3581]

Thank you Dr. D! This was so very Fun and Thrilling! You have done a wondrous thing! Please be enjoying the WDW adventure you indeed deserve!

[@JamesCorden23]

5:34 "Figments of our imagination" 🤨

[@bingotheraccoon]

The original bride isn't the current bride, though. The story doesn't mention the details we now have. If you go off that, it's merely a different bride. We can't really apply the current characters to the story in the book/on the record, which also don't always agree with each other anyways. And notice how the book/record doesn't mention all the captain Culpeper/pirates connection theory details? The different mansions have different stories, or none of them have the story that people have pieced together on their own and passed off as the official, real story. Seems more likely the two brides are two different brides. The original one comes across as less scary and more of a tragic character. And if the hat box ghost had his head chopped off, would he have that grin? Or... Most likely... They completed the book and record and ride in true Disney fashion. "Eh, close enough, it's just a ride. Why would anyone take it that seriously?" 😏