The Haunted Mansion Death Theory: DEBUNKED

[@laotasurfs1110]

Story of the Haunted Masion really was just "There's a creepy old house, folks say it's haunted. You decide to investigate. Ooops, all ghosties! They menace you, you leave. Turns out they were effing with you." All the ghosts have their own simple, immediately visibly evident stories that only work in concert. Any attempt to make the Mansion more complicated will fail -- spectacularly -- if that isn't understood.

[@JosephDavies]

I agree!

[@Zipzippieeeyy]

Really love the idea of them messing w u😭😭

[@gianlucacolangelo6578]

Coff coff Phantom Manor Coff Coff

[@ianfinnigan264]

Pirates of the Caribbean is the same way, in spite of the endless debates about whether or not the dead Pirates are the same as the alive Pirates and whether or not the old man is plot-relevant. On an unrelated note, this is also why Muppets Haunted Mansion is probably the best Haunted Mansion movie we'll ever get

[@JosephDavies]

@@ianfinnigan264 That was a great little movie. I only wish it had been a tiny bit longer.

[@lhusuu7116]

You should get an entirely green shirt, use it infront of the greenscreen and not even address it while you talk normally hahahah

[@MatthewOnAFireMissionFromGod]

Do it!

[@princessravendiamond4288]

I mean, he purposefully wears shirts that key into the green screen anyway because he finds it funny

[@Sticky_sausage69]

It would be funny having someone’s head, feet and hands be the only thing you can see

[@colorgaurdsweethreat3474]

If he had done that for this video, the ghostly host opening would be that much more hilarious. If he used a audio changer slowly transitioning his voice from the ghost host to him speaking deeply like him. That would have made it so much better. I probably would have burst out laughing (and possibly worry I broke one of my stitches... had an apedectomy on Monday). Hobestly that would have been amazing. Next Haunted house Video he does (I'm certain there will be more in the future. He should totally do this).

[@RandallJamesPeterson]

Or cosplay as Madame Leota.

[@scottholden5067]

You can't be dead, as the Ghost Host warns us one of the Hitchhiking Ghosts will follow us home. Madam Leota states to "Hurry back, and ensure to bring our Death Certificates", as in we need proof of death to return.

[@ElFreakinCid]

@BK Beatty Unless you're supposed to be the Witch, no you don't die at the end of the Snow White ride.

[@ianfinnigan264]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, if you die in the mansion you most likely die in the stretching room. Think about it: the Ghost Host practically says outright the only way to escape from that chamber is to die. The exit replaces one of the walls because we're now ghosts and can walk through walls.

[@lutherheggs451]

IF you were meant to be dead in the ride, then there would be zero point in having the hitchhiking ghosts who follow you home and the don't forget to bring your death certificate if you decide to join us as your leaving

[@ianfinnigan264]

@@lutherheggs451 no need to get argumentative, I don't even really believe this theory lol. I was just pointing out what I consider to be a bit of an oversight by the people who do believe it. However, as long as we're here, I don't really see how either of those things actually disproves the theory, would you care to elaborate? I mean whether or not you're already dead doesn't change the fact that they'd need a death certificate for you to officially join them, and I don't think they ever say that the Hitchhiking Ghosts exclusively follow mortals

[@ElFreakinCid]

I've always imagined the scream and crash we hear after seeing the Ghost Host's body is someone being so scared they run right through the wall, thus creating a new "door" and allowing us to proceed through the mansion.

[@TheNotverysocial]

@@ianfinnigan264 A better question is how you enter such a room in the first place.

[@jaydenswift9856]

that could explain the random boom noise, but then he says "frighten you prematurely" indicating what just occured is not a major event just a demonstration of how he and many others died when first exploring the mansion.

[@abbiecharlene7]

I always thought the death theory was predicated not on the fact that you don’t see any ghosts before the attic, but that the ones you do see before the attic are scared of/hostile towards you, and the ones you see after the attic are welcoming and happy because you’re now one of them (hence grim grinning ghosts playing once you enter the graveyard)

[@maryanderson7726]

yes! i’ve always thought this!

[@OpalBLeigh]

I’m like 99% sure that Dallin taught me that theory lol

[@TheDimensionDweller]

What are the indicators that they're scared of and hostile towards you?

[@abbiecharlene7]

@@TheDimensionDweller it’s been a long time since i’ve been on the ride/actually read up on the theory so i can’t remember specific examples but i think it’s basically that they’re trying to scare you away ie. ghost host is taunting you, bride is saying threatening stuff etc (and this could be totally wrong lol i’m not like super convicted here)

[@MonsterKidCory]

At the beginning, the ghosts are only PRETENDING to terrorize. It's all in good fun :) Plus, you don't really start seeing ghosts until after Madame Leota and your "sympathetic vibrations."

[@ruiqiumai323]

I’ve always taken the haunted mansion’s story to be that there’s a vacancy, and you’re touring it to see if that’s where you want to spend eternity. The ghosts are trying to show off and convince you that you’re going to have fun with friends on the other side. They’ve got room for one more, and they’re hoping it will be you. Since death is a hard topic for people (especially kids), I think the ride does a good job of exploring it in a safe way.

[@Kitty-the-Bunny]

I like that a lot!

[@sophiagueiros8751]

I was telling my dad Just now about this idea, cause it actually makes so much sense and it's kinda cool.

[@ElFreakinCid]

Another problem with the death theory: You've been in a Doom Buggy the whole time. You're not walking through the mansion, the Ghost Host explicitly calls upon haunted carriages from the ghostly void in the foyer to carry you through the place.

[@jackprather3471]

The most canonical texts for the Haunted Mansion are its script and the lyrics of "Grim Grinning Ghosts." The story & song records are good sources, but not necessarily canon. These sources, along with what we generally know about how ghosts operate go a LONG way in debunking the "death" theory. Ghosts tend to haunt the property where they died, so there would be no need to "hurry back" if we were already dead. Also, ghosts don't tend to haunt other ghosts, and the ghost host says outright that the hitchhiking ghosts are going to haunt us until we return. The two versions of the story and song recording each gives a different explanation for how we get down from the attic. In one we climb down a tree and in the other we follow Ron Howard and his date down a set of stairs. Neither one says we fall. "Grim Grinning Ghosts" outlines rules for joining the happy haunts: "If you would like to join our jamboree, there's a simple rule that's compulsory. Mortals pay a token fee (their life?). Rest in peace, the haunting's free. So, hurry back, we would like your company." We are told not to forget our death certificate. This seems to go along with the idea that the Haunted Mansion was a collection of ghosts from around the world. This idea is supported simply by looking around the ride and seeing a variety of cultures represented by ghosts there. So, the idea is to go home, die there, get our death certificate and hurry back so we can join the ghosts of the world in the Haunted Mansion, becoming the 1000th of their ranks.

[@wheeledjustice7381]

I like the idea of you tackling different Disney myths and legends in general. I'd love more of these breakdowns.

[@George_vv]

My personal idea of the current story for the Haunted Mansion is pretty simple. The mansion is being used to throw a party for nearly a thousand ghosts and one of the ghosts just so happened to be a host or a tour guide that invites you in with just your curiosity. The host leads you down hallways full of objects possessed by spirits that are trying to mess with you (hear me out.) You are then led to Madame Leota, who conducts a seance allowing you to see the ghosts. The host pushes you further on the tour where you see ghosts having a ball and ignoring you. With no turning back you're led into the attic, where more ghosts are messing with you by making you scared of the bride at the far corner (this story works better with the attic before Constance especially with the pop up ghosts and still with the ghost in the corner playing a creepy version of the bridal march.) (Current version) You see the bride raise a hatchet and rush towards the balcony passing a ghost who mocks you by making his head detach from his body and laughing at you. (This part is pure imagination but it's something I feel Walt would have thought) You jump down from the balcony with the raven following and you land in the bushes. Hearing the noise in the darkness, the grounds keeper is terrified (in my mind he's supposed to run away but of course he can't on the ride.) You see the graveyard glowing with hundreds of spirits and walk through the gates. You're almost in awe because most of the ghosts aren't trying to scare you at all. They're just enjoying themselves. There are some trying to mess with you but by the end of the graveyard you don't see them anymore. That is where the raven calls your attention towards a mausoleum as the host has been waiting for you for his final scare. The idea of being haunted forever. You leave the mausoleum with a verbal invitation back for when you pass away, entering back into Disneyland and keeping that invitation in mind. Okay maybe I lied and it's not that simple but it's the best thing I could come up with because most of the theories just don't make sense to me. The main gray area I had was landing on the ground from the attic because it's very vague so I came up with what I thought would fit and move the story along. Please share your thoughts and questions about this idea with me, thanks!

[@candyschmandy]

definitely respect this take! i think it probably varies from guide to guide, but when i went on a tour of the haunted mansion i was told that constance was shoving you out the window as yet another victim of her murderess ways. i think someone mentioned it already, but the idea was more that in the graveyard the ghosts are welcoming you/seeing you as their own, rather than being hostile toward you or treating you as merely an observer. this is why the groundsman and dog look so scared of you!

[@dallincf]

This got me questioning why we travel backwards while descending from the attic, but I quickly realized… that slow descent facing forward would be agonizing for most guests, especially kids and seniors. Also, sorry about your duvet!

[@rattyeely]

Interesting, I never thought about the physical aspect of it

[@deboralee1623]

i've often wondered about the backward descent.

[@redspec01]

Disney should just hire Offhand as a story developer to manage and market the stories of the parks

[@markraymond3886]

My personal theory is that the Ghost Host "IS" the raven. The ghost host has possessed the raven and moves with him. With the exception of the entry hall and the Stretching Room, he is always around when the Ghost Host speaks. The Long Forgotten site has a piece of concept art with the raven in the stretching room as well. Also, remember the Ghost Host spiel; "Perhaps Madam Leota can establish contact. She has a remarkable way of materializing the disembodied." The ghost start showing up after Leota. No death by suicide.

[@ElFreakinCid]

Well, we do see the coffin guy before Leota, but I guess he's more of a zombie than a ghost.

[@emccluskey]

i heard somewhere that the ghost host was supposed to be the raven, but they changed it because they thought it would be too difficult to tell that it’s the raven doing the talking/narrating

[@thevincentgonzalesplan]

@@emccluskey It's difficult to say because there is no clear story available, but there is support to the story that the raven WAS supposed to be the Ghost Host. My feeling is that the effect just didn't work in tests - maybe the Raven wasn't as articulate as, say, the Tiki Room birds, and the voice timing was off. Maybe the voice didn't sound right coming from a little Raven. In any case, it's likely to be as simple as it just didn't look good enough (like the original Hatbox Ghost).

[@markraymond3886]

@@emccluskey I also read that when they dropped the Raven as host, they thought about making the Raven a "sidekick" to the Ghost Host where the Raven would add a comment or comeback, but that was dropped as well. Yet the Raven is still there.

[@Disneyboy1989]

Okay, but seeing how your face lights up as soon as the CD starts playing the Foyer Dirge made my heart so happy. You truly as THE best Haunted Mansion fan.

[@ghosthostgracey]

The story and song from the haunted mansion is definitely what I consider "cannon" and in that the two children do crawl out of the attic window onto a balcony and decend into the graveyard. So the attic window is definitely cannon but falling out/ being pushed is in no way mentioned in the story. They just use it as their means of escape. Honestly muppets haunted mansion is the most accurate representation of this so far.

[@marseilletarot]

I’m pretty sure she says something like, “look! There’s a staircase on the other end of the balcony”

[@ElFreakinCid]

Not to mention, riders are clearly meant to be in some kind of vehicle even within the lore of the ride given to them by the narration. You were never walking through the mansion, a haunted carriage was carrying you.

[@SuperShadowsGirl]

Please, please, PLEASE give us more Haunted Mansion videos! I cannot get enough of these and I *love* hearing more about it!

[@NelsonReyesJr]

The Haunted Mansion ride is a sales pitch for you to join them and become the 1000th ghost. The Doom Buggy is your transportation through the immortal realm. At the end, the final sales pitch is,"Dont forget to bring your Death Certificate". My favorite lore for the Haunted Mansion is the linking of it to the Pirates of the Caribbean. The Raven was meant to be your escort through the mansion for the Ghost Host, however, that story didnt "materialize". The Ghost Host voice on the CD is Vincent Price. Great job with your channel!

[@rgs8970]

The Raven is an actor who was booked for the gig of Ghost Host, who is just hanging out in the ride, hoping someone will recognize him and ask about it

[@clownkid1515]

My personal favorite theory is that hatbox ghost is actually Constance’s second husband, Frank, due to similar appearance, and the whole five headless husbands, five hatboxes (counting hatbox ghost’s), where a head gets put in it kind of thing. And because I have an addiction I’ll also throw in my headcanon that Ezra and hatbox ghost are actually twin brothers, (due to both sharing the same face sculpt) and we’re born into a poor family, frank (hatbox ghost) decided he wanted to be successful and became a banker and ultimately married Constance, while Ezra didn’t really have ambitions and hitchhiked all his life, before getting killed after hitchhiking with the wrong person.

[@burneyboys02]

I've read the Tales from the Haunted Mansion books a while back and I love the idea of the librarian Amicus Arcane being the Ghost Host. I wish that Disney could make this canon cause in those early narrations feel like the Ghost Host is telling the story of the Mansion while you ride through it.

[@MonsterKidCory]

The Ghost Host IS telling the story... He is literally a tour guide.

[@burneyboys02]

@@MonsterKidCory yeah at the time I thought maybe it could be the same person

[@DeadlyNyghtShayde]

I love your content in general, but your Haunted Mansion content has made me love something I've yet to experience as though it were a memory. Thank you so much for sharing your passions!

[@markwolfking258]

The hag-raven theory makes a lot of sense too, when you think about it. The raven is one of very few repeating characters in the ride. In that hypothesis, the hag is keeping an eye on its options and/or waiting for an opportunity to possess. It would follow you throughout the house. (And, honestly, with the record/cd, it is canon-ish, sooooo)

[@markwolfking258]

Another thought I had a while back... if there are 999 ghosts at the beginning of the ride and Ezra, Phineas, and Gus leave with some of the tourists ("and a ghost will follow you home"), does that mean that when you leave/exit the ride that there are now 996 ghosts in the Mansion?

[@MonsterKidCory]

I think the story of the Haunted Mansion is EXACTLY what it says the story is: you are a guest to a retirement home for ghosts. There are 999 Happy Haunts there, but they're always looking for #1000, if there are any volunteers. The Ghost Host committed suicide in the stretching room, and he is probably the character since identified with Master Gracey and the former owner of the house. The ghosts are trying to "break through" to mortal awareness until your "sympathetic vibrations" are received through Madame Leota. It is after her that the ghosts materialize. You see the swinging wake, Constance (which is less of a STORY and more of an extended gag), and then fall out of the window in your Doombuggy. The Doombuggies are a "real thing" in the story, since the Ghost Host actually talks about them as the carriage that will take you on a tour of the ghostly retreat. Then you go through the cemetery, where the Hitchhiking Ghosts have pegged you to be Ghost #1000 and want to follow you home. The last thing you see is Little Leota bidding you to come back and bring your death certificate if you want to stay permanently. All the while, the song tells you directly that the ghosts are just pretending to terrorize you because it's all in good fun. Classic story drafts like the record are basically just telling this story. The movie sucks. The comic and YA books were just licenced fanfic. I personally delight in how meta the Haunted Mansion's story is. It's like Temple of the Forbidden Eye, Jungle Cruise, and Tower or Terror, where the story is that you are a tourist visiting this place (or the star of tonight's episode). They lampshade the fact that you are, in fact, a tourist to Disneyland. It's even better than contriving that you're some "rebel spy" or something, and 100% better than just sitting in a cart to watch a synopsis of a movie.

[@loogoo]

Totally agree with this. As someone who's experienced the Haunted Mansion from practically Day 1, the best part of it has always been that there didn't need to be a "story," as it is just a tour - as one would tour anyplace that they were considering as a potential final resting place. This one just happens to be more lively than most.

[@FloppaDoesMusic]

So, I actually have the record that has that book. I also have a record player and I listen to that record too many times. And that record PROVES THE DEATH THEORY FALSE! In the story on the record, it says that the Hat Box Ghost simply blocks the characters from the rest of the mansion. The two kids then walk out of the window onto a BALCONY and WALK DOWN STAIRS into the graveyard. So, no, you do not fall and die. You just walk down some stairs.

[@MatthewChenault]

Raven: “Caw! Caw! He took the coward’s way out!” Horse: “Neigh! Neigh! No.”

[@JasonVaughn]

So the Ghost host on the recording is Pete Renaday who is trying to use a voice inspired by Boris Karloff. He was also Lincoln in the Hall of Presidents, Henry in the Country Bear Jamboree, and Master Splinter in TMNT in the 80s and 90s.

[@Celtchief]

What's crazy is that the first thing you think of when you think of Ron Howard is him directing the Grinch....not his turn as a star on two of the most popular sitcoms.

[@kyripiro224]

I know Ron as a director more than an actor 😂 I know he directed the live action Grinch, Splash, Willow, and more awesome movies

[@baystated]

[It's like parts of your shirt are... HAUNTED! But only the green parts.] It's appropriate that the HM doesn't have a cohesive plot. Rarely ever does a haunting story even stick to its own in-universe rules from start to finish. That's kinda what makes them neat. You don't know where the story is going to go and then [jumpscare!] That's what we're here for. I wish they would expand the HM experience into a nearby space with the walkthrough Museum of the Weird full of the stuff that didn't make it into the HM proper.

[@JuniperMB]

I remember having that Haunted Mansion LP when I was little ! (yes, it was originally an LP and apparently is now a CD, the back side was Sorcerer's Apprentice from Fantasia. At the time it gave the credit as Ronny Howard, which was his name when he acted in the Andy Griffith Show.) Thanks for this video and the memories! Thanks for all your videos, really!

[@k.a.tproductions2713]

It may just be my fan over curiosity but oh how I wish we had a canonized story of the haunted mansion and how it came to be, master gracey, the ghost host, the bride, the hat box ghost… so many questions on why it is the way it is and how it became that way mainly such a good story there but non the less an amazing ride with a great theme.

[@colinloughran4148]

Hey Dallin, long time fan, I saw you in the parks a couple weeks ago, just wanted to let you know how much that made my day love the videos keep up the great work

[@kimberlycarpenter9468]

It's not that you can't see them, it's that you're not part of the party until you fall off the roof.

[@shadowbat12]

Always great to some new info with the Haunted Mansion!

[@Hammy1898]

When I did the Keys to the Kingdom Tour at WDW, they say that you die in the story but they could have been talking about speculations to the story. Great video! I will never get tired of your HM videos!!!

[@thattheatrenerd1418]

I always thought you never actually died because the reason for the the ghost at the end was to follow you home to continue the haunt. Why would they follow you and continue the haunt if you are already dead and a spirit. Only way the death theory makes sense is you have a near death experience when escaping the attic, maybe you fall but are only knocked out. Leaving you to wonder after you are escaped how did you actually escape and was any of that real.

[@SaveUsJMT11]

Every time there’s a haunted mansion video I always tune in as fast as possible!!! Love everything to do with it!

[@bjmatthews3825]

Lou Montello pretty much confirmed the Haunted Mansion death theory in his audio guide to WDW, so the title to this surprised me; of course, the audio guide is 12 years old

[@peterzimmer9801]

Yesss! This video is amazing! I have both the story of the haunted mansion and Jason surrell haunted mansion book as well. I actually got the cd when they released the record on CD for the 40th anniversary in 2009! Best purchase ever! It is DEFINITELY canon. I got chills when you were listening to the CD in your car! Best part of the video. Please make more haunted mansion videos! It’s my favorite Disneyland attraction as well! Thank you so much, Dallin! Keep up the good work!👍🏻😊👍🏻👍🏻

[@tapperjr93]

"Here's Laffite's tomb" 😆 I love your obsession with Laffite in Disney

[@alli_mode]

The shirt reminds me of the effects in the mansion. Sometimes they work, and sometimes they look a little too "try harder". It works perfectly!

[@timmunro7313]

Keep the haunted mansion videos coming. Huge huge fan! Thanks. (Even bought the candles) 😁

[@shainmcgraham3459]

Just went to Disneyland yesterday, really sad it’s over, I needed an offhand video today . Thanks Dalin ❤️

[@ashleedavis769]

Wait but when I went to WDW this summer, a cast member confirmed the death theory saying we are pushed out of the attic and killed.

[@SunnyDeeeh]

Offhand Disney puts so much work into his videos, deserves more recognition!

[@kingofthekart]

this is a bit off-topic, but the first part of the video got me thinking about the haunted mansion's seemingly looser story. in the late 90s to early 2000s, disney was trying to make an online world to get a good headstart on the internet. they intended to make a bunch of games for kids to play that would be connected through one website that would even interact with each other despite being different. we can see this in a piece of concept art called "Online Theme Park". in this art are a lot of players walking around a town-square-like area, while moving between a few notable setpieces. there's three buildings vaguely named "trading post", "dance", and "arcade". between them is three tunnels, "Toontown", "Pirates", and "Ghosts". i'm pretty sure they wanted to tie disney parks to the internet and generally make their original worlds more known. think about it: toontown got the movie, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and the online game, Disney's Toontown Online. pirates got the Pirates of the Carribean movie series and the Pirates of the Carribean Online game. the haunted mansion, however, only got its movie in 2003, and considering it wasn't very well received, it's possible haunted mansion got skipped out on for its own online game and general expansion. anyway, this was just something i was thinking about. excited for your next videos!

[@ronan8757]

I can say pretty confidently that you are not falling out of the attic window. Not only is there a railing on the slope down into the graveyard, but when you listen to the Story and Song from The Haunted Mansion it is made pretty obvious that the kids in the story are Walking down stairs into the graveyard.

[@arizonaalchemy7572]

HAUNTED MANSION, DISNEYLAND is my Favorite !! Great vlog, enjoyed watching ! :)

[@kayleebrodnan5583]

You don't see ghosts until Madam Leota calls on them and that's why you see them

[@Tutankhsunamun]

I always felt that the raven was like the Ghost Host's familiar or something.

[@MattMcIrvin]

The "hitchhiking ghosts" episode at the end is certainly played as if you're still alive and prone to being haunted. But the Ghost Host remains hopeful on the way out that you may yet meet your end and decide to join them.

[@ElFreakinCid]

One should take into consideration: Why and how would a ghost attach themselves to another ghost?

[@kyripiro224]

​@@ElFreakinCidPrecisely

[@theblackgoatofthewoods]

I wonder if the ghost Ezra gave his name to the little jediboy in Star Wars Rebels

[@___David__]

I thought the raven was a reference to the raven in Poe's poem. Which means it's an omen to the people going through the ride. But you see... This is why Phantom Manor is the superior haunted mansion. It's not only that it has the best show building and the superior score. We actually have a comprehensive story all way through the ride 😌 #PhantomManorFTW

[@DreamQueenScream]

My mom played me the vinyl record when I was a child and it traumatized me for life, the ending is terrifying.

[@kyripiro224]

What happens at the end? 😮

[@ninetailednaruto11a]

I wish we could get more info on the Museum of the Weird! I made a D&D one shot adventure based on it and the Haunted Mansion and I'd love to add more to them with accurate info.

[@arelcrest]

I‘m always happy when you‘re talking about my home. 💜💜💜

[@karenmeyer940]

I’m older and have the original Haunted Mansion LP. (My mother would purchase us a record as a souvenir each visit.) First, in regards to debunking the theory, couldn’t we just be escaping through the attic window like the teens on the album? Second, a bit of trivia in case it doesn’t list the cast on the DVD. Ron Howard, the movie producer/director with “American Graffiti” and “Happy Days” fame, is the voice of the teen boy on the album. Finally, my high school daughter and I really enjoy Offhand Disney. Thanks!

[@SteveCarras]

ANd that's DLand narrator/character actress Robie Lester as Karen,his date (and Rankin-Bass's "Miss Julia the teacher' in 1970's "Santa Claus is coming to town").

[@karenmeyer940]

Fun stuff!

[@stephs5521]

My serotonin levels when I see that offhand Disney uploads about the haunted mansion 📈

[@UltravioletNomad]

I don't think I want my room to smell of Jeane's Laffite.

[@Vivigamertwins]

I have never been so excited for a video

[@Snuby]

Last weekend my wife and I where lucky enough not only to be the first people on but the only people on Phantom Manor at disneyland Paris! It was amazing!

[@masonpyle5929]

Ron Howard was also Opie Taylor in The Andy Griffith show

[@coyoteartist]

If I'm going to have theories which for some reason I must. I think the Raven is the pet of the Ghost Host, you have the choice of whether you think the fall killed you because you have the choice to join them or go home. They've made the offer by showing around, it's up to you after that. I don't think Constance owns the house, I think she's just one of the many spooks brought or drawn there. Sure it can be fun to have a cohesive story, because Disney's usually telling us one, but the only story you really need here is the one you make from what Disney gives you.

[@emma-mz5xm]

i missed your haunted mansion videos. i love these theories so much

[@jaydenswift9856]

I always thought the Raven was the ghost host because of the part when he appears and the ghost host says "ahh there you are!" right as he looks at you.

[@jillboatman428]

Can you do a video, showing off and recommending those disney books you showed in this video! I love reading and would love recommendations for good disney books about its history or explaining rides or anything disney for that matter! Please do a recommended disney books video, you would pick the best one! There are far to many out there and I want to read the good ones actually recommend by disney fans as big as you:)!

[@UCRfZb91nX-triozNmzvaRrA]

Finally a new Offhand Disney Haunted Mansion Film which Definitely led Me to this channel back in 2019 when I was planning Mickey Mouse KZbin Movies. And looking up everything I spotted this Amazing wonderful channel, and finally learning the story behind the Haunted Mansion Attraction, From the Ghost Host to Madame Leota, to The Dinner Party Table to the Raven, to Constance Hatchaway the Bride, to the Hatbox Ghost 👻, to the Man and his Dog to the Hitchhiking Ghost 👻 👻👻 finally I know about the story behind the Haunted Mansion Attraction since 3 years Thank you Dallin

[@robanybody4064]

I assumed the guy in the coffin was mistaken for dead and is waking up at his own funeral. Fear of being mistaken for dead and buried alive was a real thing. One could even buy a coffin with an elaborate bell mechanism to allow you to call for help. Look it up.

[@kyripiro224]

True, but then why is his coffin inside the mansion? That's silly 😂 I think the guy in the coffin is a zombie

[@digerman3]

what i remeber that the raven was taken over by portrait "April-December" change from young woman to on old hag she wanted to stay alive so tok ower the rawen to find a new body but are stuck in the haunted mansion

[@kristinemunchkin]

The "hag" is Constance. That is why when you see her ghost in the attic you don't see the raven.

[@filmmakerfreak]

I love it whenever Dallin busts out the old dead pixel b-roll 😂

[@elstoggy]

I’d love to get candles from MCC, but postage to the UK is just too much.

[@EeveeKat035]

My personal theory is that you (the rider) decide to visit a supposedly haunted mansion. Once you get in the Ghost Host starts messing with you because it's fun, and now you're on this big ghost adventure because "fun". That or you crash a ghost party with the help of the Ghost Host because they decided there needs to be just one more guest for the party. Or the Ghost Host helps you crash the party because they weren't invited. :)

[@Disnyhaunt]

Great video as always, but for the record from an ex cast member (Me!), they taught the “you are dead” story during our Traditions at the Magic Kingdom in Florida. But we were also told the turkey legs were emu, so who knows 😂😂😂

[@lcruz2783]

what a great video, it would be great to be on tour with you. How do we get that little speaker you had, again great video, awesome great screen work. Always cool

[@NinthShinigami]

Haunted Mansion is the best Disney ride ever, change my mind…

[@serenitysfirefly]

Why would anyone ever try to tho

[@shawnthegangster4207]

@@serenitysfirefly right its amazing

[@NinthShinigami]

@BK Beatty maybe, but for me not even. I don’t think Rise is even top 10 imo… don’t wanna start a flame war tho so please for your sake and mine take my opinion with a grain of salt

[@NinthShinigami]

@BK Beatty I completely agree with everything you said. I have a major distaste for the sequel trilogy (Rise of Skywalker is one of my least favorite movies of all time), and absolutely love the OG trilogy (I also love Star Tours). If Rise was themed to the OG trilogy I think it would resonate with me just a bit more and even crack my top 10. However, as biased as I am against the sequel trilogy, I don’t think a bad film makes for an inherently bad attraction. For example, I don’t like the film Waterworld. However, the stunt show that is in Universal is pretty amazing and one of my favorite stunt shows. I’m also not a fan of Secret Life of Pets (1 was mediocre, but 2 was solid), but the new ride in Universal Hollywood is honestly amazing! Even though Rise is themed to the new trilogy, I don’t think that takes away from it being a good attraction with some flaws. If it was themed to the OG trilogy and had those same flaws, my opinion would likely remain the same. It would probably resonate with me a bit more tho…

[@NinthShinigami]

@BK Beatty well hopefully some day Disney pulls their head out of their arse and realize they need to make some changes lol

[@STSGuitar16]

Unrelated, but I wanted to say this and see what y’all think, so here goes: I actually prefer the DL Mansion’s exterior to the MK Mansion’s exterior, but prefer the MK version of the ride itself to the DL ride. The Hatbox Ghost is a fantastic addition to the DL ride and probably gives that version of the attic scene the edge when compared to its counterpart at WDW, but the few extra rooms in the MK version of the ride give it the overall edge, in my opinion. If the MK version had a Hatbox Ghost it would undoubtedly be the better version of the ride. But yeah, the DL Mansion’s exterior is so cool to me and fits in New Orleans Square so perfectly. It’s cool that both versions of the ride have their differences and aren’t just carbon copies of each other. Which Mansion do y’all prefer?

[@briansunday7099]

The ravens in the mansion suffer from a “grave” mistake - they caw. RAVENS DON’T CAW! Crows caw - ravens make a different sound and don’t caw. Also, I thought the death theory came out of the original story - that Master Gore killed his wife by throwing her out of the attic window.

[@journeyal]

To add to the dead tourist debunking, you also have the spirit at the end asking you to return. She wouldn't be asking for you to return if you become part of the ghosts.

[@StephanieOlea]

I love your haunted mansion videos! Would it be possible to get a video of the different stories of the Christmas overlay of the Mansion, I didn't knew the story changes every year until I saw your videos 😱

[@doublesthefireguy70]

Some ghosts in the mansion be like “you are neither dead nor dying what is your purpose here”

[@markingatlightspeed]

The funny thing about the raven being too small to be the ghost host is that if it were actually portrayed at the appropriate size, I don't think it would have gotten lost. Actual ravens are friggin' huge. The one in the ride looks (and sounds; ravens don't caw) like a crow, size especially lol

[@aliceincraftland3388]

I had the record version of the same cd. It was fun to listen to during the Halloween season. 🎃

[@AdamLMorales]

Even though it doesn’t come from Disney, and even though it’s a story about the original attic bride, I feel in my heart that “Nuptial Doom: The Bride in the Attic” is the canonical backstory for the haunted mansion.

[@thevincentgonzalesplan]

First off, the "you are dead" theory is easy to debunk within the finale of the ride itself - The Hitchhiking Ghosts. Telling the rider to beware of hitchhiking ghosts is an admission that the rider is ALIVE. IF you want to believe in Supernatural theory, a ghost is not going to attach itself to another ghost - pointless. They want to re-connect to the real world, and so the warning is that you, a living person, may find a ghost that has attached to you. So that is a CLEAR debunk. But the MAIN debunk of ANY storyline theory lies in the fact that the Mansion was created as a series of unconnected gags by a variety of Imagineers, and while the Disneyland Record/CD is the closest to canon in regards to a connective story, it is still only a story about 2 kids trapped in a Haunted Mansion, and only depicts their reactions to the gags in the Mansion. So bottom line, there is NO back storyline and all we need to do is enjoy the effects as we ride a creepy ride. THAT's IT!

[@TheNotverysocial]

A more or less cohesive tour of a home for ghosts, having all the rooms you expect in a mansion. Anyone may embark on in small groups. There is only a feeling early on, but Madame Leota is there to remove the mystery and permit you to meet them for real afterwards. I think this is much easier to get when the whole of the narration is there like it was in 1969 and again in the 1990s. The periods between and afterwards omit this, giving rise to these dumb theories. A place to retire after you pass away. Everyone who wants a plot would be best off going to Phantom Manor. And see Melanie and Henry Ravenswood.

[@thevincentgonzalesplan]

@@TheNotverysocial It just makes sense with regards to how people report "ghost" activity. Most times (especially in today's faked ghost videos) a "ghost" is not seen, but rather objects are manipulated by invisible things. So we are introduced to the floating candle in the endless hallway (BTW - the coffin-guy gag is just that, a throwaway gag). The Hall of Doors is another example of slow introduction of ghostly activity (inspired by the 1963 movie "The Haunting"). And then, you're right, the only sequential piece of one scene explaining the following scene is Madame Leota basically saying "You wanna SEE Ghosts, you got it!", and then we get the HUGE Ballroom scene, the only time we are given the Pepper's Ghost effect. After that, all ghosts/gags are just shadows or Animatronics built and clothed with sheer materials (except The Busts and "Little Leota", which were face projections). No story, rather a simple hangout for ghosts, as you say. Just a mansion filled with various haunts.

[@TheNotverysocial]

@@thevincentgonzalesplan Funnily, the attic is dissonant with everything else. It was always the one place where they were going for a real horror feel whilst everything else is going either for exceedingly jovial or cool atmospheric. The one place you don't hear *Grim Grinning Ghosts.* It is also the one scene that they retrofitted a clear plot into which is nowhere to be seen in the rest of the attraction. It is quite jarring.

[@thevincentgonzalesplan]

@@TheNotverysocial As far as I can tell, the Mansion ride is the only one in which a backstory has been almost completely invented by a mix of fans, cast members and simple rumors. POTC only had a thread of a notion with the "going backwards in time" aspect, and then Disney flexed its Promo muscles and added the movie elements. Then, changing the Auction scene opened the flood gates. I worry with a new Haunted Mansion movie coming that Disney will tinker even more with this Classic.

[@TheNotverysocial]

@@thevincentgonzalesplan Pirates has been overhauled far more by comparison, and more frequently It has seen far more dramatically different iterations. HM is more or less the same as opening day, the Attic scene the one thing that has seen significant changes, and was tonally different from the rest to begin with. Almost everything outside of that had been pure maintenance and effects updates. I always liked the mute bride with the glowing beating heart the most. Ambiguity with random grooms everywhere is far superior to Connie.

[@chrishintz1077]

I’m melting, melting. ;). Thanks for the latest HM lowdown.

[@masonr1666]

The hauntings are done by unseen spirts in the first part of the ride. Examples statues staring at you, a piano playing by itself, floating candelabra in infinite halfway, doors trying to open themselves... It is after the séance that we can actually see the spirits that are haunting the Mansion. As illustrated by the Grand Banquet scene...

[@masonr1666]

What if the raven is a corporeal form of the ghost host, who acts as a guide, and/or a protecting spirit. He is like "hey guys, this guy is cool." So that's why the ghosts are partying. This is why you see him a couple of times during the ride. Kind of like the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland.

[@jacoby102]

Hey Dalyn, I noticed when looking for haunted mansion products on the Disney store, that the portrait of the man with the noose around his neck, aka the ghost host, is named MASTER GRACEY. It a Christmas ornament

[@Spalfos]

That’s SO raven.

[@starrycs7228]

I got so excited when the Disney game Twisted Wonderland mentioned The Haunted Mansion in their 2021 Halloween event 😆 Even their special art had one of the characters on that famous coffin in the ride 🤗 I absolutely love listening to these theories!!^^ Hope to hear more!! 😁

[@ChaoticDragonCrafts13]

Another version of the death theory could be that you “die” in the stretching room. The ghost host said that basically the only way out is “dying”, and then the doors mysteriously open up after he says that. Us “dying” could be the “key” to going into the rest of the haunted mansion. Idk, I just came up with it

[@DaveSuperDaveLyon]

The green screen effect with that shirt was very cool.

[@trenttrail]

Best segue into the sponsor yet. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@elansmith9291]

You do a lot of research for these vids what a legend

[@DEUK4ELUVS]

awesome vid and as always haunted mansion supremacy

[@alexblatchford4147]

I never even thought of a death theory! I thought it was like Walt described a retirement home for ghosts

[@bridgetdavis9752]

I don't have a ghost in this fight, but are you sure that you would survive the jump from the attic window? I think the original intention is that you are dead.

[@MatthewChenault]

You should talk about the Walt Disney Railroad and it’s ties to Walt Disney’s (often) forgotten classic film “The Great Locomotive Chase.”

[@mayabrooks7900]

Quoth the Raven.....NEVERMORE!🐦‍⬛🖤

[@DarksladeDiaries]

One other thing to help debunk the death theory. When you leave the attic, there is a very visible balcony railing just before your descent, and a stair railing on either side as you descend. The reason the chair turns and leans back is to view the ghostly trees, the roof of the mansion (which never emulates the actual mansion roof) as well as the raven. Also in the early years of the ride, there were two owls in the branches as well. I well remember them from riding in it's first year in 1969. (incidentally, Ezra's name was given to him by the original Imagineers. His parts box was marked "Ezra/Hallway" as his picture also appears in the corridor of doors.)

[@kyripiro224]

I think we climb a tree in the ride. If the balcony has a stairway, then why doesn't the bride follow us and try to finish us?

[@DarksladeDiaries]

@kyripiro224 The balcony and railing predates the black widow bride (Constance) by several decades. Remember, the original bride was more a victim than a villain.