These ghosts know how to throw a party
There are a few things that come to our mind when we think about a traditional theme park. Carousels, roller coasters, popcorn, cotton candy and… haunted houses! For the amount of haunted mansions that we see in movies and all over popular culture, it’s funny that you don’t find more of them in modern theme parks. Thankfully, Magic Kingdom has something for everybody, and this includes a ride that is more than happy to give you some gentle scares in Disney World.
Haunted Mansion isn’t much more than what the name indicates, which means that it exists to a) try to spook you and b) be a classic theme park ride full of charm for the whole family. I’m glad to say that it succeeds in doing all those things. You board a vehicle for only two guests and then it’s time to take a tour around a rather unusual, crazy mansion.
How crazy, you might ask? You will see friendly ghosts playing the piano, reciting spells, running around, dancing and singing. The ghosts are cool, sure, but the atmosphere is also top notch. Scary paintings on the walls? Check. Spiderwebs everywhere? Check. Ghost Brides? Check. Weird stairs that go upside down and make no sense at all? Check. I love that you see so many classic haunted house tropes here, and it all looks great.
Just keep in mind that this ride isn’t meant to be scary in a traditional sense. Compared to Hollywood’s Tower of Terror - which can actually be terrifying for younglings - the Haunted Mansion is all about having a good time and laughing at the crazy set pieces around you. The ghosts are all friendly and have that cartoon look to them. Your vehicle always moves slowly across the tracks, so there aren’t any expected twists or turns. Young guests will surely love it here, especially those that are learning to appreciate horror movies. It also helps that the ride queue is incredibly well done, full of details and fun special effects, especially during the short pre-show.
Trivia time: the Haunted Mansion is the third ride from the Magic Kingdom that has become a movie. The other ones are Jungle Cruise and, of course, the massively successful Pirates of the Caribbean.
Will Kids enjoy it?
Haunted House is a fun, seven minute ride through a crazy house filled with ghosts that are there mostly to bring a smile to your face instead of scare you.
Most ghosts here have a rather cartoonish look and all of them look friendly. There isn’t anything actually trying to be super scary, like you would find in Hollywood Studios’ Tower of Terror. Still, young kids might get a little bit anxious and scared, since there are ghostly projections and visual effects that look very real, from ghost-dancers to poltergeists that love to play the piano. There is even a very fun section where your vehicle moves in front of a mirror, and the reflection shows guests inside the vehicle with a ghost traveler between them catching a ride.
The queue can also be a tiny bit scary, with walls appearing to move and old paintings, sofas and chairs adorning the pre-show living room.
There is also something that usually guests don’t care about, but it’s important to point out. There is a small allusion to suicide right after the pre-show ends, as the narrator - a ghost butler of some sort - invites guests to find a “way out” the room, or find his “own way”. It’s then that a hanging body appears on the ceiling. That’s pretty dark, huh? Still, most people don’t even notice this, but it’s important to inform this, even more so to families and kids that might suffer from PTSD and don’t feel comfortable with that.
Haunted Mansion FAQ
Where is Haunted Mansion located?
Haunted Mansion is located in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.
What is the height requirement to ride Haunted Mansion?
There is no height requirement for this ride.
Is Haunted Mansion too scary for children?
It can be a little scary. The ghosts are cartoonish and friendly, but they are still ghosts. Children 5 and under might feel intimidated by some of them.
Do we recommend Haunted Mansion?
Yes! It’s a classic Magic Kingdom attraction, and you should definitely visit with your kids, especially if the wait time isn’t longer than 60 minutes. There’s something cozy and charming about haunted houses in theme parks.
