Reliving Fond Memories
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A Frightfully Good Time
The confessions of the Knight

I stand in the center of a darkened room. My boots scrape against the rough wood flooring. My eyes have not yet adjusted to the dark, and the black mask I just put on blots out all but the blue lights overhead. I am surrounded by faceless moans, shrieks and rattling doorknobs. With a sigh I put on the metallic gauntlets and the helmet, opening the visor. I reach for the axe leaning against the wall, and lumber out into the hallway. I lean against the wallpaper, waiting for my eyes to adjust. Through the mask and the darkness, I see the train of doombuggies stretch out before me down the moldering hallway. Tendrils of cobwebs trail from the flickering chandeliers. No one notices; their backs are to me. Then the nearest buggy turns. Shadow of an axe over startled faces. I swing. There are frantic screams.

Such was my job for two years. This was one of the many highlights of my enjoyable five-year stint as a character for the Disneyland Entertainment Department. I scared people five days a week. I loved seeing the look of surprise, the exclamations ("Wow! That’s new! I’ve never seen that before!" "Eeeeeeeek!!!"). I was part of something unique in the history of the Disneyland, though it was only there for the blink of an eye. When I mention it, some people barely remember it as a half-forgotten memory, or don't think it happened at all. But it did, I can assure you.

I was the Knight in the Haunted Mansion.

" Wow! That's new!!"
A new management team had moved into Burbank, and wanted something fresh in the park without having to shoulder the expense of installing a new attraction.

This was the age of Circus Days, State Fair Days and Blast to the Past.

The Knight was the brainchild of WDI, to spruce up a classic ride cheaply. The Entertainment Department was to implement it with the reluctant blessings of Operations.

The costume evolved over the months. At first, the Knight was a full suit of armor. The cast member portraying the Ghost in the Hall had to be over five foot ten. Accompanying him/her was the "Dresser" wearing the butler/maid costume. It was the Dresser's job to put the cast member into the armor and bolt it onto him/her, leading him/her out the exit door into the hallway. Between sets, the Dresser would read, nap or go for a walk. Sometimes they would just stand out in the hall, behind The Grandfather clock so they would not be noticed, keeping an eye on their charge, since the Knight's visibility and movement was really limited.

Soon another suit of armor was brought in; more flexible so a wider height range could enjoy the splendors of this new shift. There was no need for a Dresser, so the position was retired. The armor was still a rental, so care had to be taken. Eventually, a more lightweight armor was introduced; one built in good old D-land USA. This made the costume much easier and comfortable.

One thing that did not change was the six-foot high pike with two axe blades. This prop was standard issue for all incarnations of the Knight. Some didn't like it because it was cumbersome. They would leave it against the wall and scare guests by stamping their foot.

I remember when The Knight first arrived in the park. The Zoo Crew hated it. The reasons were logical: You were isolated, and had to walk up to Bear Country (as it was called then) to break. For most, it was considered lonely drudgework.

But not me! I loved the Haunted Mansion. It remains one of my favorite all time rides. I was excited by the idea of working inside it. When I heard of the idea of the Knight, I immediately asked to be assigned to it. Because of the height limitations, I was out. When I heard of the new costume, I asked again and was assigned. This was not hard: By that time word was out on the nature of the shift, and no one wanted it. It was mine for the taking.

On the first day I was assigned, I changed into the basic costume of a black turtleneck, black pants and swanky black suede boots. To travel through the park I had to wear regulation blue overalls with the Disneyland logo. I carried my book bag from Main Street through Frontierland to New Orleans Square.

It was a clear, crisp morning. The park was not due to open for over an hour, and the walkways were drying after being hosed down.

I could enter into the mansion either through the Crypt door, or the Foyer and ride the elevator down. There is nothing else in the House itself except the elevators and a cast member break room.

I checked in with the Ops Lead, and headed to my own break area. My break area was in the show building, next to the Conservatory. It was dark and noisy. One wall was a huge corrugated steel door used by the repair crews. The area was a service porch. But I made the most of it. A bare light bulb was the only light, and I put in a colored bulb for ambience. I brought in HP Lovecraft and Steven King novels and created my own Library. Other Knights thanked me for the books; it put them in the mood. Unfortunately, someone stole the books, and I never bothered replacing them.

The noise was a bit much, but I got used to it. Before long I could take catnaps back there, undisturbed by the ghosts.