Memories of the Haunted Mansion
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Haunted Mansion - Walt Disney World
Opened October 1, 1971

Like, Medieval Dude!

My scariest moment came during the days when the New Orleans' mansion was host to that infamous extra cast member--the armored knight. It was the early 80's and my mother, my younger brother, and I were at Disneyland on a family vacation. We lived in Portland, Oregon at the time and only got to visit Disneyland once or twice a year... unfathomable for me now. We always made a point of riding the mansion at least once per trip.

At loading I ended up in a separate car in front of my mom and my brother. We made it up the stairs and into the never-ending hallway with no problem. But just as we entered the chamber of doors the ride vehicles stopped moving. There was the standard message about prankish spooks, but the ride didn't restart. Instead we remained parked there.

I took that time to look around and enjoy all the details of the ride. There was the man trapped in a coffin; an evil looking raven perched nearby eyeing that Poe-like scene. I watched the wallpaper slowly morph into its many faceted faces. Across the hallway, directly in front of my mom's Doombuggy, stood an eerie dusty suit of armor. I checked my watch, almost 5 minutes and still no movement.

I considered the possibility that we were now stuck in a Twilight Zone episode. But just then the ride slowly began to move. But that wasn't all that moved. The suit of armor lurched toward my mom and brother's car. They, and I, screamed so loud citizens must have heard us all the way in Fullerton. I think the knight felt bad for us as he reached toward my brother again which only scared him more.

All three of us were scared so bad that we didn't go on the Haunted Mansion again that year, or maybe even next year. In fact, I think my mom actually went to City Hall and complained. I still have a little nervous tick every time I pass that spot in the chamber of doors.

A second view Walt Disney World's
Haunted Mansion