The Haunted Mansion ride is one of our family’s favorite rides at the Magic Kingdom. We like to go through the standby line when it’s slow enough because the kids like playing in the interactive queue. If you fastpass this ride you will bypass the interactive part of the line.
The interactive line starts with this set of family busts. If you read the plaques on each one they are actually clues to a murder mystery.
Each one has a riddle and a picture of a weapon that they would have used. Read all the clues to discover who killed who.
All the instruments here make music when touched, when you touch multiple ones they all play together.
If you hit the right combination of keys the skulls will squirt you with water.
There are several grave yards surrounding the entrance and exit, the gravestones all have clever epitaphs.
The interactive queue is fairly small and winds back and fourth so there parts on both side to be seen make sure you check out all the details.
The sea captains tomb squirts water and occasionally you will see bubbles coming from the top.
Just before you enter into the first part of the ride you will see this gravestone for Madame Leota, she normally has her eyes closed but if you watch long enough you might see her come to life.
Once the doors open you will walk into a dark room with a large fireplace and this portrait above the mantel. Groups are then sent in to 1 of 2 chambers or stretching rooms to get to the ride.
The stretching room begins with 4 portraits that transform into full pictures as the room stretches. If you have small kids with you be warned the lights do go out for a moment and there is a loud thunder crack that may be scary to some.
A little insider secret; If you want to be one of the first out of the chamber be sure to stand near the portrait of the girl with the umbrella, this is where the door will open to the line to board the doom buggies.
Once out of the chamber there is another small line to board your doom buggy, this line moves fairly quickly as the cars are continuously moving.
Flash photography is not allowed as they use many lighting and projection tricks throughout the ride.
There is a part just after the attic with the bride where your doom buggy turns and you will go down backwards, some kids may not like this part as its a bit of a steep decent.
The ghost host will warn you to watch out for hitchhiking ghost, you may find yourself sitting right next to one.
Hurry back.
As you exit you will walk past the pet cemetery, there is a statue with Mr.Toad in the back as a tribute to the ride that used to be where Winnie the Pooh is now located.
If you are visiting with little ones and are worried that this may be to scary for them I would try it just once.This ride is more fun than scary and our girls have always enjoyed going on this ride.