The Haunted Mansion opened its doors for the first time in Disneyland Park in 1969. Since then, the lore surrounding it has captured the mortal hearts of Disney Park goers. Three subsequent attractions, multiple film adaptions, merchandise, and plans for a soon-to-debut bar onboard the Disney Treasure have followed.
The Haunted Mansion Parlor, aboard the Disney Treasure, will pay homage to five decades of fandom while introducing the world to the next chapter of the Haunted Mansion saga.
Disney Cruise Line, together with Disney Imagineers, will bring the power of design to convey the nostalgia of the original attraction alongside a new nautical storyline. The venue looks like a nicely furnished ship parlor, which once belonged to a sea captain and his odd, but captivating, fiancé. It’s hard to say exactly what happened to the happy couple following their sudden and mysterious disappearances but many rumors swirl about. The most discerning of guests may learn the truth by deciphering clues hidden around the bar.
In celebration of Halfway to Halloween, here are some hints to unlocking a few of the Parlor’s secrets.
Something Seems Fishy About This Aquarium
In the original plans for the original Haunted Mansion attraction at Disneyland, celebrated Disney Imagineer Rally Crump proposed a creative concept for a “Museum of the Weird” exhibit. Many of Rolly’s initial ideas were realized as the final design took shape. Several of his concepts remained in the Disney vault, thanks to dedicated fans and Disney historians. One such concept was a mysterious aquarium, filled with ghost fish. More than fifty years later, the sketch Rolly developed was referenced by a new generation of Disney Imagineers to create a modern “Aquarium with Ghost Fish” for the Haunted Mansion Parlor.
Combining nostalgia with a fresh layer of lore, the aquarium will be part of the curious backstory of the parlor’s former sea captain owner.
Legends passed down from The Captain’s devoted crew recount how he was last seen heading to his parlor for a special meal prepared by his betrothed. All that remained after The Captain and his bride seemingly vanished was his hat, which was found floating in the aquarium tank. Perhaps his disappearance grants a new meaning to “fish food.”
An Eerie Art Collection
The Haunted Mansion Parlor’s eerie portrait gallery will depict some of the wandering souls that have taken up residence onboard the Disney Treasure. The collection of works will be reminiscent of the quintessential paintings inside the Haunted Mansion attraction, mimicking the art stylings used by Disney Imagineers in 1969. The portrait gallery will also incorporate present-day technologies to allow ghostly residents to entertain guests in new ways.
Some of the happy haunts that will call the Disney Treasure home …
The concept for The Mariner was created by famed Disney animator Marc Davis. The portrait now occupies the halls of the attractions at Walt Disney World Resort and Tokyo Disney Resort. The Mariner’s story will be taken to new depths when he takes his place in the Haunted Mansion Parlor on the Disney Treasure and continues to uphold Marc Davis’ impactful legacy.
A distinguished portrait of the good-humored sea captain will also grace the walls of the Haunted Mansion Parlor. His lifelong dream of serving on a luxury ocean liner was cut short after his untimely demise, but his merry soul lingers in his private parlor.
The likeness of The Captain’s enigmatic bride-to-be will take cues from Marc Davis’ iconic “cat lady” concept, which was also featured in the original attraction. Inside the Haunted Mansion Parlor, her portrait will flicker to reveal her true form and perhaps, her true intentions.
Tales of the doomed couple’s first encounter began when The Captain received a dramatic distress transmission from another vessel. He wasted no time in altering his course to aid in the rescue, but as he neared the source of the call, he found only a mangled wreckage and a lone survivor – a woman floating amongst the debris. With bright green eyes, chestnut hair, and a golden key hanging about her neck, it is no wonder that The Captain was immediately taken by her beauty. The pair became inseparable and were soon engaged to be wed.
A Ghostly Line of Drinkware
The portraits inside the Haunted Mansion Parlor will also lend inspiration to a Disney Cruise Line-exclusive commemorative mug collection that will debut onboard the Disney Treasure. The ceramic mugs will appear to be carved from the worn wooden planks of a ghost ship. These early sketches and models illustrate the first in a series coming to the Disney Treasure – one inspired by The Mariner and the other by The Captain’s Bride.
The Haunted Mansion Parlor will begin welcoming guests when the Disney Treasure sets sail on its maiden voyage on December 21. You can get more information about Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship at Disney Treasure Ship’s Log series or head to DisneyCruise.com.
Would you like to cruise on the Disney Treasure and visit The Haunted Mansion Parlor?