Foolish mortals, the time has come!
Haunted Mansion
The Hatbox Ghost has finally materialized in the Haunted Mansion at Disney World, after being a highly-anticipated addition since it was announced at the D23 fan convention back in September. Previously, the Hatbox Ghost (Haunted Mansion fans love to call him Hattie) was located in the attic scene of Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion. Now, he resides next to the endless hallway scene of the Disney World attraction. While many folks are DYING over the new addition to the Mansion, a lot of fans feel that Hattie’s arrival causes some issues. Let’s talk about it!
If you’re familiar with the Haunted Mansion and its storyline, then you know that the spooky house is home to “999 happy haunts.” Further, you won’t see any ghosts materialize until after the seance circle scene, where Madame Leota communicates with the spirits and asks them to join in on the spooky fun. Hattie kind of causes some plot holes, here.
Haunted Mansion
Firstly, the addition now makes it seem that there are now technically 1,000 happy haunts in the mansion. And you could be the 1,001st. Many folks are upset that the words don’t fit what you actually see in the Mansion now that Hattie is there. However, some Imagineers have confirmed that Hattie was originally supposed to be there, but between the technology that allowed him to perform, and the structure of the Mansion, it was virtually impossible to get him to work the way Imagineers intended. So, to Disneyland he went! Basically, Hattie was already counted as a happy haunt before he technically joined — or so they say.
There he is!
The next issue that Hattie causes is something that’s been weighing on Disney fans and Mansion Cast Members alike. Hattie now appears BEFORE the seance circle part of the ride, which fans say doesn’t really make sense. He’s now the only ghost you’ll see before the seance. This is the one issue that we kind of agree with. However, it makes sense that he would be put here because of the aforementioned issue with getting him inside the mansion in one piece based on structure and the working technology. Imagineers also confirmed that Hattie received new technology in 2015 to try to get him to work properly, but the area in the Disney World attic scene where he was supposed to go wasn’t strong enough to support how heavy the new technology is. SO, this is why he is near endless hallway. All in all, we’re just happy that he is at Disney World, where he was always meant to be.
WOO!
What do you think? We’ll continue to keep you updated with more Disney news, so make sure to follow along for more so that you’re always in the loop!
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And what are they going to do with the Donald Duck chair??? It has to be in the Haunted Mansion!!!
I think the ghost of Walt himself could appear and there would be fans who find something wrong with him. I say welcome home HatBox Ghost!
The explanation I’m hearing is that it’s consistent with the new Haunted Mansion movie, in which Hattie is a powerful ghost in his own right, and doesn’t need Leota to summon him.
It’s cop out and a retcon (to be consistent with a movie that flopped), but it’s what they’re saying.
So what I have heard is that the Donald Duck chair is now going to a cruise ship. Since we don’t do cruises and love the Donald Duck chair I am not happy that I will never see it again. I believe the chair is being put in a lounge with a Haunted Mansion theme.
If I recall correctly, Hattie was the one adding the souls and needed 999 of them. So whether he was included or not in the count or before or after the seance wouldn’t really matter, would it? I’m just excited he’s been added because haunted mansion is one of my favorite rides.
Has anyone seriously counted the ghosts?? Wow.
I thought that Imagineers were supposed to be experts at making the impossible Possible, instead of arguing for their own limitations. Not buying it- with this attraction, or so many of the others in the last 6 years.
People need to get a grip with the Haunted Mansion and the Hatbox Ghost. It’s a fun effect on a fun ride. Get over it.
I think many are putting too much thought into this. Hey just enjoy the attention.
Attraction
There are plenty of ghosts before the seance. Who is in the coffin trying to get out? Who’s trying to get out of the doors in the hallway? What about the “Ghost Writers?
The Hatbox Ghost was originally in the DL Haunted Mansion when it opened in 1969 but he was removed due to the illusion of the head moving back and forth didn’t work satisfactorily once in the mansion. Thankfully technology advancements allowed for his return to DL HM in 2015.
Although I wish he was in the same place as in DL HM I’m still thrilled to see him now on both coasts. I recall there being portraits of him are on the walls of both mansions this he would be one of the 999 ghosts.
Stop the complaining and start the enjoying. He’s finally here!!!
Kris, I swear I saw the chair in the library, but I could be wrong. The ride is so dark now you can barely see anything!
I think we have to be grateful about any new additions to WDW during a period of time where everything seems to be excruciatingly slow. Think of the time to build Tron and the never ending EPCOT (or WALLCOT) construction. Stop being such a purist and enjoy the ride.
We saw the Hatbox ghost in the Haunted Mansion at WDW the day after he first materialized. We LOVED it. A great addition to my favorite attraction at WDW.
1. Chill out people, Hattie isn’t part of the 1000 haunts. He’s the one collecting them!
2. Madame Leota doesn’t summon him. He’s the one haunting without her bringing them out. So it makes sense he’d be there first
2. After the movie, I honestly wanted to see Hattie replacing the floating candelabra down at the end of the endless corridor. I know they’ve been working for years to get the head to switch between his body and hat box, but I always thought it would be cool to see him at the end of the hallway, then just as your buggy passes, he sees you and rushes down the corridor to get you, and only the last minute turning of the buggy protects you. Just a quick jolt, before all the fun and happiness, and it could have been done with a simple projection. Oh well.
Maybe a ghost left so he can be there! Just enjoy the ride.
So shore up the floor somewhere downstream of the seance and put him there.
If they absolutely couldn’t put him in the Attic where he belongs, they should have put him either in the ballroom or the graveyard. Sometimes an addition is a downgrade.
The Haunted Mansion has always been my favourite ride. From the details and hidden stories in the queue line, to the spookiness of the pre-show in the expanding (or shrinking!) room, to the ride itself, this experience completely demonstrates Walt’s creativity and magic. My last visit to the HM was a bit disappointing, however, because of the behaviour of my fellow riders. People were talking so loudly in the pre-show room that the entire scary.”story” was drowned out. Most people didn’t even know to look up to the ceiling at the finale. Anyone experiencing the ride for the first time would have had no idea about what was happening in that room. So sad.
PS most people around me on the Disney Train also had no idea that Peter Pan was running atop the cars at the one part of the journey. Same reason- missed the magic because they were distracted by others’ rudeness.
Still, our family’s five day WDW vacation was a wonderful experience overall. The awesome moments definitely outweighed the few disappointments (related to other guests NOT the parks.)
I agree with the reasonable people commenting. Quit taking things so seriously. It’s entertainment!!! I’m glad for the new Hat Box Ghost addition at HM in WDW, regardless of where it was put.