This years issue of Disney Twenty-Three Magazine features a frightening Haunted Mansion artwork photo that shows a glimpse of how spectacular the ride truly is.

This years issue of Disney Twenty-Three Magazine features a frightening Haunted Mansion cover. The artwork features many ghost from the ride including the Hatbox Ghost (entering the gates), the opera singers (left), as well as the ghostly figures rising from the mansion.

Today marks the 40th Anniversary of the famous Haunted Mansion attraction at Disneyland California. The beloved ride has been haunting people for more then 40 years to this day and is still a favorite with guests. Haunted Mansions is what many consider the best ride ever built, due to its incredible theme, spectacular effects, and phenomenal music. This is a true E-Ticket attraction that can be matched by no other dark ride outside of the Disney parks. Lets take a look at the history of this terrifying attraction.

While the Haunted Mansion opened in 1969, the house was mysteriously completed six years before with its gates closed. For six long years, guests walked past the house not knowing what lied inside and what the minds of Walt Disney Imagineering created. Even back then, the public spread rumors across the country saying that the ride was too scary and someone had a heart attack on it so it required some redesign, however these rumors are completely false.

In 1969, the opening day for Haunted Mansion proved to be one of the parks highest recorded attendance of all time.

In 1969, the opening day for Haunted Mansion proved to be one of the park's highest recorded attendance of all time.

When the Haunted Mansion opened its gates on August 9th, 1969 it was one of the parks highest attendance days of all time. The line spread wildly through New Orleans Square as guests waited hours to ride. When they finally got the chance, they were exposed to the a new dimension, a new world of ghoulish ghosts and horrifying haunts as they took there journey through the mansion and all of its rooms, graveyards, and crypts. Slowly, their doom buggy had them meet everything from floating candles to ghost vikings.

Haunted Mansion is easily one of my favorite attractions in the entire park. It is not only an original ride with out a movie tie in, but it is totally immersive and incredible. Between the very begging preshow, to the finale musical extravaganza this is what with out a doubt in my Top 5 at Disneyland.

The Hat Box Ghosts was one of the elements of the ride that was removed almost immediately after the attraction opened.  The effect was that the brides heart would beat, the older ghosts head would disapear then reapear in his hat box.  Unfortunately, the effect did not work properly and was removed shortly.  However this effect is still wildly popular on the internet with many Haunted Mansion fanatics (including myself) begging Disney to bring it back.

The Hat Box Ghosts was one of the elements of the ride that was removed almost immediately after the attraction opened. The effect was that the brides heart would beat, the older ghost's head would disapear then reapear in his hat box. Unfortunately, the effect did not work properly and was removed shortly. However this effect is still wildly popular on the internet with many Haunted Mansion fanatics (including myself) begging Disney to bring it back.

Throughout the years, the Haunted Mansion has gone through countless changes that include everything from the removal of the famed Hatbox Ghost, to the updating of the bridal scene, and the seasonal Holiday Haunted Mansion overlay. The future is bright today for the Haunted Mansion and there is lots of rumors swirling around about weather we will see a new addition to the ride today, all I can say is that we will have to wait to find out.

Have you been on the home of 999 happy haunts?  Yes?  No?  Leave your comments and park thoughts.