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Disneyland Resort’s iconic Haunted Mansion could soon see a significant change as Walt Disney Imagineering explores the future of one of its most controversial scenes. Imagineering creative director Kim Irvine recently spoke about the company’s efforts to balance the attraction’s spooky charm with evolving cultural sensitivities, especially regarding the ride’s infamous Stretching Room.
A Haunted Mansion History
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The Haunted Mansion opened at Disneyland Park in 1969, introducing guests to an eerie yet whimsical storytelling style. The ride’s success inspired versions in Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom Park and Tokyo Disneyland, as well as unique counterparts like Phantom Manor in Disneyland Paris and Mystic Manor in Hong Kong Disneyland.
Over the decades, the original Haunted Mansion has undergone numerous updates, including the addition and removal of the axe from Constance Hatchaway, the murderous bride in the attic, and the beloved Hatbox Ghost. But one scene has remained essentially unchanged—and controversial.
The Stretching Room Scene
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As guests enter the Stretching Room, they are met with the ominous voice of the Ghost Host. “This chamber has no windows and no doors,” he intones, challenging visitors to “find a way out.” The lights dim, revealing a doll suspended from the ceiling with a noose around its neck. ”There’s always my way,” he chuckles.
Recently, Disneyland Paris removed a similar effect from Phantom Manor, citing concerns about its depiction of suicide. This decision reignited rumors that Disney may remove or reimagine the Stretching Room scene at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort.
Kim Irvine Addresses the Haunted Mansion Controversy
In a recent interview with The Los Angeles Times, Walt Disney Imagineering creative director Kim Irvine discussed the challenges of preserving the ride’s legacy while considering guest sensitivities.
Credit: Disney
“We’re still looking at that,” Irvine said of the noose scene. “That one is complicated, structurally. One thing at a time.”
“In this day and age,” she added, ”We have to be really careful about the sensitivities of people.”
Disney has yet to officially announce changes to the Haunted Mansion Stretching Room. Still, Irvine’s comments suggest that the company is exploring a future without the Ghost Host’s ”way out.”
The Debate Over Updates
Credit: Ed Aguila, Inside the Magic
This isn’t the first time Disney has updated its classic attractions to reflect the changing culture. Pirates of the Caribbean underwent significant changes to remove outdated and offensive depictions of women, and Peter Pan’s Flight updated its portrayal of the film’s Native American characters.
Fans are divided over whether the Haunted Mansion should follow suit. Some argue that the Stretching Room scene is a classic part of the ride’s storytelling and shouldn’t be altered. Others believe Disney should modernize the attraction to avoid upsetting guests.
Should Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort remove the suicide scene from the Haunted Mansion? Share your opinion with Disney Tips in the comments.
The problem isn’t with Disney… it’s the “Overly-Sensitive” Liberals that find EVERYTHING “offensive” that are the REAL PROBLEM!!! Those are the same individuals that found “Splash Mountain” RACIST, had issues with “Pirates of the Caribbean” auction scene, etc., etc.!!! Disney is seriously WRONG in attempting to cater to these individuals that are doing their best to ruin the Disney “experience” for the 99% that once found everything at Disney GREAT & AMUSING!!!
I had a surprised trip planned from my children to Disneyland Paris this August. At their Phantom Manor (Haunted Mansion)
I noticed that the hanging figure in the stretching room wasn’t there. Because I go to WDW quite often, unless you know of it, you can’t really see what is up there, given the fact that it happens so fast, and newcomers aren’t even aware of what is about to happening. So I don’t see it as a real issue because it is mostly dark up there with a few lightening strikes.