
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
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
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.
“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
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 Dining in the comments.
Is everyone these days really that sensitive? Haunted Mansion was perfect as it was!
I agree that we can’t go out of the way to make sure 0 people are offended that’s impossible to do.….however the depiction of suicide may cause some hurt to see if you’ve lost a loved one to suicide. I had a family member who hung themself when we were in our senior year of highschool & it was absolutely devastating. I went to WDW with my family years after and while on the haunted mansion ride that scene did catch me off guard and I felt so numb as the memories came flashing back of my family members suicide, after the ride I went into a bathroom in the park and cried so hard. I’m not offended by the ride & I don’t blame Disney, but that scene can unintentionally cause painful flashbacks for those who lost someone to suicide. I calmed myself down, cleaned my face and enjoyed the rest of my day at the park. What they should do is keep the scene, but put a warning ⚠️ at the rides entrance that the scene is gonna be there so park guests can choose to skip it if it would be to painful. I chose not to let it ruin my day, but if I’d known I woulda chose to skip the ride or close my eyes during that scene.
The imagineers and the powers above them have no clue what is classic and what is not
They are turning the “most magical place on earth” into a kiddie park and a jumbled mess
Where Universal is hitting Home Runs Disney is painting fireflies
Leave it alone. If people are offended they don’t have to participate in the ride. Grow up people.
I am so tired of hearing the word ‘offended’. Just utter that word and everyone jumps to remove or revise the offending item. I want to see what would happen if someone was actually offended! Stop changing things just because a small faction of the population is constantly offended. The majority understands that not everything is about you! Get over yourself!! Disney has ruined enough attractions to appease you! I agree with Al. Don’t visit the attraction if it offends you!
Stop changing things for the small amount of people that get offended…you will be trying to please them forever without success! You will still have enough business for those who appreciate things the way they are…let the true Disney fans enjoy the parks as is without the grumblings…hopefully those offended will choose to stay home!
If you don’t like it then don’t come. I am tired of all these companies changing things because a few people might get “offended”. Geez.
Hmm, what are we going to be offended by today???🤔🤔🤔
Please stop changing the rides I love. if you don’t like it, don’t visit
Let’s ask ten people what rides have offensive things and I bet all ten will come up with something. I also bet most if not all never gave it a thought until they were asked to think of something. Leave it alone but if they must meddle with it, simply remove the hanging and leave everything else including the scream. They could always add the sound of breaking glass, leaving some to think about jumping out of a window.
I’m offended by the offended. Nothing will make these idiots happy. LEAVE THE RIDE THE WAY IT WAS DESIGNED. These people will rewrite and change history to to please the un-pleasable. Maybe a vote on this should be done and let’s just see how many are truly offended. ( : < [ (
It is absolutely fine the way it is. I agree if you don’t like it or it offends you stay home or at least don’t get in line! Quit changing everything for a few that cannot be happy.
Just stop. “In this day and age,” she added, ”We have to be really careful about the sensitivities of people.”
No, actually. You don’t. The sensitive people never miss an opportunity to cry about their sensitivities though. The world is not responsible and should not hold itself accountable for the triggering aspects of life for a single-digit percentage of chronically unhappy people.
That’s the problem with the internet. Arguably the greatest, most uniting and potentially uplifting invention in the history of mankind. What is it used for? Complaining, crying, and attention grabbing in any way possible, rather than to fulfill the vision of a more enlightened, connected, and unified mankind, with everyone having access to the world’s knowledge, history, and cultures… Instead, we have a small group of small-minded people who cannot cope with the fact that things are different elsewhere and choose to cry them all down to a neutral state of “the same thing, everywhere.”