We LOVE a good Disney Parks Easter egg—and this one? It’s ghostly, golden, and hiding in plain sight.
If you’ve ever ridden Pirates of the Caribbean at Magic Kingdom and marveled at Jack Sparrow’s regal-looking seat in the final treasure scene, we have news: that chair has a spooky past. Believe it or not, it once belonged to Master Gracey in the 2003 Haunted Mansion film starring Eddie Murphy!
Yes, really.
It’s one of Disney’s sneakiest (and coolest) prop reuses—and now we’re breaking down the full story, the ride connections, and the fun facts you’ll want to share with your friends next time you’re in the queue.
Wait… The Haunted Mansion Movie? That One?
Let’s take it back to 2003.
Before The Haunted Mansion became a box office hit with LaKeith Stanfield and Rosario Dawson in 2023, Disney made a very different version starring Eddie Murphy. This earlier film followed Murphy’s character, a real estate agent who brings his family to a mysterious mansion—only to discover it’s haunted by tragic love, curses, and, of course, ghostly ghouls.
While the movie didn’t exactly become a classic (it holds a modest fan base and lots of nostalgia), the production design was elaborate. One of the standout props was Master Gracey’s ornate chair—a dramatic, dark wood throne seen in the film’s most emotional scenes.
But after the movie wrapped? That same chair quietly found its way to another corner of the Disney universe…
The Instagram account House of Mouse shared this information, stating, “On the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom, the chair Jack Sparrow sits on at the end is a real movie prop from the 2003 movie The Haunted Mansion..”
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Setting Sail for the Caribbean
When Imagineers decided to add Jack Sparrow to the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disney World in 2006, they reimagined the finale scene as a glimmering treasure chamber. The goal: drop guests into a vault stuffed with gold, jewels, goblets… and the infamous captain himself, lounging smugly with his spoils.
They needed the perfect pirate throne. And where better to look than Disney’s own prop warehouse?
Enter: Master Gracey’s chair.
Today, it’s the chair Jack Sparrow sits in during the final scene. And yes—it’s the same one from the 2003 Haunted Mansion movie. A creepy crossover turned into pirate royalty.
Pirates of the Caribbean Fun Facts You Might’ve Missed
Let’s take a detour and explore more secrets hiding in this beloved boat ride. We’ve swapped out some of the usual trivia for lesser-known nuggets:
1. There’s a Splashy Waterfall Effect—But Only in Disneyland
If you’ve only ridden Pirates at Disney World, you’re missing out on the two indoor drops at Disneyland’s version. That’s right—Disneyland’s ride is longer, spookier, and starts with a descent into pirate darkness!
2. An Entire Town Flooded for the Disneyland Ride
The town of New Orleans Square was literally raised on stilts to make room for the elaborate underground portion of Disneyland’s Pirates ride, which opened in 1967. It’s the first Disney ride to load passengers at street level and then dip below.
3. A Familiar Voice Plays the Auctioneer
The original voice of the infamous “We wants the redhead!” auctioneer scene was Disney Legend Paul Frees—best known as the voice of the Ghost Host in The Haunted Mansion. It’s another crossover that ties these two iconic rides together!
4. The Pirates Ride Was Almost a Wax Museum
Before Imagineering developed the boat ride we know today, Pirates of the Caribbean was originally conceptualized as a walk-through wax museum. Thank goodness that changed.
5. There’s a Hidden Stitch
Yes, really. In Disneyland Paris, Stitch makes a sneaky cameo in Pirates of the Caribbean—keep your eyes peeled during the auction scene!
One Chair. Two Attractions. A Whole Lot of History.
For Disney Parks fans, finding out that Jack Sparrow’s throne was once used by Master Gracey in The Haunted Mansion film is the kind of deep-cut trivia that makes exploring the parks even more fun. It’s a reminder that Disney loves to recycle its magic—and every detail might hold a hidden backstory.
Whether you’re team ghosts or team pirates, it’s worth slowing down in that final scene at Pirates of the Caribbean to take in the ornate carvings on that chair. Because behind the treasure and swagger is a relic from a haunted past… one that still echoes through Disney lore.
Planning tip: You can find this scene at the very end of Pirates of the Caribbean at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. And if you want to double down on Disney movie props in the parks, keep your eyes peeled around Galaxy’s Edge, Indiana Jones Adventure, and even Tower of Terror—Imagineers love to sneak in surprises.
