Disney Digest: Your Insider’s Guide to the Marquee Attractions – Volume Four

3. Ride

Every time I’ve ridden this attraction I pick up on something new.  I believe the pre-ride is far more frightening than the ride itself.  Guests sit in their doom buggies while they slowly move through the mansion.  Ghosts, ghouls, goblins, and mummies haunt the hallways and staircases.  You’ll notice door knockers moving on their own, screams and shouts coming from nowhere, and of course Madame Leota.  You’ll know Madame Leota when you see her!  Riders also get to spy on ghosts dancing in the Great Hall along with phantoms and banshees flying overhead.  I could swear some of those phantoms look just like Oogie Boogie from Nightmare before Christmas.  One of the coolest moments for guests are when they are nearing the end of their ride and ghosts suddenly “join them” in their doom buggies.   Some of them may sit on your head, sit beside you, or jump on top of your buggy and cause a ruckus.  Don’t worry, you won’t feel a thing!  Guests are then encouraged to “hurry back” from the Ghost Hostess as you prepare to head back to the “living world”.