Somewhere beyond where hinges creak in doorless chambers, some of the Haunted Mansion’s most esteemed caretakers around the world recently received a spirited surprise met with utter shock and delighted excitement.
Soon, Disney’s “Haunted Mansion,” inspired by the classic attraction, will materialize in theaters beginning with a special premiere screening this month at a charmingly chilling location. In honor of its Disney Parks lineage, a #DisneyCastLife group of cast member maids and butlers from each Haunted Mansion attraction around the world has been invited to walk the red carpet and see the advance screening!
Not only does this brigade of 10 cast include representatives from the original Disneyland Resort attraction, and its sister versions at Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disney Resort—but also rides inspired by it, including Phantom Manor at Disneyland Paris, and Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland. The grim grinning hosts will further socialize as they enjoy additional experiences together at Disneyland Resort.
Some of them carry lifelong affinities for hitchhiking ghosts. “This is where I’ve wanted to be since I was seven years old,” said Shannon Miller, who will represent the Magic Kingdom Park attraction with Matthew Desilets. “When I rode it for the first time, I just fell in love with it… my mom tells the story all the time of when I said I was going to work at the Haunted Mansion!”
“When I was a little girl, I would go to Disneyland and cry on every single ride because it was too scary,” laughed Maddie Liu (above, with fellow representative Alex Salinas), who will help welcome the group representing the Disneyland park attraction. “But I just always really loved the vibe of Haunted Mansion… New Orleans Square was my happy place as a kid.”
Other group members are about to live out longtime dreams. “Since the beginning of my Disneyland Paris story I’ve been connected to Haunted Mansion,” said Yoann Langlois (above left), who will join Amélie Fuentes (right) representing Phantom Manor at the premiere. “This will be my first time in California. I cried when I found out… it took me 3 or 4 days to process. I have to get ready!”
“When I heard I was selected for this opportunity, I couldn’t tell if I was dreaming or it was real,” said Noriko Kubota (above left, with fellow representative Yuya Sato), who has worked at the Haunted Mansion attraction at Tokyo Disneyland for nearly two decades. “This is my first time visiting Disneyland, so not just experiencing the ‘Haunted Mansion’ movie, but being able to go to the original park Walt Disney created is something I’m quite honored by.”
“This is our first time to visit California,” agrees Taeny Poon (above left), an 11-year Hong Kong Disneyland cast member representing Mystic Manor, which she helped open in 2013. “We have been wanting to go for a long, long time, and we’re very excited we can visit!” said Taeny, who will be joined by teammate Annto To (above center).
We’re sworn to chilling confidentiality on the private premiere details, but look alive and follow @DisneyParks channels to see all the frightful fun. Then, mark your calendar and make final arrangements to see “Haunted Mansion,” directed by Justin Simien (a former Disneyland Resort cast member himself), debuting in U.S. theaters July 28.
Safe travels to our #DisneyCastLife intercontinental contingent. There’s no turning back now…