The beloved Haunted Mansion attraction at Disneyland park celebrates 50 years of happy haunts this August. To add to the frightful fun, check out the new exhibit at the Disney Gallery: “Happy Haunts Materialize.”

Haunted Mansion exhibit at the Disney Gallery in Disneyland park
The exhibit gives you a behind-the-scenes look into the concept state of the Haunted Mansion. This “ghoul-ery” displays very early sketches and sculptures of the Haunted Mansion concept and shares how they evolved into what you experience today. Designs featuring original ideas for the Haunted Mansion line the walls, including concepts for the walk-through attraction that the Haunted Mansion was going to be.

As you continue through the gallery, you’ll come across ideas that were never used, but inspired the Haunted Mansion that we know and love today. Among them are art portraits originally designed for the Portrait Hallway in the attraction. The portraits feature Dracula and Daphne from the Greek myth of Daphne and Apollo. Much like their counterparts in the attraction, these portraits were also designed to change appearance. In the center of the exhibit, you can see the figures that were created as models for the actual ghosts and ghouls we see in the attraction today. Seeing these happy haunts out of their phantom state may give you a fright!

Continue your celebration with the grim grinning ghosts at a special after-hours event for the Haunted Mansion. In August, “The Haunted Mansion: Celebrating 50 Years of Retirement Unliving” invites you to gather at 13th hour where Madame Leota will make a special appearance to conjure up the happy haunting. At this separate ticket event, enjoy themed food and beverages, after-hours access to select attractions in New Orleans Square and Critter Country, special estate merchandise, photo opportunities and lively entertainment featuring musicians, dancers and performers from beyond the grave. Learn more about the event, details and pricing, including how to purchase tickets here.