There are several different versions told of the story that you see inside the Haunted Mansion. Part of the reason is because there were several different Imagineers working on the ride, all wanting to add their own element. Read “ A Little History on the Haunted Mansion ” written by Jonathan Briehl , and you’ll get an idea as to why several different stories have come about. Photo courtesy of My Dreams of Disney The storyline I’m going to inform you of was relayed to me on a Keys to the Kingdom Tour back in 2005. For me, the Haunted Mansion ride makes so much more sense now that I’ve heard the following storyline and explanation…

The Story: Many years ago, Master Gracey and Emily were engaged, but Madame Leota was also in love with Master Gracey. Leota believed that if Emily were “gone” Master Gracey would then fall in love with her and they could get married. On Master Gracey and Emily’s wedding day, Leota killed Emily and put her body in a trunk and put the trunk in the attic of the mansion. Well, Master Gracey was so distraught over Emily’s death that he hung himself. Madame Leota was left to haunt the mansion after she presumably died of old age.