This August foolish mortals have the opportunity to gather for a ghoulishly grand golden (50th) anniversary at Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion. Two nights of after-hours exclusive events with eerie event eats and mementos along with a haunted host of special anniversary merchandise mark the marvelous macabre milestone.

The New Orleans Square ghostly retirement home first opened its doors to mortals in August of 1969. Fifty years later, commencing at the Witching Hour of 1 am (PST), a few fortunate fans (999, to be exact) will have the opportunity to enjoy three hours of late night.

UPDATE: 5/21/2019 –

After a brief disappearing act, its back from the afterlife. Today, details materialized on the Disney Parks Blog, with links to purchase tickets (beginning on 5/23 at 10 am Pacific time) and commemorative collectables (macabre merchandise).

After hours park festivities kick off with a “13th Hour Celebration Kick-off moment along the Rivers of America. Madame Leota will make a special appearance to conjure up the ensuing party festivities, lovingly referred to as a “Swinging Wake.” Other supernatural surprises include a lively cavalcade of musicians, dancers and performers from beyond the grave.”

Per event website:

Tickets to The Haunted Mansion: Celebrating 50 Years of Retirement Unliving event will be available beginning Thursday, May 23, 2019 at 10:00 AM Pacific.

Tickets can only be purchased online – availability is limited, while supplies last. Limit ONE (1) ticket per reservation, per person, per event date. No discounts apply. Parking fees not included in ticket price.

It’s a swinging week so scream-worthy, that it cannot be contained to just one day. On August 7th/8th and August 8th/9th 999 happy haunts will materialize at Disneyland (Anaheim CA) in honor of a golden anniversary!

“Attend an under-the-hill soiree filled with chills, thrills and frightful fun. This summer, creepy crypt doors will creak as restless spirits join Guests of all ages in celebrating the Haunted Mansion’s 50th anniversary during two (2) separately ticketed, after-hours events at Disneyland Park. Unearth commemorative anniversary merchandise items, delight in themed food & beverage menu offerings, find your ‘soul’ with special entertainment, character encounters and photo ops and enjoy access to select west-side park attractions, plus a few supernatural surprises.” – Disney

Mansion Event Details Exhumed

Disneyland Hotel

“The Haunted Mansion: Celebrating 50 Years of Retirement Unliving” kicks off at 8 am (on the 7th or 8th, depending on which event night is reserved), at the Disneyland Hotel. After checking in for the event, guests will enjoy photo ops, event merchandise shopping at a special event store and receipt of their “Random Selection Process Merchandise.”

Assembling for the Swinging Wake

On their particular event evening, attendees should queue up at the entrance of Disneyland park at 11:30. Once the clock tolls midnight, access will be granted to the theme park. Once inside, foolish mortals will be able to enjoy the guest attraction of honor, the Haunted Mansion, along with other select attractions.

Haunted Mansion Magic

From the witching hour until the wee hours of the morning (1 am -4 am), eerie entertainment, amazing attractions, fiendishly fun food and photo ops greet guests of this ghoulish gathering.

Anniversary attendees will be able to enjoy the following attractions: Pirates of the Caribbean, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Mark Twain Riverboat, Indiana Jones Adventure, Splash Mountain, and, of course, the Haunted Mansion.

Eerie entertainment includes various themed photo ops, and special spooky snap chat filters (limited time). Thus, guests are encouraged to dress their “cadaverous best” in “attire inspired by their favorite Mansion residents.

Free roaming spirits will materialize. Hauntingly familiar faces and “dearly departed souls” associated with the after-life attraction.

Enticingly eerie eats and bewitching beverages will also be on hand.

Each fortunate mortal present will receive a spooky souvenir, special guide map, creepy cool credentials, and unlimited Photo Pass downloads of images captured during the night.

Macabre Must-have Mansion Merchandise

Of course, with an eerie event as Spooktacular as this one, commemorative collectibles are a must. A magnificent merchandise catalog tempts treasure seekers with limited availability 50th Anniversary accouterments. A random selection process is in place to ensure all attending have a fiendishly fair chance at their paranormal possessions (see site for details). Prices range from $9.99 to a whopping $33,000 (one of a kind, themed acoustic guitar).

Various pins, shirts, and figures ensure there’s something spirited for all interests.

Fan favorites like Dooney & Bourke conjured up a few special event pieces.

One of a kind, original Art commemorating the golden anniversary can be had for a pretty penny. Fortunately, many of the pictures are also available as prints.

Annual Pass holders even have exclusive merchandise to choose from!

Host a Ghost from the Haunted Mansion!

“From her Seance Circle, Madame Leota invites all the guests of the Haunted Mansion to become CARETAKERS to one of its “999 RESTLESS SPIRITS.” With a simple tap, and a ghostly giggle, Leota, as the HEAD SPIRITUALIST, will channel your Spirit to materialize for you.” –Disney.

One rather unique opportunity gives guests the chance to “host a ghost.” For roughly $60 mansion fans can adopt a favored restless spirit. These include:

Hatbox Ghost

Sarah “Sally” Slater

Gus

Phineas Plump



Ezra Beane

Amicus Arcane (author of “Tales from the Haunted Mansion” books)

Constance Hatchaway (The Bride)

Captain Culpepper Clyne

Victor Geist (passholder exclusive)

Final Arrangements

Full details, including a collector catalog with several pages of over 200 tempting event exclusive items, can be found at the Disney Parks website. “The Haunted Mansion: Celebrating 50 Years of Retirement Unliving” event takes place on August 7th/8th and 8th/9th, at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Each event evening is limited to 999 foolish mortals (ticket cost: $299 per person). Event registration commences at 10 AM PST on May 23rd.

Source and images: Disney, Michael Gavin