Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is home to fan-favorite attraction, the Haunted Mansion. Telling the story of 999 happy haunts, the Haunted Mansion is a slow moving dark ride, taking Guests through through the attraction in “Doom Buggies”.
Each Disney Park has a version of the Haunted Mansion, although things are not what they seem as candles float in the air, doors are opened with no one there, and Guests watch in awe as the ghosts come to life, dancing and eating in celebration. Not to mention the song playing on repeat throughout the ride, “Grim Grinning Ghosts,” which is sure to be stuck in your stuck for the rest of your vacation. An opening day attraction located in the Liberty Square area of Magic Kingdom, the ride also comes with its own themed gift shop, Memento Mori. Offering a variety of items like paintings, clothing, and more, the store is the one-stop shop for fans of the Haunted Mansion. However, Memento Mori has some not-so-spooky lore of its own.
Located just outside the shop Guests can see what looks like a “fairy ring.” A distinctly circular-looking area, the myth says that if a Guest were to stand in the circle, look towards the Haunted Mansion, and say Madame Leota’s name three times on the night of a full moon, they would see her ghostly figure appear in the window holding a candle. While interesting and fitting given the theming of the Haunted Mansion, the fairy ring is most likely a rumor spread by a Cast Member or Guest, and the myth is nothing more than that.
In reality, the Adventureland and Liberty Square areas of the Park used to be full of massive oak trees. Eventually removed to make way for the buildings and attractions that would fill the area, the “fairy ring” is the base of where one of those trees once stood. Although a fairy ring would fit the theming and lore of the Haunted Mansion area, unfortunately, the real story isn’t so exciting.
What Disney myths or legends do you know about? Share them with us in the comments below!