What is it about hidden chambers, sliding panels and secret doors that intrigue me so? I’d love to have a house with secret passageways and secret doors that lead to secret rooms. Until that happens, though, I’ll be happy to settle for this nifty Haunted Mansion Collectible – the Secret Panel Chest. From what little information there is out there, I’ve read that these items were manufactured in Japan and sold in the park starting in 1969, the year the Mansion opened, while other accounts state their release in the mid 70’s. Die-hard Haunted Mansion fans might notice that the sign on the chest is in the same style as the sign that greeted visitors outside the mansions gate prior to its opening, leading me to believe that the former date might be true. But what do I know? I didn’t know that the Mansion even had collectibles until the Mansion celebrated it’s 30th anniversary! I was a little slow on the uptake of Disney paraphernalia.
There is also a WDW Secret Panel Chest. I read that these boxes came in 3 sizes, but I’ve only ever seen two. This box measures 5 1/2 inches wide, 3 1/2 inches tall and 2 1/4 inches deep. Each box came with an instruction guide to help you open the box, but mine didn’t have one when I acquired it on ebay some years ago and I had to figure it out the hard way. In the spirit of sharing, just in case your box didn’t come with the instructions, I’ve posted the steps here.
This box requires several steps to locate the hidden compartment within. But since it has no hinges and no doors, you have to inspect carefully.
Nothing here….keep looking!
Ahhh..there you are. A hint of a secret latch, perhaps?
Slide the section a little to the right….but it only slides so far, so don’t try to force it!
But then what? hmmmm? If I push the whole panel down just a little bit, the top panel is now accessible.
Now I can slide the top panel off the chest… revealing a secret compartment!
ta daaaa! hello secret compartment.
Makes me wonder the assortment of goodies and treasures that must have been stored in these boxes over the years.
But wait! Could there be more secrets to discover?
Slide up the opposite panel to reveal another secret compartment…
A little hidden drawer! The little girly girl in me who collected my little ponies and smurfs because they were so small and adorable just wants to squeak, “awwwwwww so cuute!”
But I’m a grown up now, so I’ll try to control myself.
Yeah… I’m real grown up. Now I just collect toys depicting a dark ride from the Happiest Place on Earth.
Sorry. I’m going there.
“Its soooo cuuuuute!”
*ahem*
I feel much better now.
by Carrie
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