Sam and I were clutching each other’s hands, sitting on the edge of our seats while watching this video.. and now we are grinning ear to ear like a couple of grim grinning ghosts, ourselves! How awesome is this!!

I’m referring to the Haunted Mansion Board Game by Lakeside and Walt Disney World released in the early & mid 70′s.  I never had this game as a kid, but some time ago, my kids and I accepted the chilling challenge of trying to escape the spinning spooks and find our way out of this really fun board game.  We had a copy of the Haunted Mansion inspired board game that had been played and assembled years before we acquired it, and felt it was our duty to play the game once more before we bestowed it to a dear friend.

But there’s always room for one more….

This game, despite the worn exterior and split corners, has never been assembled or played.  All the pieces are still in their cardboard carriers and the token doombuggies and die are still sealed in their original wrapper.   

I carefully took everything out to take pictures of this vintage piece of Haunted Mansion memorabilia.  The art, which might be or is at least inspired by Collin Campbell, is eye candy for mansion fans.  The backdrop of the game has two different views and the board game itself is tricked out with some spinning turntable gears and silly spooks ready to knock you out of play.  Even the raven plays an important role in the game, letting you complete the game, or sending you back to face the horrors within, again and again.  

Watch out for these silly spooks…

Check out this groovy version of Madame Leota, sporting long, straight hair. She looks more relaxed, doesn’t she?

Ready for a real treat? See the game in action. This amazing piece of work was created by Dale Ankrum. This is incredible! And in Dale’s version of the game, the doombuggies go right thru the spinning spooks!  I want to play his version instead…

Anyway, I found this video by Disney Parks on youtube and thought you might enjoy it!

“Its been 40 years since the Grim Grinning Ghosts first opened their doors and invited guests into the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. Take a look back to the beginning with Walt and the Imagineers who created the beloved attraction. From stretching rooms to hitch hiking ghosts the 999 Happy Haunts never disappoint and always invite guests to hurry back!” – Disney Parks Youtube channel