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…

This first kit arrived at my door step in pretty bad condition, but it seems as though all the pieces are here.  

Vampire’s Midnight Madness is not a scene used in the Haunted Mansion, but the tombstones look quite familiar!

I get quite a chuckle from the little storyboard on the side of each kit.

Especially this last one…

Just so you don’t take blood sucking demons too seriously, Disney sneaks in a smiley wishing you a happy day and reminding you of good oral hygiene.

Here is Play It Again, Sam, which like Grave Robber’s Reward, is still sealed in its original shrink wrap.  It is quite a bit larger than the other model kits.

I love the little details.  Check out those skull head candlestick holders!

And of course, here’s the comic on the side….

Out of the 3 kits I have, this one is in the best shape.

Here is a chance for you to own these three kits, as these are now for sale!  As always, I offer these up to my readers first before putting them up on ebay.  The window is short, however, as the auction is scheduled to go live 3pm Pacific time tomorrow (6/10/09).  If you purchase directly from me, I’ll pay for UPS Ground Shipping (continental US addresses only).  I only accept Paypal. Email me at Carrie@HauntedMansionCollectibles.com if you would like to purchase one or all!  

Vampire Midnight Madness 

Grave Robber’s Reward   

Play It Again, Sam   SOLD!!!  Thank you very much!

*Fine Print*

All items are sold as is, so if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.  I always try to be accurate in my descriptions and let the pictures do most of the talking.  I’ll be happy to send additional pictures upon request.

Here are some additional pictures of Grave Robber’s Reward ….

Still sealed, shrink wrap is loose and torn on top of box, but otherwise in very good condition.

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.