The ghosts and characters of The Haunted Mansion

The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland proudly claims to house 999 happy haunts, although an exact census of these ghosts remains elusive (who would dare to conduct a headcount in the darkness of night?). Nonetheless, we do possess valuable insights into the identities of some of its eerie residents.

To help those who enter this “spirited” attraction, we thought it might seem a little less scary if you knew the names and backstories of some of the residents.

Here’s a look at some of the ghosts and characters of the mansion.

The Ghost Host, one of the 999 happy haunts who call the Haunted Mansion home, welcomes the “foolish mortals” into the attraction.

The Hatbox Ghost was featured in the Haunted Mansion when the attraction first opened. His head would disappear from his body and reappear from within the hat box he held in his other hand. He mysteriously vanished completely soon after opening. He eventually reappeared in 2015 in time for the 60th anniversary of Disneyland.

Constance is the far-from-blushing bride who is bedecked in pearls and heavily armed. Known as Constance Hatchaway (how appropriate considering what keep appearing in her hand), the bride can be found in the attic as well as featured in the portrait chamber atop her husband’s tombstone.

Madame Leota floats in the dead center of the room, calling out, “Serpents and spiders, tail of a rat, call in the spirits, wherever they’re at!” during her séance to make sure the happy haunts receive your sympathetic vibrations.

Sarah “Sally” Slater, a delicate young girl, can be found inside the Portrait Chamber balanced on a tightrope, as if from a circus.

Alexander Nitrokoff is a distinguished-looking man, but as his portrait stretches in the Portrait Chamber, he is shown to be wearing nothing but striped undershorts and socks from the waist down. He is standing on a barrel of dynamite, and a candle lights the fuse.

Victor Geist is the quirky German-born organist who plays the Haunted Mansion’s signature tune in the ballroom.

Pickwick, the spirit from the era of Dickens, is found swinging from the chandelier in the Haunted Mansion’s ballroom.

The Groundskeeper, the only living being in the mansion, tends to its upkeep. He stands just outside the graveyard gates with his shaking hound dog.

The Grim Grinning Ghosts is the singing group, made up from left to right,

• Rollo Rumkin: “Lived and died a friendly bumpkin,” according to his tombstone. His name is a tribute to Imagineer Rolly Crump.  He was played by Verne Rowe.
• Uncle Theodore: The lead singing bust has his head broken off. His voice was played by the deep-voiced Thurl Ravenscroft (the voice of Tony the Tiger).
• Cousin Algernon: He is the one with derby hat. He was played by Chuck Schroeder.
• Ned Nub: The only bust without a necktie was played by Jay Meyer.
• Phineas P. Pock: Relative of the poet Prudence Pock. He was played by Bob Ebright.

The Hitchhiking Ghosts at the end of the ride are often referred to as “Gus” (Prisoner), “Ezra” (Skeleton), and “Phineas” (Traveler). However, these names are not considered “official.” The ghosts were thought to have been named by cast members.