Haunted Mansion -vs- Phantom Manor

Three (3) years ago, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, we wrote a post comparing the famed Haunted Mansion attraction (found at Disneyland and Walt Disney World) with Phantom Manor (located at Disneyland Paris).  If you have not had a chance to read it, you can check it out here.  

This year, we were able to travel to Disneyland Paris and experience Phantom Manor for the first time.  The expectations that we had having seen videos on YouTube and Instagram were smashed having experienced the ride in-person.  Having the manor overlook Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and learning the story of the Ravenswood Family and their connection to both rides made the experience even better.

Phantom Manor is undeniably the more frightful of the attractions with the menacing Phantom following you around the home while his daughter, still waiting for her groom, languishes in her loneliness.  There are, of course, many similarities to the Haunted Mansion including Madame Leota and the graveyard scene featuring Grim Grinning Ghosts.  

The other distinguishing feature between Phantom Manor and the Haunted Mansion is the outward appearance of the homes.  It is well-known that Walt was insistent that the Haunted Mansion maintain a pristine looking exterior to match the aesthetic of Disneyland while the inside would be dark and spooky.  Phantom Manor, by comparison, is a run-down and decrepit mansion that overlooks Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.   

If you have the opportunity to travel to Disneyland Paris, make sure you check out Phantom Manor.  In our opinion, it is the best version of the "Haunted Mansion" attraction at the Disney Parks.