Haunted Mansion CONFUSION

[DuckyMomo]

I recently returned home from another amazing WDW trip. Before I left for the trip, I had looked up many secrets about WDW so I could look for them, and I printed them out. I found a bunch of them while in the parks, and all I can say is WOW! But, my favorite ride at WDW, The Haunted Mansion, has had a very interesting tale this trip.

I was reading so many secrets and hidden mickeys for The Haunted Mansion, and I had found most of them on this attraction. But everyone on different sites, online groups, Disney secrets books, and friends were telling me to ask a cast member about Madame Leota's ring (you know, the girl with her head in the crystal ball chanting rhymes?). I went on this ride twice and asked both times about Madame Leota's ring and the first time, the cast memeber's answer was "There is no such thing as Madame Leota's ring." and the second time was, "I don't know what you mean, there is no ring. I can't help you. Sorry about that."

I don't know if there is no real ring, or if they took it out or anything, but what is going on? Has anyone else heard of the ring? Or know if they're not using it anymore? All answers appreciated, Thanks!

 

[goofykb03]

From what I understand, there was a "ring" in the stonework outside when you exit the ride. A rumor had started over the years that the Imagineers planted the bride's ring there (I don't think Madame Leota is the bride though??), but I guess it has been confirmed that the Imagineers didn't plan it and was just a side effect of construction. Supposedly it has been removed. I found it once years ago, and haven't seen it the last few times I have been.

 

[goofykb03]

Also, I believe cast members are instructed to tell you they don't know about it because it was just a rumor to begin with... maybe they think it somehow takes away from the meaning of the storyline with the bride??

 

[Fantasmic23]

Also, I believe cast members are instructed to tell you they don't know about it because it was just a rumor to begin with... maybe they think it somehow takes away from the meaning of the storyline with the bride??

I was thinking the same thing, like they didn't want to lose the "Disney Magic." to the whole story.

 

[chartle]

It was supposedly the bride's ring that was thrown out the window before she offed herself. It was embedded in the pavement.

What it really was was a socket for a gate latch in a walkway. It was never part of the official story so CM's are told to say it didn't exist.

Here is the "ring".

I think its completely gone now.

To see an example in use, its labeled E in the following pic

Here is a pic of the kind of fixture it is.

 

[JulieGianni]

I think it was just a rumor as well...

too bad though

Maybe they'll eventually let cast members have something more exciting to say then "i don't know" lol

 

[Yubbie]

It's no longer there. They filled it in (cement/pavement) late 2008/early 2009.

 

[chartle]

I think it was just a rumor as well...

too bad though

Maybe they'll eventually let cast members have something more exciting to say then "i don't know" lol

It seems the Imagineers are very protective of their story and don't like when the attraction CM's deviate from that story and the "ring" was never part of their story.

Its easier for the CM's to just say they don't know what you are talking about then to have to explain the whole mis-representation of a gate part mixed into the story.

Also since it was removed 2 years ago, there may be new CM's who have never seen it and if another CM doesn't tell them the story they truly have no idea what you are talking about.

 

[JerseyDisneyGirl]

I worked at the Disney Store years ago. I was told that if any guest asks you about a Disney rumor (ie Walt's frozen head) the offical corporate response is you act like you have never heard of such a thing. So the CM's response fits.

 

[onestepcloser]

It's possible that the CM just didn't know about it... like it's been said, it's not there anymore and wasn't part of any storyline the Mansion had, so it's not something CMs are ever told. It's possible the CM had never heard the story before rather than having been instructed not to talk about it.

 

[MHT to MCO]

If any site would have answers to Haunted Mansion questions, it would be http://www.doombuggies.com/. I found this site a couple of years ago and is very interesting!