Ravenswood Manor

Ravenswood Manor overlooks the town of Thunder Mesa. It was Henry Ravenswood who owned and operated the Big Thunder Mine, and his money built this town. What money couldn't buy, however, was immortality... or could it? The accepted version has it that Henry and his wife, Martha, died in the great quake of 1860, but some believe he returned from the dead in the form of a phantom who haunts the house on the hill.

This tale forms the foundation of Phantom Manor, a Frontierland attraction similar in many ways to the traditional Haunted Mansion, but which stands as a completely unique adventure at Disneyland Paris.

As the story goes, Henry built the mansion and grounds for his wife and daughter, Melanie. In its day, the estate was spectacular, but things started to go south when Melanie met a young man. The two were betrothed, but the groom had plans to take Melanie away from Thunder Mesa and her family. That just didn't sit well with Henry.

This gazebo on the grounds of Phantom Manor appears decked out for a reading of some kind, perhaps palm or Tarot.

Folks say that, even in death, Henry was determined not to lose his precious Melanie. On the eve of the wedding, the groom vanished (although there have been reports of him "hanging" around the portrait chamber) and Melanie fell into a state of despair. She took to wandering the halls, searching for her beloved for the rest of her days... and beyond.

Cast member costumes at Phantom Manor and other Disneyland Paris locales are often as spectacularly detailed as the park's attractions.

Those brave enough to venture into Phantom Manor today may just encounter the ghost of young Melanie, still in her wedding gown after all these years. Should you come face-to-face with her father, the phantom, however... Melanie could prove to be your saving grace, leading you away from his clutches.

As opposed to the Haunted Mansion, which Walt Disney directed his Imagineers to create as a simple retirement home for ghosts, Phantom Manor tells a complete (and complex) story. The attraction is also considerably more gruesome and frightening than its American counterparts, owing to different cultural expectations with a European audience.

During my trips through Phantom Manor, I spent every moment soaking in the details. As a result, I don't have any interior pictures to share. If you'd like to see and learn more, though, there are some great resources out there. First and foremost, I recommend Jason Surrell's book, The Haunted Mansion: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies. If you don't already own this and his book on Pirates of the Caribbean, you should.

Online, there are also a couple of really nicely done sites, including a portion of DoomBuggies.com and Ravenswood-Manor.com. Check 'em out!