-By Darlin’ Diva
I don’t know about you, but I really enjoy the different giftshops guests often exit into after enjoying a particular ride or attraction. I like how there’s usually different attraction-specific merchandise that is special and unique for that location. I’ve also always felt that the Haunted Mansion got a bum rap in the merchandise department – it’s one of my most beloved rides and, until 2014, was without it’s own dedicated gift shop. Finally! The Haunted Mansion has a long-overdue place for visitors to buy or simply browse an incredible array of fabulous items ranging from clothing to home goods, snacks, toys, and more.
Formerly the Yankee Trader store in Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square, the new Memento Mori faces the Haunted Mansion queue entrance. The shop’s name is Latin for “Rember that you have to die.”, which I think gives it just the right creepiness factor. Visitors are directed to enter towards the back of the building on the right instead of through the door on the building’s “front” porch. This actually keeps the flow of traffic (and the place was very crowded when I was there!) moving well. After exiting, guests can conveniently hop right in line for that most wonderful of Doom Buggy rides!
Memento Mori’s selection is broad (as are the prices) and the variety is certain to offer something for every Mansion fan on your shopping list. It’s a bit like a general store for all things Haunted Mansion – there are tiny trinkets, treats for snacking, plates, glasses, shirts, framed pictures and mirrors – many of these contain a little extra Disney magic you have to see for yourself.
If you’re like me and you can never get enough Haunted Mansion, you can always shop on line at the Disney Store’s Haunted Mansion Collection. No, it’s not the same as strolling the aisles of Memento Mori, but with all sorts of holidays throughout the year for the Mansion fans in your life (Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Birthday, Halloween, Christmas) – it’ll do in a pinch.
What sort of Haunted Mansion merchandise do I have? Quite a bit, actually. Here are a few favorites:
The much-used wine stopper! Check out the queue between the stretching room and the Doom Buggies and you’ll see what inspired these useful kitchen accessories.
These coasters are a riot and each one’s a cute little tomb stone.
My Disney Christmas tree wouldn’t be the same without a little Haunted Mansion Mickey!
And who wouldn’t love this collection of the Mansion’s singing busts!?! Aren’t they adorable?
Because Haunted Mansion has so many different rooms, hallways, decorations, and characters, it offers unlimited possibilities for a wide variety of themed merchandise. Master Gracey, Madam Leota, the Hitchhiking Ghosts, Singing Busts, Constance (the killer bride), and the rest of those 999 haunts are sure to delight us unexpectedly on great gifts and souvenirs long into the future. Now, if they would just make a Doom Buggy for kids to bring home and pedal around the yard!
Do you love the Haunted Mansion? What sort of Mansion merchandise would you like to have?
