The Griffins are decorative statues which are present in the Haunted Mansion and Phantom Manor.
Description[]
The Griffins appear as metal and stone static statues within the Haunted Mansion that come in multiple different variants but all display fantasy creatures which are lions with eagle wings and heads as-well as the front legs being talons. According to blueprints, the Griffins found within the ride itself were intended to move so that their heads would follow guests in their Doom Buggies but this effect was never utilized.
Appearances[]
Staircase Griffins[]
Found within every Haunted Mansion including Phantom Manor is the staircase variant of the griffin which is positioned so that it is sitting down with it's talons in the air. These Griffins decorate the sides of stairways which guests pass-by in their Doom Buggies.
Walt Disney World[]
A Griffin statue is located beside Madame Leota's tombstone in the Family Plot right before you enter the Mansion.
Disneyland[]
A different variation of the Griffin statue appears at Disneyland's Mansion beside the sign for the Fastpass entryway which is themed to resemble the Mansion's garden. The design of the creature looks almost exactly the same except here the statue is sitting with it's talons down.
The bronze griffin statues at the Fantasyland mansion
Tokyo Disneyland[]
Two completely original variants of the Griffins appear in Tokyo's Mansion. These Griffins mount the gates at the entrance to the Haunted Mansion and are used to fit the theming of Fantasyland which is where Tokyo's Mansion is located.
Phantom Manor[]
Another variation of the Griffins is seen in Phantom Manor's version of the Séance Chamber. These Griffins are mounted on the walls and hold onto ropes which are attached to the curtains in the room. The Gargoyles in Phantom Manor deeply resemble wall-mounted Griffin statues from the Evil Queen's secret lair in Snow White's Scary Adventures in Disneyland with the only real difference being that the Snow White Gargoyles hold onto maces. This could be because Snow White's Scary Adventure was designed by Imagineer Claude Coats who also designed much of the Haunted Mansion.
Trivia[]
- While the effect of the Griffin's turning their heads is not prevailent in the final attraction, lines around the staircase variant griffins's necks could be the result of this or it could be a coincedence.
Sources[]
- Photographs credited to Davelandblog.blogspot.com