What has the past year been like for you, and how have you adapted to the pandemic? I see some areas that made it into the final version in Disneyland. When Walt Disney was working on the earliest concepts for the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland, he sent the imagineer assigned to the project here in 1957 to take notes. Coming from a Disney background, I’m fascinated by the grand ballroom. There are so many unique features that it’s hard to pick one.

How does a tourist attraction like the mansion survive after being forced to close, then to reopen with safety precautions and reduced capacity? We spoke with Magnuson to find out. Ghosts and hauntings pale in comparison with this year’s pandemic. Tickets range $44–$54, per person.Įnjoy festive decorations and spooky themes all month long on any regular tour of the Winchester Mystery House … if you dare.Overseeing the Winchester Mystery House is General Manager Walter Magnuson ’02, who is responsible for guest experience, sales and marketing, operations, overseeing 110 employees, and securing cross-promotions and tie-ins, including the recent thriller Winchester, starring Helen Mirren. The show kicks off at nightfall, beginning around 6:40 p.m., and is not recommended for kids younger than 13. Think a twisted tour, but with surprises and never-before-visited (by the public) corners of the house. With help from ThemeDream Productions and San Francisco-based immersive-theater show The Speakeasy, brave guests will be transported to another realm. Explore the Winchester Estate’s many dark, ominous hallways in an enveloping experience. 2, 6:40 p.m.įor the more paranormally minded in your bunch, Unhinged is a real-life psychological thriller. More games, a bouncy house and family-friendly fun await at the end of the trail. You may see some estate caretakers get in on the fun. Venture through the property gardens, searching for candy, treats and some tricks along the way. Something the kids will love: Head to the haunted house for friendly ghosts and ghouls during the family friendly trick-or-treat trail. Priced begin at $259 per person the tickets also include admission to Unhinged.

This is a more intimate dining experience and tickets will be limited. Guests enjoy a four-course meal, including wine pairings just as the heiress would have in her day. Head to the Winchester Mystery House for a gourmet Halloween-themed dinner in the stunning ballroom. With Halloween fun around the corner, the historic home is the perfect venue for family fun, adults-only haunts and spooky-themed everything.

All this is to say, whether the haunted history or architectural aspects intrigue you, the Winchester Mystery House is a must-visit in the Bay Area - and there’s no better time than October. With stunning architecture from a bygone era, the estate is deservedly listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a California Historic State Landmark and a San Jose City Landmark. Nearly 100 years old, the once home of Sarah Pardee Winchester, heiress to the Winchester Repeating Arms fortune, and previously known as Llanada Villa, is now a beloved haunted mansion. The Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California, boasts a long, intriguing history for curious travelers and eager-to-be-creeped-out families.

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