This is the tragic story of Melanie Ravenswood and the secrets of her haunted house… thanks to an illusion. The “magic” that brings Disneyland ghosts to life is called the “Pepper’s Ghost Effect.”
Miniature Photo Credit: Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris and the mystery of Phantom Manor
At the heart of Disneyland Paris, nestled in the Frontierland area that looks like the American Wild West, stands a Victorian mansion with a disturbing appearance: the Phantom Manor. This attraction, inspired by the haunted houses of American Disney parks, invites visitors to live a thrilling and immersive experience in a world of ghosts… and mysteries.
The Phantom Manor tells the tragic story of Melanie Ravenswood, a young woman promised to Henry, an adventurer who left to seek his fortune abroad. On their wedding day, Mélanie waits in vain for her fiancé who never returns. Inconsolable, she lets herself die with a broken heart, her spirit now haunting the walls of the building. As in any self-respecting haunted house, visitors are plunged into a dark and disturbing atmosphere as soon as they enter the attraction. At Mickey’s, everything is always well themed: cobwebs cover the chandeliers, ghostly portraits observe passers-by and objects seem to come to life from one moment to the next. Guided by a mischievous ghost, as you have understood, visitors explore the different rooms of the manor, discovering the tragic story of Mélanie and the secrets of her home.
The highlight of the attraction is undoubtedly the encounter with Mélanie’s ghost. In a dark and foggy room, his ghostly appearance chills the blood of young and old. But don’t worry, it’s just an illusion cleverly orchestrated using a fascinating technique: Pepper’s Ghost.
Image credit for the Pepper’s Ghost effect: “Le Monde Illustré”, 1865
Pepper’s Ghost, a “magical” illusion
The Pepper’s Ghost effect allows you to create highly realistic ghostly apparitions. However, we are far from being on a high-tech illustration based on holograms. Created in the 19th century, this illusion has shocked the world for almost 200 years now. Its principle? You’ll see, it’s quite stupid, but ingenious: uA real scene and a ghost scene are placed on either side of an inclined glass plate. The light only illuminates the real scene, while the ghost scene is shrouded in darkness.
What is actually happening? Thanks to the transparency of the glass, the reflections of the real scene are superimposed on the ghost scene, creating the illusion of a spectral presence. The movements of the real actors are thus reproduced on the ghostly silhouettes, giving the impression that the ghosts are interacting with the world of the living. If the 19th century actors are replaced by modern animatronics, you have a stunning attraction for cheap.
Historically, the Pepper’s Ghost effect has enjoyed great success in the entertainment world, particularly in theaters and fairground attractions. It has also been used in films and television shows to create spectacular special effects. At Disneyland Paris, Pepper’s Ghost brings the tragic story of Mélanie Ravenswood to life and immerses visitors in a fantastic and captivating universe.
Source : Going out in Paris
