Gargoyles (Haunted Mansion)

:Not to be confused with the other gargoyles from the TV series created by Greg Weisman.
The Gargoyles are statues that are featured in the Haunted Mansion and Phantom Manor attractions at the Disney Parks. They are one of the most recognizable elements in the attraction.
==History==
===Background===
These statues are possibly eight animate gargoyles seen in the Stretching Room area with their appearances bearing a striking resemblance to . Comprised of eight identical gargoyles, each one holds two candles in its hands as the portraits next to each of them begin rising up presumably to provide light in the Stretching Room area while the Ghost Host is narrating a challenge about how to escape the Haunted Mansion. During the thunderclap sequence, the lights go out in the room itself, making it hard to see the gargoyles in the attraction due to the darkness. The lights suddenly go back on, causing the gargoyles to become visibly seen in the Stretching Room just before a wall opens where guests proceed into the ride.
Due to the success of the attraction at Disneyland, the Haunted Mansion attraction was later constructed at Magic Kingdom in the Liberty Square area and in Tokyo Disneyland at the Fantasyland area, still featuring the gargoyle statues in them, followed by the Phantom Manor attraction being constructed at the Frontierland area at Disneyland Paris.
==Appearances==
===The Haunted Mansion/Phantom Manor===
In each version of the attraction, the eight gargoyle statues are displayed in the Stretching Room area where they each hold candles. Soon as the thunderclap occurs in the area, the lights from the gargoyles turn off for a while, making the room dark. Afterwards, guests proceed into a hallway and later board on the Doom Buggies.
===Haunted Mansion Holiday===
Gargoyles reprise their position as they did in the original overlay, except with small skulls above them and next to each gargoyle are holiday-themed portraits which later transform into portraits with elements from The Nightmare Before Christmas, followed by the Ghost Host telling a story of when Jack Skellington arrived at the Haunted Mansion and later Jack himself greeting the visitors. Afterwards, guests proceed into a hallway and later board on the Doom Buggies.
==Other Appearances==
===The Haunted Mansion (video game)===
These gargoyles are completely different from the ones who appeared in the original Haunted Mansion attraction. Sentient gargoyles appear as enemies in the video game adaptation of the Haunted Mansion film introduced in the time trial of the Mausoleum area. With their brute strength, they can slam their fists on the ground to summon imp-like creatures to attack Zeke Holloway which can explode upon contact, causing him to receive damage. Should Zeke get too close to a gargoyle, it can directly attack him, causing him to receive a great deal of damage. Using fully charged shots against gargoyles can help defeat these stone creatures.
===Virtual Safari===
Gargoyle statues can be seen in Disc 2 (specifically the 2004 DVD release) of The Lion King 1½ DVD in the "Virtual Safari" DVD found in the Stretching Room area parodying the Haunted Mansion attraction, except they are depicted with Banzai's face.
===Epic Mickey/Epic Mickey: Rebrushed===
Gargoyles also appear in the Stretching Room area of Lonesome Manor in Epic Mickey and its 2024 HD remake, Epic Mickey: Rebrushed. They stand between each door and painting within the Stretching Room area. Like the ones in the Disney Parks, each gargoyle holds two candles in each of its claws.
===Disney Crossy Road===
A singular gargoyle was one of the unlockable characters in the Disney Crossy Road game in the Haunted Mansion hub. Playing as the gargoyle did not add any changes throughout the entire game.
===The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse===
The gargoyles designed after the ones from the Haunted Mansion make a brief appearance in the episode "Houseghosts" during the part where the Lonesome Ghosts take over the house, alongside some Skeletons from The Skeleton Dance.
===Muppets Haunted Mansion===
Gargoyles also appear in Muppets Haunted Mansion, except that they are depicted with Mahna Mahna's head.
===Haunted Mansion (2023)===
The gargoyles appear in the 2023 film which is a reboot of the 2003 adaptation of the film, albeit still as inanimate statues in the Stretching Room area.
In most scenes, the gargoyles are seen in the background in the Stretching Room area where they pose as inanimate statues. Later when Ben Matthias and Travis are trapped in said room by the Hatbox Ghost, the exits inside the room are suddenly closed, causing the floor to be filled with quicksand, a pool of water, and a bunch of explosive barrels; just as the room starts to stretch and then Ben and Travis are attacked by alligators, the painting of Sally Slater comes to life and tells them to grab onto the gargoyles quickly before they reach to the top. Just as the room rises, the alligator continues to attack Ben and attempt eat him while the portrait of Alexander Nitrokoff tells them to look through the ceiling to find an exit, followed by a portrait of Constance Hatchaway who tells them that they would end up dying like her husband if they fall to their deaths as the two hang onto the gargoyles while being attacked by alligators. Having escaped from the alligators (the one attacking Ben being knocked into the water), Ben and Travis manage to get off the gargoyles to escape via cupola to get out of the Stretching Room, successfully escaping the mansion.
==Trivia==
*Although it is possible that the gargoyles aren't inanimate statues, it is likely that they possess some form of spirit, as faint laughter can be heard in the room after the doors to the loading area open.
**Artwork for merchandise often depict the gargoyles being animate.
==External links==
*Gargoyles on Haunted Mansion Wiki.
Category:The Haunted Mansion characters
Category:Objects
Category:Gargoyles
Category:Disney Crossy Road characters
Category:Disney Emoji Blitz
Category:Theme park characters
Category:Characters in video games
Category:Disney characters