Is it actually scary for younger kids?

Not really. The art is 'Disney Spooky'—think glowing blues and purples, not blood and gore. If they can handle the Haunted Mansion ride at Disney World, they'll be totally fine with this.

How long does it actually take to play?

Once you know the rules, you can finish a 4-player game in exactly 30 minutes. It's very snappy because everyone is focused on the same central board.

Is it good with only two players?

It's functional at two, but it really shines with 3-5 players. With more people, the 'Haunt' mechanic becomes much more interesting because you're never quite sure who is going to end up with the most penalty points.

How much reading is required?

There is some text on the cards, but most of the game is icon-driven. An 8-year-old who can read at grade level will have no trouble, and since it's an open-hand game for the most part, you can easily help them without spoiling the strategy.

The Haunted Mansion: Call of the Spirits – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Haunted Mansion: Call of the Spirits

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Board Game2020Fantasy, Horror

84%

WISE Score

A spooky set-collection game where you rotate the 'Endless Hallway' to dodge hitchhiking ghosts and collect a parlor full of spirits.

The Haunted Mansion: Call of the Spirits

Board Game

9+, 2020, Fantasy, Horror

84%

WISE Score

A spooky set-collection game where you rotate the 'Endless Hallway' to dodge hitchhiking ghosts and collect a parlor full of spirits.

Jump to

Where to Play

Amazon

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Screenwise Verdict

This isn't your typical 'branded' board game that you find in the toy aisle and regret buying ten minutes later. Designed by Prospero Hall (the folks behind Villainous and Horrified), it's a tight, 30-minute experience that actually feels like the ride.

The gameplay revolves around moving through the mansion to collect sets of ghosts, but the board itself rotates, changing which rooms you can access. It’s light enough for a school night but has enough strategy to teach kids about risk management—specifically when to stop 'socializing' before the Hitchhiking Ghosts follow you home and tank your score.

Age Fit

The box says 9+, but an 8-year-old who has played basic games like Ticket to Ride will pick this up instantly. It's simple enough for kids but has enough 'push your luck' tension to keep adults from getting bored.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Captures the 'silly-spooky' tone of the Disney ride without any genuine horror. It focuses on 'socializing' with ghosts rather than combat, making it a friendly entry point for kids into the horror genre.

Imaginative

The physical rotating 'Endless Hallway' board is a clever touch that brings the theme to life. The card art is heavily inspired by the ride's classic aesthetic, from the Hatbox Ghost to Madame Leota.

Safe

Very safe social dynamics. It's a competitive game, but the 'take-that' elements are light. No mature themes, gambling, or disturbing imagery beyond stylized cartoon ghosts.

Enriching

Solid introduction to set collection and 'push your luck' mechanics. It requires kids to weigh the benefit of a high-value ghost against the risk of taking on Haunt cards.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Rotating board mechanic that physically changes the layout of the mansion as you play.
Prospero Hall design pedigree ensures it's more than just a lazy Disney reskin; there's actual strategy here.
30-minute playtime makes it a perfect 'one more game' candidate for family night.
Authentic ride vibes that will land perfectly with any kid who loves the Disney parks.

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What to Watch For

The Haunt cards can be a point of frustration for younger kids; if you have the most at the end, you lose significant points.
Setup takes a few minutes because of the multiple board pieces and card decks.

Conversation Starters

"Which ghost from the ride was your favorite to find in the deck?"
"When did you decide to stop taking cards to avoid the Hitchhiking Ghosts?"
"If you could add one more room from the mansion to the board, which would it be?"

Deep Dive

Beyond the Mouse

When most parents see a Disney logo on a board game, they expect something on the level of Monopoly—slow, luck-driven, and ultimately a bit of a slog. Call of the Spirits breaks that mold. It’s a 'light-medium' game, meaning it sits right in that sweet spot where a 9-year-old can play independently but a 14-year-old won't feel like they're being babied.

The 'Push Your Luck' Lesson

The most interesting part of the game isn't just the theme; it's the 'Haunt' mechanic. To get the best ghosts, you often have to take Haunt cards. At the end of the game, whoever has the most Haunt points gets penalized. It's a great, low-stakes way to teach kids about calculated risk. Do you take the high-value ghost now and hope someone else ends up more 'haunted' than you? Or do you play it safe and go for the lower-value spirits?

Table Presence

The components are surprisingly high quality for the price point. The Madame Leota piece sits in the center of a circular board, and players move around the 'Endless Hallway.' It looks great on the table and does a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of keeping kids engaged with the theme. If your family is transitioning away from 'luck-only' games like Life or Sorry!, this is a fantastic bridge to more complex hobby gaming.

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