If you’re the type to take notice of even the tiniest details in Disneyland, you may have seen a familiar name scattered throughout New Orleans Square: Lafitte. There’s Lafitte’s Tavern (on Tom Sawyer Island):
Laffite’s Landing (a different spelling) in Pirates of the Caribbean:
And, of course, Lafitte’s Anchor (on the waterfront):
So who is this mysterious Lafitte?
Lafitte was a real person, a 19th century privateer who fought in the final battle of the War of 1812. Lafitte and his family conducted a powerful smuggling and piracy operation out of New Orleans, and his namesake Blacksmith Shop Bar is supposedly one of the most haunted buildings in Louisiana.
 Source
Though unconfirmed by Disney, many fans believe that Lafitte is the key that ties all of New Orleans Square together. He was the original inhabitant of the Haunted Mansion (which is why the weather vane is a pirate ship), Pirates of the Caribbean is a dramatic retelling of his adventures as a pirate, and the Lair on Tom Sawyer Island was his refuge. When Lafitte disappeared under mysterious circumstances (perhaps at the hands of his bride, who still haunts the mansion), the house and island were left abandoned, until discovered by brave explorers decades later.
What do you think of the many Lafitte references in New Orleans Square? Is there a connection between the Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Tom Sawyer Island? Or is it all just another mystery buried within New Orleans Square…
fwiw, The pirate Captain Gore was an earlier idea for the backstory of the Haunted House. Dunno if Lafitte was the inspiration for him…
Interesting. Will have to look for all the Lefite’s next time I’m in NOS. I did see the one inside Pirates before but thats it. Thanks for sharing!
Very neat. I like that this land might have a backstory. Makes it different.
It’s an interesting theory, but I’m not sure the Haunted Mansion fits fully. I’m thinking about the bride in the attic who kills I think like 5 husbands. Does that mean Lafitte was one of them? Or was he living in the house at a different time? Or maybe he’s a relative? Not sure.
Great point, Emily! None of the husbands in the portraits really give me a pirate vibe. Maybe Lafitte moved in after the house already had its 999 happy haunts?
Constance Hatchaway is a very new addition to the attraction and her story is overlayed onto the more subtle storyline that originated there. IMO the low tech version of the attic scene does more to aid in the willing suspension of disbelief. There are numerous supposed backstories for the mansion. I believe the pirate captain (whoever he was) hung himself in the attic after his wife discovered his bloody past, confronted him, and he murdered her.