While Disneyland was closed, there were some updates to the creepy old crypts and moldering sanctums of the Haunted Mansion. The ghostly residents weren’t given much time to rest in peace as creative mortals added some new ghostly artifacts to the realm. Our own Dusty Sage and Andy Castro were able to visit a Disneyland preview on April 27th and bring us these images and thoughts about enhancements to one of Disneyland’s most iconic attractions…
New Resident of the Pet Cemetery
As you make your way along the exterior queue of the Haunted Mansion, you’ll spot some changes to this resting place for beloved pets of the stately residence.
Upon entering the grounds of the Mansion, you’ll start noticing some small changes with new “Tails of tragedy.” Here is a newly added birdbath-shaped tombstone with a stone cat sitting on top. The poor feline is going to have to wait an eternity to catch his next bird. You’ll spot this one behind the hearse near the start of the queue, which gives guests using the ADA access their own miniature pet cemetery experience.
These tributes to man’s best friends have also had some landscaping work done, with new foliage added to the area.
The Stretching Room
The Stretching Room is limited to about 5 parties each time, where they are arranged around the perimeter of the room. The Cast Members let one roomful of guests go through the entirety of the indoor queue before loading in the next.
The Portrait Hallway
I know you’re all curious to see what’s inside, it’s what happens when ghosts and Imagineering collide.
As we enter the portrait hallway, we can see that there has been some redecorating.
And just past the haunted busts that catch your gaze, you’ll find the real treasure of this update, the return of the haunting “April to December” portrait, hung in a new gallery space created before boarding your Doombuggy. The lady in the picture ages right before your eyes!
Speaking of eyes, this eerie cat statue only has one of them.
Additionally, the ADA boarding zone is now completely separate from the standard boarding area, zoned off by a partition. The “April-to-December” portrait is strategically placed to the right of the queue and does a great job of drawing attention away from that barrier, which is on the left side.
Legacy Imagineer Kim Irvine (whose mother is the actual Madame Leota and whose father led the construction of Disneyland) takes us on a tour of the Haunted Mansion in the video below.
More Changes Inside The Haunted Mansion
Throughout the attraction, lighting has been revamped, screens and effects refreshed, and work done throughout to make the mansion look as old and dusty as ever. Here’s a peek at some portions of the attraction after the touch-up:
Disneyland Livestream
Join Dusty and the MiceChat team for the first day back at Disneyland. The video below is the first full walkthrough of Disneyland in over a year. Dusty will take you on a guided tour all through the park, and fill you in on all the details about Disneyland’s reopening.
Disney Travel Deals
(Discount Theme Park Tickets and Travel Packages)
There are all sorts of new theme park tickets and travel deals, including a 2 free days offer at Walt Disney World, hotel discounts, ticket deals to various theme parks, and beginning April 15th, TICKETS TO DISNEYLAND: More details and to get a quote (HERE)
Disneyland Deal: Special MiceChat Hotel Offer
We’ve worked with our partners at Get Away Today and the Howard Johnson Anaheim Resort to reserve the lowest rate on rooms across the street from Disneyland FOR YOU!
All you need to do is follow our link and then use the special code mentioned below.
- Use Code: HOJO to get an extra $20 off (for as low as $129 + tax).
- Be sure to select the MiceChat rate.
- You can only get this special rate if you click through the MICECHAT HOJO BOOKING LINK, and use the promo code HOJO.
Let’s Hear From You!
Well folks, are you dying to see the changes in person? Let us know your thoughts!
Hurry baaaaaaaaaack!
More Disneyland News
Be sure to follow MiceChat as we cover the reopening of Disneyland every day from now through the 30th. Here are a few more stories that you’ll enjoy as the park ramps up to the grand reopening!
Disneyland Reopening Update – Everything You Need to Know and More
FIRST LOOK: A Ride on Disneyland’s Reimagined Snow White Attraction
Everything You Need to Know About Getting a Boarding Pass for Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland