It’s Christmas in July… The Haunted Mansion returns today, July 29th, in Haunted Mansion Holiday mode, and brings with it a few surprises! While many ghoulishly projected the Haunted Mansion would be reopening close to its 55th anniversary on August 9th, we’re thrilled to haunt you with the news that our spectral prediction of a July debut was spot on! Though the surrounding area is still shrouded in construction, Disneyland has conjured up a way to keep the attraction open amidst the ongoing expansion… a virtual queue (info on how to obtain one below). So, hop aboard your doom buggy and let us enlighten you with all the spooktacular details!
[Updated July 29 with photos and video from the newly-reopened Haunted Mansion!]
Haunted Mansion Virtual Queue – What You Need To Know
Since there’s still a lot of work left to do on the Haunted Mansion’s new queue expansion, Disneyland will deal with crowd control via a Virtual Queue. Guests can access the Virtual Queue in Disneyland’s app, and request to join the attraction at a later time. Your first opportunity to obtain a virtual queue spot is at 7 AM on the day of your visit (you do not need to be in the park to request a spot). Additional opportunities will become available at noon (you do need to be in the park to book a spot at the noon opportunity). It’s very important to be quick to snag those spots as soon as they become available.
Haunted Mansion Spooky Surprises & Alarming Additions
We’ve heard whispers of new installments inside these dire dwellings! We know that Disneyland has been working on a new version of the bride… but we aren’t likely to see her until the regular version of the Haunted Mansion returns in January. But there are some things you’ll notice when you ride…
Before you even go inside the Haunted Mansion, guests will note that the ghostly hearse has changed locations from near the foot of the mansion’s stairs to closer to the attraction’s entrance. In its original place are three new Lightning Lane posts.
Additional toys have been added to the attic scene in Haunted Mansion Holiday, and thanks to the new blacklights throughout the attraction, props like these really pop!
The hitchhiking ghosts (and the Haunted Mansion Holiday’s presents that take their place during the overlay) are now projections. But don’t worry, they’re not cartoons like the Walt Disney World version. If you didn’t know they were now projected, you might not notice any change at all other than that they are now well lit. Take a look ⬇️
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In addition, spooky new surprises are sure to pique a Disneyland history buff’s interest. Fans may recognize this Marc Davis concept art depicting a Vampire Bat in a cage. This ode to the Disney Legend now appears next to the endless hallway. As far as we know, this creature is visiting the mansion just for the holiday season, but we would love to see it stick around after the overlay ends.
This is not the first time current Imagineers have paid tribute to their predecessors using props inside the attraction. Last year, a miniature version of the Candleman, one of Rolly Crump’s original designs when he pitched the Museum of the Weird, was added to the attic. The doll also makes a return this year.
This year, the Haunted Mansion Holiday’s gingerbread house in the ballroom is inspired by Halloweentown’s resident mad doctor, Doctor Finkelstein. His latest mad experiment, a gingerbread man monster, is in the process of being electrified to life, courtesy of the glowing lightning rods and rotating cookie disks at the top and sides of the device.
It’s easier to see in motion. Click play below ⬇️
We take a full ride through Haunted Mansion Holiday in the whimsical video below:
Current Construction at the Mansion
Here’s what Haunted Mansion looked like in our last update (July 22, 2024). As you can see, the show building and its adjoining queue are still surrounded by construction walls.
A lot of work remains to be done on the detailed new queue, which is why Disneyland will implement Virtual Queue for this attraction for the time being.
The pet cemetery tombstones have been uprooted and await their reinstallation.
With the majority of Disneyland’s west side under the knife, it’s nice to have this beloved attraction back on the docket!
Here are some images of construction from earlier in July. Clearly, there’s still months of work ahead for Haunted Mansion’s exterior makeover.
And Haunted Mansion Holiday construction July 24th. Ready for you to haunt the halls!
Haunted Mansion Queue Expansion Details
So, what exactly does Haunted Mansion’s expansion entail? If you’re late to the party, here’s a recap!
New Madame Leota Shop
Perhaps the most thrilling part of this project is Madame Leota’s new “carriage house” retail shop, which will enchant guests as they exit the attraction. It’s somewhat surprising that a store like this didn’t materialize sooner, given the ride’s immense popularity. Previously, guests could only find a small selection of merchandise at a modest stand after making their way out.
Expanded Outdoor Queue
The other part of the Haunted Mansion’s expansion focuses on the queue, which will be extended both physically and imaginatively. Building on the ride’s eerie storyline, the new area will feature enhanced theming that delves into the legend of the mansion being originally built by a prosperous sea captain. New gardens will pay tribute to iconic characters like Master Gracey, Madame Leota, and the mansion’s enigmatic one-eyed cat.
Each of the gardens will also feature unique architectural elements, from a fountain and gazebo to themed statuary and landscaping (Leota’s incantation will inspire the objects found in her garden).
The pet cemetery and horse-drawn funeral hearse will remain on the attraction’s grounds, but the concept art does show the the addition of a new greenhouse, which may contain a few peculiar plants.
Enhancements are also coming to the plaza adjacent to Tiana’s Palace (known as “Magnolia Gardens”), as it’s transformed into a new park-like setting with newly planted and historic trees.
Concept art shows the area will include additional seating for the restaurant, but with the expansion of Haunted Mansion queuing into the old Magnolia Gardens space, this could also make it more challenging to access the New Orleans Square train station.
During the construction, Disneyland also plans to improve accessibility in these areas, including adding a new elevator exit from the Haunted Mansion attraction for guests with disabilities. Construction on these additions and enhancements began in January of 2024.
Get Ready to Reboard This Fan-Favorite Ride!
We’re so excited that Haunted Mansion Holiday is back! Enjoy these hauntingly stunning photos that are sure to get you excited for its reopening!
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Voices From the Grave
Let’s Hear From You! Are you excited about Haunted Mansion’s surprisingly early re-opening? Is Haunted Mansion Holiday one of your favorite rides? What aspects of the Mansion’s expansion are you most excited about? Do you mind needing to use a virtual queue while the exterior construction is completed? Or would you have preferred that they hold the mansion reopening until all the construction is complete? Let us know in the comments!
