Disney Files Permit for Haunted Mansion Work - Could It Include Disneyland's Attic Scene Update?

31 days ago in "Haunted Mansion"

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Posted: Monday February 17, 2025 5:20pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has filed a Notice of Commencement today for work at the Haunted Mansion in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, with Facilities Asset Management (FAM) overseeing the project and MLC Theming listed as the contractor.

The permit, valid through October 31, 2025, is filed for "general construction," but MLC Theming's involvement suggests the work may focus on show elements rather than backstage infrastructure or ride system upgrades. While Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) usually oversees show-related changes, this filing under Facilities Asset Management (FAM) could indicate the early stages of a larger project.

While specific details of the refurbishment are unknown, the timing of the permit raises questions about whether Magic Kingdom's Haunted Mansion could see updates similar to those recently made at Disneyland's version of the attraction.

The attic scene at Magic Kingdom's Haunted Mansion

At Disneyland, Imagineering recently refreshed the attic scene featuring the bride, replacing outdated projection technology with a more sophisticated effect. The new version of the bride now appears to float before guests while holding a three-pronged physical candelabra, which also materializes in other parts of the ride to imply she is roaming the Mansion. The beating heart effect, a nod to the attraction's original version, was also restored.

According to Walt Disney Imagineering's Kim Irvine, Disneyland's attic scene was redone in part because the prior projection technology had aged to the point of requiring frequent maintenance. Rather than simply updating the existing effect, Imagineering used the opportunity to enhance the storytelling and provide stronger contrast between scenes.

"The bride that used to be in there was an axe murderer, and in this day and age, we have to be really careful about the sensitivities of people," Irvine said. "We were celebrating someone chopping off her husbands' heads, and it was a weird story. I know the fans—some will like it and some will say, 'Oh, you changed something again.' That's our job. That's what we're here for."

If Magic Kingdom's Haunted Mansion refurbishment follows a similar path, it could mean enhancements to existing show scenes or new visual effects. Note that no official announcement has been made regarding any planned changes to the ride at Magic Kingdom.

Haunted Mansion overview

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ᗩLᘿᑕ ֊ᗩζᗩᗰ27 days ago

My hangup with modern Imagineering is their inability to convey their intentions. They often fall back on telling us something that either contradicts or doesn't exist in the actual design of something. "Show Don't Tell" is a mantra they've seem to forgotten. This new bride for example barely resembles a bride, and her story isn't apparent. She's far and away at the opposite end of the ideal ghost bride. Constance was at one extreme, and this (name not important) Bride is at the other. I like the idea of an IYKYK candelabra storybeats addition but it isn't conveyed well. I also don't like that the bride isn't emotive or inherently spooky/scary/creepy. She just kind of exists. We went from a Black Widow Bride concept that hit guests over the head with exposition and visuals to a bride that... isn't. This one is rather pointless. They'll get it right one of these days. Maybe next decade!

Disgruntled Walt28 days ago

Where's the Candle Man that was supposed to be coming?

VicariousCorpse28 days ago

They did have plans for him to be in the ride somewhere at one point. They even got so far as to make a maquette of him.

Agent H28 days ago

Okay that would be cool but it would have to be engineered to still make sense with the narration and they better not touch the narration!

JustInTime28 days ago

It would be cool if they brought out ghost host in his human form as a replacement similar to this.

Greg from Philly28 days ago

This is why Disney Imagineering sucks these days. They have people i charge that make stupid decisions. The bride is part of the narrative of the haunted mansion..hence the word "haunted" in the title. You DO NOT need to be sensitive to peoples feelings on a fake story on an attraction in a theme park. This lady should be terminated for being an imbecile. Here's an idea how about design something new instead of ruining vintage attractions. Just an FYI, its thinking like this that will make the MK expansion and any other future project suck. This is all going to come to a head in May when Epic Universe opens and Disney gets destroyed. If anyone reading this is interest read a book on real imagineers, I suggest: Marty Sklar - Dream It Do It, Tony Baxter - First of the Second Generation of Walt Disney

Agent H29 days ago

The new one has too static a face and I don’t like that they just copied phantom manors story I will give the candlelabra and beating heart props it’s cool they brought them back

Disney Analyst29 days ago

She's always looked off to me, just a real human projected onto a mannequin, with cheesy lines that ruin the vibes of the attic. I know the new version isn't perfect for everyone, but she's a step in the right direction for me. Eerie, mysterious, magically floating, doesn't come across as a real human, so she fits more into the fantastical designs of the mansion.

Agent H29 days ago

What is so wrong with Constance? Based on what I’ve seen on video I prefer Constance

Horizonsfan29 days ago

A variant of Phantom Manor’s ceiling reveal seems like the most logical way to change the “my way out”. Especially in a post-hatbox ghost-in-the-hallway world Have a glowing spirit lean over the space from the window, laughing. You could even plus it with a projection effect of a spirit mist rising up the room before the reveal.

VicariousCorpse29 days ago

If you have a source that says so, then apologies. I assumed it was in reference to the same rumors stemming from the LA Times articles. They have talked about removing the hanging man for years at this point, but every couple months all the rumor mills pick up again like its for sure this time.

ᗩLᘿᑕ ֊ᗩζᗩᗰ29 days ago

Seems inevitable, Unfortunately. I feel like the best case scenario for a reworked scene would be in keeping the dialogue but changing how the ghost host died. Removal entirely without replacement doesn't make sense and I'd hate to see anymore dialogue stripped. Bats though? Yeah, that's lame. IF it's to happen, hopefully they'll pull from past mansion lore and find a way to make it all work. It's a chilling challenge I'm not convinced this current crop of Imagineers are capable of pulling off.