Expansion and Enhancements coming to Disneyland's Haunted Mansion

Aug 29, 2023 in "Disneyland Resort"

Gallery / 4 Photos
Haunted Mansion ground expansion concept art at Disneyland

Posted: Tuesday August 29, 2023 1:!1pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disneyland Resort has revealed plans for a major expansion and update to one of its most beloved attractions—the Haunted Mansion. Slated to begin in 2024, these updates promise to delve deeper into the lore of the mansion while adding new features to enhance the visitor experience.

An Expanded Story

According to local legend, the Haunted Mansion was originally built by a wealthy sea captain. Over the years, the mansion's staff has dutifully maintained its spooktacular appeal. With the forthcoming expansion, visitors can look forward to an extended outdoor queue that promises to immerse them in the mansion's tales and legends. This includes stories of Master Gracey, Madame Leota, and a mysterious one-eyed cat.

Haunted Mansion ground expansion concept art at Disneyland

Beyond The Haunted Grounds

Each of the mansion's new gardens will showcase unique elements that range from water fountains and gazebos to themed statuary and landscaping. Guests will also have a chance to explore a new greenhouse that serves as the growing space for the Haunted Mansion's groundskeepers. Fans of the attraction will be pleased to know that existing features like the pet cemetery and the horse-drawn funeral hearse will remain.

New Retail Space

But that's not all. Madame Leota, a prominent figure in the Haunted Mansion, will extend her ethereal presence to a new retail shop located next to the attraction's exit. Housed in Leota's carriage house, the standalone shop promises to offer goods that will leave visitors "dying" to know more.

Haunted Mansion ground expansion concept art at Disneyland

More Updates Around the Corner

Besides the Haunted Mansion expansion, Disneyland also plans to spruce up the plaza adjacent to Tiana's Palace. The new design aims to create a serene, park-like setting that honors the area's historical significance while offering a tranquil space for relaxation and live entertainment.

Haunted Mansion ground expansion concept art at Disneyland

Improved Accessibility

Finally, the project aims to improve accessibility for all. A new elevator exit specifically designed for guests with disabilities will be added to the Haunted Mansion.

Construction Timelines

Construction for these enhancements is set to begin in January 2024.

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Consumer32 minutes ago

When will the sign be fixed?

MoonRakerSCM1 hour ago

They removed the original fake hinges and vastly improved the faux metal work. Looks proper now. My only question is, why on earth was the inital metalwork installed as such???

Disney Analyst13 hours ago

The bigger the shop …

Nirya14 hours ago

I finally got to see the new outdoor queue yesterday, and I'll echo a few comments about it. First, the entire queue is just so well done, and I'm happy they did not add any of the goofy interactive elements from WDW. It's classy and interesting the entire way through. I'll also echo the people saying that the music in the queue (particularly in the last switchback segment near the mausoleum) is hilariously loud and should probably be dropped down a few notches. As for the shop...yeah, it sucks. It's way too big. I think it if was shrunk by about 30% (or made way shorter) then it looks better, but right now it's just way too big for the space.

DavidDL15 hours ago

The weathering on the outside helps a lot, I won't lie. But the fence just as you exit looks a bit too see-thru for me, I can't image it'll help that much more with view of the pipes. The issue of the size of the building can't be fixed with paint, either.

mickEblu16 hours ago

Bought this sign on Etsy for $200+ dollars last summer.

mickEblu16 hours ago

I don’t get it. The sign I bought on Etsy for a few hundred dollars is 10x better.

lazyboy97o17 hours ago

You can see through the gate… Jiminy Cricket you can see through the gate. And since the pikes don’t meet Disney’s opening standards they added the grating that completely clashes.

Vegas Disney Fan17 hours ago

The aging definitely makes it look better but at this point it feels like lipstick on a pig. Better than much of what Disneys done in the last few years but that bar is set pretty low now.

MK-fan17 hours ago

It looks a bit better but not a fan of the metal gates covering up the backstage area, should’ve been wood. Also I will never get used to those polished laminated shiny signs, they’re so awful.

wityblack17 hours ago

https://blog.disneygeek.com/2024/12/20/pictures-madame-leotas-somewhere-beyond-status-12-20-24/

Disney Analyst18 hours ago

They’ve installed a gate there now. You can see it in the Mice Chat live from last night.

MK-fan18 hours ago

Any pics? Are the pipes in the back still exposed by the Haunted Mansion exit?

Disney Analyst1 day ago

Lots of new props added. The building paint has been aged and detailed. New hardware on the doors. Lighting levels lowered. Definitely opening very soon.