Expansion and Enhancements coming to Disneyland's Haunted Mansion

Aug 29, 2023 in "Disneyland Resort"

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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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Phroobar23 hours ago

It's not special when everyone has it.

mickEblu23 hours ago

But if you want that $200 value Disney has a new $400 “skip the line” option for you. Where you can feel like a VIP and still wait 20-25 minutes for Indiana Jones and Soarin. Haha

Professortango123 hours ago

That's due to the monthly AP program. The park is no longer attempting to reach a value of $200 a day; instead they aim to be good enough for folks paying $20-$80 a visit or $50-$130 a month. They devalued the parks and as long as the majority of guests are getting the devalued price, they don't care about the poor suckers paying $200 per visit.

Phroobar23 hours ago

In n' Out's prices are still fairly cheap compared to the chains like McDonalds, Carl's Jr and Booger King. Chick-Fil-A is like crack. They start out with free coupons and people get addicted to it. It's expensive but the employees are great.

Rich T1 day ago

Funny how anyone can walk into an In n’ Out or a Chick-Fil-A and encounter—consistently—some of the friendliest, most professional, most enthusiastic employees in the country. No excuses, no B.S., just a lot of good people with self respect getting paid a decent wage for the hard work they do.

Phroobar1 day ago

Yet everyone jumps at the chance to give Disney thousands of dollars for World Walmart Class Service. On top of that, people here defend it! If it is from Disney it must be superior to all other forms of entertainment.

Disney Irish1 day ago

Good word....

wityblack1 day ago

It's also important to note that when it comes to benefits and wages, things are not keeping pace with cost of living. It's tough to smile and stand up straight all day when you're working a second job and getting little sleep, or failing to make ends meet. Plus there's a whole practice of cutting hours so that people don't get full time benefits. It's a very harsh work environment. And when you pay people the same wage operating something in Fantasyland as in Galaxy's Edge, but require someone in one of those roles to improv in character with the land, you lead to people feeling apathy. Add on top of that the way companies view their employees as replaceable, and the lack of upward mobility, it can foster ennui.

Tysus1 day ago

I've heard this applied to many industries other than Disney as well and I believe they said that many of the people that had been in the workforce and knew everything and could teach the newer generations didn't come back to due retirement among other things. Combine that with possible people in the company being furloughed and not coming back could be a partial reason. I also think there's just a general feeling of apathy that most people have about things in general that no one really cares about all these minor details and just wants to have any escape they can from their everyday life and Disney still scratches that itch for the moment. It could also just be they couldn't make money for a year and half and decided to speed run the nickle and dime they had been doing, that they just keep coming and everything gets worse.

SuddenStorm1 day ago

I'm convinced that in 2020 TDA forgot what makes Disneyland great, and how to run the place. It often feels like the park is being run by a different company or something.

TP20002 days ago

It's just a tacky and sloppy way to run a business. What is he even doing there? Why? And no supervisor thinks to question that use of labor and staffing in California's very expensive business environment? Not to mention how on earth he is furthering the "story" of that attraction. I got home last night from another Viking cruise and a post-cruise Immersion Trip (thanks WDI for that hilarious term!). It involved not just Viking, but several other "World Class" (using TDA's own words to describe themselves) hospitality companies and airlines. I can confidently say that in 2024 it is still entirely possible for well run companies to uphold very high standards for their front line operational employees for attire, grooming, comportment, polish, and professionalism. While they work in a very well organized and expertly managed operation. Disney's theme parks have simply chosen on purpose to no longer strive for those heights, in an industry Disney invented and created for themselves and with standards they once set their own bar at. That's what makes it all so sad at Disneyland nowadays; they purposely chose to do this to themselves. :( :banghead: :(

Mr. Sullivan2 days ago

Because your photos are what prompted his response to the other people's conversation. He was just providing context to what he was talking about since there were multiple conversations happening at once.

britain2 days ago

Correct, not directed at chadwpalm. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

Vegas Disney Fan2 days ago

Not sure, that’s just how I interpreted it. I think you pointing out they were still improving it was just used as a jumping board to make a point to the naysayers that they’re still improving it. That’s just my interpretation though, I can’t speak for Britain, just trying to convey to you I don’t think it was meant to be personal, text is hard to decipher though.