UPDATE January 23, 2024 – The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland officially closed for refurbishment on January 21. It would usually close for its annual refurbishment around this time. However, this year this closure is expected to be for significantly longer than usual as it was announced in August last year that the queue line and grounds for the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Park is going to receive a major expansion and make over.
Well, according to a new video posted to You Tube by Fresh Baked we see that demolition of the original queue line has now been done and we expect to see construction get underway soon on the new queue line and expansion. The scenes shown in the video may be upsetting to some Disney fans as it certainly looks a mess at the moment.
When completed we are set to see the queue line include beautiful gardens inspired by Master Gracey, Madame Leota and the one-eyed cat. There will also be a new retail shop added.
The time line for the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Park closure still appears fairly unclear with August 2024 currently being rumored as a possible reopening time frame. However, it is worth a mention that there has also been a rumor that we may see the Haunted Mansion not reopening until 2025. We still await official confirmation from Disney regarding this and will update you as soon as information is released.
Disneyland fans were excited to see the debut of the long awaited Hatbox Ghost at the end of November 2023 at the Haunted Mansion.
In other Disneyland news, there has been a recent report from Los Angeles Daily News that Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure will be getting new automatic turnstiles later this year, a project which is projected to cost $4.8 million. The 24 new turnstiles at Disney California Adventure will be installed first and then the 38 new turnstiles at Disneyland Park.
The new automatic turnstiles will be installed one by one so as to not disrupt entry into the Disneyland resort parks. They are said to be similar to the turnstiles installed at the Disneyland Paris Resort back in 2019.
These new turnstiles will give access to disabled guests and strollers. We will update you on exactly when this project will begin as soon as there is confirmation from Disney.
August 30, 2023 – Disney has just announced that next year in 2024 “the stately grounds of the Haunted Mansion will expand” at Disneyland Park.
According to reporter, Scott Gustin, this will include an expanded outdoor queue which will feature gardens inspired by the iconic Madame Leota, Master Gracey and the one-eyed cat.
NEW: Disneyland announced “the stately grounds of the Haunted Mansion will expand” next year to include an expanded outdoor queue featuring gardens inspired by Master Gracey, Madame Leota and the one-eyed cat. A new Madame Leota-themed retail shop will open near the ride’s exit. pic.twitter.com/3cy6K0od6d
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) August 29, 2023
It also appears that Disney plans to open a new retail shop themed to Madame Leota which is set to open near the exit of the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Park.
There has been a lot of focus put on the Haunted Mansion as a result of the release of the 2023 Haunted Mansion movie which has received mixed reviews from fans.
Walt Disney World fans also eagerly await the addition of the Hatbox Ghost which will are expecting to hear further details about very soon. The Hatbox Ghost returned to the Haunted Mansion in Disneyland Park in 2015.
It was announced in 2022 that the Hatbox Ghost would make his debut at the Haunted Mansion at the Magic Kingdom by the end of 2023. It was originally speculated that when the Hatbox ghost is finally added, he would appear after the bride at the end of the attic scene as is the case with the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Park.
However, after a tweet by Disney Parks at the end of July we now have confirmation that when the Hatbox Ghost makes his debut later this year he will appear to guests as they pass the Endless Hallway making him the first visible ghost guests will now encounter.
We will keep you updated regarding the extension of the grounds of the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Park next year as well as the confirmed debut date for the Hatbox Ghost at the Magic Kingdom when it is announced.
