Disneyland is set to reopen its Haunted Mansion attraction just in time for Halloween. The beloved dark ride, which has been closed for renovations since January, will be back in operation in California with a few caveats. Upon reopening, the ride will feature its annual holiday overlay and utilize a virtual queue system.
As the ride has grown in popularity over the decades, the need for a larger queue as well as more presence for the attraction in the area has become quite apparent. They are also taking this opportunity to expand on the story and lore of the Haunted Mansion giving you a better idea of some of its characters, including Master Gracey, Madame Leota, and the one-eyed cat. The updated queue for the Haunted Mansion will debut later this year, featuring new gardens inspired by these characters with unique elements ranging from a water fountain and gazebo to themed statuary and landscaping
The area will also have a new greenhouse where the Haunted Mansion’s groundskeepers grow their plants, and a new gift shop located near the attraction’s exit based on Madame Leota. This is a character in the ride, that takes the form of a head in a floating crystal ball (and a Christmas ornament during the holidays). This will expand her presence at the park.
For nearly two decades now, Disney has modified its classic attraction with an overlay based on the popular movie, The Nightmare Before Christmas. One of the features that fans have come to expect is a custom gingerbread house set on the table in the ballroom scene. But unlike most of the other decorations, this one is actually edible! In order to add some authenticity, Disney bakers spend up to a month beforehand planning and preparing all of the elements. As this year will be no exception, Disney has given a sneak peek of the new gingerbread house on their blog.
As they are still constructing the new upgraded queue, the Virtual Queue will be the only way for a while to experience the ride when it reopens. Disney is expecting to reopen the Haunted Mansion during the kick off of the Halloween Celebrations on August 23.
