Construction walls haunted mansion queue Disneyland Park grounds refurbishment

Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Park to close on January 22 for grounds refurbishment, with new construction walls up in attraction's queue.

As the closing date for the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Park approaches, new construction walls have been erected in the attraction's queue in preparation for its expanded grounds refurbishment.

The walls went up on January 9, 2024, just a few days before the scheduled closure of the attraction on January 22. It has been reported that the classic Haunted Mansion will not reopen until 2025 due to the refurbishment and the timing related to Haunted Mansion Holiday.

In addition to the construction walls, adjustments have been made to the Lightning Lane and regular queues. Guests purchasing Lightning Lane will now be directed straight to the front porch of the ride's facade, while the regular queue is now designated by tape on the ground around the perimeter of the construction walls. Wait signs have also been added to the walls to indicate the re-routed queue.

The changes to the queue have also affected the location of the popcorn cart near Haunted Mansion, which has been moved to the opposite side of the walkway in New Orleans Square. The rest of the area has been roped off to create more queue space.

The expansion of the Haunted Mansion grounds was announced in August 2023, with plans for a "spirited metamorphosis" in the garden area and a new retail shop adjacent to the ride's exit. The expansion will build upon the lore of the classic attraction, with a "local legend" suggesting that the manor was originally built by a prosperous sea captain and that the mansion's staff "faithfully maintains the happy haunting grounds" to this day.

The expanded queue will feature new gardens inspired by Master Gracey, Madame Leota, and the one-eyed cat. The one-eyed cat was an original idea for the attraction by Imagineer Xavier Atencio, and while the idea eventually gave way to the raven seen in the final attraction, elements of the cat's characterization will be incorporated into the new gardens.

Each of the new gardens will have unique elements, including a water fountain and gazebo, themed statues, and landscaping. Leota's garden will include items related to her incantations from the ride, and there will also be a new greenhouse where the mansion's groundskeepers grow their plants.

The new retail location will be themed as a carriage house for the mansion, with the inside shop belonging to Leota.

With just 12 days left before the Haunted Mansion closes for refurbishment, it's a great opportunity to experience the classic attraction one last time before the changes take place. Which part of the new additions are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!

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