Big Haunted Mansion Changes: Hits & Misses
Back from Disneyland and we have so much to share! First, we’ll talk about announcements that are happening here at Walt Disney World. Then as our main feature, we’ll canvas changes to the Haunted Mansion, from Magnolia Gardens to the new extended queue system, to the new store at the exit of the attraction, Madame Leota’s Somewhere From Beyond. In the process we’ll see there’s a lot of really great stuff happening–and some real misses as well. Join us as we look at new bookends being made to one of the most venerable attractions to be found at The Happiest Place on Earth.
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But you can also visit our YouTube Page where you will see two videos, one covering the changes to the Haunted Mansion are in New Orleans, and one providing a POV of the new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
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Walt Disney World Announcements
As we approach 2025, Walt Disney World made a number of announcements as to the timing of attractions, entertainment and more coming the Most Magical Place on Earth. Unfortunately, many of them feel like they are kicking the bucket down the road. Here is a summary:
Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away
We have a new title to this upcoming parade for the Magic Kingdom.
We don’t have a “for sure” date, only a “Summer 2025” opening. I would say that it would tie around to the same time frame or just afterwards as the opening for Epic Universe, which is May 22nd.
The Little Mermaid–A Musical Adventure
This will supposedly open in summer of 2025.
Disney Villains Unfairly Ever After
This show is set to debut in summer of 2025.
Spaceship Earth Lounge
We see this attraction opening late Spring 2025.
Test Track 3.0
This attraction is being opened in late summer 2025. The new circular structure out in front is already well underway.
Also, the ride will “officially” go back to being sponsored by General Motors and not just Chevrolet.
Pirate Themed Lounge
A new pirate themed lounge will open around late summer 2025. No title for this facility has been given yet.
Zootopia: Better Zoogether
Winter 2025 is the new approximate time for this replacement to “it’s Tough to be a Bug”.
Frontierland
What hasn’t been announced is a closing date for Tom Sawyer’s Island and the Rivers of America. The Walt Disney Company was required to report back to The South Florida Water Management District answers to some 20 concerns that had around storm water management, wetland mitigation plans, and overall environmental concerns. They have asked for an extension to provide those answers in order to obtain the permit, and have been granted until January 9th, 2025.
Big Thunder is still slated for closing on January 6th, and will remain closed through 2025.
Tropical Americas
While construction will be visible going into the new year, the park will keep Dinosaur open through 2025 for guests to visit, and to better accommodate capacity.
The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland
Video of the changes in this land can be found here:
Magnolia Gardens
To better provide for traffic flow and for the extended Haunted Mansion queue, this quiet respite in the park has been changed.
Haunted Mansion Queue
This Haunted Mansion now offers a queue that is more commensurate with the attraction itself.
Madame Leota’s Somewhere Beyond
Exteriors and signage are complete, but the building is out of scale with its surroundings.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure & Bayou Country
In our next podcast we’ll walk through Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland and discuss how it compares to the Magic Kingdom. A complete POV of just this attraction as is can be found below, but our podcast and additional video will cover not only the attraction step by step, but include the gift shops, the new Country Bear Jamboree Barbecue restaurant, and all of the new Bayou Country.
In our next podcast we’ll also talk about 70th Anniversary announcements being made at Disneyland.
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Want to visit Disney?
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Books From Your Host at Disney Insights
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