The Haunted Mansion is closed – not for good thankfully, but it is closed for the next three months to undergo its first major overhaul. Visitors heading to Disney World this summer will likely be disappointed because the Haunted Mansion remains one of the most popular attractions because of both its humor and it’s special effects.
The overhaul should be complete about mid-September. If you’re wondering why couldn’t they wait for the off-season to close the ride? Well, according to the numbers, off-season is seeing almost as many visitors as the summer season – so the decision was made to close the ride for the summer because so many other attractions would be open.
Both It’s a Small World and Pirates of the Caribbean have undergone similar overhauls and improvements. In the case of the latter, Captain Jack Sparrow was added as a tribute to the popular trilogy of movies based on the ride. The overhaul to the Haunted Mansion promises to add a few new ghosts and some technology updates – so it should be exciting to see the changes come this fall.
Don’t worry – the changes to earlier rides offered new effects and enhancements to the story without significantly altering it. There’s a reason these classic attractions are so popular and Disney isn’t going to alter them all the way (for which I am thankful, I still can’t get over the changes to the Tiki Room and I prefer the classic attraction to the updated version).
Still, for kids and parents alike – finding the closed for renovations sign is bound to be a disappointment. Disney confronted the same disappointments previously with earlier renovations to other rides. They understand, but hope that you’ll enjoy the enhancements come your next visit to Disney World.
Since we’re hoping to make a trip there this November, I’ll try to give you a first hand review of the ride and the changes.
The Haunted Mansion is another attraction that spawned it’s own film starring Eddie Murphy.