While mortals were away the ghouls and ghosts have been keeping themselves busy with haunting home improvements.
It turns out we weren’t the only ones growing tired of the same four walls during the lockdown. While the rest of us were busying ourselves with Zoom classes and baking banana bread, the 999 ghosts at Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion were giving the estate a fresh coat of darkness.
Disneyland’s oldest ride and most beloved ride, was due for a little touch-up before the park shuttered so it’s been a little over a year since we’ve wandered through the creaking corridors and cobwebs. Now, Disney has finally given us a sneak peek ahead of the April 30 reopening.
Upon entering, guests will notice the newly landscaped details in the “dearly departed pets” area. The interiors will have fresh drapes, wallpaper, carpets and other embellishments that only keen-eyed fans will notice. But along the creepy portrait hallway, there’ll be a familiar face dying to greet you: the “April to December” portrait. Although, she’s has a few cosmetic changes herself as the chanting, fair lady turns into a ghostly old witch right before your eyes.
Thankfully, all the updates have only been to enhance the spookiness rather than change the experience completely. To see more clues of what’s to come, check out this video:
@disneyparksHurry Baaaack for some new chills and wall-to-wall creeps 👻 ##Disney ##DisneyParks ##Disneyland ##HauntedMansion ##Portrait ##California♬ original sound – Disney Parks
Since the reopening, a number of park guests have been Tweeting about a secret entrance to the Haunted Manion. Most guests would have visited the spooky residence by entering through the stretching room (which is essentially an elevator) and going down to the lower level where the Doom Buggies await. The secret entrance at the Haunted Mansion bypasses the stretching room and allows you to head down a passageway to the bottom floor of the mansion before boarding a Doom Buggy.
If you are given the option to take the stair for Haunted Mansion at Disneyland, take it! It’s an unique experience. Takes you straight to the ride. Waited 5 mins instead of 30 mins. #Disneyland pic.twitter.com/b2S2CQV3bU
— Attractions 360° (@SoCal360) April 30, 2021
As far as we can tell, this is the first time guests have experienced this and while you have to be selected to use this entry, you can take a sneak peek if you are in line all the way to the left. It’s just below the cemetery area and reads “secret entrance.”
The secret entrance to the #hauntedmansion at #Disneyland #disneylandreopening pic.twitter.com/T9rrByk18l
— Romeo Garcia (@tekmote) May 2, 2021
Featured Image: Disney Parks Blog