4 Changes Hit Disney World's Haunted Mansion This Year

It has been a BIG year for Haunted Mansion as a ride.

Haunted Mansion

On the West Coast, Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion has been getting a queue overhaul and an extended refurbishment to the area around the ride. However, we’ve also seen some changes to Haunted Mansion on the East Coast! The Magic Kingdom version has had a few additions this year, and we’re here to round them up.

Return of the Picnic Ghost

First of all, we noticed in August of this year that a ghost had returned to the graveyard scene of the ride! The picnic ghost was back, and ready to feast on whatever it is that ghosts eat. (Air? Souls? Anybody know for sure?)

Picnic ghost

His setup was complete with checkered tablecloth and candelabra. It looks like he’s on a date! But in fact, he was still missing something at first…

Return of the Lady Picnic Ghost

…he was missing his lady friend! For a few weeks, the top hat-topped ghost sat alone at the table, waiting for his date to show up. Thankfully, in September, she arrived!

Reunited

The female ghost dining at the table is wearing a frilly dress and a matching bonnet. It looks like they’re enjoying some delightful conversation with delightful company. We’re so glad that they’re reunited!

The Floating Candelabra is Back

At the beginning of the year, we noticed that the floating candelabra had disappeared from the endless hallway scene of the ride. For weeks on weeks, we stopped by to see if it would return. And finally, it came back in May!

It’s returned…

The spooky candelabra just really adds to the suspense of the endless hallway — who’s holding it? Are they coming for you?

The Hitchhiking Ghost Debacle

Later in the year, we had an interesting debacle with the hitchhiking ghosts at the end of the ride. For a few days, the interactive ghost effect wasn’t working properly, and the three ghosts were just sitting on top of or standing next to the doom buggies. What’s going on?

A lot brighter and more vibrant

Well, it turns out that this is the ride’s B-mode, AKA the effect that’s used when there’s a problem with the original. Apparently, the regular interactive hitchhiking ghosts weren’t working correctly, so these were stepping up to fill their place. If you happen to see this effect used in the future, don’t worry — it’s likely just temporary!

Bonus: The Hatbox Ghost

And of course, we have to mention the addition of the Hatbox Ghost! Even though this animatronic was added at the end of 2023, lots of people were seeing it for the first time in 2024.

Hatbox Ghost in Disney World

The animatronic already had a home in the Disneyland version of the ride, but it was added to Magic Kingdom’s ride after the release of the Haunted Mansion movie.

So there you have it — all the changes we’ve seen to Haunted Mansion in Disney World recently! Stay tuned to DFB for all the ride updates.

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Which of these changes are you most excited about? Tell us in the comments!