Disney has been busy readying up both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure as they head towards their 30 April 2021 reopening. In addition to work being done at both parks, Disney announced some “home improvements” to one of their most popular attractions, the Haunted Mansion.
As guests approach the mansion, they will notice the landscaping has been refreshed. Disney says new landscaping details now adorn the site for dearly departed pets, representing their stories from beyond the grave.
As guests exit the stretching room and walk along the hallway towards their doom … buggy, they will notice some new artwork has materialized. Returning, after a 16-year hiatus, is the “April to December” portrait (also referred to as “The Muse). The portrait, which was conceived by Disney Imagineer and Legend Marc Davis in 1965, was originally the final portrait in the portrait corridor at the Disneyland attraction.
Davis originally wanted the portrait to age slowly change from a beautiful young woman (April) to an old woman (December).
“In April, she’s a hot-looking item,” said Davis. “June – it’s sexy! In September, she’s past her prime – kind of a not-unattractive lady; but in December, she’s had it! Just like it happens to all of us.”
According to the Haunted Mansion Wiki, “The portrait was removed in 2005 and replaced by a version of the Aging Man, who was inserted into the third slot down the hall, while Medusa, who formerly occupied that spot, was put in April-December’s place.
One theory [why the portrait was removed was because] her effect would hardly work with the updated effect which followed the morphing portraits as the elderly form wouldn’t be apparent in the flashing. The other theory [is at] the Haunted Mansion in the Magic Kingdom [at Walt Disney World] made the Aging Man portrait much more of a Haunted Mansion icon, particularly through its identification as Master Gracey.”
Another addition to the loading area is a mysterious one-eyed cat statue. Although new, this cat statue was inspired by early concepts of Haunted Mansion where a ghostly cat would follow guests on their journey. Now, this cat statue observes you as you board your Doom Buggy and set off on your adventure into the mansion.
The original cat was created by Xavier “X” Atencio. His cat would “follow” guests throughout the attraction and was said to despise humans. The cat was eventually out and a raven took its place.
According to the Disney Parks Blog, “Other elements that have materialized in the mansion include new details in the séance room [and] the attic” as well as new wallpaper, and draperies.
In a recent story in the Los Angeles Times, Todd Martins reports that new items, such as a dollhouse and other trinkets, have been added to the attic scene. “What we’ve done is just gone through each of the scenes and added little tidbits and flavors of additional property to help support each of those ‘love stories,’ if you will,” says Michele Hobbs, who was in charge of the Haunted Mansion refurbishment.
Madam Leota’s seance room also got a new addition – a floating wicker chair. Originally Rolly Crump planned to have the seance chair come alive – so this is a nod to that idea.
“Elsewhere, the spider-web flooring in the Mansion’s entryway has been remade,” reports Martins. “The exterior has been repainted — multiple shades of white meant to evoke shadows on outdoor walls.”
There have also been rumblings that the hanging “ghost host,” found in the ceiling of the stretching room, will be removed. Some guests have been asking Disney to remove this scene as it has references to suicide or lynching.
In “Marc Davis – In His Own Words – Imagineering the Disney Theme Parks,” published by Disney Editions, Davis says of the hanging ghost host, “He [the ghost host] says there is a way out and with a flash of lightning and a clap of thunder we see a figure hanging and swaying from the ceiling. The ghost host doesn’t recommend this coward’s way out.”
“It’s been discussed for sure,” says Hobbs, “It’s definitely something that we’re thinking about.”
When Disneyland reopens at the end of this month, guests wishing to visit the park must be a California resident (until 15 June when restrictions end), and groups can be no larger than 3 households. In addition, everyone must have an active theme park ticket and a park reservation.
