The newly-expanded grounds of Disneyland‘s New Orleans Square around the Haunted Mansion officially open today, with a new gift shop opening this winter. Additionally, some operational changes have gone into effect — no more virtual queue! Let’s take a look at the recently unveiled gardens and grounds outside our beloved stately abode.
First, Magnolia Park recently reopened in the area situated in front of the train station between Tiana’s Palace restaurant and the Haunted Mansion. The shady park-like setting is filled with oak and Ficus trees – the perfect spot to enjoy a mint julep and some beignets.
Moving onto the expanded Mansion queue, you’ll first spot the Spanish fountain which was previously centrally-located within Magnolia Park.
The new additions build onto the story and lore of the Haunted Mansion, including an expanded outdoor queue further immersing you with enhanced theming. Amongst the new additions are a pair of raven statues who are closely watching over the garden – a creature which represents the connection between the living and the spirit realm.
Around the bend, discover a personal garden retreat designed by Master Gracey. A fountain against the garden’s wall features the face of a sea maiden with unruly hair and startled eyes, as if she’s caught in a storm. Inside an old, wrought iron gazebo sits a bench, a well-read book, and astrological armillary sphere and a smoking pipe that’s been left behind by Gracey.
Call in the spirits… As you head further down the path, you’ll find an eccentric garden from Madame Leota herself. The garden boasts a mystical energy; as if every plant, statue, and trinket is under Leota’s spell. Small oddity statues are strewn about – frogs, lizards, rats and a cymbal-playing monkey – all frozen in time like they are under an incantation. The large oak tree in the center of the courtyard is decorated with colorful ornaments, chimes and bells.
Finally, in the rear of the garden is Mansion Greenhouse, an iron and glass structure filled with unusual plant species belonging to all of the mansion’s spirits. (No photo has been shared just yet!)
Madame Leota’s Somewhere Beyond Shop
A new retail shop adjacent to the attraction’s exit is set to open later this winter: Madame Leota’s Somewhere Beyond Shop, a carriage house that used to store the same ornate carriage which now remains on the mansion’s front yard. It also contains a boudoir on the mezzanine level. At one point, it was home to the mansion’s head caretaker, but later Madame Leota took up residence. It is filled with her eclectic furniture including a crystal ball, feinting couch and the original parlor chandelier that Leota used in séances at the mansion.
When the first floor of the carriage house became a shop, Leota kindly lent her desks, cabinets and chests as antique artifacts to be showcased along with the merchandise. As a powerful medium moving between worlds, Madame Leota comes and goes a lot and is excited to welcome guests to her home, soon. (Sounds like she’ll be making special appearances!)
Both Haunted Mansion and Nightmare Before Christmas-themed merchandise will be available here.
Haunted Mansion Operational Updates
- The virtual queue will no longer be utilized at Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion, and the attraction is once again available for guests on Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Premier Pass.
- Guests using a mobility device are now able to use the main queue and entrance to the Haunted Mansion. After riding, they will leave the attraction using a new, accessible elevator exit that extends the story of the attraction with a gallery of original Imagineering artwork.
- The Haunted Mansion is currently decked out for its Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay, running through the holiday season in early 2025.
Hurry back…
