New Development Officially Uproots Disney’s Haunted Mansion

in Walt Disney World

haunted-mansion-hitchhiking-ghosts

Credit: Disney Parks

2023 has been an exciting year for the Haunted Mansion. The famous dark ride has been thrilling and chilling Disney Park guests for decades, but a recent development involving the infamous Hatbox Ghost is about to permanently change the ride as fans know it.

Haunted Mansion exterior at night at Disney World's Magic Kingdom
Credit: Disney

It was previously announced that Disneyland’s resident sinister specter would join the Happy Haunts at the Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square at the Walt Disney World Resort. While that’s certainly an exciting announcement, the methods in which Disney is pulling this off completely change the lore and layout of the famous attraction.

Related: Daughter Of Original Madame Leota to Appear in ‘Muppets Haunted Mansion’

All versions of the Haunted Mansion have a set storyline and the law of the land to a certain extent. Every scene, every character, and every set piece has a role to play in the grand scheme of the Gracey Manor. Any deviation is bound to be noticed by the fanbase.

The Hatbox Ghost Haunts Walt Disney World

Hatbox Ghost outside mansion
Credit: Inside the Magic

The Hatbox Ghost is one of the most famous and most mysterious characters in Disney Park lore. Along with being one of the more menacing spirits in the Haunted Mansion, his gruesome decapitation act has chilled many guests, even with his extended absence. Now that he’s back in action in both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, how does this affect the iconic ride?

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After spending months behind an ominous curtain in the endless hallway, views of the famous phantom have surfaced online, and he certainly looks dressed to kill. While the Hatbox Ghost at Walt Disney World certainly stands toe to toe and face to disembodied face with his Californian counterpart, his presence has caused some discord in the fanbase.

Jamie Lee Curtis as Madame Leota in Disney's HAUNTED MANSION
Credit: Disney

Traditionally, the original Disneyland variant of the ride implies that Madame Leota is the one that calls in the spirits to make them visible to the arriving guests. Placing the Hatbox Ghost so early in the ride spoils the surprise and the original lore set by Walt Disney and his Imagineers.

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It’s not that the animatronic looks terrible or that the illusion is lackluster. If anything, it’s a spooky surprise that will be an eye-popping addition to the endless hallway. However, it still clashes with the original lore and layout of the manor that fans have known for decades.

Lindsay Lamb as The Bride in Disney's HAUNTED MANSION
Credit: Disney

This is clearly being done to tie Disney World’s attraction to the 2023 film adaptation with Rosario Dawson, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, and Jared Leto. Since Leto’s fiendish portrayal of the Hatbox Ghost uses a lot of imagery from the Florida park’s version, it makes sense that Disney would want to feature him there as soon as possible.

Related: Murderous Bride and Ghost Host Casting Revealed For ‘Muppets Haunted Mansion’

Does the ghost’s addition truly ruin the ride as so many fans claim? In the grand scheme of things, his appearance only completes the attraction’s collection of ghosts. That said, it might have made more sense for him to remain in the attic with Constance. At least for consistency’s sake.

Do you think the Hatbox Ghost should be moved? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!

 

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