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Credit: DisneySerpents and spiders, tail of a rat; call in the spirits, wherever they’re at. Rap on a table; it’s time to respond. Send us a message from somewhere beyond!
It seems hard to believe, but the iconic Haunted Mansion was not an opening-day attraction at Disneyland Park. It was an attraction that Walt Disney had been dreaming of for years, but bringing it to life proved to be a challenge. The attraction we now know and love went through many versions and in many different directions before it opened on August 12, 1969 — three years after Walt died.
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No matter how old it gets, Disney fans never seem to get enough of the Haunted Mansion. They love boarding their Doom Buggies and traveling through the mansion, meeting ghosts like Madame Leota, seeing a birthday party in the ballroom, and attending a swinging wake in the mansion’s graveyard.
That is why fans were devastated to learn that the attraction would be closed for almost a year while Disney crews revamped the outdoor queue and built a brand-new Haunted Mansion store.
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The Haunted Mansion officially closed in late-January 2024 and did not reopen until late July. However, it was not the traditional Haunted Mansion. Because it was just days before the Halloween season began, Disney reopened the attraction as Haunted Mansion Holiday — a Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) overlay that is done every year.
While the attraction was finally open, the store was still being built. Disney construction crews worked hard to get the shop open by the end of the year, since that is what Disney had promised.
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Well, their hard work paid off, because the new Haunted Mansion shop is officially open!
Disney Parks announced the opening on social media, surprising many, since Disney had not shared an official opening date. In addition to announcing that the new store was open, Disney also shared some first look images inside the new shop.
🔮 FIRST LOOK INSIDE: Madame Leota’s Somewhere Beyond opens today at @Disneyland!
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According to Disney, Madame Leota’s Somewhere Beyond shop is located inside the carriage house that Madame Leota once called home. While she may not live there anymore, she does occasionally like to pop into the crystal ball that is there and keep an eye on things.
As seen in Disney’s photos, the new shop is full of mementos representing Madame Leota and the Haunted Mansion attraction in which she currently resides. The shop is full of candles, floating instruments, and, of course, a giant crystal ball. There is even a painting of Madame Leota as she appeared in her corruptible, mortal state.
While the shop seems filled to the brim with interesting and exciting items, Disney has said that more decorations and enhancements will materialize in the near future.
For now, guests can enjoy visiting Madame Leota’s old home and purchase some frighteningly great Haunted Mansion merchandise!
Do you love Disney’s Haunted Mansion? Are you excited to see a big, new store dedicated to the iconic attraction? Let us know in the comments!