Disney Folds After Guest Complaints, Makes Changes at Haunted Mansion

After a string of guest complaints, an update has hit the Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom.

Since opening with Magic Kingdom in October 1971, Haunted Mansion has evolved beyond the original East Coast take on the classic ride. A major 2007 refurbishment added the “endless staircase” scene, refreshed portraits and audio, and relocated the Sinister 11 to the load area, sharpening story and atmosphere.

A grand, historic building is illuminated with eerie blue and red lighting at night. Tall trees with overhanging branches partially obscure the view. The ornate architecture includes arched windows, intricate stonework, and decorative urns, creating a mysterious ambiance. — Credit: Disney

In 2011, Disney overhauled the queue into a mini-attraction in and of itself, with interactive crypts, puzzles, and tributes to Imagineers, plus new lighting inside. The finale also changed: the Hitchhiking Ghosts began digitally “pranking” guests in the mirrors, replacing the older practical gag and boosting re-ride value.

Surrounding experiences expanded, too. The Memento Mori shop opened in 2014, replacing The Yankee Trader shop in Liberty Square and extending the mansion’s lore into merchandise and photo effects. On-ride PhotoPass began capturing ghostly portraits in 2019. More recently, the Hatbox Ghost materialized at Magic Kingdom in late 2023, marking a headline addition for fans.

Recently, rumors have suggested that Disney could make further changes to Haunted Mansion for the sake of sensitivity. More specifically, there’s talk that Disney could remove the hanging corpse from the stretching room in the queue. “We’re still looking at that,” Walt Disney Imagineering creative director Kim Irvine (who has since announced her retirement) previously told the Los Angeles Times. “That one is complicated, structurally. One thing at a time.”

A spooky, Gothic-style haunted mansion illuminated at night with warm yellow lights. A horse-drawn hearse with no horse is in the foreground, with a dark, cloudy sky adding to the eerie atmosphere. Trees and greenery surround the mansion, enhancing the haunted mood. — Credit: Disney

Disney Updates Queue of Haunted Mansion For Guest Comfort

While only time will tell if Disney removes the hanging corpse from the Haunted Mansion, another update has hit the queue area this week.

As work continues on the transformation of the Rivers of America – which will be replaced by a Frontierland expansion themed to Pixar’s Cars franchise – guests have complained that the construction walls have restricted airflow in the line for Haunted Mansion.

Florida summers (and, let’s be real, a lot of the year) are hot and humid, so this was a recipe for disaster for guests crowded outdoors while waiting to board the attraction.

Disney made efforts to remedy the situation earlier this year by adding large industrial fans in the queue.

Met the biggest Haunted Mansion Fan!

Met the biggest Haunted Mansion Fan! pic.twitter.com/l30MiNm2TG

— Original Orange Bird (@ogorangebird) September 27, 2025

While those fans are still there, Disney has now made a more concerted effort to tackle the issue by introducing new permanent fans in the covered portion of the line.

This follows a notoriously hot summer for Walt Disney World Resort. Central Florida was slapped with several extreme heat advisories, with guests warned to stay hydrated and avoid peak sunlight as much as possible.

Have you noticed the heat issues in the queue for Haunted Mansion?