Credit: DisneyWhether Disney likes to admit it or not, the Haunted Mansion at the Magic Kingdom is suffering through a tough time. The once majestic views from the front entrance of Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island are gone, replaced by construction walls. The mansion on the hill overlooking the glorious river is gone, and its future is uncertain.
Despite the changes, the Haunted Mansion is still one of the most popular rides at Magic Kingdom, and one of the few rides that, if Disney made sweeping changes to it, fans would revolt. However, Disney just made a subtle change to the ride that improves the experience, if you actually notice it.
In the library scene, Disney has added animation to one of the busts, creating the illusion that it is looking directly at you and appears to sneer. However, making the animated bust is so subtle that if you aren’t paying attention, you could actually miss it.
The new animated bust is one of the “ghost writers” in the library. As your doom buggy is about to turn the corner and leave the library, the face on the bust now moves. It happens so quickly and subtly that by the time you notice it, you’ve moved into the next room.
This update adds a bit of mystery to the ride, playing tricks on your mind. As you turn the corner, guests are left wondering if they actually saw what they think they saw. It’s the perfect illusion that the Haunted Mansion has become famous for.
Unlike when Disney added the Hatbox Ghost to the Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom, this change feels appropriate and adds to the storyline, creating an illusion that plays with guests’ minds. However, if you blink, you could miss this new update.
So, while the outside of Haunted Mansion is undergoing some significant changes, the inside just got a minor update that adds to the ride’s aura of mystery.
What do you think of the changes happening at the Haunted Mansion, both inside and outside? Let us know in the comments.