Haunted Mansion Refurbishment Reveals a More Dramatic Exterior
A brighter, cleaner Haunted Mansion is greeting Magic Kingdom guests today. After a multi-month refurbishment, scrims have been removed from most of the Gothic mansion. A reader sent us photos of the update, and we’re digging what we’re seeing.
The first thing to jump out at me was the dome atop the mansion’s lantern. Its patinated copper finish pops against the warmer brick and stone palette. The dome previously fell somewhere between copper and bronze, causing it to blend into its surroundings. This is a big improvement.
Contrast is a recurring theme with this update. The mansion’s stone quoins and brickwork now have a little more separation. The quoins are brighter, while the bricks feel darker and richer. The atrium is also much more vibrant.
Anyone who enjoys photographing one of Magic Kingdom’s original attractions will appreciate the drama. I can’t wait to shoot it myself.
Our reader’s photos didn’t reveal much of the roof, but it also appears to have been cleaned up. The flatter, monochromatic grays have given way to a cooler slate look.
Days like today make me wish I could pop into Magic Kingdom whenever I wanted. Instead, I’ll have to wait until December. That may not be such a bad thing. Work on the Haunted Mansion isn’t finished, with scrims still surrounding portions of the foundation. By December, those ghosts should have completed the job.
Read more: Carousel of Progress Closes Tonight Ahead of Disney Imagineering’s Update
