Disneyland has cast a spell of excitement over fans with the grand opening of Madame Leota’s Somewhere Beyond, a new Haunted Mansion-themed retail shop. Situated in New Orleans Square, this store is part of a larger enhancement project that has brought new life (and afterlife!) to the iconic attraction. From eerie merchandise to immersive queue updates, here’s everything you need to know about this spooky upgrade.
Madame Leota’s Somewhere Beyond: A Retail Spectacle
On December 23, 2024, Disney welcomed guests into Madame Leota’s domain with the unveiling of her new shop. The space is designed as a former carriage house owned by the Haunted Mansion’s head caretaker. Now, it serves as a mystically charged retail experience, where Madame Leota’s signature style and supernatural touches are on full display.
What to Expect Inside the Shop:
- A crystal ball centerpiece surrounded by ethereal décor.
- Madame Leota’s fainting couch and parlor chandelier, straight from her séance room.
- A mezzanine-level boudoir, adding an extra layer of charm and mystery.
Merchandise Galore:
The store is brimming with treasures inspired by the Haunted Mansion and Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Fans can shop:
- Ghoulish apparel and accessories.
- Collectible items and figurines.
- Haunted home décor that brings the mansion’s chilling elegance to your space.
Haunted Mansion Gets an Expanded Queue and Grounds
The magic doesn’t stop at the retail shop. The Haunted Mansion now features a reimagined queue that transports guests deeper into its ghostly lore.
New Features of the Queue:
- Themed Gardens: Inspired by characters like Master Gracey, Madame Leota, and the infamous one-eyed cat. Each garden includes fountains, gazebos, and statues.
- A Greenhouse: A new feature showcasing where the mansion’s groundskeepers grow their (sometimes eerie) plants.
- Preserved Classics: Don’t worry! The beloved pet cemetery and the horse-drawn funeral hearse are still part of the attraction.
These updates add a narrative richness that enhances the queue experience while immersing visitors in the mansion’s darkly whimsical world.
Key Operational Updates
The Haunted Mansion underwent a significant refurbishment in early 2024 to bring these upgrades to life. While fans were initially greeted with the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay during the reopening, the new expanded standby queue officially opened on November 26, 2024, offering guests a chance to fully explore the enhancements.
For those who love the original version of the ride, mark your calendars: the Haunted Mansion will return in its classic form on January 18, 2025, following the conclusion of the holiday overlay on January 6.
FAQs About the Haunted Mansion Updates
1. When did “Madame Leota’s Somewhere Beyond” open?
The shop opened its ghostly doors on December 23, 2024.
2. What items are sold at the shop?
You can find Haunted Mansion and The Nightmare Before Christmas apparel, collectibles, and home décor.
3. What’s new about the Haunted Mansion queue?
The queue now includes character-themed gardens, a greenhouse, and other immersive elements to deepen the storytelling.
4. Is the Haunted Mansion currently using a virtual queue?
No. As of November 26, 2024, the attraction has transitioned to an expanded standby queue.
5. When will the non-holiday version of the Haunted Mansion return?
The original ride reopens on January 18, 2025.
Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion updates are a perfect blend of nostalgia and innovation. With its immersive storytelling, a dedicated shop for fans, and thoughtfully expanded grounds, this spooky enhancement is bound to enchant visitors of all ages. Don’t miss your chance to step into Madame Leota’s world—after all, there’s always room for one more! 👻
Sources SFGate
