New Attraction Element Debuts at the Magic Kingdom

The Magic Kingdom is home to dozens of rides, characters, shows, dining, and magic. We are so excited to report that a new attraction element just debuted this morning! Check it out for yourself!

The Haunted Mansion

The Haunted Mansion is one of the most popular attractions at Walt Disney World. It combines both “spooky” and “funny” elements to create a “haunted” experience that is uniquely Disney.

The attraction combines the work of some of the best Disney Imagineers in the company’s history to create illusions and tricks that bring guests back again and again.

Some of the attraction’s best tricks, like those in the ballroom scene, rely upon fairly old “technology” to create memorable illusions that still entertain guests each and every day! Take a look at some of the spooky secrets found on The Haunted Mansion HERE.

Hatbox Ghost

At the opening of the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland, the Hatbox Ghost was a character found in the attic scene. This character had a special effect: his head would disappear and show up in his hatbox and then would pop back to the top of his head.

Imagineer Yale Gracey designed this addition, but the original Hatbox Ghost didn’t last but a few days in the attraction. The effect wasn’t up to the standard that Gracey wanted for the attraction as the technology at the time simply wasn’t able to achieve the trick.

For the vast majority of the attraction’s history, there was no Hatbox Ghost. However, in 2015, a new Hatbox Ghost was added to the attraction in Disneyland.

Coming to Disney World

Over a year ago, much to fans’ delight, we announced HERE that the Hatbox Ghost would be coming to Disney World! The Hatbox Ghost is a beloved component of Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion, and WDW fans have been eagerly waiting.

So far, though, all Disney provided as far as an opening date was “late November.” Well, in true Disney fashion, the Hatbox Ghost has materialized on the very last day of November!

Where to Find Him

The Hatbox Ghosts appears to guests as they pass the Endless Hallway, welcoming himself inside from the swinging wake in the cemetery and grinning at the Doom Buggies as they set off deeper into the mansion. Take a look at our Instagram post below if you want a sneak peek!