The Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom Park is undergoing permanent alterations as construction crews install additional scaffolding around the 54-year-old attraction. The changes ensure portions of the dark ride previously hidden backstage will become visible once the Piston Peak National Park expansion opens, fundamentally altering the mansion’s appearance.
New Scaffolding Installed
WDWNT reported Wednesday, January 21, that crews erected new scaffolding on the left rear section of the Haunted Mansion. The construction structure occupies part of the front lawn where workers previously removed shrubbery. Currently, the scaffolding doesn’t obstruct views of the iconic Victorian mansion facade from the attraction queue.
The new scaffolding connects to existing structures in the graveyard queue area that appeared last week. Green scrim now surrounds the older scaffolding, helping it blend into the environment while concealing ongoing work. Crews haven’t yet installed scrim on the lawn scaffolding, but will likely do so within days.
Much of the Haunted Mansion queue has been surrounded by construction walls and scaffolding since the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island closed last summer. Disney appears to be preparing to slightly extend the attraction’s facade and graveyard, as formerly backstage sections will become visible when Piston Peak National Park opens. The Cars (2006)-themed Frontierland expansion will include a walkway connecting the Haunted Mansion to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, exposing previously hidden portions of the 54-year-old ride building.
Despite ongoing construction, the Haunted Mansion remains operational and continues welcoming Magic Kingdom Park guests.
Piston Peak National Park Development
Walt Disney Imagineering announced plans at D23 Expo 2024 to bring two Cars-themed attractions to Magic Kingdom Park. The thrilling rally race and family-friendly ride will anchor Piston Peak National Park, a new Frontierland section inspired by U.S. national parks. The Liberty Square Riverboat, Rivers of America, and Tom Sawyer Island closed last summer to accommodate construction.
Demolition of Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America is mostly complete, with crews recently installing early project infrastructure. A backstage equipment staging area and trailer complex serves as the base for both Piston Peak National Park and the Disney Villains land being developed “beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.”
Aerial photo of construction staging areas West of Magic Kingdom.
Aerial photo of construction staging areas West of Magic Kingdom. pic.twitter.com/DM3yRZu08T
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) January 18, 2026
Have you noticed any other changes around Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park? Share your story with Disney Dining in the comments!
