Disney Shocks Guests as Haunted Mansion Store is Replaced by Seating Area
Disneyland has long been known for offering a magical experience, from its enchanting rides to its whimsical merchandise. The Haunted Mansion, one of the park’s most beloved attractions, is no exception. It has delighted millions of guests with its eerie charm and ghostly inhabitants.
However, in a surprising twist, Disneyland has made a significant change to one of the Haunted Mansion stores that has left visitors both shocked and intrigued.
Related: Fans Furious Over Haunted Mansion Update, Slam Disney for Hypocrisy
The Haunted Mansion’s Gift Shop Journey
As Disneylanders will remember, the Haunted Mansion was closed for six months last year, as Disney transformed the queue and began construction on a new gift shop, located at the ride’s exit.
After six months of refurbishments, including changes to the queue and the bride scene, the Haunted Mansion attraction reopened in July 2024. However, the new store didn’t debut until a few months later. It quickly became a favorite destination for guests seeking Haunted Mansion-themed goodies, along with unique Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) items.
When Madame Leota’s Somewhere Beyond opened in December 2024, it became the second official Haunted Mansion store located in New Orleans Square. The original Haunted Mansion shop, nestled outside the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, had long served as the go-to place for Haunted Mansion-themed merchandise.
But despite the initial excitement, many guests began to wonder if the second Haunted Mansion shop was truly necessary. As Disney often does, the decision was made behind closed doors, and fans got an unexpected answer to their question in May 2025.
A Shocking Change: Haunted Mansion Store Closed Overnight
On May 2, 2025, Disneyland visitors were stunned to discover that the original Haunted Mansion shopping spot was suddenly closed and completely cleared out. Guests arriving at the Royal Street Veranda in New Orleans Square were shocked to see that the once-bustling store had been replaced with an entirely new space—a seating area.
The Royal Street Veranda itself is a very popular spot for a quick meal, serving up delicious offerings like Baked Cheesy Biscuits, Cajun Chicken Salad Sandwiches, and a Strawberry Pecan Salad.
Related: Fans Blast Disney For Amazon Decorations Used in New Store
However, despite the popularity of the dining spot, it has always suffered from a lack of seating, especially during peak hours.
Disneyland visitors would often find themselves standing, waiting for a spot to open up. With this new change, Disneyland has addressed that issue by transforming the former Haunted Mansion store into an area that offers much-needed seating.
Guests Celebrate the New Seating Area
While many guests were initially confused by the sudden closure of the Haunted Mansion store, the reaction to the new seating area has been overwhelmingly positive. Critter Club HQ, an X (formerly Twitter) user, shared their excitement about the transformation:
“The former Haunted Mansion shop in Port Royal has transformed (nearly overnight) into a jazz club! Much needed as it adds plenty of seating for Royal Street Veranda.”
The former Haunted Mansion shop in Port Royal has transformed (nearly overnight) into a jazz club!
Much needed as it adds plenty of seating for Royal Street Veranda. pic.twitter.com/fQYn1gxRAZ
— Critter Club HQ (@CritterClubHQ) May 2, 2025
Guests have been thrilled with the addition of benches and individual tables, as well as the repurposed checkout counter now serving as bar-style seating. This change has made it much easier for park visitors to enjoy their meals without the hassle of hunting down a seat in the crowded area.
The new seating area offers covered spaces, perfect for guests looking to relax and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the park.
This shift comes just in time for Disneyland’s upcoming 70th anniversary celebrations, which will see an influx of guests.
The park is already gearing up for an exciting summer with new attractions, merchandise, and food offerings to mark the occasion.
With the celebrations kicking off soon, Disney’s focus is likely on making sure there’s enough space for the expected surge of visitors. The new seating area offers a much-needed solution to this problem, and it appears to be part of the park’s preparations to make the park as comfortable and accessible as possible for all guests.
Are you excited to see more seating around Royal Street Veranda? Have you had trouble finding a spot to sit there before? What do you think about the closure of the Haunted Mansion store? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let us know if you think this seating area will make your next Disneyland visit a more enjoyable experience!
