Work has begun on the outside of The Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. You’ll notice scaffolding and coverings on the building’s front, and some landscaping has been removed around the area. Trees that previously surrounded the ride’s entrance and the nearby water feature have been taken down as part of this project, which is focused on restoring and updating the exterior and the queue line.
People have noticed the Haunted Mansion’s refurbishment is happening at the same time as major changes in the nearby Frontierland area. Since the summer of 2025, the area south and east of Liberty Square has been undergoing a large-scale renovation, and some beloved attractions have closed for good.
Okay, so I love Magic Kingdom, but it’s a little rough right now. They’re doing a lot of updates, which is normal for Disney World, but honestly, all the construction is really noticeable and kind of breaks the magic a bit. It’s hard to fully escape into the experience when you’re constantly reminded they’re building and fixing things. I’m still excited to go, but just bracing myself for a bit more of a work-in-progress vibe!
Details of the Haunted Mansion Refurbishment
Work on the outside of Magic Kingdomās The Haunted Mansion started in January 2026 as part of larger updates happening around the park. Currently, scaffolding and green coverings are up on the buildingās front and parts of the outdoor waiting area, especially near the graveyard scene. This project is focused on fixing and improving the buildingās structure and exterior, not changing the ride itself, so guests can still enjoy the attraction during construction.
The project involved removing bushes, trees, and other plants from around the lawn and nearby areas. Approximately two-thirds of the lawn that used to be in front of the mansion has been cleared. Now, only a small row of plants remains near the entrance line.
As a big Disney fan, I’ve been following the permits filed by Walt Disney Imagineering, and it looks like they’re doing some exciting things! One set of permits is for installing new set pieces ā basically, stuff that helps build the atmosphere and look of the parks. Other permits seem to cover general construction and scaffolding, which probably means theyāre tweaking things like queue lines or outdoor areas. Itās all pointing to some really cool updates coming soon, and I can’t wait to see what they’re working on!
Frontierland Transformation and Closures
On July 6, 2025, several classic Magic Kingdom attractions closed forever to create space for new themed areas. These included Tom Sawyer Island, the Liberty Square Riverboat, and the Rivers of America. The river was drained, and crews began removing structures on Tom Sawyer Island later in 2025 to get the area ready for future projects.
The park is undergoing some exciting expansions with two main projects. First, a new area themed after the movie Cars, called Piston Peak National Park, is being created in the space where the old river and island used to be. Nearby, close to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, construction has started on a separate Villains Land that will connect to the Piston Peak area.
Honestly, I’m a little worried about them swapping out some of Walt’s original vision for this newer franchise. It just feelsā¦off. Especially when you look at the track record ā the first movie was the only one that really broke through, and the other two? Well, the second one pretty much flopped, and the third was justā¦fine. Nothing memorable, you know?
Construction barriers have expanded from Liberty Square and now reach into Frontierland, covering a large area of trees and water. Photos taken from the air reveal that the ground has been flattened, sections of the railroad tracks have been taken up, and a lot of construction equipment is in place to get the area ready for something new.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Other Refurbishments
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has been undergoing a large-scale renovation since January 6, 2025, which includes replacing parts of the track and updating the rideās features. Itās expected to reopen in 2026.
Beyond the Haunted Mansion and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Magic Kingdom is undergoing several other updates. These include repainting Cinderella Castle, improving Buzz Lightyearās Space Ranger Spin, and making repairs to Peteās Silly Sideshow near Storybook Circus.
Park Experience and Visibility
Visitors walking through Liberty Square and Frontierland will notice a lot of construction walls and empty spaces where attractions used to be. Disney has decided to begin even more updates and repairs, which, while temporary, unfortunately disrupt the magical experience the parks aim to create.
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2026-01-23 20:57