COLONIAL TERRACE:
The exterior of The Haunted Mansion remains the same with the exception of two aged copper gryphons with red, glowing eyes sitting atop the gate posts, replicated from Tokyo Disneyland, and a sailboat weathervane replacing the bat weathervane. The standby queue is changed to go through a pet cemetery, past the imagineer graves, and around a gazebo in an overgrown garden playing the creepy music box tune from Phantom Manor’s queue and the sounds of blowing wind, Thunder, and rain. Guests enter the mansion through the same door as usual.
The foyer remains the same with the exception of Phantom Manor’s Foyer music playing. The Stretching Room gets new wallpaper with blue and white vertical lines, based on how Disneyland’s looked on opening day, and Phantom Manor’s Stretch Room music. The Ghost Host is interrupted by an evil Sea Captain, played by Jeremy Irons (Original voice of Scar), who says that there is no turning back and the only way to escape is HIS WAY. (Cue hanging skeleton)
Guests then walk through a Haunted Museum, playing Phantom Manor’s loading area theme, lined with artwork from all over the world that do something ominous as they pass. These are An Egyptian Mosaic Of Cleopatra (Changes from woman in white gown to black panther), The Tapestry Of The Black Knight (Changes from human to skeleton), Painting Of A Ship (Becomes a tattered ship in a storm), Engraving Of Doctor Faustus (An old man becomes a flaming devil holding a wax sealed envelope with a soul), Chinese Painting Of Flowers (A bouquet in a vase withers away), Wanted Poster Of Guy Fawkes (Barrels of gunpowder explode behind him), Portrait Of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn (Anne Boleyn’s head vanishes off her neck), Portrait Of Ivan The Terrible (Eyes follow guests as they pass), The Statue Of Nero (Plays Grim Grinning Ghosts on the fiddle), Engraving Of Opera Glasses Lady (watches), Portrait Of The Sea Captain (turns to skeleton), Portrait Of The Witch Of Walpurgis (turns into a GOAT), Portrait Of Vlad The Impaler (Turns to a bat), Wanted Poster Of Jack The Ripper (stares), Portrait Of The Couple (watches), Photo Of Rasputin (Eyes grow and merge into one big eye), Painting Of The Villager (Becomes a wolf), Fresco Of Medusa (Transforms from girl to gorgon), Portrait Of Hatchet Man (Hatchet reflects light), Global Masks (Pacific Northwest Native Monster Mask, African Monster Mask, Papua New Guinea Native Mudman Mask, Tiki Mask, Balinese Barong Mask, Japanese Kitsune Mask, European Plague Mask, Greek Actor's Mask, and Aztec Skull Mask that watch as guests go past), and Painting Of April December (changes from young to old).
Guests board their doombuggies in The Hunting Room, a hallway lined with trophy heads that move. The ride goes under the stairwell with the floating candelabra and into the library and music room, which have a book called Ghost Registry and Phantom Manor's conservatory piano music respectively. Guests ascend the endless staircase and enter the endless hallway. Live actors dressed as knights wander through the hallway and corridor of doors, then, shouting with their arms outstretched, turn to guests to scare them. The hallway, conservatory, corridor, and clock are the same, but a cane and teacup are added to the conservatory. Madame Leota’s room is made to look like an actual room with Arabian Textiles, Egyptian Artifacts, and Chinese pottery. The ballroom remains the same with the exception of Phantom Manor's Ballroom music. The Attic has lost the piano, large portraits, and projected Constance in exchange for screaming blast up heads, moaning pop up ghosts, the Hatbox Ghost, flying bats, a spider’s web hanging above the ballroom entrance, floating orbs of light, disembodied hands coming out of the attic walls and grasping at guests, glowing eyes, scampering rats, a hatchet, and a Beating Heart Bride wearing pearls and surrounded by Constance’s wedding portraits that uses Constance’s voice lines in eerie silence. The descent leads into a catacomb of skeletons exiting coffins and dancing to Phantom Manor’s Catacomb Jazz. The cemetery regains the Disneyland original audio including the La Da Singer. Guests enter the crypt and see animatronic hitchhikers in the mirror instead of the computer animated ones. Guests pass under Little Leota and into the unload. As guests exit into The Haunted Cemetery, they hear a deep voiced phantom cackling, an effect from Disneyland.
The musical crypt, library crypt, the sea captain's crypt, and Dread Family busts are moved from the queue to the exit, joining the pun crypts and Bluebeard's tomb to form a separate Haunted Cemetery sub-attraction where the Pet Cemetery was once that guests can access without having to ride through the mansion. There are some familiar locations to imply that this is the same cemetery that guests ride through. These include stone versions of the singing busts, an open window with a bride figure looking down from the inside every so often, like the Queen outside of Disneyland's Snow White ride, a see saw and swing located near a crashed hearse, an Egyptian tomb with a sarcophagus outside, a set of three crypts atop a raised platform by the Mansion Exit, a table by the crashed hearse, a xylophone by a stone coffin with a half broken lid, and two gates where a lantern and some paw prints can be found.
Memento Mori stays where it is now and a new Hocus Pocus attraction is built across from the Mansion.
In front of the mansion, Olde Salem Towne stands. This area is actually an attraction, HOCUS POCUS: ESCAPE THE SANDERSON SISTERS. Tour guides take guests through Olde Salem Towne, passing beautiful cabins, only to stumble upon The Sanderson Cottage. Once inside, guests must find a way to escape with the children intact! Binx the cat will help guests along the way. In order to escape, guests must unlock the book of spells, perform a copying spell, unlock potion ingredients, and prepare a potion to make witches disappear. All the while, the Sanderson Sisters are slowly returning from the dead, as Mary smells children in their home. If guests succeed in the goal, the Sanderson Sisters will begin flashing before fading out of existence. If guests do not succeed, the children are taken by the Sanderson sisters to be used in their immortality potion! (Really, the children are lead out of the room early.) This area is full of actors portraying fearful villagers! The town is decorated with dried cornstalks, pumpkins, and a pillory in the center!
The Hall of Presidents is replaced by the Church, Bridge, School, and Farmhouse of Sleepy Hollow! This facade holds The Legend Of The Headless Horseman, a stop motion film based on Disney’s Sleepy Hollow using paper images for most of the story, but sculptures of Ichabod and The Headless Horseman for the climatic chase! Sleepy Hollow Inn remains in its spot, along with The Old Christmas Shop.
During Halloween Events, this section becomes Colonial Terrors. During this time, live actors wander fog filled streets portraying The Beating Heart Bride, The Headless Horseman, The Sanderson Sisters, The Sea Captain, Madame Leota as she appeared in life, Sally Slater (Tightrope walker), Hitchhiking Ghosts, Ballroom Dancers, The Singing Busts as they appeared in their corruptible mortal state, The Hatbox Ghost, and Master Gracey (Aging Man).
NEW ORLEANS SQUARE:
Replacing Liberty Tree, Diamond Horseshoe, and Frontierland's border with Adventureland, a New Orleans section is built to surround Tiana's Bayou Adventure. During The Mardi Gras, purple, yellow, and green banners, beads, and masks are everywhere!
The section begins at Liberty Belle Docks. The riverboat docks stay the same.
One of the most immersive dining experiences in this section replaces Liberty Tree and Diamond Horseshoe, a Haunted Mansion Restaurant, named Gracey's Ball. The facade is a smaller version of Disneyland’s Antebellum facade to ease architectural flow from Colonial Terrace. Guests enter through the front door and walk into The Waiting Room, where Madame Leota, making a rare full body appearance in her 50th Anniversary costume, will perform tea leaf, tarot, and palm readings with guests to entertain them as they wait. Guests enter a door on a balcony, descend, and dine in a small replica of The Ballroom, where they can watch the waltzing spirits dance to the organist's tunes. Sometimes, the spirits may come over to dance with guests. The Museum Of The Weird, located in a small alcove near the organist, allows visitors to experience an unrealized concept with added mocktails! Guests can drink coconut milk and orange juice Candle Wax that flows down from the Wax Candle Man in a way resembling melting wax! Another drink is Man Eating Plant Sap, limeade with melon soda! It leaks from the man eating plant's stem! The plant snaps at guests as they get the drink! The restrooms, themed to the mansion’s bathrooms, located near the fireplace, are decorated with Crump Demon Face Wallpaper and have Hitchhiking Ghost mirrors, complete with the same effect as the original! Guests exit through the same door they entered from.
To the right of Gracey's Ball, there is a stately manor house inspired by The Cabildo. This holds Thieves Market At Lafitte’s Landing, themed to a port-turned—marketplace of criminals owned by the famous New Orleans Pirate, Jean Lafitte. (Think of it like a New Orleans twist on The Court Of Miracles from Hunchback Of Notre Dame) Once guests enter, they see a pond. Where the guests are standing is a dock in front of a collection of Pirate Ships, each of them holding POTC merchandise. Above the dock, a sign that says Lafitte’s Landing hangs. The ships sell many different things. Queen Ann’s Revenge sells hats, eyepatches, and swords, The Black Pearl sells Toys, a Chinese Pirate Junk named Hu Chihong, in English, it’s Crimson Tiger, sells clothing, food, and drinks, and the Wicked Wench has the cashier. All the employees talk like 1700s people. (Thou shalt payeth here, my lords.)
A cemetery is located on the riverside across from Gracey’s Ball. It is home to Museum Of The Weird and Lafitte’s Cafe.
Museum Of The Weird is to the left. Guests enter a crypt labeled Museum Of The Weird. This leads to a chamber with Crump Demon Wallpaper covering every wall as Ominous Classical Music is played on an organ. Guests see the human faced chair, who says, "Greetings! Welcome to The Museum Of The Weird! The exhibits are in dire need of help, The Candle is melting, the Plant is crazy, and Leota’s woeful. Help the museum!” Guests then enter a chamber with five doors, one of which they just exited from as ominous flute plays. This chamber is a Gothic Vaulted Chamber decorated with symbols painted on the walls, skulls and spell books on the shelves, a fog filled cauldron in the center, and show globes and plasma balls. Guests find The Wax Candle Man, who cries out in pain, “I will melt!” as frantic xylophone plays. They help him escape from the flames by way of a door feeling maze. If they touch a hot door, there is fire behind it. Then, guests avoid the tendrils of the Man Eating Plant in a Laser Maze themed to a greenhouse. Finally, they find Madame Leota, who weeps, "Oh! My lost orb in my cart. I need it to do my magic!” Guests then navigate a mirror maze to find The Orb inside of the wagon. At the end, Leota says’ “Thank You!” Guests exit through a wide chamber lined with suits of Medieval armor, portraits of ghosts from all over the world, Witches Sabbath and Saturn Devouring His Son by Goya, Rodin’s Gates Of Hell, and carved skulls, all of which seem to watch guests as they pass. The organ music from the beginning hauntingly loops in an echoing tone!
Lafitte’s Cafe is to the right. Guests enter the crypt of Jean Lafitte and wander through a catacomb hallway lined with skulls to an immersive outdoor dining area themed to a wrecked pirate ship where rum, meat, fish, grog, lime juice, Coconut Milk, shrimp, crab, lobster, and other Gulf Coast Pirate commodities are served to guests by Lafitte’s ghost crew!
To the right of Thieves Market, there is a yellow walled courtyard with a blue spiral staircase called Court Of Angels. It serves as the home of the Mint Julep Bar, French Market, Blue Bayou, an indoor restaurant themed to a Bayou plantation house’s porch at night, The One Of A Kind Shop, an antique shop specializing in porcelain, silver, brass, and woodwork, Madame Antoinette's Perfumes, a perfume shop, Lafitte's Silversmithing Shop, a shop for silver jewelry, and the entry of a dark tunnel that leads to Dr Facilier’s Voodoo Emporium. This replacement for the Country Bear Jamboree is a Savi’s type shop in which an employee of the doctor’s, dressed in his suit but with a fascinatior if female, leads guests in creating A talisman similar to the one on Facilier’s Necklace, A mask similar to the giant horned mask he displays, and A Mystical Staff, similar to Facilier’s cane. The talisman is made by putting the mouth on the top of the head. It has a button effect where the eyes glow red as drums play. The mask is a few pieces that connect. The two horns and the lower jaw go on the head. The effect is a button being pressed, causing it to project shadow demons from the eyes. The Cane, plastic ball on plastic rod, projects lavender and lime fireworks that explode into sigils, similar to the end of Friends On The Other Side while the song, beginning with Are You Ready, plays. The shop’s interior is lined with African masks that blink and move their jaw. The center is a crescent shaped desk with a red table cloth with packages containing materials for the objects. The CM spiel is the following:
(The door creaks open on its own as flames jet from three skulls, illuminating the name)
(The CM walks out the door with a staff)
CM: Hello there, I’m [NAME] and I work for Doctor Facilier. Enter the Voodoo Emporium with me and be seated at the table, for I will teach you how to do the mystic art of Voodoo.
(Guests enter and sit on a stool in front of the desk. The CM enters first and goes to a large armchair)
CM: First, I shall teach you how to create a talisman, all you need is in the package.
(Guests open the package)
CM: Now just attach the lower jaw to the top. I can help if needed.
(After everyone finished, CM says this)
CM: Now, press the button on the back and hear spirits banging on the drums in the Other Side. Now, we shall move on to a Mystic Mask, just like the ones surrounding.
(The Masks blink and move their jaws)
CM: Now, attach the horns to the top, then, the jaw to the bottom. I can assist if needed.
(After everyone is done, CM says this)
CM: Now, press the button to release Spirit Shadows from The Other Side! The final thing is a Mystic Staff, like what I carry!
(They raise the staff)
CM: Attach your crystal ball to the rod, then press the button to release the spirits of The Other Side! It is with remorse that I bid you farewell now, exit and come back once more!
(The CM points at the door, which opens on its own. Once the CM is done talking, they run into a cabinet. This is to make it seem like they magically vanished.)
(Guests exit)
The main attraction is Tiana's Bayou Adventure. This Splash Mountain replacement follows Tiana's exploration of The Bayou! Briar Patch is replaced with Mama Odie's Trinket Shop, themed to the Voodoo Queen of the Bayou's boat/treehouse. Tiana's Palace is built on the riverside. This restaurant serves authentic Cajun food. A live jazz band plays on the streets in front of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Nearby, River Rafts cross the Rivers Of America to Pirate’s Lair, a replica of Disneyland's Pirate's Lair, but themed to Jean Lafitte.
THUNDER MESA:
This is the section where Big Thunder Mountain is located. It uses the Disneyland Paris story. For those not in the know, it goes a little something like this:
Henry Ravenswood (born 1795) was a Western settler who struck gold in Big Thunder Mountain and founded the Big Thunder Mining Company, thus creating the city of Thunder Mesa. Ravenswood became rich and built himself a Victorian manor high on Boot Hill, overlooking Big Thunder Mountain, where he raised his family - his wife, Martha, and daughter, Melanie Ravenswood (born 1842).
Big Thunder Mountain was thought by the local Navajo Natives to be home to the Thunderbird, a powerful spirit who controls the rain and thunder. According to the legend, its wrath would fall on any who disturbed the mountain. However, Ravenswood ignored the desperate pleas of the Natives.
Time went by, and the gold in Big Thunder Mountain began to run out, making miners dig deeper into the mountain. Melanie grew from a girl into a beautiful young woman, who caught the eye of many would-be suitor. Four such men courted Melanie, but each met with some unfortunate fate not long after their respective intentions of marrying her were known.
Just when Melanie thought herself doomed to a lonely life, she finally became engaged to a train engineer who planned to take her far away from Thunder Mesa, much to the dismay of Henry.
Henry did everything he could to stop the wedding, but his attempts were put to an abrupt end when a terrible earthquake in 1860 struck Thunder Mesa, and killed everyone in town. It seemed the Thunderbird had been awakened, and the town was never heard of again.
Ravenswood Manor, abandoned and desolate, overlooks the town on Boot Hill, a cemetery for miners located to the left of BTMR. Within the manor's haunted walls guest can explore Phantom Canyon, a walkthrough scare maze where guests are chased by a skeletal phantom through a zombie filled Boot Hill, living skeleton filled catacombs, and a haunted ghost town, filled with actors playing zombies, skeletons, ghosts, and the skeletal Phantom, dressed in a top hat and cape with a pointed collar, this is the vengeful spirit of Henry Ravenswood who chases guests through the maze.
On the riverside, a theatre by the name of Grizzly Hall stands. Within those walls, guests can see the relocated Country Bear Jamboree.
SAN NICOLAS:
This section, located behind Big Thunder, is themed to a Mexican town with brightly painted Spanish Colonial houses.
Guests can see the Mission Tower, with a bell that rings every hour. They can also enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine at Cantina San Nicolas. Guests can buy Authentic Mexican Crafts, like textiles and pottery, from El Mercado De Zocalo, a marketplace in the center of town. The main attraction here is FIESTA: AN EXPERIENCE OF MEXICO. This is a nighttime experience that lasts an hour located within a traditional Mexican house and Xochimilco rafts in which guests learn a bit of Mexican history, a bit of Spanish, play with the Piñata, eat a meal of the traditional the following Mexican dishes: tacos, menudo, enchiladas, tamales, and Tres Leches, listen to the Mariachi play, watch the Folklorico dancers, play the traditional Mexican board game Loteria, and watch the fireworks. Guests of all ages can attend this fiesta.
During October and November, the village is decorated for Dia De Los Muertos. This is the best time to visit, as the colorful Papel Picado, elaborate Sugar Skulls, and orange Marigolds that decorate the streets complement the colorful houses and are accompanied by equally beautiful songs and dances!
OLD SAN FRANCISCO:
This section, located to the right of Big Thunder, is themed to Victorian San Francisco. Guests can eat seafood at Fisherman's Wharf Cafe, enjoy authentic Chinese food at Middle Kingdom Treasure, or ride the main attraction, The Zhang Family Manor.
Guests queue through the gardens of a Chinese mansion in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Guests enter a room in the mansion with a silk screen that depicts a Qilin. The screen comes to life when 20 guests enter and the door to the house shuts. It says “Greetings, friends. I am the Qilin, protector of the Zhang family. Yanlouwang, the emperor of Di Yu, or the Chinese Netherworld, is seeking revenge on humanity for mining gold in his Californian domain, so he resurrects an army and transforms them into Jiangshi. I noticed this and I am making troops to help me fight Jiangshi in Disneyland! Simply pull off the golden cord on them in front of you to release light from a Magic Lantern attached to your rickshaw that I shall lead. Be aware that Jiangshi are masters of disguise.” Guests release light onto jiangshi posing as the lost expedition on Jungle Cruise, Hitchhiking Ghosts in Haunted Mansion, Pirates on Pirates Of The Caribbean, Tiki Birds on The Tiki Room, Robots on Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, The Dapper Dans, The Citizens Of Main Street on Main Street, Pixar Characters on Pixar Pier, and tourists at Galaxy’s Edge. The qilin ends the ride by saying “My eternal gratitude goes to you for helping me defeat those wicked Jiangshi!” Guests go into the house’s gardens and cross a red bridge to exit. During Lunar New Year, red and gold decorates the entire section and a dragon dance is performed every hour.
GRIZZLY PEAK:
This section, located where the Native Village scene on The Rivers Of America is located, is themed to a redwood forest with a Native American Settlement at the base of Grizzly Peak, a mountain shaped like a bear.
The main attraction is Ancient Odyssey, A Native American Journey. Guests go behind a giant waterfall and enter an Iroquois Native American village. Then, they enter an abandoned mound and have a terrifying encounter with Piasa. Next, guests climb around an ancient Cliff Pueblo and discover broken pottery. The next thing guests do is look at totem poles made by real Pacific Northwest artists. Finally, guests enter a cave and exit through a tunnel in a redwood.
Guests can also explore The Native Village! This area combines multiple elements of the different tribes that call America home, while not perpetuating the evil stereotypes! Guests can climb teepees (Plains Indians), observe totem poles (Pacific Northwestern), learn their fate in the spirit cave by way of a Newspaper Rock type light display (Southwestern), enjoy a communal meal in The Three Sisters Longhouse, where all foods are made with fresh corn, pole beans, and squash, along with pumpkin in autumn (Northeastern), observe Pueblo Pottery (Southwestern), and watch Natives perform traditional dances within The Mound Of Peace, an ancient mound in the shape of Big Thunder, Tiana's Bayou Adventure, and Grizzly Peak (Southeastern).
Guests can ride down the Rivers Of America in Sacagawea's Explorer Canoes, named after Lewis and Clark's Shoshone guide.
In November, which is Native American History Month, ambassadors from the tribes who are represented in this section will be present to discuss the areas where they are represented!
HOLLYWOODLAND:
This small section, located on the riverbanks to the left of Haunted Mansion (looking from Tom Sawyer Island), is themed to old Hollywood. Guests see giant white block letters on a hill reading HOLLYWOODLAND. Below that, guests can enter one of two Mission Revival theaters, based on Carathay Circle, at the base.
The Animation House allows guests to watch a loop of Disney's animated films throughout the years.
Guests can also enter Sorcerer's Workshop and witness animation through three different rooms. The Queen's Chambers allows guests to see a zoetrope and create their own under the guidance of the Magic Mirror from Snow White. The Beast's Library allows visitors to see what Disney Character they are most like with Cogsworth and Lumiere. Ursula's Grotto allows guests to voice a scene from a Disney classic with help from the beloved (by my brother, at least) sea witch!
This entire section is hidden from the rest of Old America by trees.
The exterior of The Haunted Mansion remains the same with the exception of two aged copper gryphons with red, glowing eyes sitting atop the gate posts, replicated from Tokyo Disneyland, and a sailboat weathervane replacing the bat weathervane. The standby queue is changed to go through a pet cemetery, past the imagineer graves, and around a gazebo in an overgrown garden playing the creepy music box tune from Phantom Manor’s queue and the sounds of blowing wind, Thunder, and rain. Guests enter the mansion through the same door as usual.
The foyer remains the same with the exception of Phantom Manor’s Foyer music playing. The Stretching Room gets new wallpaper with blue and white vertical lines, based on how Disneyland’s looked on opening day, and Phantom Manor’s Stretch Room music. The Ghost Host is interrupted by an evil Sea Captain, played by Jeremy Irons (Original voice of Scar), who says that there is no turning back and the only way to escape is HIS WAY. (Cue hanging skeleton)
Guests then walk through a Haunted Museum, playing Phantom Manor’s loading area theme, lined with artwork from all over the world that do something ominous as they pass. These are An Egyptian Mosaic Of Cleopatra (Changes from woman in white gown to black panther), The Tapestry Of The Black Knight (Changes from human to skeleton), Painting Of A Ship (Becomes a tattered ship in a storm), Engraving Of Doctor Faustus (An old man becomes a flaming devil holding a wax sealed envelope with a soul), Chinese Painting Of Flowers (A bouquet in a vase withers away), Wanted Poster Of Guy Fawkes (Barrels of gunpowder explode behind him), Portrait Of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn (Anne Boleyn’s head vanishes off her neck), Portrait Of Ivan The Terrible (Eyes follow guests as they pass), The Statue Of Nero (Plays Grim Grinning Ghosts on the fiddle), Engraving Of Opera Glasses Lady (watches), Portrait Of The Sea Captain (turns to skeleton), Portrait Of The Witch Of Walpurgis (turns into a GOAT), Portrait Of Vlad The Impaler (Turns to a bat), Wanted Poster Of Jack The Ripper (stares), Portrait Of The Couple (watches), Photo Of Rasputin (Eyes grow and merge into one big eye), Painting Of The Villager (Becomes a wolf), Fresco Of Medusa (Transforms from girl to gorgon), Portrait Of Hatchet Man (Hatchet reflects light), Global Masks (Pacific Northwest Native Monster Mask, African Monster Mask, Papua New Guinea Native Mudman Mask, Tiki Mask, Balinese Barong Mask, Japanese Kitsune Mask, European Plague Mask, Greek Actor's Mask, and Aztec Skull Mask that watch as guests go past), and Painting Of April December (changes from young to old).
Guests board their doombuggies in The Hunting Room, a hallway lined with trophy heads that move. The ride goes under the stairwell with the floating candelabra and into the library and music room, which have a book called Ghost Registry and Phantom Manor's conservatory piano music respectively. Guests ascend the endless staircase and enter the endless hallway. Live actors dressed as knights wander through the hallway and corridor of doors, then, shouting with their arms outstretched, turn to guests to scare them. The hallway, conservatory, corridor, and clock are the same, but a cane and teacup are added to the conservatory. Madame Leota’s room is made to look like an actual room with Arabian Textiles, Egyptian Artifacts, and Chinese pottery. The ballroom remains the same with the exception of Phantom Manor's Ballroom music. The Attic has lost the piano, large portraits, and projected Constance in exchange for screaming blast up heads, moaning pop up ghosts, the Hatbox Ghost, flying bats, a spider’s web hanging above the ballroom entrance, floating orbs of light, disembodied hands coming out of the attic walls and grasping at guests, glowing eyes, scampering rats, a hatchet, and a Beating Heart Bride wearing pearls and surrounded by Constance’s wedding portraits that uses Constance’s voice lines in eerie silence. The descent leads into a catacomb of skeletons exiting coffins and dancing to Phantom Manor’s Catacomb Jazz. The cemetery regains the Disneyland original audio including the La Da Singer. Guests enter the crypt and see animatronic hitchhikers in the mirror instead of the computer animated ones. Guests pass under Little Leota and into the unload. As guests exit into The Haunted Cemetery, they hear a deep voiced phantom cackling, an effect from Disneyland.
The musical crypt, library crypt, the sea captain's crypt, and Dread Family busts are moved from the queue to the exit, joining the pun crypts and Bluebeard's tomb to form a separate Haunted Cemetery sub-attraction where the Pet Cemetery was once that guests can access without having to ride through the mansion. There are some familiar locations to imply that this is the same cemetery that guests ride through. These include stone versions of the singing busts, an open window with a bride figure looking down from the inside every so often, like the Queen outside of Disneyland's Snow White ride, a see saw and swing located near a crashed hearse, an Egyptian tomb with a sarcophagus outside, a set of three crypts atop a raised platform by the Mansion Exit, a table by the crashed hearse, a xylophone by a stone coffin with a half broken lid, and two gates where a lantern and some paw prints can be found.
Memento Mori stays where it is now and a new Hocus Pocus attraction is built across from the Mansion.
In front of the mansion, Olde Salem Towne stands. This area is actually an attraction, HOCUS POCUS: ESCAPE THE SANDERSON SISTERS. Tour guides take guests through Olde Salem Towne, passing beautiful cabins, only to stumble upon The Sanderson Cottage. Once inside, guests must find a way to escape with the children intact! Binx the cat will help guests along the way. In order to escape, guests must unlock the book of spells, perform a copying spell, unlock potion ingredients, and prepare a potion to make witches disappear. All the while, the Sanderson Sisters are slowly returning from the dead, as Mary smells children in their home. If guests succeed in the goal, the Sanderson Sisters will begin flashing before fading out of existence. If guests do not succeed, the children are taken by the Sanderson sisters to be used in their immortality potion! (Really, the children are lead out of the room early.) This area is full of actors portraying fearful villagers! The town is decorated with dried cornstalks, pumpkins, and a pillory in the center!
The Hall of Presidents is replaced by the Church, Bridge, School, and Farmhouse of Sleepy Hollow! This facade holds The Legend Of The Headless Horseman, a stop motion film based on Disney’s Sleepy Hollow using paper images for most of the story, but sculptures of Ichabod and The Headless Horseman for the climatic chase! Sleepy Hollow Inn remains in its spot, along with The Old Christmas Shop.
During Halloween Events, this section becomes Colonial Terrors. During this time, live actors wander fog filled streets portraying The Beating Heart Bride, The Headless Horseman, The Sanderson Sisters, The Sea Captain, Madame Leota as she appeared in life, Sally Slater (Tightrope walker), Hitchhiking Ghosts, Ballroom Dancers, The Singing Busts as they appeared in their corruptible mortal state, The Hatbox Ghost, and Master Gracey (Aging Man).
NEW ORLEANS SQUARE:
Replacing Liberty Tree, Diamond Horseshoe, and Frontierland's border with Adventureland, a New Orleans section is built to surround Tiana's Bayou Adventure. During The Mardi Gras, purple, yellow, and green banners, beads, and masks are everywhere!
The section begins at Liberty Belle Docks. The riverboat docks stay the same.
One of the most immersive dining experiences in this section replaces Liberty Tree and Diamond Horseshoe, a Haunted Mansion Restaurant, named Gracey's Ball. The facade is a smaller version of Disneyland’s Antebellum facade to ease architectural flow from Colonial Terrace. Guests enter through the front door and walk into The Waiting Room, where Madame Leota, making a rare full body appearance in her 50th Anniversary costume, will perform tea leaf, tarot, and palm readings with guests to entertain them as they wait. Guests enter a door on a balcony, descend, and dine in a small replica of The Ballroom, where they can watch the waltzing spirits dance to the organist's tunes. Sometimes, the spirits may come over to dance with guests. The Museum Of The Weird, located in a small alcove near the organist, allows visitors to experience an unrealized concept with added mocktails! Guests can drink coconut milk and orange juice Candle Wax that flows down from the Wax Candle Man in a way resembling melting wax! Another drink is Man Eating Plant Sap, limeade with melon soda! It leaks from the man eating plant's stem! The plant snaps at guests as they get the drink! The restrooms, themed to the mansion’s bathrooms, located near the fireplace, are decorated with Crump Demon Face Wallpaper and have Hitchhiking Ghost mirrors, complete with the same effect as the original! Guests exit through the same door they entered from.
To the right of Gracey's Ball, there is a stately manor house inspired by The Cabildo. This holds Thieves Market At Lafitte’s Landing, themed to a port-turned—marketplace of criminals owned by the famous New Orleans Pirate, Jean Lafitte. (Think of it like a New Orleans twist on The Court Of Miracles from Hunchback Of Notre Dame) Once guests enter, they see a pond. Where the guests are standing is a dock in front of a collection of Pirate Ships, each of them holding POTC merchandise. Above the dock, a sign that says Lafitte’s Landing hangs. The ships sell many different things. Queen Ann’s Revenge sells hats, eyepatches, and swords, The Black Pearl sells Toys, a Chinese Pirate Junk named Hu Chihong, in English, it’s Crimson Tiger, sells clothing, food, and drinks, and the Wicked Wench has the cashier. All the employees talk like 1700s people. (Thou shalt payeth here, my lords.)
A cemetery is located on the riverside across from Gracey’s Ball. It is home to Museum Of The Weird and Lafitte’s Cafe.
Museum Of The Weird is to the left. Guests enter a crypt labeled Museum Of The Weird. This leads to a chamber with Crump Demon Wallpaper covering every wall as Ominous Classical Music is played on an organ. Guests see the human faced chair, who says, "Greetings! Welcome to The Museum Of The Weird! The exhibits are in dire need of help, The Candle is melting, the Plant is crazy, and Leota’s woeful. Help the museum!” Guests then enter a chamber with five doors, one of which they just exited from as ominous flute plays. This chamber is a Gothic Vaulted Chamber decorated with symbols painted on the walls, skulls and spell books on the shelves, a fog filled cauldron in the center, and show globes and plasma balls. Guests find The Wax Candle Man, who cries out in pain, “I will melt!” as frantic xylophone plays. They help him escape from the flames by way of a door feeling maze. If they touch a hot door, there is fire behind it. Then, guests avoid the tendrils of the Man Eating Plant in a Laser Maze themed to a greenhouse. Finally, they find Madame Leota, who weeps, "Oh! My lost orb in my cart. I need it to do my magic!” Guests then navigate a mirror maze to find The Orb inside of the wagon. At the end, Leota says’ “Thank You!” Guests exit through a wide chamber lined with suits of Medieval armor, portraits of ghosts from all over the world, Witches Sabbath and Saturn Devouring His Son by Goya, Rodin’s Gates Of Hell, and carved skulls, all of which seem to watch guests as they pass. The organ music from the beginning hauntingly loops in an echoing tone!
Lafitte’s Cafe is to the right. Guests enter the crypt of Jean Lafitte and wander through a catacomb hallway lined with skulls to an immersive outdoor dining area themed to a wrecked pirate ship where rum, meat, fish, grog, lime juice, Coconut Milk, shrimp, crab, lobster, and other Gulf Coast Pirate commodities are served to guests by Lafitte’s ghost crew!
To the right of Thieves Market, there is a yellow walled courtyard with a blue spiral staircase called Court Of Angels. It serves as the home of the Mint Julep Bar, French Market, Blue Bayou, an indoor restaurant themed to a Bayou plantation house’s porch at night, The One Of A Kind Shop, an antique shop specializing in porcelain, silver, brass, and woodwork, Madame Antoinette's Perfumes, a perfume shop, Lafitte's Silversmithing Shop, a shop for silver jewelry, and the entry of a dark tunnel that leads to Dr Facilier’s Voodoo Emporium. This replacement for the Country Bear Jamboree is a Savi’s type shop in which an employee of the doctor’s, dressed in his suit but with a fascinatior if female, leads guests in creating A talisman similar to the one on Facilier’s Necklace, A mask similar to the giant horned mask he displays, and A Mystical Staff, similar to Facilier’s cane. The talisman is made by putting the mouth on the top of the head. It has a button effect where the eyes glow red as drums play. The mask is a few pieces that connect. The two horns and the lower jaw go on the head. The effect is a button being pressed, causing it to project shadow demons from the eyes. The Cane, plastic ball on plastic rod, projects lavender and lime fireworks that explode into sigils, similar to the end of Friends On The Other Side while the song, beginning with Are You Ready, plays. The shop’s interior is lined with African masks that blink and move their jaw. The center is a crescent shaped desk with a red table cloth with packages containing materials for the objects. The CM spiel is the following:
(The door creaks open on its own as flames jet from three skulls, illuminating the name)
(The CM walks out the door with a staff)
CM: Hello there, I’m [NAME] and I work for Doctor Facilier. Enter the Voodoo Emporium with me and be seated at the table, for I will teach you how to do the mystic art of Voodoo.
(Guests enter and sit on a stool in front of the desk. The CM enters first and goes to a large armchair)
CM: First, I shall teach you how to create a talisman, all you need is in the package.
(Guests open the package)
CM: Now just attach the lower jaw to the top. I can help if needed.
(After everyone finished, CM says this)
CM: Now, press the button on the back and hear spirits banging on the drums in the Other Side. Now, we shall move on to a Mystic Mask, just like the ones surrounding.
(The Masks blink and move their jaws)
CM: Now, attach the horns to the top, then, the jaw to the bottom. I can assist if needed.
(After everyone is done, CM says this)
CM: Now, press the button to release Spirit Shadows from The Other Side! The final thing is a Mystic Staff, like what I carry!
(They raise the staff)
CM: Attach your crystal ball to the rod, then press the button to release the spirits of The Other Side! It is with remorse that I bid you farewell now, exit and come back once more!
(The CM points at the door, which opens on its own. Once the CM is done talking, they run into a cabinet. This is to make it seem like they magically vanished.)
(Guests exit)
The main attraction is Tiana's Bayou Adventure. This Splash Mountain replacement follows Tiana's exploration of The Bayou! Briar Patch is replaced with Mama Odie's Trinket Shop, themed to the Voodoo Queen of the Bayou's boat/treehouse. Tiana's Palace is built on the riverside. This restaurant serves authentic Cajun food. A live jazz band plays on the streets in front of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Nearby, River Rafts cross the Rivers Of America to Pirate’s Lair, a replica of Disneyland's Pirate's Lair, but themed to Jean Lafitte.
THUNDER MESA:
This is the section where Big Thunder Mountain is located. It uses the Disneyland Paris story. For those not in the know, it goes a little something like this:
Henry Ravenswood (born 1795) was a Western settler who struck gold in Big Thunder Mountain and founded the Big Thunder Mining Company, thus creating the city of Thunder Mesa. Ravenswood became rich and built himself a Victorian manor high on Boot Hill, overlooking Big Thunder Mountain, where he raised his family - his wife, Martha, and daughter, Melanie Ravenswood (born 1842).
Big Thunder Mountain was thought by the local Navajo Natives to be home to the Thunderbird, a powerful spirit who controls the rain and thunder. According to the legend, its wrath would fall on any who disturbed the mountain. However, Ravenswood ignored the desperate pleas of the Natives.
Time went by, and the gold in Big Thunder Mountain began to run out, making miners dig deeper into the mountain. Melanie grew from a girl into a beautiful young woman, who caught the eye of many would-be suitor. Four such men courted Melanie, but each met with some unfortunate fate not long after their respective intentions of marrying her were known.
Just when Melanie thought herself doomed to a lonely life, she finally became engaged to a train engineer who planned to take her far away from Thunder Mesa, much to the dismay of Henry.
Henry did everything he could to stop the wedding, but his attempts were put to an abrupt end when a terrible earthquake in 1860 struck Thunder Mesa, and killed everyone in town. It seemed the Thunderbird had been awakened, and the town was never heard of again.
Ravenswood Manor, abandoned and desolate, overlooks the town on Boot Hill, a cemetery for miners located to the left of BTMR. Within the manor's haunted walls guest can explore Phantom Canyon, a walkthrough scare maze where guests are chased by a skeletal phantom through a zombie filled Boot Hill, living skeleton filled catacombs, and a haunted ghost town, filled with actors playing zombies, skeletons, ghosts, and the skeletal Phantom, dressed in a top hat and cape with a pointed collar, this is the vengeful spirit of Henry Ravenswood who chases guests through the maze.
On the riverside, a theatre by the name of Grizzly Hall stands. Within those walls, guests can see the relocated Country Bear Jamboree.
SAN NICOLAS:
This section, located behind Big Thunder, is themed to a Mexican town with brightly painted Spanish Colonial houses.
Guests can see the Mission Tower, with a bell that rings every hour. They can also enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine at Cantina San Nicolas. Guests can buy Authentic Mexican Crafts, like textiles and pottery, from El Mercado De Zocalo, a marketplace in the center of town. The main attraction here is FIESTA: AN EXPERIENCE OF MEXICO. This is a nighttime experience that lasts an hour located within a traditional Mexican house and Xochimilco rafts in which guests learn a bit of Mexican history, a bit of Spanish, play with the Piñata, eat a meal of the traditional the following Mexican dishes: tacos, menudo, enchiladas, tamales, and Tres Leches, listen to the Mariachi play, watch the Folklorico dancers, play the traditional Mexican board game Loteria, and watch the fireworks. Guests of all ages can attend this fiesta.
During October and November, the village is decorated for Dia De Los Muertos. This is the best time to visit, as the colorful Papel Picado, elaborate Sugar Skulls, and orange Marigolds that decorate the streets complement the colorful houses and are accompanied by equally beautiful songs and dances!
OLD SAN FRANCISCO:
This section, located to the right of Big Thunder, is themed to Victorian San Francisco. Guests can eat seafood at Fisherman's Wharf Cafe, enjoy authentic Chinese food at Middle Kingdom Treasure, or ride the main attraction, The Zhang Family Manor.
Guests queue through the gardens of a Chinese mansion in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Guests enter a room in the mansion with a silk screen that depicts a Qilin. The screen comes to life when 20 guests enter and the door to the house shuts. It says “Greetings, friends. I am the Qilin, protector of the Zhang family. Yanlouwang, the emperor of Di Yu, or the Chinese Netherworld, is seeking revenge on humanity for mining gold in his Californian domain, so he resurrects an army and transforms them into Jiangshi. I noticed this and I am making troops to help me fight Jiangshi in Disneyland! Simply pull off the golden cord on them in front of you to release light from a Magic Lantern attached to your rickshaw that I shall lead. Be aware that Jiangshi are masters of disguise.” Guests release light onto jiangshi posing as the lost expedition on Jungle Cruise, Hitchhiking Ghosts in Haunted Mansion, Pirates on Pirates Of The Caribbean, Tiki Birds on The Tiki Room, Robots on Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, The Dapper Dans, The Citizens Of Main Street on Main Street, Pixar Characters on Pixar Pier, and tourists at Galaxy’s Edge. The qilin ends the ride by saying “My eternal gratitude goes to you for helping me defeat those wicked Jiangshi!” Guests go into the house’s gardens and cross a red bridge to exit. During Lunar New Year, red and gold decorates the entire section and a dragon dance is performed every hour.
GRIZZLY PEAK:
This section, located where the Native Village scene on The Rivers Of America is located, is themed to a redwood forest with a Native American Settlement at the base of Grizzly Peak, a mountain shaped like a bear.
The main attraction is Ancient Odyssey, A Native American Journey. Guests go behind a giant waterfall and enter an Iroquois Native American village. Then, they enter an abandoned mound and have a terrifying encounter with Piasa. Next, guests climb around an ancient Cliff Pueblo and discover broken pottery. The next thing guests do is look at totem poles made by real Pacific Northwest artists. Finally, guests enter a cave and exit through a tunnel in a redwood.
Guests can also explore The Native Village! This area combines multiple elements of the different tribes that call America home, while not perpetuating the evil stereotypes! Guests can climb teepees (Plains Indians), observe totem poles (Pacific Northwestern), learn their fate in the spirit cave by way of a Newspaper Rock type light display (Southwestern), enjoy a communal meal in The Three Sisters Longhouse, where all foods are made with fresh corn, pole beans, and squash, along with pumpkin in autumn (Northeastern), observe Pueblo Pottery (Southwestern), and watch Natives perform traditional dances within The Mound Of Peace, an ancient mound in the shape of Big Thunder, Tiana's Bayou Adventure, and Grizzly Peak (Southeastern).
Guests can ride down the Rivers Of America in Sacagawea's Explorer Canoes, named after Lewis and Clark's Shoshone guide.
In November, which is Native American History Month, ambassadors from the tribes who are represented in this section will be present to discuss the areas where they are represented!
HOLLYWOODLAND:
This small section, located on the riverbanks to the left of Haunted Mansion (looking from Tom Sawyer Island), is themed to old Hollywood. Guests see giant white block letters on a hill reading HOLLYWOODLAND. Below that, guests can enter one of two Mission Revival theaters, based on Carathay Circle, at the base.
The Animation House allows guests to watch a loop of Disney's animated films throughout the years.
Guests can also enter Sorcerer's Workshop and witness animation through three different rooms. The Queen's Chambers allows guests to see a zoetrope and create their own under the guidance of the Magic Mirror from Snow White. The Beast's Library allows visitors to see what Disney Character they are most like with Cogsworth and Lumiere. Ursula's Grotto allows guests to voice a scene from a Disney classic with help from the beloved (by my brother, at least) sea witch!
This entire section is hidden from the rest of Old America by trees.
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