Even Disney World’s most iconic attractions are always a work in progress.
Haunted Mansion
Another recently filed permit hints at upcoming work at one of Magic Kingdom’s most iconic attractions. While Disney hasn’t announced any additional changes or closures, this latest filing gives us a clearer look at what kind of work could be taking place at one of the most visited attractions in the near future and what it could mean for your upcoming trip.
Disney has quietly filed a new construction permit for Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom, and while it doesn’t spell out exactly what we should expect, it does give us a clearer picture of what kind of work may be happening behind the scenes.
Haunted Mansion
The permit was filed with Orange County on January 13th and lists the location as 1600 Magic Kingdom Drive, the address associated with the Haunted Mansion. The scope of work is described broadly as “general construction,” which is typical for Disney permits that allow flexibility for a range of potential updates or improvements. According to the document, Walt Disney Imagineering is listed as the owner overseeing the project, with MLC Theming, Inc. named as the contractor. MLC Theming is a familiar name in the Disney project world, as the company frequently works on attraction theming, scenic elements, and refurbishment-related construction across Disney World. That detail alone suggests that this work is likely related to show elements, infrastructure updates, or long-term maintenance, rather than something public-facing, such as a new queue addition.
A ghost will follow you home
As with many Disney permits, the language remains intentionally vague. There’s no mention of new scenes, ride enhancements, or operational changes — just the legal framework allowing construction to begin. The permit also notes that the expiration date is tied to project completion and could last up to a year unless otherwise specified, but that’s fairly common for work of this nature.
It’s the Hatbox Ghost!
What makes this filing notable is when it appears. Haunted Mansion is one of Magic Kingdom’s most iconic attractions, and Disney tends to take a proactive approach when it comes to preserving legacy rides, especially ones with complex show systems, special effects, and aging infrastructure. Even when changes aren’t immediately visible to you in the public eye, permits like this often signal preventative maintenance, backstage upgrades, or prep work that helps keep the attraction running smoothly long-term. If we had to take our best guess, that’s most likely all this permit aims to cover during its upcoming construction.
Madame Leota
At this point, Disney hasn’t announced any closures, refurbishments, or seasonal overlay changes tied to Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom. For now, this permit simply gives Disney the green light to begin work as needed, and it’s a reminder that even the most timeless attractions are constantly being maintained behind the scenes.
As always, we’ll keep an eye out for additional permits, updates, or operational changes that could shed more light on what this project might involve. Until then, consider this a small but interesting glimpse into the ongoing care of one of Disney’s most beloved attractions and stay tuned with us at DFB for even more Disney news and updates to come!
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It would be great if this was to move the recently added HatBox ghost to a more appropriate spot in the storyline.