One Year Since Disney Was in Talks of Hanging Scene Removal from Haunted Mansion

One of the most nostalgic attractions at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort is the classic Haunted Mansion. Glooming over the pixie dust-filled Disney Park, the doom buggy ride experience with 999 happy haunts is a Disney fan favorite. With talks of attraction changes recently, the Haunted Mansion hanging scene was one in question. One year later, we have yet to see or hear any changes.

RELATED: The Little-Known Secret Behind Disney’s Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion is at the center of much buzz recently with a new live-action film in the works. Foolish Mortals are happy to learn a reboot of the Haunted Mansion movie franchise is underway with Owen Wilson starring in the film. Disney recently released the film’s plot and logo with an expected release in theaters on March 10, 2023.

In April 2021, Haunted Mansion surfaced in a report shared by the Los Angeles Times where Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion was the topic of discussion. Haunted Mansion changes came into question as Disney has been working to update attractions with attention to cultural sensibilities.

Disney has already made several changes to the Jungle Cruise attraction at both Disneyland Park and Magic Kingdom Park in an effort to remove “offensive portrayals of Indigenous people.” We are also awaiting the retheming of the iconic Splash Mountain to The Princess and the Frog (2009) theme with the removal of any connection to the Song of the South (1946) film which has been noted as having connections to racism.

Disney fans may also remember in years past the changes made to Pirates of the Caribbean attraction which removed the bride auction scene and gave the iconic Redhead her own role in charge of the auction where items are for sale rather than women.

When those attraction changes were announced, some Disney fans were calling for changes in Haunted Mansion – specifically the removal of a hanging scene in the Haunted Mansion, noting its association with suicide and lynchings.

RELATED: Video – Guest Risks Disney World Ban with Haunted Mansion Trespass

Disney’s Michele Hobbs, who managed the 2021 Haunted Mansion refurbishment was asked by LA Times about the possibility of changes to the attraction. Disney heard the complaints with Hobbs stating, “It’s been discussed for sure. It’s definitely something that we’re thinking about.’”

Now, a little over a year later, Disney has yet to reveal any further plans for any Haunted Mansion changes. The changes to Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, and soon-to-be Splash Mountain have been at the center of much debate. To change with the times or to keep the history? The question is one that seems to sit with individual Disney fans at different levels.