All photos courtesy Disney Parks BlogIt feels like we’ve been waiting forever for Hatbox Ghost to show up at the Magic Kingdom. I remember the announcement at the D23 Expo in 2022. Good news, he’s finally live! Okay, maybe that isn’t the right word for it, but he’s now part of the Haunted Mansion gang. Here are the scary details from Disney Parks Blog.
***
Hatbox Ghost Materializes at the Haunted Mansion at Walt Disney World
by Julia Ohlrich, Internal Communications Specialist, Walt Disney Imagineering
Greetings, foolish mortals… We are delighted to inform you the Hatbox Ghost has come out to socialize at the Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom Park! The iconic grim grinning ghost has decided to reveal himself to guests for the first time since his arrival was announced at Destination D23 earlier this year.
For those unacquainted with this reclusive resident, the Hatbox Ghost first appeared in the Haunted Mansion in Disneyland Park in 1969. In 2015, he reappeared in the attraction but had yet to show himself at the Magic Kingdom attraction — until now!
Materializing next to the Endless Hallway, the Hatbox Ghost emerges through a cobalt blue glass-paned door under the cloak of night. Traces of muddy footprints mark his path as he arranges his cart of hatboxes and luggage. Lit by the moon and the warm glow of a dim lantern, guests come face-to-face with the Hatbox Ghost, grimly grinning as he takes fiendish delight in unnerving visitors with his heady parlor trick.
Our Disney Imagineers have been working hard to prepare the Mansion for his arrival — enhancing lighting and updating paint throughout the queue and attraction.
But, they’re not the only ones who have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Hatbox Ghost… The 999 happy haunts of the Haunted Mansion are in high spirits, celebrating his appearance by being on their ghoulishly best behavior for this hauntingly grand affair.
Come see the Hatbox Ghost for yourself now at the Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom Park!