The time has COME!
The Hatbox Ghost has materialized at the Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom after months of anticipation. We spotted him this morning on an early ride in our Doom Buggy and were happy to see this Imagineering feat finally come to life on the East Coast — but not everyone was quite as thrilled about how it was done.
Tons of fans have been not-so-patiently patiently waiting for his arrival. However, now that he is here, quite a few people have two very big complaints about the details.
Timeline
For some backstory, the Hatbox Ghost first debuted in the original Haunted Mansion in Disneyland. The intention was for it to look like his head disappears from his body, reappears in the hatbox, goes back to his body, and so on. However, it didn’t work correctly so he was removed.
In 2015, the Hatbox Ghost finally reappeared in the Disneyland version of the ride — specifically in the attic scene. But now, in the Disney World version, he appears much earlier in the ride.
He’s HOME! 🎩👻🤩 pic.twitter.com/m2VxJ3awr1
— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) November 30, 2023
Those on the attraction can spot him in the Endless Hallway portion of the ride, which as many fans have pointed out comes before the Madam Leota seance scene. This is a problem for some because Madam Leota is supposed to awaken the spirits for you, and after this part of the ride is when ghosts start to materialize.
So how does the Hatbox Ghost materialize before this scene? This breakaway from the original storyline is a big problem for some. However, while it might not be much of a comfort to some, others do find this placement to be acceptable because it fits in with the storyline of the 2023 remake of the film.
999 Happy Haunts?
Secondly, one of the major storylines in the ride is that there are 999 happy haunts… (but there is room for one more).
Some fans have wondered if that means that the Haunted Mansion has reached its capacity and how that fits with the eerie invitation for the next resident.
This has been addressed by an Imagineer, however. According to Disney, since the Hatbox Ghost was originally supposed to be a part of the ride and just didn’t materialize until later, he was already part of the first 999.
What are your thoughts on the Hatbox Ghost in Disney World? Let us know in the comments below, and stay tuned to AllEars for all the latest!
Disney World Added Something NEW to the Haunted Mansion!
Join the AllEars.net Newsletter to stay on top of ALL the breaking Disney News! You'll also get access to AllEars tips, reviews, trivia, and MORE! Click here to Subscribe!
Have you seen the remake of this film? Do you think it justifies the placement of the Hatbox Ghost? Let us know in the comments below!
Since there are plenty of spooky things before Leota, like the wallpaper, floating candelabra & glowing footsteps, why is anyone worried about when this ghost appears? The whole mansion is supposed to be haunted. So should the hearst ghosts also be removed?
Is the candelabra still floating in the hallway?
If the Hatbox Ghost imprisoned Leota in the orb, then why wouldn’t him coming first, be acceptable?