Mouse Extra

Screamscape.com is reporting today that the Magic Kingdom’s Haunted Mansion may be going down for a long refurbishment in early 2007. This is a long overdue rehab as the attraction does show the neglect, but is seems unclear from what I have also heard whether this is simply a facelift or if WDI plans to add some of the special effects that the Disneyland version has recently added.

The broader curiosity surrounds whether or not this, as a follow-up to the recent Pirates re-do, signals the start of WDW investing money into updating some of its more neglected and dated attractions at the Magic Kingdom. There have been rumors galore about such an initiative. Back on September 17, the Mousetunes podcast reported, “Space Mountain is rumored to get a $30+ million refurb and Jungle Cruise one valued at $13 million.” We all know that the Magic Kingdom, as much as we love it, has been seemingly left alone and ignored over the past few years.

All of these attractions can use an update in technology as well as a simple cleaning. The additions to Space Mountain can really revitalize this great coaster that time has left behind. The Jungle Cruise is fun, but the technology exists to make this a much more impressive experience while maintaining its campy appeal. But let’s not stop there. The Speedway, Tom Sawyer Island, and Swiss Family Treehouse can all use..well…some reason to go there. The Country Bear Jamboree could be enhanced with some state of the art AA’s and much improved sound system.

Whenever changes are made to these old Magic Kingdon stand-buys people get nervous. But I think we may be at the point where something needs to be done to make the Kingdom sparkle again.