Haunted Mansion Scrim Removal Starts at Magic Kingdom

By Samantha B. · Mom of five · Winter Park, FL

Published June 22, 2026 · Updated October 13, 2026

If you’ve visited Magic Kingdom since mid-March, you’ve likely noticed that one of the park’s most iconic facades has been hidden. The Haunted Mansion has been completely covered in green scrim and scaffolding for an exterior refurbishment, ruining the classic eerie photo op in Liberty Square.

But good news: crews are finally starting to remove the covers.

Most of the scrim that previously obscured the mansion’s tower and chimneys is now gone. While there is still some green scrim covering the lower portions of the building, the mansion is largely getting its spooky curb appeal back.

With the facade looking great again, you might be tempted to prioritize the Haunted Mansion first thing in the morning to grab a photo and a quick ride. Before you do, there is a major rope drop rule you need to know.

The Early Entry Catch at Haunted Mansion

If you are staying at a Disney World hotel, you get Early Theme Park Entry, which allows you to start riding attractions 30 minutes before the park officially opens.

But here is the catch that burns casual planners every morning: Not all lands are open during Early Entry.

At Magic Kingdom, Early Entry is restricted to Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. That means Liberty Square—home to the Haunted Mansion—is completely closed. Frontierland, Adventureland, and Storybook Circus are closed, too.

If you show up for Early Entry expecting to walk right onto the Haunted Mansion, you will be stopped by a rope and Cast Members waiting for the official park opening time. You just wasted your head start.

The Smart Move for Riding

So, what should you actually do?

If you have Early Entry: Do not waste your 30-minute advantage standing at the Liberty Square rope waiting for the rest of the park to open. Head to Fantasyland or Tomorrowland (this is the time to knock out Peter Pan’s Flight or Space Mountain). When the park officially opens to everyone, then you can make your way over to the Haunted Mansion.

If you don’t have Early Entry: If you are staying off-site and arriving right at the official park opening, you are already behind the thousands of hotel guests who have been in the park for half an hour. Because those guests are heavily concentrated in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, your smartest move is to head straight to the lands that just opened. Beelining for Liberty Square to ride the Haunted Mansion right at official park opening is an excellent way to get a short wait without using a Lightning Lane.

The Lightning Lane Strategy: Haunted Mansion is included in Lightning Lane Multi Pass. It doesn’t usually sell out as fast as top-tier headliners, making it a reliable second or third selection for your day once you redeem your initial picks.

The Nighttime Walk-On: Haunted Mansion wait times almost always crater at the end of the night. If you want a short wait, hop in line during the fireworks or right before the park closes. (And remember: SupaPark’s live alerts can ping you the second the wait time drops to a walk-on, so you never miss the opportunity.)

Planning around this? Alert me when the wait drops for Haunted Mansion.

Can Babies Ride Haunted Mansion? (And What to Do Right After)

Yes — Haunted Mansion has no height requirement, so babies and toddlers can ride, and that surprises a lot of first-time planners. The real question isn’t whether they can, it’s whether they’ll want to. The ride is slow-moving and there are no drops, but it’s dark, there are loud organ stings and a few startle moments, and the stretching room sequence makes some little ones nervous. Sensitive kids often do better than parents expect; kids who hate the dark usually don’t.

Two practical notes. First, the Doom Buggies load from a moving walkway — Cast Members can slow or stop it if you ask, and you should ask if you’re wrangling a lap child. Second, infants have to be held; you’ll park the stroller outside, so grab anything you need out of it before you get in line.

If someone in your party is going to sit this one out, Haunted Mansion is a good candidate for Rider Switch so the other adult doesn’t lose their turn.

Where to go next in Liberty Square

The closest indoor, air-conditioned attraction after Haunted Mansion is The Hall of Presidents, a few steps away in Liberty Square — a long, fully seated show that’s the single best place in the park to cool down with a sleeping baby. If you’d rather keep moving, continue toward Fantasyland and you’re a short walk from “it’s a small world,” which is also indoor, slow, and genuinely baby-friendly.

The smart move: pair Haunted Mansion with The Hall of Presidents in the same stop. You get the spooky headliner and a guaranteed sit-down break back to back, instead of hiking across the park for shade later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a height requirement for Haunted Mansion?

No — Haunted Mansion has no height requirement, so babies and toddlers are allowed to ride. Infants need to be held, and strollers stay outside the queue.

What is the next indoor attraction after Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom?

The Hall of Presidents is the nearest indoor, air-conditioned attraction, just steps away in Liberty Square. Keep walking toward Fantasyland and “it’s a small world” is the next indoor option.

Is Haunted Mansion too scary for toddlers?

It depends on the kid — the ride is slow with no drops, but it’s dark and has loud, startling moments like the stretching room. Kids who are comfortable in the dark usually handle it fine.

Go deeper — the full guides: Ultimate Guide to Character Meet-Ups, Shows & Entertainment at Walt Disney World · Hollywood Studios Deep Dive: Master Galaxy’s Edge, Rise of the Resistance, Toy Story Land & Shows · Disney World Secrets, Hidden Mickeys & Pro Hacks

SupaPark tracks live wait times and crowd forecasts, and pings you the second a hard-to-get reservation opens or a ride goes walk-on — free to start at supapark.com.

Keep planning: Haunted Mansion · live wait times · is Lightning Lane worth it