Today, Disneyland Paris teased the first image from Phantom Manor, the original take on Haunted Mansion. Also a small interview with Tom Fitzgerald, Portofolio Creative Executive at Walt Disney Imagineering was released to us.

The whole project has been shrouded in secrecy, with the exact opening date also still a secret. It is expected to open Spring 2019, after delays caused them to overshoot the original opening of Fall 2018. 

Disneyland Paris PR: Phantom Manor is a beloved attraction for many, can you tell us about what it means personally to you?

Tom Fitzgerald:  As a child, Halloween was always my favorite holiday.  I’d build haunted walk-throughs in the basement of my house (I had very tolerant parents) to scare friends and neighbors each year!  So, you can imagine my excitement when Walt Disney announced on television plans to build “The Haunted Mansion” at Disneyland!  The year the attraction opened, my family flew out to California to visit Disneyland.  My first “tour” of Haunted Mansion exceeded all expectations, and the attraction instantly became my favorite.  I’ve loved every iteration of this attraction around the world, including Phantom Manor here at Disneyland Paris.

DLP PR: What excites you the most about the upcoming reopening?

 As we began the process of renovations for the major attractions of Disneyland Paris, we couldn’t wait to get started on Phantom Manor.  With all of the “Illusioneering” we’d done for the domestic Haunted Mansion attractions, and the magical technologies we’ve invented since Disneyland Paris began, we had lots of options to explore!

 DLP PR: As you teased early this summer, some new magic is coming to this attraction in addition to a global refurbishment: can you give us a glimpse of what we can expect?

 Phantom Manor’s story has always been shrouded in mystery.  This renovation gave us a chance to revisit the storytelling of the attraction, and to answer some of the questions that guests have been asking over the years:  Who is the Phantom?  Who is the bride?  What happened years ago that led to all of this?  When Phantom Manor re-opens its doors soon, many of the mysteries will at last be revealed.  And not just revealed… these mysteries will actually unfold before your eyes through some of our new illusions!

 DLP PR: Now you really got us teased! Any last word?

We know fans have been anxious for Phantom Manor to return, and “we’ve been dying” for everyone to see what we’ve been up inside this beloved attraction.