Back in 2012, The Yankee Trader in the Magic Kingdom closed for a very lengthy refurbishment and a lot was changed, but Disney isn’t quite done with it yet. Rumors have been swirling for quite some time that a Haunted Mansion gift shop would be coming as one has been needed, but now that could end up becoming a reality.
The Yankee Trader’s refurbishment is set to begin on July 7, 2014, and run through Sept. 30, 2014. It is tentatively scheduled to reopen to guests on Oct. 1, 2014.
Over the course of the past two years, Yankee Trader was refurbished to have a wheelchair-accessible ramp, get a paint job, and a lot else. During this time, the Haunted Mansion merchandise cart had been moved, removed, put back, moved again, and then removed permanently.
Now, word is that the Yankee Trader will be transformed into a Haunted Mansion-exclusive gift shop.
That’s something that guests have been asking for, for a long time. The Yankee Trader actually has a lot of Haunted Mansion merchandise inside of it, but it sells other Disney items as well. If transformed, it could be like the store that is at the exit of Pirates of the Caribbean in Adventureland as it is almost entirely pirates-exclusive.
Another rumor flying around is that Haunted Mansion could soon develop an on-ride photo opportunity that will happen in the Hitchhiking Ghosts mirror scene near the end.
If that does end up happening and the transformation of Yankee Trader into a Haunted Mansion gift shop also happens, then inside of the new store is where you could purchase your on-rid photos.
None of this is confirmed at this time except for the refurbishment schedule for Yankee Trader, but it will be interesting to see what is done.
My office is part Haunted Mansion, it is my ultimate favorite ride, I have wondered why they haven’t had a gift shop or photo op for it. This would be an amazing plan. I was actually afraid the first time I went on it, I remember holding into my husband so tight in the room at the beginning…silly me. My daughter’s don’t get the appeal but they have never been on it yet, they have only been to Tomorrowland the night before a cruise, they love Disney Cruises almost as much as me.