The Haunted Mansion's long-running exterior overhaul at Magic Kingdom is showing real progress, and the hillside surrounding the attraction is looking more polished by the day. A freshly mulched planting bed now stretches across the upper portion of the grassy slope, filled with rows of low-growing green shrubs that follow the natural contour of the hill. The plantings resemble certain varieties of juniper, though their exact species hasn't been confirmed.
At least two newly planted trees have been added toward the center-left of the hillside, their slender trunks still supported by stakes and cables as they establish themselves. Irregular gray stone slabs extend across part of the slope around the trees, adding a rugged, Gothic texture that fits right in with the mansion's brooding architectural style.
Construction scrims are still in place around the lower level of the building, but much of the upper facade has already been revealed. The freshly uncovered exterior shows darker red brick, lighter stone trim, and a restored green finish on the cupola dome — a color palette that echoes the attraction's appearance in its earlier decades.
As the new plantings mature and fill in over time, the landscaped transition between the lawn and the mansion's elevated terrace should become even more pronounced. For now, the mulch is evenly spread and the individual shrubs remain visibly spaced apart, giving guests a clear look at the work in progress.
This story was first reported by WDW News Today.
