PHOTO REPORT: Magic Kingdom 4/9/19 (New Haunted Mansion On-Ride Photo, Park Critters, Spring Crowds, ETC.)

Annie Wilson

Castle moat draining

PHOTO REPORT: Magic Kingdom 4/9/19 (New Haunted Mansion On-Ride Photo, Park Critters, Spring Crowds, ETC.)

The sky was overcast and the weather was a bit cooler, so I decided to take advantage of the lower crowds and head over to the Magic Kingdom.

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Head where? Oh, headwear!

The Genie baseball cap has arrived at the Emporium. I’m really loving the ear ring and pony tail. Your wish can be granted for just $29.99.

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If you’re “Well Trained”, this cute Tramp shirt might be for you. For $24.99, this might also be good advertisement while standing in the single rider line.

Well trained

Over at Memento Mori, another new set of Haunted Mansion plush have arrived. Popular characters like the Knight and random skeleton butler guy (Ghost Host? Master Gracey?) can follow you home for $59.99. I’d follow someone home for $59.99, too.

Haunted mansion plush

Speaking of the Haunted Mansion, they’ve added a new on-ride photo. Imagine my excitement hearing that my favorite ride has a new photo experience! Expectations versus reality hits hard with this one. This is quite possibly the worst on-ride photo I’ve ever experienced. When the doom buggy enters the changing portrait room, the lightning flash goes off, followed by a blinding camera flash. Right after the Ghost Host says, “No flash pictures, please” you’ll have your picture taken… with a flash. Awkward. Unless you know the photo is coming and plan to pose for it, you’ll probably get an experience similar to mine. Why do I look like this?!

Why am I so awkward

Since Cinderella’s moat is pretty empty right now, and it seems like Cosmic Ray’s is getting a cleaning and a fresh coat of paint. High reaches are out in the dry moat area so the crew can get to the walls around the outside.

Castle moat draining

Castle moat draining

Painting cosmic rays

The Tron crane family has a new member. They all seem to be hard at work, so we’ll continue to monitor the progress.

Tron cranes

Tron cranes

Tron cranes

We spotted some repairs to the Tomorrowland Speedway track.

Tomorrowland speedway

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Tomorrowland speedway track

Speedway track

Speedway track

It seems like patches of pavement are being repaired in small sections. We found this area roped off near the recently drained castle moat. We also spotted a bird enjoying a chicken finger. It’s a bird eat bird world out there.

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MK Crowds

We spotted even more wildlife on our way towards Adventureland. A squirrel was examining strollers for snacks.

MK Crowds Squirrel

MK Crowds

MK Crowds

And in other wildlife news, the birds in Liberty Square are stalking their prey. This guy thinks his turkey leg is safe from a bird, but he hasn’t seen what I’ve seen. Trust me, sir. Texting and eating is dangerous in these parts.

MK Crowds

A sea of people make their way through the castle towards Fantasyland. The light rain and gray sky seems to be holding off some of the crowds, but the park is still pretty busy.

MK Crowds

All the attractions seem to have high wait times around the park. You can get a glimpse at some of the crowds waiting for “it’s a small world” through the window at Pinocchio Village Haus.

MK Crowds

Looking out into the crowds, I notice some flags that don’t quite fit in with the scenery. Like shark fins in an ocean of people, I avoid the tour groups at all costs.

MK Crowds

I don’t think I can really look this direction without seeing an overwhelming crowd of people. It’s a small pathway, after all.

MK Crowds

MK Crowds

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With a line like that, I’d better turn into a mermaid by the end of the ride.

MK Crowds

MK Crowds

It seems word has gotten out about the Mickey Confetti Pretzel at Tortuga Tavern. The line was out the door.

MK Crowds

The FastPass entrance for the Pirates of the Caribbean is so long, I thought it was the stand-by queue.

MK Crowds

MK Crowds

The crowds in Tomorrowland weren’t much better than the rest of the park, but the cool weather and threat or rain seem to be holding off the people this morning.

MK Crowds

The Stitch meet and greet was open, with a line.

MK Crowds

The quietest place in the park right now is Tomorrowland Terrace. They’re open and serving, but it seems as if the majority of the crowds have no idea. Maybe I’d better stop and have some lunch.

MK Crowds

Well, that’s all for today here at the Magic Kingdom. Thanks for joining us on this long and busy day around the park. We’ll continue to bring you all the latest park updates, so stayed tuned for more photo reports!