29. 2025 Recap and News

Episode 29 – Haunted Mansion News, Oogie Boogie Bash 2026 & Our 2025 Podcast Recap

Welcome back, foolish mortals…

After drifting through the spirit world for a short hiatus, The Swinging Wake Podcast returns with a brand new episode full of Haunted Mansion news, Disney Parks updates, and a full recap of our 2025 podcast season.

Join your grim-grinning hosts Alex and Kris as they materialize the latest Haunted Mansion developments from Disney parks around the world, discuss the expansion of Oogie Boogie Bash at Disneyland Resort, explore the legendary Pepper’s Ghost illusion, and revisit the episodes that defined our Haunted Mansion discussions last year.

Step into your Doom Buggy and join us on this journey… into regions beyond.

👻 Haunted Mansion & Disney Parks News 🎃 Oogie Boogie Bash 2026 Expands at Disneyland Resort

Disney has officially announced the return of Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party at Disney California Adventure, and 2026 will feature a record 33 nights of Halloween festivities.

The after-hours Halloween event will run from August 27 through October 31, bringing back fan-favorite experiences including:

• The Frightfully Fun Parade• Villain-themed treat trails• Rare Disney character encounters• Halloween overlays and atmospheric entertainment

🔗 Event infohttps://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/disney-california-adventure/oogie-boogie-bash-halloween-party/

Alongside the party, Plaza de la Familia will return to Disney California Adventure to celebrate Día de los Muertos with cultural performances, themed food, and experiences inspired by Pixar’s Coco.

👻 The Haunted Mansion’s Famous Pepper’s Ghost Illusion

Disney Imagineering recently highlighted the iconic Pepper’s Ghost illusion, the centuries-old theatrical trick responsible for the dancing ghosts inside the Haunted Mansion ballroom scene.

Originally developed in the 1800s, the illusion uses angled glass and lighting effects to create the appearance of transparent spirits interacting with the physical environment.

Disney Imagineers have continued to refine this illusion throughout the years, helping make the Haunted Mansion one of the most beloved attractions in Disney parks history.

🔗 Behind-the-scenes Imagineering videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m80WI0AK0P0

🏰 Haunted Mansion Updates Around the World 💍 Haunted Mansion Wedding Experiences

Beginning in July 2026, Disneyland will reportedly begin offering small wedding ceremonies in the Haunted Mansion courtyard, allowing couples to celebrate their vows near one of Disney’s most iconic attractions.

Additionally, the Haunted Mansion Parlor aboard the upcoming Disney Destiny cruise ship will feature themed wedding opportunities beginning in 2026.

🏗 Haunted Mansion Refurbishments Magic Kingdom – Walt Disney World

The Haunted Mansion exterior at Magic Kingdom is currently undergoing refurbishment work while nearby construction continues for the new Villains Land expansion.

Disneyland Park

The Disneyland version of Haunted Mansion reopened in January 2026 after its seasonal Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay.

🚨 Haunted Mansion Incident

Reports surfaced in early 2026 of guests scattering human remains inside the Magic Kingdom attraction — a rare but recurring issue that results in temporary ride closures for cleaning and safety procedures.

🌏 Mystic Manor Closure – Hong Kong Disneyland

Mystic Manor, the Haunted Mansion-style attraction at Hong Kong Disneyland, temporarily closed for operational adjustments from February 24 to March 9, 2026.

🎧 2025 Swinging Wake Podcast Recap

In 2025, we released seven Haunted Mansion podcast episodes covering Disney parks news, attraction history, interviews, and trip reports.

Here’s a look back at the year inside the mansion.

Episode 22

Haunted Mansion Changes

Topics included:

• Disneyland Haunted Mansion queue expansion• Madame Leota gift shop• Haunted Mansion Holiday updates• Oogie Boogie Bash announcements

Episode 23

The Attic Bride – Constance Hatchaway Lore

We explored the story of the infamous Haunted Mansion attic bride, Constance Hatchaway, along with Haunted Mansion merchandise news and Disney Imagineering history.

Episode 24

Disney Treasure & Haunted Mansion Parlor

With special guest Teresa Urban, we discussed:

• The upcoming Disney Treasure cruise ship• The first-ever Haunted Mansion-themed bar at sea• New Haunted Mansion characters and lore

Episode 25

Disneyland Halloween Foodie Guide 2025

A full breakdown of Halloween food, snacks, and drinks coming to Disneyland Resort.

Episode 26

Disneyland Halloween Trip Recap

Alex shares highlights from his Halloween trip including:

• Disneyland Halloween Time• runDisney Halloween Half Marathon Weekend• Oogie Boogie Bash• Club 33 and 1901 experiences

(Which connects to Alex’s runDisney experiences you’ve talked about before.)

Episode 27

Phantom Manor with Steph

We welcomed Steph from the Magic Key Adventures Podcast to discuss Phantom Manor at Disneyland Paris and how it differs from the Haunted Mansion.

Episode 28

Interview with Andy Mack

Voice actor and former Walt Disney World cast member Andy Mack joined us to discuss working in the parks and his love for the Haunted Mansion.

👻 Coming in 2026

The spirits have more in store…

In 2026 we’re planning:

• More Haunted Mansion history deep dives• Interviews with Disney creators and fans• Behind-the-scenes Disney Parks discussions• Patreon and Discord community content• A new Disneyland Halloween trip report

📬 Contact The Show

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👻 Hurry back… and beware — this podcast may follow you home.

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