Haunted Mansion merch--Memento Mori {Updated 10/12/14 with Pics and Video}

[Melanie]

Patricia, I think the shop is supposed to be done by the end of September. The ride is going down for refurb from Dec. 1-19th...

See Figment's post a few up.

[Figment!]

Despite the internal announcement extending the refurbishment of the Yankee Trader store, the Magic Kingdom park has publicly maintained a "Fall" opening date for the new store:

Details Materialize About New Haunted Mansion-Themed Shop Coming to Magic Kingdom Park This Fall

September 2nd, 2014
by Steven Miller, Merchandise Communications Manager
The Official Disney Parks Blog

... As friendly spirits continue preparing the shop to open in the fall, I caught up with my Walt Disney Imagineering partners who shared some additional details about what guests can expect.

...the shop’s storyline:

“Rumors have been whispered for years about the little shop that once was the abode of Madame Leota. While she disappeared many years ago, it has been said her visage appears now and then and her voice, carried on the breeze, is sometimes heard, humming a mournful tune.”

When asked about the cast members who will work at this shop, I was told:

“The shop staff is a friendly, if somewhat quiet, group. They go about their duties with a calm and reverent manner but with a knowing glint to their eyes. They are well aware that the locals view the shop with a sense of mystery but come in anyway, hoping to find the perfect memento or to possibly learn about their future or past.”...

[seanyred]

I hope it is open by October!

[Patricia]

A fall opening makes more sense. It would be a shame not to have it opened before the Christmas crowds arrive.

[CaptSmee]

All I can tell you is that I am in the parks right now & am getting highly annoyed!!! I wanted to get the HM beer stein that matches the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea one, the tumbler that matches the rest & the HM game if life & am being told that they have all been pulled to put in the new HM store! Way to make things exclusive! Pull them from other locations! The stranger thing is they are all available online...guess I'll be ordering when I get home

[Stu29573]

Ok, I'm about to say something unpopular (go figure). I love the Haunted Mansion and I have many HM themed items, but I feel that Disney has gone around the bend on merchandising it. It used to be HM items were special because there were relatively few of them. Now, good Lord! Leave it to Disney to ruin a good thing by trying to squeeze every penny out of it...

[Tekneek]

Leave it to Disney to ruin a good thing by trying to squeeze every penny out of it...

Look around. That is their primary business strategy. In some cases with the older properties, though, they slashed away a lot of great merchandise. Now that they realize people want it, they are going overboard in the other direction.

[TheVBs]

I'm getting a huge kick out of the new HM merch! I don't buy a lot of it, but I would rather have more choices than fewer.

[Figment104]

Any word on the "fall" opening of the store?

Thanks!

[Figment!]

**Update**

Memento Mori, the new retail location replacing Yankee Trader, began a Public Preview period today (10/2/14) at the Magic Kingdom.

The preview period is expected to run intermittently until a Grand Opening in Mid October.

Besides a large array of Haunted Mansion merchandise, the retail location offers Guests the option to make a "changing portrait" of themselves. The holographic image reportedly morphs from the Guest's "corruptible mortal state" to a more ghoulish demeanor.

The store appears to have undergone a small refurbishment on the interior adding themed details in some of the woodwork, wallpaper, and other fixtures. Cast have advised Guests to look for "spirits to materialize" in several portraits and mirrors displayed around the store.

[BriarRose0708]

Awesome! I'll be there on Monday and if it's open I'll snap some pictures and post some observations here when I can. Sounds 100x better than that little cart!

[merciantinkerbell]

I'm quite excited to see this shop. It would make sense for Disney to open it for Halloween. Love the idea of getting a changing portrait of yourself, sounds very cool. Any idea on price?

[Figment!]

Any idea on price?

They reportedly start at $20 with "premium" frame upgrade options.

[TheVBs]

Love the changing portrait option! I wonder what they look like?

[seanyred]

I happened to be walking by on 10/2 when they opened. The shop is small (as it was before) but it was very well themed. I had my portrait done as well. It came out looking great, well worth the 20 bucks.

[TheVBs]

I happened to be walking by on 10/2 when they opened. The shop is small (as it was before) but it was very well themed. I had my portrait done as well. It came out looking great, well worth the 20 bucks.

Good to know! Can't wait to try it!

[merciantinkerbell]

Hubby and I soooooooooooooooooooooo going to have one of those portraits. Wonder if we can get a joint one, very cool

[EeyoresBestFriend]

YAY! can't wait to be able to acquire some new HM stuff!! Will be there in March!

[azcavalier]

I'll be there on Friday!

[LittleDreamer]

Disney's official blog just posted that Memento Mori is officially open.

Memento Mori now open at Magic Kingdom

Currently, they are limiting purchases to six items max according to the post. I think they wanted to open early due to the positive guest feedback but they haven't got all their shipments yet. Hopefully this won't become a mess in 2 weeks.