Originally Posted By crazee4mm I noticed just last night (3/22/08)that The Haunted Mansion is now sporting some new nifty "doombuggies". The buggies seem slightly "thicker" than the old ones and have a considerable amount of skatboard anti-skid grit paper on the floorboard. By the feel of them, I estimate that they are considerably lighter than the previous buggies. The ride is also smoother with no more unneccessary whiplash inducing back-and-forth rotation to jar the riders on the sides. I was able to ride it four times and I got a smooth ride each time. Now, if they could just keep you level as you pass the caretaker and his dog (it always feels as though you are tilting to the right as you pass) the ride would have been perfect. Also, there is now a safety sign molded into the "dash" of each buggy but at no time during the ride is there enough light to actually read it. P.S. Could someone please change the lighting in Madame Leota's crystal ball room. The wires for the floating effect are now clearly visible. As Walt would have said, "bad show". Every time I have ridden it recently, there has been someone in another buggy that has yelled or mentioned that they could see the obvious wires. The lady in the buggy next to me comented to her friend that the effect looked cheesy by Disney standards.
Originally Posted By AaronInCal I've noticed this also. The bar the goes across the top of the buggy that closes is the most obvious because it is rough and thicker than before. The old bars are thinner and smooth. Also that flap at the bottom to keep your feet from possibly getting pinched is definately new. The warning sign is built into the new buggy, not just added on as with the old buggies. They must be gradually changing them because I've ridden in an old one about a week after I got a newer one.
Originally Posted By ecdc Granted, I only make it to the parks once a year, but I didn't notice a differenc last week. And the Leota effect was visible on some rides I took, but not others.
Originally Posted By ecdc In addition to not noticing a differenc (an old English word for pastery) I also didn't notice a difference.
Originally Posted By Dznygrl Seeing the wires, etc. has a lot to do with what time you ride it. If you ride during the day when the sun is shining, your eyes aren't as adjusted to the darkness, and therefore a lot of those things you're not supposed to see don't really show up as much. I used to be a night rider and always noticed all that stuff, especially Leota's wire. Then I started riding it during the day and was amazed at the difference.
Originally Posted By bravebrother ^ I agree Dznygrl.... it has a lot to do with how your eyes have adjusted to the darkness.... I found the exact same thing as you did...
Originally Posted By SoThisIsLove <<Also, there is now a safety sign molded into the "dash" of each buggy but at no time during the ride is there enough light to actually read it.>> I guess I'm just tired, but I find this hilarious.
Originally Posted By mousermerf WDW got similar new buggies during it's refurb recently - i assume the central shops just kept making them and then put them on a truck to DL.
Originally Posted By SBSBelle22 I was there in January and didn't notice this... I'll have to pay closer attention when I go in June
