Originally Posted By AutoPost This topic is for Discussion of <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/Latest.asp?I1=ID&I2=75314" target="_blank"><b>Latest: Budget Cuts in Hong Kong Disneyland's Mystic Manor?</b></a> <p>We have heard that the budget has been radically slashed for Hong Kong Disneyland's upcoming E-Ticket attraction Mystic Manor. The attraction which was to be the park's version of The Haunted Mansion has been subjected to numerous reviews over budget and timetable. The budget restrictions will affect story, show and the proposed ride system (which was to be a trackless system like Tokyo Disneyland's Pooh's Hunny Hunt). The attraction is unlikely to open in the same form as exhibited at the Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Showcase at D23 Expo last year unless another change of course happens.</p>
Originally Posted By Mr X Crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crapcrap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap crap CRAP!! The next idiot that promises (or even suggests!) a "hunny hunt" ride system for an immersive family attraction is going to get cyber-smacked by ME! They get my hopes up AGAIN, only to DASH them against the rocks!! Disney, I am disgusted!! Crap times a million! STOP WITH THE CHEAP CRAP WILL YOU PLEASE!??
Originally Posted By xrayvision Guessing: Omnimover system to replace trackless. Mystic Manor ride will be the length of Little Mermaid at DLR. They're looking at a Mermaid & Mansion combo as the new prototype instead of the pricier combo of Indy, TDL's Hunny Hunt, TDS ToT and Mansion.
Originally Posted By Anatole69 So I wonder if this is because of DisCo or because of the HK government getting cold feet over funding. - Anatole
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: What a slap in the face this news is to HKDL fans--assuming it's true. If ever there was a park that needed something special, unique and worthwhile, this park is it! How dare they cut corners on an attraction that could have meant the difference between flying all the way from Morva to see it, as opposed to choosing some place better to go? ORWEN: Well, it's THEIR loss! I mean it's the loss of the management people in charge. It's as if there's nothing to look forward to from this point on. The Toy Story Playland disappointment sure isn't gonna' whet a witch's appetite I can tell you!!
Originally Posted By barboy2 This is the worst theme park news EVER!!!!!! Mystic Manor's layout, ride system and theme had me drooling like a Pavlovian dog...... far more than: staring at that mammoth structure(ToT) early in '94 at MGM Studios, the highly anticipated '95 Indiana Jones and the eagerly awaited and highly touted Expedition Everest. WHAT A TITANIC PISSER!!! If reports come back that Grizzly Gulch is not a bona fide E experience then I doubt that I will ever enter Hong Kong Dl again.
Originally Posted By tashajilek Yupp Mystica Manor was the reason i had made my mind up to go to HKLD. If the ride doesnt turn out amazing as promised i wont ever go.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox <<Guessing: Omnimover system to replace trackless. Mystic Manor ride will be the length of Little Mermaid at DLR. They're looking at a Mermaid & Mansion combo as the new prototype instead of the pricier combo of Indy, TDL's Hunny Hunt, TDS ToT and Mansion.>> Exactly what I was thinking as well, xrayvision. I wouldn't be surprised if the show building for MM ends up being a duplicate of TLM @ DCA, much like CTX/Dinosaur utilizes Indy's show building and vehicle system. Swap out a singing crab for a mischievous monkey and *voila!* you've got yourself a completely different, totally unique attraction!! (Not really, unless you're a Disney executive blinded by the bottom line.) Sometimes, Disney just plain sucks.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Yet they will build the crap that is Toy Story Playland. Scrap that piece of crap and build Mystic Manner properly. I have had it with Disney - they have totally lost their way and my loyalty.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: It seems that someone of high authority really wants this park to fail. ORGOCH: Nope! What they's REALLY tryin' ta do is re-program their fans ta like CRAP instead a QUALITY. They thinks if'n they can keep puttin' out trash we'll all learn ta like it whilst they keep on raisin' prices an gougin' guests ev'rywhere they can. Ya would a thought Harry Potter could a taught 'em a thing er two by now. But there's just too many bone heads makin' bad decisions at the top these days!
Originally Posted By TDR_Fan Like Dave, I'd rather they scrap Toy Story Playland and use that $80 million or so plussing Mystic Manor. Did the attraction really have an unreasonable budget? I'm sure it wouldn't have cost more than any other major E-ticket.
Originally Posted By Imagineerie dot com Wow... My first negative experiences with Disney was when I was working at WDI 9 years ago and it just hasn't stopped since that time. It seems like I cannot go more than a single season before they drop the ball again (last one was the Toy Story Playland at DLP last month). When are they going to stop shooting themselves in the foot? I am pretty-certain the it is DHK itself that is instigating the cut-back, but I was really looking forward to seeing Mystic Manor with my wife and her family: all from Ghoungzou, Shen Zhen and HK region; but forget it now. A word of wisdom to Disney and DHK: I have it on good authority from my wife's extended family, throughout that region of China (none of whom have been to DHK-even the families with children), that nobody visits DHK because there isn't enough to do there to justify the cost of a visit. It isn't because they can't afford it either because they are all middle to upper-middle class. This change is a huge step BACKWARD in their efforts to increase the gate for this park.
Originally Posted By NGrey <<We have heard that the budget has been radically slashed for Hong Kong Disneyland's upcoming E-Ticket attraction Mystic Manor.>> How much is "radically slashed"? Are we talking about cutting down the number of show scenes too? With the greenhouse scene already cut, it would be a shame to lose even more of the elaborate effects.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< I am pretty-certain the it is DHK itself that is instigating the cut-back >>> And who has the management contract for DHK? TWDC.
Originally Posted By Malin I have to say I am very angry and disappointed to read about possible budget cuts to the Mystic Manor project. Its very difficult to form an opinion on something like this when the rumour originally started by this site isn't specific enough on what sort of budget cuts are being talked about here. If Disney are looking at wanting to cut the trackless system for a omnimover-system that may not be such a bad move. Looking at the train wreck from last weeks opening of TSPL with 120 minutes waits. HKDL may now realise how much of a flawed concept this land actually is on crowds. While I tend to favour the choice of scrapping TSL at Hong Kong. I would imagine the carni rides were ordered in bulk to save on cost and the parts are waiting for shipment to Hong Kong. So it maybe to late to pull back on TSL unfortunately It may be that the park is needing a ride system that can handle thousands in an hour and not just hundreds. I really hope no cuts are being made on the show scenes or theming. I do have another fear being that Mystic Point was scheduled to open last out of the three expansion areas. A Imagineer explained to me that Mystic would be last to open because it was the most technically advance attraction out of the three. It could be that Management are cutting back in order to get this attraction open sooner rather than later. Is the park concern with the negative press the Asian Media will likely give Toy Story Land and will Management want to prevent such a move by rushing development on Mystic Point.
Originally Posted By leemac Oh boy - this story is a dozy. I'm not going to comment specifically as it is too close to home except for the following point - this once again demonstrates the danger of releasing specific information about a project four years before opening. The model should never have been available at D23 - never. These gyrations happen to ALL projects but they usually take place behind closed doors. The decision to release so much information about the attraction was knuckle-headed and once again demonstrates that the WDP&R still can't manage its own PR correctly. I'd also caution about jumping to too many conclusions about where the "budget" is allegedly being cut. Ride systems are rarely cheap - even an OmniMover is pricey. It is always a trade-off and the creative and delivery teams will need to work it all out. Once they finally estimate out fabrication and construction costs maybe things will swing back - there is still some time before production kicks in.
Originally Posted By NGrey <<I'd also caution about jumping to too many conclusions about where the "budget" is allegedly being cut. Ride systems are rarely cheap - even an OmniMover is pricey. It is always a trade-off and the creative and delivery teams will need to work it all out.>> This is worrying. I was hoping that using an Omnimover system instead would allow the rest of the attraction to stay intact. If that isn't enough, I pray that they don't cut the special effects/scenes that would have made the attraction amazing. <<Once they finally estimate out fabrication and construction costs maybe things will swing back - there is still some time before production kicks in. >> So there is still a chance that we will see the attraction in its original proposed form?
Originally Posted By leemac <<So there is still a chance that we will see the attraction in its original proposed form?>> Oh gosh - in the past I would have happily said yes - but the recent track record suggests otherwise. Once a budget is cut once it usually only goes in one direction. But never say never. There is plenty of time left to make right what was once right.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: And that is precisely what has so many worried. Thus the original fears of fans weren't exaggerated after all.
