Originally Posted By TDLFAN First up let me say that I have not been to DL since july 17th, 2005, so I have not seen the changes and revisions applied to that particular version of the Haunted Mansion. So I went in (with G-Fan in tow) not knowing what to really expect. I did recall seeing the floating Leota Head, and a ghostly piano player in their attic scene.. and thought it was well done. SPOILERS AHEAD** SPOILERS AHEAD** PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK*** G-Fan and I arrived there shortly after 4pm, after taking a quick look inside the BBB at the castle, which was fully booked for the day (guests without ressies being turned away). While I don't care much for the concept (not being a parent myself) I find little or no value in this venture, but it's obvious most parents do and are willing to spend the price. Based on the apparent demand for this service, I can see why a classic store was taken out, and replaced with this. For those who enjoy this service, then... more power to you, and am truly happy you are getting your money's worth. As for me.. I get my filled with the entertainment I can get from the parks.. Therefore... after enduring (at G-Fan's insistence) yet another 3pm parade showing and a ride on Snow White (which today was backed up as far back as the scene where we see the wicked witch standing on the rocks screaming "NO!!!"/ we saw the witch die twice!), finally we headed to the Haunted Mansion to ride. First up, we got there and the line started around the same structure that used to house the Fastpass distribution center. The new nearby sign read "30 Mins. wait". G-Fan and I got in line. Along the way, we noticed the wheelchair guests were being taken out of the line and into another line just for them. (They would later re-join us in the welcome hall, where Ghost Host's portrait turns to skeleton). All in all, thanks to the elimination of Fastpass (as it should be across the board), our wait time was only 16 mins total. Not bad, concidering the wait time was posted at 30 mins. So Kudos. BTW, the mansion looks clean and freshly painted on the outside. While I would have prefered the TDL treatment on the building (abandoned and decripit look), this HM also looks nice mind you. Immediately... there was no apparent difference as you walk into the welcome hall.. The Ghost Host portrait in the first hall seemed a bit different. Clearer, crisper graphics..and the voiceover was equally clear in quality. Not sure of the technical aspects of this scene but seemed to me the original sound was remastered and digitally reproduced. Very nice so far. Next, we moved on to the stretching room... WOW WOW! I immediately loved the new color schemes of the wall paper and how nicely put everything looked, as opposed to how bad this particular show scene was allowed to disrepair over time. They did a nice job here.. Everything looked nice and new, including the famous stretching portraits in the room. I felt the show here started quite fast.. as more than 50% of guests had not entered the room as the Ghost host started his spiel... This was a little troublesome for me.. too much noise from guests as they walked into the room, and then the stupid guests who feel the need to spoil the show by reciting every ghost host word verbatim, plus your ocasional idiot with a cellphone talking away. The CM here did nothing to stop the problems.. In Paris, when I have ridden Phantom Manor, the CMs yell a very loud "SILENCE!!" when this happens, and guests shut up. I wish they did the same here. Those inconciderate problems aside... the new sound system here works great! I love how the Ghost Host's voice appears to float from one side of the room to another, bound from the ceiling and surround us. Very nice effect, and very clear in stereophonic execution. KUODOS. I also like the added stretching room noises added here, which add great realism to the room's walls actually stretching... almost like the room is about to snap. VERY COOL sound EFFECT! When the lights go out, and we see the hanging body above.. the scene is much better lit and the noise of thunder and the crashing bang is full, rich, with thunderous bass. LOVED IT! For some reason, it took a little while for the doors into the queue for the doom bugy section took a little long to open.. Not sure if this is now designed to do just that, but I noticed that there was hardly anyone waiting to board the bugies as opposed to the backups I have seen before. Finally, doors open and we enter the final queue. I had to take it slow and admire the subtle touches added here.. like some of the portraits that used to appear in the first ride scene, now relocated here. The color scheme in the area has changed and the mood is certainly more foreboding. Then we board the Doom Bugy.. MORE SPOILERS!!! CHICKEN EXIT TO THE RIGHT -----> ------> At first, nothing seems different.. same candle holder floating in the balcony above... then.. WOW! The long portrait hall now has windows to the left, and new portraits on the right. The lighting we see thru the window is followed by great thundering noise.. and the portraits on the right turn to skeletal form as the lighting flickers. This effect is quite neat and something I am quite sure has been done before at the other HMs in DL and DLP. Here, it looks great. We go pass the Library... didn't see much difference here as opposed to before, then pass the playing piano. Some subtle differences here, but remains essentially the same.. Then we come up to this HM's exclusive staircase scene. One word to describe it... FABULOUS! The scene fools us with very effective use of mirrors, and also with a certain glow that sets the scene apart. The moving footsteps on the staircase's steps is really cool. The scene has certainly transformed what was basically a dark room in the orginal version, to a highlight of this ride. As you ascend the staircase..the cheap looking spiders have been replaced with very cool blinking "monster eyes" in the dark... The effects is simple, yet mesmerizing. KUDOS! Much to my pleasure, the armored costume in the next scene is back to life with new animation. This may actually be a new AA prop, or else, they did a great job fixing the old one.. Either way.. It's great. New effects continue from the grandfather clock scene.. and into Leota's seance... Not much difference except for the floating Leota's head in the crystal ball. The effect is well done, but here for some reason, the crystal ball seems a bit too high above the table below, but that's OK. The new floating prop is great.. I personally like Leota's fiber optic hairs.. and the facial image is crystal clear (pun intended). Then...on to the ghostly ball. I noticed a new table cloth is laid and new table wares... All of the ghosts here seem to wear new and more colorful costuming... the sound as well is crisp and the scene just glows beautifully. KUDOS. The Attic scene comes next. I am quite GLAD the old silly jumping props were taken out, and replaced by new decor and props. The portraits of the deadly bride with her many husbands is creepy and the new bride is certainly the MK's most elaborate prop to date. It just BLEW ME AWAY! To see the bride's hands holding an ax, which disappears as her arms come together.. and her very scary phychopath face... it was just AWESOME! HUGE KUDOS to Disney for this most technically impressive prop. Finally, on to the cemetery scene... All ghosts here appear to be sporting new costumes... or at least a new type of glow-in-the-dark paint effect. The whole cemetery just comes alive in a ghostly glow unlike before. While I did not notice any changes in regards to the AA's and movable props throughout the scene, I regretably noticed the singing ghost busts were inop. While we could hear the "Grin Grinning Ghosts" song, the busts sat there with no face or projection. A minor technical difficulty of the ride's signature scene. A pity, so I have to ride again soon to see this in action. When we finally arrive at the hitchhiking ghosts' scene. They seemed to be more animated than before, and with new use of lighting. I can not tell if these AAs are new or the same old ones fixed and improved... however, the ghosts' reflections on the mirrors as we ride pass them is much brighter and can be better appreciated. Little Leota at the end of the ride also got a makeover.. her face is sharper and her body dressed differently, yet there she is glowing in brand new splendor and as always.. urging us to hurry back...hurry back.. And indeed I will hurry back! All in all, the enhanced Haunted mansion restores my faith in what can be coming to the MK in the future. This is the kind of commitment WDW management needs to apply to the MK in a more timely matter. In regards to the HM, it was worth the wait. Now I can only hope management will commit themselves to keep this attraction in good working order for the millions of guests who will enjoy it for years to come. That will be the hard part but it can be accomplish if they put their desires to do so. And not just here, but with any attraction across WDW. Fingers crossed on this. One thing I also have to comment is on the stereo sound in the doom bugies themselves.. you hear ghost host's voice going left to right, back to left etc etc. very cool. If there is something I would have liked to see added here, it would have been the walking books in the library and the stretching protrait in the hall from the TDL version. But now I can honestly say that TDL's HM is far behind in effects and wizardry... but at least I rejoice in TDL's Nightmare overlay for the holidays... so that's a nice thing I wish they did here as well. Anyways...TDLFAN rates this HM ride again.. "E worthy". Go check it out!
Originally Posted By brotherdave Excellent report, TDLFAN! It truly sounds like the Haunted Mansion has FINALLY received it's well deserved rehab and upgrade to a level we can all appreciate! From what I've been hearing, Marc Davis, Claude Coats, et al, most likely would have been proud! Hopefully other MK (and WDW) attractions will benefit from this type of TLC. I just hope it doesn't take them so long again to do the required maintenance and upkeep of this, or any other, attraction!
Originally Posted By figment1986 amazing, you were there when mom and I were, thats why everything was in tip top shape. great description, I enjoyed it as well, something I'm surprised is not many people talk about how the ghost host is floating around your vehicle as well now, both times he would be floating from left to right, almost as well as in the stretching room.
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 Thank you for taking the time to share another detailed, informed, and critical report, TDLFAN. And what fabulous news! The Mansion upgrades sound wonderful! Kudos, indeed, to WDW management. It's tempting to look at the fact that sidewalks aren't powerwashed as frequently as they used to be and to surmise that management just doesn't care. But looking at it from another perspective... Did tourists ever storm City Hall and complain that the Haunted Mansion wasn't "fresh"? I doubt it. Yet WDW overhauled HM's sound system and visual effects to make sure the attraction was as good as it could be. They could have let this slide for many more years -- but they didn't. Good for them! Thank you!
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I am so looking forward to the staircase scene as you described here -- sounds tremendous
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>It's tempting to look at the fact that sidewalks aren't powerwashed as frequently as they used to be...<< Well G-Fan and I did notice that today and he commented to me on it while on our way to the HM. I will also NOT comment on the kitchen CM (in costume) that got on the monorail with us and other young girls in the same seat, who basically exposed his naked torso to all of us while changing his costume shirt in a wife-beater undershirt... that was very classy, and his name tag read "....- Bronx NY". But this is all about the HM and I do not want to take away the spotlight from that.
Originally Posted By Skellington88 I pretty much agree with everything TDLfan said. There are a few minor technical issues such as the heads in the attic not showing up in the portraits (They were just set to invisible...but they are supposed to appear and then disappear as you ride past) hopefully these things will get fixed asap. Otherwise very impressive redo..and I really hope they give the same treatment to other magic kingdom attractions even the fantasyland dark rides...all of the rides need maintenance and cleaning work as well as updating of effects and show scenes to get them on par with their Anahiem, Tokyo, and Paris counterparts.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< If there is something I would have liked to see added here, it would have been the walking books in the library and the stretching protrait in the hall from the TDL version. >>> Don't forget the door that has smoke coming out at the top, indicating real distress behind.
Originally Posted By bayrr326 <<There are a few minor technical issues such as the heads in the attic not showing up in the portraits (They were just set to invisible...but they are supposed to appear and then disappear as you ride past) hopefully these things will get fixed asap. >> From what I heard they are still tweaking stuff. I went yesterday and the heads are still just invisible and and the singing busts projections were out of sync and not even positioned properly. They had to get it open by the first halloween party but a few things are still being worked on. Now on to my review. I was blown away. After years of them allowed the mansion to fall apart, it was amazing to see it returned to glory. HM has been favorite attraction at MK since I first started going over 22 years ago. The stretching room sound was cool. Our CM actually yelled "Silence" to get people to shut up and it worked until the end when the lights go off. I just don't understand why people today feel the need to yap their trap during the pre-show. It is rude and annoying and it is not just the Americans that do it either. TDLFAN pretty much did a great job describing the updates. The staircase scene is a great add to what was a pretty dead spot. The Leota head and bride are a definite upgrade over the current ones at DL. Like I said give it a few more weeks for them to work the bugs out and I think we will have a kick ass Mansion. Also, cheers for getting rid of fastpass on that ride. Like POTC the Mansion has no need for fast pass with the amount of people it can push thru in an hour. My only jeer is the new canopy is so big it pretty much blocks your view of the mansion thru most of the line. My only worry as with everything at MK is the upkeep. I hope that this is a new beginning for the classic attractions at the park. Lets hope that the SM and JC rehabs are done as well as this one is and after that maybe they will look at Snow White and Peter Pan and get those 2 up to the same level of their counterparts at DL.
Originally Posted By sherrytodd Such wonderful news! I'm so sad now that I won't be able to make my annual pilgrimage this fall. Guess I will have to wait till next year. :.(
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Hopefully by then, things will still be in operational conditions. I am glad to know that some things were not quite in proper order, since I do want to get back and see the disappearing heads in the portraits... that sounds like a cool effect. And I agree with the statement made above. They really need in invest heavily into upgrading most of the classic attractions they have there. The Fantasyland C-tickets are crap next to what they have done in the other DL parks, plus Space Mt, JC and even BTM need major fixes and upgrades. I want to see the falling rocks and fiber optic gold dust added to our BTM, as they have in the other versions.
Originally Posted By Skellington88 Whats funny is the current rumor is that Disneyland's c-ticket dark rides are going down for yet anoter wave of upgrades yet WDW's havent even been upgraded once yet. The peter pan ride in florida is a joke compared to the other versions of the ride.
Originally Posted By bloona Thank you, that was a really good read. Cant WAIT to see it. Think it will be too much now for my youngest (will be 6 then)
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Not at all Bloona. If he has been on the Mansion before, I think he can handle it. The main thing that could scare a small child would be the thunder sound effects... but still, even they are not HUGE BOMBS exploding around you. I think DLP's Phantom Manor is still creepier in sights than this new version at the MK. (Reason to check DLP soon
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Great review, TDLFAN. I just hope they get all the effects up and running and keep them that way. As to the obnoxious guests, well, I have taken chances on getting my brains bashed in but I am now one of those 'SHHHHHHH' spirits on Mansion. I am tired of having my enjoyment, and that of most others, ruined by boors who don't know any better. And, you're right, at DLP the CMs yell 'SILENCE!' and they always get it.
Originally Posted By disneykid90 Im excited about going back there in Dec. I went for MK and EC for the first time in 4 and a half years end of August off for the CP. The scaffolding was still on it at the time. There's going to be so much to do when I get back
Originally Posted By bloona He didnt go on it before TDLFAN, he was 4 last time we went and I thought of the nightmares it would have given me at that age and decided to give it a miss. lol.(He was even scared of the cork popping in Philarmagic last time!) But hoped that he might be better next year. mmmmm. Will see how he is on other rides first. Ta
Originally Posted By Disneydanny I'd heard from a freind of mine who works at WDI that an executive decided to pull the section of the script about Madame Leota out of the ride or some strange reason. have they done the same at WDW?
Originally Posted By jmuboy Lets hope the rumored updates to Space Mt and JC come true......and turn out as well as the HM did.
