Originally Posted By DDMAN26 The thing is in any sort of hobby or interest there's bound to be one person who comes across as almost a parody of the message board poster who just complains about everything. I'm a comic book reader and so I peruse a few of those message boards. There was the one guy who didn't want comic books sold at Barnes and Noble because "regular people" might buy one. And I still don't know what we have to apologize for.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "There was the one guy who didn't want comic books sold at Barnes and Noble because "regular people" might buy one." <--- stares at computer screen, eyes blinking with mouth wide open.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 "That's wholly incorrect. It takes up space of what was a very scenic and pleasing to the eye waterfront with some beautiful, fitting trees. The look from the riverboat and/or TSI was far more realistic of a mansion on the hill without it. Sometimes less is more." please - it takes up part of the queue where sweaty hordes of people were jammed together to get into an attraction. as far as realism, yes I agree it is less foreboding than it can be - maybe for the younger kids in the crowd ? That being said - there are far scarier haunted mansion virtually anywhere - so I am not sure the fit is that bad- and I know the 12 and under kids we traveled with this trip loved it. As for me- could take it or leave it, but it surely doesn't offend me.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper "The kids love it," is such a terrible excuse for a lot of the crap WDI has put out in the past 10 years. The kids loved the Pooh playground as well. Doesn't mean the Haunted Mansion needed one added on to it.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper Obviously there needs to be things for the kids, but ambiance and place setting shouldn't be sacrificed for something like this.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<But you can bypass the queue correct?>> The ambiance is still ruined. Bypassing the queue doesn't change that fact. The obnoxious noises from the new queue bleed into the bypass.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost I wouldn't worry about the noises...according to you folks it will be broken soon, never to be repaired.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "The ambiance is still ruined. Bypassing the queue doesn't change that fact. The obnoxious noises from the new queue bleed into the bypass." I haven't seen this addition, and I'm not trying to quibble with you about whether or not the changes are appropriate, but I do think it's a little unreasonable for expectations to be so high that even even sounds are being questioned. I'm all about immersion, theming and storytelling, and I don't think that this new graveyard sequence is something that I would like, but I also understand that it's a theme park and people expect to be entertained and amused. A lot of what is being expressed here is bordering on personal preferences rather than some strict written design commandment about how these things are supposed to be.
Originally Posted By DDMAN26 <<A lot of what is being expressed here is bordering on personal preferences rather than some strict written design commandment about how these things are supposed to be.>> This this this and this.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<A lot of what is being expressed here is bordering on personal preferences rather than some strict written design commandment about how these things are supposed to be.>> Hans, for most things that people disagree upon here, I agree. But the Mansion queue is something that completely contradicts the WED/WDI formulas. It ruins what is to come and shows the hand of the ride to come. It destroys all mood and atmosphere of the mansion. And to quote Marty Sklar, "I hate the damn thing." (Yes, he actually said that about the Mansion queue.)
Originally Posted By DDMAN26 With all due respect to Mr. Sklar he no longer works for WED/WDI now does he.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper ^^^The man helped write the book on themed attractions, a book someone at WDI today should probably read instead of looking at the pictures. I couldn't care less what he's doing with his time now.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>please - it takes up part of the queue where sweaty hordes of people were jammed together to get into an attraction.<< Again. That is incorrect. It is wrong. I don't subscribe to some of these criticisms of the new queue, but that does not mean I will close my eyes and pretend fiction is fact. The bank of the river was extended as well as cut into. Trees were removed. Nasty sightlines were created from the boat and island, especially in relation to the showbuilding. ALL FACT. You were wrong in your statement that it did not replace anything. I have clearly demonstrated that, twice now. >>as far as realism, yes I agree it is less foreboding than it can be - maybe for the younger kids in the crowd ? That being said - there are far scarier haunted mansion virtually anywhere - so I am not sure the fit is that bad- and I know the 12 and under kids we traveled with this trip loved it. As for me- could take it or leave it, but it surely doesn't offend me.<< You are using the same excuse that others used about the Pooh Playground in Fantasyland. Something that did offend you and excuses you rightfully rejected. I am not offended either on this graveyard, but again, I am not going to close my eyes and pretend that it was a great exercise in WDI design, or, a good use of funds. Highly unnecessary, more so now that it is an optional route. Would have been better to see Jungle, Thunder or Splash see some $$$$.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>"The kids love it," is such a terrible excuse for a lot of the crap WDI has put out in the past 10 years. The kids loved the Pooh playground as well. Doesn't mean the Haunted Mansion needed one added on to it.<< Crazy. Good point haha! I truely did not see this posted right under VB, crazy.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I respect Marty Sklar, but I'm betting that there were things, even in Walt's day, that he hated and disagreed with. Again, it's personal preference. If guests are responding positively to this (which, I believe reports say they are) then there's nothing much to argue about.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<If guests are responding positively to this (which, I believe reports say they are)>> Actually, from a friend in Ops, most people are choosing the "quick way" to get into the mansion.
Originally Posted By ChiMike ^ I will confirm that more than 50% guests (and that is being generous) are skipping the new graveyard. If that doesn't speak volumes, I don't know what does. Especially considering that there are priorities at the MK that do require attention. This was a vanity project, through and through. To evoke Marty, which I have shown a strong historical avoidance in doing, he probably is fully aware of how much of a vanity project this was and it played into his opinion.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>most people are choosing the "quick way" to get into the mansion<< "Of course, there's always MY way..." --- The Ghost Host
Originally Posted By DDMAN26 I'm willing to bet that most guests if they are able to are willing to find the quickest way to an attraction.
