Originally Posted By Mr X Some folks mentioned the Hatbox Ghost either adding and/or detracting to the storyline in the H.M., and someone mentioned how it has changed so much over the years as elements are added or removed. I have a vague idea of what it's all about, but I'd like to know more specifically, what's the story these days? Obviously spoilers would be welcomed, along with explanations of how the H.G. fits into all of it. Thanks!
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Publically, I'm not sure if they've ever released the official story. There are various stories that used to focus mostly on the corpse hanging at the top of the stretching room (who is presumably also the Ghost Host). More recently, the focus has shifted so the bride is the star of the show. With the Hatbox Ghost, I'm really not sure who is supposed to be the center of attention, since it seems like we now have 3 or 4 "stars" of the attraction I don't know how it impacts the official storyline, but it just seems like there are a lot of noteworthy but unrelated characters now. We have the Ghost Host who follows us around and explains everything, Madame Leota who brings the ghosts out, the bride who chops off her husbands' heads, and the Hatbox Ghost who just sort of stands there while his head disappears. More than ever, the ride seems like it's an amalgam of storylines that have evolved through the years. I'd be really curious to see what/if there is currently an official story (which seems likely, since WDI has been going to the Nth degree on backstories for other additions in recent years)
Originally Posted By Dabob2 I think most attractions are better when the back story is vague and broad. You fill in the gaps with your own imagination. That's why Mr. Toad, for instance, which is just "speeding around London in a car" works whether or not you know anything about the film; whereas with Monsters, say, if you haven't seen the film, you're lost. A little back story is fine. But vague and broad for me, please.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA I've been visiting The Haunted Mansion since 1969 and never really knew of a 'story' behind the attraction. The 33 LP record album provided a story of sorts, but even as kids, we didn't seem to care. Just a tour through a haunted house.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip The story is about, well you know. And then it evolves to include this other stuff. Then after attending a ghostly grand ball, you go up to the spooky old attic and some ghosts go home with you. Simple, really. ;-)
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan I like that there's no story. It's just a ghostly tour guide leading you through their happy haunt. A murderous bride here, a Wagnerian opera singer there, and a Cinderella popcorn bucket over ther--- hey, would someone pick up that Cinderella popcorn bucket? Sheesh. But seriously, I like that there are elements of this and that and it's up to we guests to fill in the banks with our own imagination.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance I agree. You shouldn't need to study attraction backstories before you go to the parks. It's fine if the Imagineers have one to help them with their development of the attraction, but 99% of the guests aren't going to know or get it, so having one that's more open to interpretation is much preferred.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance And pay no attention to my name being derived from a HM backstory.
Originally Posted By doombuggy "Some folks mentioned the Hatbox Ghost either adding and/or detracting to the storyline in the H.M" Fanboys over thinking and over analyzing. You might as well say having a mummy,Caesar and a few kings does the same thing. There wasn't a story line until the black widow bride was added. But even then it's not one that takes away what HM is...a place for ghosts from all over the world.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I was never even aware of the Constance back-story. I always thought it was a reference to Miss Havisham from Great Expectations.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros ^^Phantom Manor at DLP has a much more linear storyline (tied into the elaborate overall backstory of Frontierland) and features a bride who is extremely similar to Ms. Havisham. It's neat to see how they took the familiar HM concept (and track layout identical to DL) and turned it into something so different. Even the music is completely different, while being a variation on Grim Grinning Ghosts <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzlg0_di3iI">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...g0_di3iI</a> (and sharp-eared listeners may recognize the music box music in the queue, which also gets played in DL's queue for HMH)
Originally Posted By doombuggy "I always thought it was a reference to Miss Havisham from Great Expectations." That's Phantom Manor. The black widow brides "story" starts in the gallery. More a connection then a story depending on how you look at it.
Originally Posted By hbquikcomjamesl I'm aware of two backstories to the DL HM. The older one, which may or may not have had any official standing, tied HM directly to PotC: it seems that once upon a time, a woman fell in love with a wealthy New Orleans sea captain who was very vague about the nature of his work, or the reason why he was retiring early. Before the wedding, the Captain went out on one last voyage, giving his fiancee the run of his mansion, EXCEPT that she was to stay out of the tower attic. He was gone longer than expected, and her curiosity finally got the better of her, and she went into the forbidden attic, discovered that she was the fiancee of a pirate (and NOT the kind that comes from Penzance!), and in her despair, she committed suicide by jumping out the window (and her engagement ring supposedly became embedded in the pavement in the exact spot where she died. The Pirate Captain came back just in time for his fiancee's funeral. Overcome with remorse, he hung himself in the tower attic. You couldn't ask for a more wildly romantic backstory. And it certainly fit the attraction, at least in its pre-HM-movie state. The HM movie torpedoed that whole backstory, and replaced it with the more familiar "Master Gracey and the Axe-Murdering-Bride" backstory (which I understand to be a much better fit with the WDW-MK HM).
Originally Posted By Dabob2 And most of the stuff in the haunted mansions neither ties in with nor needs either of those back stories.
Originally Posted By doombuggy "The HM movie torpedoed that whole backstory" The movie did nothing, The story of the pirate was way back in the planing but was dropped mid way. "Master Gracey and the Axe-Murdering-Bride" backstory (which I understand to be a much better fit with the WDW-MK HM). That has never been DL. The only thing that had the name Gracey was a tomb stone now long gone. And the whole story in fan made up.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>And most of the stuff in the haunted mansions neither ties in with nor needs either of those back stories.<< To me, that's what makes it such a great attraction. It has a very clear cohesive theme and sense of identity, yet it doesn't have a specific storyline that ties it all together. So many of WDI's recent storylines seem really trite and contrived, as a way to justify what they wanted to build. I wonder if the current crop of Imagineers would even be able to create something like HM, that's so specific and cohesive, yet entirely open-ended. We've seen some really impressive technical designs from them, but it seems like the backstories have been getting more and more specific through the years
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt The HM at DL and WDW are brilliant attractions, for their time. To me story is king, and for that reason Phantom Manor, Tower of Terror and Mystic Manor will always be superior to the original Mansion attractions.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Yes, Tower of Terror (WDW) is my all time favorite Disney attraction for just that reason. From the moment you step into the queue winding through the neglected grounds of the Hollywood Towers Hotel, everything follows in a natural progression, with the anticipation increasing every step of the way. Truly a masterpiece. Probably why ToT continues to enchant me while I find Pirates a bore, visiting only out of respect for what it represents. I am so sorry. "Hail Mary, full of grace. Our Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen."
