Thread: Haunted Mansion Rehab: Like the changes?

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This is for you Disney Haunted Mansion junkies:

Disney started rehabbing the Haunted Mansion a little white back to coincide with the attraction's anniversary.

Some of those changes included the M.C. Escher-like endless staircases with the ghostly footprints —



the levitation of Madame Leota's crystal ball —



and of course the ultra high tech remake of the attic scene and Constance the bride who dwells there —



More recently, I understand the singing busts have been [updated with backlighting — (Thanks Mr. Chicken)] which make them appear more "real," without the need for the projection system that was originally used —




I have mixed opinions that will follow this lead, but was wondering how the rest of you in HF took the changes.

Don't change it! the haunted mansion is an icon. sure modern technology could make things better, but why change what works? I heard disterbing news that they also want to include the Night mare before Christmas into the Haunted Mansion. If you want the night mare give it a new ride. Do not mess with the Haunted Mansion that has been the holy grail of all haunters.

Constance is Out-of-Place

My biggest problem is with Constance the bride. I really like the effect (really), but she is the one character that now doesn't go with the rest of the ghosts seen once the Doombuggies pass Leota into the Marc Davis half of the Mansion. The effect reminds me of the characters seen in The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.



The Hatbox Ghost

Back when the ride first opened, one of the first things to be removed was the Hatbox Ghost from the attic —

From Doombuggies.com

"There was a character in the original Haunted Mansion attic scene which was removed almost immediately after the attraction opened to the public. The mysterious Bride has always been there, waiting for guests at the atic window, with a lonely flickering candle and eerie glowing eyes. But at one time, she had a suitor, of sorts.

Standing to the right of the Doom Buggies near the attic window, where the Bride had been standing (until she was replaced at Disneyland in 2006), was an elderly ghost in a cloak and top hat, leaning on a cane with a wavering hand and clutching a hatbox in the other. As the Bride's heart would beat, this "Hatbox Ghost's" head would disappear from his body, and appear in the hatbox he held in his hand.



…The gag was to have his head become invisible, and then appear in the hatbox and constantly reverse back and forth. Unfortunately, they couldn't get the head on the body to vanish effectively in this location. My theory is that it was designed to work in the same way as the ballroom and they tried to adapt the effect to this more conventional location, and it wasn't convincing."

The Hatbox Ghost has become somewhat of a legend regarding the attraction, having appeared far back in the promotional book & records issued before the ride opened (both the Ron Howard and the read along versions), and has resurfaced in the form of collectables sold today by Disney. The character embodied the look and style that is reminiscent of the characters found in the attraction.



So obviously what I'm saying is that Disney should have brought back the Hatbox ghost instead of coming up with Constance. I figure with all the technology now available 50 years later, the effect could have been done with the results not possible with 1960's technology — AND would have given the rabid fans something classic to celebrate.

And for the record, I think Disney is long past due for a real "Chilling, Thrilling Haunted House" (in Disney-MGM Studios?) on par with what Universal Studios presents at Halloween. Perhaps that's where the axe-wielding Constance truly belongs.

savagehaunter: They already remake the ride with the Nightmare Before Christmas" theme — each year at Halloween. They call it "Haunted Mansion Holiday."



This is another one of my pet-peeves. IMO, Christmas decorating goes up way too early, and the Haunted Mansion should remain its spooky original self through the Halloween season to keep true to the time of year — namely SPOOKY.

AFTER Halloween, I suppose it's okay to give it the Nightmare Before Christmas makeover for all the families with kids. Anything sooner is too early. This is why I've only visited Universal Studios when at the parks in October.

The new busts are not animatronics, they just use a new projection system to reduce the brightness which to some apparently gave away the effect before. If I had to guess, I'd say they're projected internally now.

Are you referring to the original Disneyland mansion or WDW/elsewhere?

I'm more protective over the original, but I'm all for refurbishments if they are in line and blend with the rest of the ride.

I completely second MacEricG's sentiments that Constance is out of place. I like the effect, but she's too 'technologically shiny' in my opinion. Maybe if she wasn't so brightly lit and was more in shadow...
I must say I never cared for the old bride (except for the last one or two renditions of the DL bride), but I think Constance could do with some modifications to help her fit in.

The gravity-defying stairs are only at WDW, right? I really like the idea (it looks like it fits in nicely), and assuming it's in the problematic stiarcase area anyway, I feel it's an improvement.

I am generally fond of the new Leota's seance room. The ectoplasmic swirls are noticeable now, and I while I don't feel it was completely necessary, a more mobile Leota is fine by me.

As far as animatronic versions of the busts, I'm not convinced. I don't see any real difference between the photos. I also haven't heard anything about the change through fan sites like DoomBuggies. EDIT: Heh, I took too long to type and Mr. Chicken thankfully provided the correction. As Leota is internally projected (as I recall), it would make sense if the busts got the same treatment.

I imagine timing would be a big issue as far as the Holiday overlay; start setting up after Halloween and the overlay is active for too short a time. October is part of the slow season at the parks, so adding the overlay likely brings in more people (like me, for example).

I was at WDW this February and carefully looked at the new things every time I rode it (6 times).

I preferred the non-levitating ball of the earlier Leota, but the new one is fabulous, nonetheless. Had they kept her on her pedestal and provided the same level of clarity of the new Leota projection, it would have been a winner for me.

Th Escher staircases are a great replacement for the non-memorable staircase area of the past. The ghost prints were quite interesting, from a technical standpoint, considering how many people built them here last year.

The new busts are evenly lit and clear, but I actually thought the older ones with the hot spot on one side were more dramatic.

I liked the new attic, especially the headless groom paintings, but thought Constance was too bright for the scene. I didn't care for her, primarily due to the distance she was being viewed. She just over-powered everything around her.

Craig

Are we talking about WDW or Disneyland? Is the Haunted Mansion the same at both parks? Just returned from WDW and I'm always amazed there is not a longer line for this attraction!

ICKYVICKI: I think both are updated with the same effects at this time. Somebody let me know if I am mistaken.

What are the main differences between the two? The loading area, the way the stretching room operates (elevator was need in DL, but not WDW) and the outside facade — right? Everything else is pretty much duplicated.

I was at Disneyland just last week, and went through the HM several times. I agree about Constance, she's a bit too much. The projection looks very flat as you go around the corner as you exit the attic. And I miss the attic head-poppers. The other noticeable thing was that the ride was somewhat faster; they had to edit Paul Frees' great narration to make it fit with the scenes. This may have been a holdover from the previous week (Spring Break) due to the large crowds, but as it was Leota could barely get one phrase spoken before you're looking at the Ballroom. The library paintings now change when the lightning flashes, which is more high-tech than creepy - I liked the slow change much better. People just glanced at them instead of spending time watching the pictures morph.
I still love the ride, but I hope Disney doesn't go too far with the tech stuff - IMO, "old school" creepy is a better fit for the HM.