D23 Expo - Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain CLOSED?!?

[bostontim]

I'm checking the Disneyland hours that were finally posted for September's D23 Expo, and to my shock Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain are both scheduled to be closed for refurbishment. I don't think this is a very smart idea, with all of the fans coming to Anaheim that week for the expo.

I mean, I just got my D23 issue and the back cover is an ad for the expo with characters from HM. Maybe it should've had a disclaimer on the bottom saying "By the way, the Haunted Mansion won't actually be open when you come."

A little upset and frustrated!

 

[05MM08MM]

Yeah, I'm very disappointed myself, especially because of Space Mountain...I still have not ridden that at either park yet and was so excited to have to chance at DLR after hearing that it's better than at WDW. Both locations will have SM closed for referb

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

I believe they're closed for the Halloween overlay?

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Yep, they are not closed for refurbishment. Both these attractions are getting Halloween lay overs this year. The Haunted Mansion will become The Nightmare Before Christmas and Space Mountain will be getting a new overlay this year as well.

 

[Mickeycrazie]

Still seems unrealistic to have these 2 rides closed during the Expo.

 

[AliceinHalloweentown]

Like the others have said, they're closed for a short time to install the Halloween overlays.

The Haunted Mansion receives the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay every year, and that lasts until Christmas.

Space Mountain is receiving the Ghost Galaxy Halloween overlay for the first time.

Disney doesn't guarantee any rides will be up and running during any trip, even the Expo.

 

[bostontim]

I just think it's something that could have waited at least a day or two so fans going to the expo could get a chance to experience the attractions. As I mentioned the latest issue of D23 was all about the 40th anniversary of Haunted Mansion and included expo ads that featured the HM characters.

At least I will give Disney credit for removing mentions of Space Mountain at WDW in its 2009 planning DVD. It is wrong to use the characters in an ad and then have that attraction closed during the time that the ad is talking about!

I understand attractions go down from time to time, but this is stupid. Haunted Mansion is scheduled to be open Sept. 9, the day before the expo, and closed beginning on Sept. 10, the day the expo begins. I think they could have held off an extra day or two.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Still seems unrealistic to have these 2 rides closed during the Expo.

I'm sure they had these attraction closures scheduled long before the Expo was announced. Disneyland can't arrange every refurbishment or attraction closure around every exposition or convention that comes to Anaheim.

 

[tinkcollector]

The HM always has closed for the overlay this time of year. SM is new and I can't wait to see it. There is also a special event slated for the HM on the 9th. (Which is sold out) So, I think this is extremely clever on the resorts part. I have a ticket for the HM Event on 09/09/09. Now, I am staying a extra day to attend the D23 Expo as well. I can see this working in reverse for those attending the Expo coming early to ride the HM and SM before they go down for the overlays. Ingenius. Wish I had their marketing guys for my business.

 

[maelstrom]

Tell me about it! I'm going a couple of days after the expo, and during my trip, Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, Casey Jr. Circus Train, & Storybookland Canal Boats will all be closed.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

The HM always has closed for the overlay this time of year. SM is new and I can't wait to see it. There is also a special event slated for the HM on the 9th. (Which is sold out) So, I think this is extremely clever on the resorts part. I have a ticket for the HM Event on 09/09/09. Now, I am staying a extra day to attend the D23 Expo as well. I can see this working in reverse for those attending the Expo coming early to ride the HM and SM before they go down for the overlays. Ingenius. Wish I had their marketing guys for my business.

HM is actually closing later than ususal because of the anniv. event. If they waited until after the expo, they would only have 11 days to switch the rides over.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Again, remembering Disney is running a business, look at it from their view:

- Need to get the overlays ready for Halloween to attract people during a previously-seen-as-slow period

- Fits in a time slot after anniversary events, but in time for Halloween events

and

- D23 people are going to come to Disneyland anyway during the week of the Expo, so 2 closures won't have much change on business during that time

It makes good business sense.

- Dreams

 

[Krissy Marissy]

Not to be mean here but why should disney have to have all attractions open for the expo? They dont owe that to anyone. Guests are supposed to be coming for the expo...being able to hop over to the park is just a super neat perk if you ask me.

This is something they do every year to gear up for their holiday season and I dont see it as stupid...but smart. It will bring the crowds in during the fall.