Do they change Haunted Mansion for Halloween like in DL?

[Wcpedorc]

I was recently in San Diego for a youth ministry conference and I had an afternoon free before it started, so naturally I rented a car for a day and drove an hour and a half to Disneyland. It was a very short trip, and on the short list was Cars Land in California Adventure, POTC, and Haunted Mansion, which was decked out Nightmare Before Christmas style. I had no expiration park hopper days left on my MK ticket and was able to use a day at DL with no issue. The Haunted Mansion was amazing! It's my favorite ride at MK, but it was all different for the NBC. Everything was different, and amazing. Is this a DL only thing? Do they do it at the world? If not why.

 

[Reddog1134]

Nope. The don't do that OR Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy.

I've heard it's because DLR has mostly local repeat visitors. So changing up the rides gives them an excuse to show up during Halloween.

 

[mesaboy2]

Nope. The don't do that OR Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy.

I've heard it's because DLR has mostly local repeat visitors. So changing up the rides gives them an excuse to show up during Halloween.

This.

The other consideration is that WDW sees many more visitors who come only once or twice in a lifetime. These overlays take weeks to install and remove, and all the while the ride is down. Imagine showing up for your once-in-a-lifetime visit and not getting to ride it not because it's broken or needs a refurb, but because it's being decorated for the holidays.

 

[minnie mum]

For the life of me I can't remember if DLP does this too, but I know absolutely that Tokyo Disneyland has the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay on (and IN) the HM. And the crowds were something else. Standby line for HM was at 100 min by 10:00 and was over 2 hours for most of the day on both days we were there. But I think Tokyo is more like DL in its demographics. I agree that the amount of down time for installation and removal of the overlay makes this too problematic at WDW.

 

[Wcpedorc]

It was great, and I am glad that I got to experience it. I do see how someone could be upset about missing out on the ride.

 

[TwoCortWort]

I was recently in San Diego for a youth ministry conference and I had an afternoon free before it started, so naturally I rented a car for a day and drove an hour and a half to Disneyland. It was a very short trip, and on the short list was Cars Land in California Adventure, POTC, and Haunted Mansion, which was decked out Nightmare Before Christmas style. I had no expiration park hopper days left on my MK ticket and was able to use a day at DL with no issue. The Haunted Mansion was amazing! It's my favorite ride at MK, but it was all different for the NBC. Everything was different, and amazing. Is this a DL only thing? Do they do it at the world? If not why.

I actually talked to a Cast Member about this very fact when I was there last month. They told me Walt wanted to keep Disney World traditional all through-out the year and not change like It's a Small World for Christmas and Haunted Mansion for Halloween. The cast member said the only thing with Haunted Mansion done at MK is the cast members dress up for Halloween and It's a Small World well doesn't change for the Christmas holiday. My mom to this day is STILL disappointed with It's a Small World at MK compared to DL. I loved seeing It's a Small World all done up at Christmas time and love the one at Disneyland. For me MK's is a let down compare to the other.

 

[Robo]

Even though they used to make the change-over in MK,
there is now no more Country Bears Christmas Special, either.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

At DLR about 70% of the Guests are repeat visitors, while at WDW only about 30% are repeats. Actually, DLR also has more Annual Passes outstanding at any time than WDW.

 

[angelinaxox]

My mom to this day is STILL disappointed with It's a Small World at MK compared to DL. I loved seeing It's a Small World all done up at Christmas time and love the one at Disneyland. For me MK's is a let down compare to the other.

I agree with your mom. I have been going to Disney World since I was three and usually it has been during the summer due to going to school and now I am a teacher myself. I had free airline tickets a few years ago so I took my niece to Disneyland for a few days on my November break and this was the first time I got to experience Disney during the holiday season. I loved the Haunted Mansion and Small World Christmas versions! Being more of a Disney World person, I never knew they did this in Disneyland. So it was such a pleasant surprise. When I did go to Disney World in November for the holiday season, I really missed the Disneyland versions. I think it adds to the magic of the season. When I go this December, I know there's going to be a part of me that once again will be wishing they would add the Christmas touch to those two rides. Rides close at different parts of the year for other refurbishments so would love to see them do this in Disney World. It's a Small World was actually closed most of my Disneyland trip for the change and didn't reopen til the last day and I totally thought it was worth it.

 

[mr.bungle]

NBC was always a favorite of mine at DL. I remember they also did up SM with a rock n roll theme and changed the lights, had some projections and played Red Hot Chili Peppers music.

 

[Micca]

I actually talked to a Cast Member about this very fact when I was there last month. They told me Walt wanted to keep Disney World traditional all through-out the year and not change like It's a Small World for Christmas and Haunted Mansion for Halloween. The cast member said the only thing with Haunted Mansion done at MK is the cast members dress up for Halloween and It's a Small World well doesn't change for the Christmas holiday. My mom to this day is STILL disappointed with It's a Small World at MK compared to DL. I loved seeing It's a Small World all done up at Christmas time and love the one at Disneyland. For me MK's is a let down compare to the other.

That CM was full of, we'll say "beans." HM in DLR diidn't open until August of 1969, Walt died in December of '66. While the HM attraction idea was being developed when Walt was still alive, I doubt there were any conversations about overlays at WDW attractions(which didn't open until nearly 5 years after his death). Of course there could have been no consideration of an overlay prior to 1993 since the movie wasn't released until then.

Totally agree with you about the Christmas overlay for IASW at DLR. The attraction is better at DLR to begin with, the Christmas version is just superb(as is the NBC version of HM).

 

[TwoCortWort]

That CM was full of, we'll say "beans." HM in DLR diidn't open until August of 1969, Walt died in December of '66. While the HM attraction idea was being developed when Walt was still alive, I doubt there were any conversations about overlays at WDW attractions(which didn't open until nearly 5 years after his death). Of course there could have been no consideration of an overlay prior to 1993 since the movie wasn't released until then.

Totally agree with you about the Christmas overlay for IASW at DLR. The attraction is better at DLR to begin with, the Christmas version is just superb(as is the NBC version of HM).

Well the part about the traditional thing and Disney I was told by various cast members, only one made that particular comment about Walt. But basically said that some people come only at Christmas and they don't change attractions for the said holiday. I was told different stories by different people.

 

[TwoCortWort]

I agree with your mom. I have been going to Disney World since I was three and usually it has been during the summer due to going to school and now I am a teacher myself. I had free airline tickets a few years ago so I took my niece to Disneyland for a few days on my November break and this was the first time I got to experience Disney during the holiday season. I loved the Haunted Mansion and Small World Christmas versions! Being more of a Disney World person, I never knew they did this in Disneyland. So it was such a pleasant surprise. When I did go to Disney World in November for the holiday season, I really missed the Disneyland versions. I think it adds to the magic of the season. When I go this December, I know there's going to be a part of me that once again will be wishing they would add the Christmas touch to those two rides. Rides close at different parts of the year for other refurbishments so would love to see them do this in Disney World. It's a Small World was actually closed most of my Disneyland trip for the change and didn't reopen til the last day and I totally thought it was worth it.

My mom and I quote said "it's a small world is slammed back in a wall here and at Disneyland it's so much better set up." And until I went in 2004 I didn't believe what she said and I was surprised at the attraction there and now get her let down. Some people have commented about it when in line and its funny to talk about it with other people. We were hoping that they might move the ride to the new Fantasyland area and make it more like Disneyland, but that didn't
Happen.

 

[disneyphilip]

At DLR about 70% of the Guests are repeat visitors, while at WDW only about 30% are repeats.

Not so much anymore. Anyone who says that now is either wrong, lying, misinformed or making excuses to not do stuff.

WDW has more repeat visitors than they used to, especially with the number of Passholders and DVC members increasing every year.

However, at the same time, I can understand WDW's concerns, but that does not apply to more low-key attractions like Country Bears, which actually would benefit from seasonal changeovers and guests would not be as likely to complain about those attractions not being in their normal forms, since they are not headliners anyway.

Hopefully, after the new Fantasyland is finished, they'll pour more money into reviving seasonal overlays again.

That CM was full of, we'll say "beans." HM in DLR diidn't open until August of 1969, Walt died in December of '66. While the HM attraction idea was being developed when Walt was still alive, I doubt there were any conversations about overlays at WDW attractions(which didn't open until nearly 5 years after his death). Of course there could have been no consideration of an overlay prior to 1993 since the movie wasn't released until then.

Totally agree with you about the Christmas overlay for IASW at DLR. The attraction is better at DLR to begin with, the Christmas version is just superb(as is the NBC version of HM).

I fully agree. Any CM's who said that kind of stuff are totally incorrect.


EDIT: In closing, the only way to get WDW to do more seasonal changeovers like DL and the other parks is to send them LOTS of letters and emails. Don't listen to the cynics--that kind of feedback is the only way to get things done.