Haunted Mansion 2009

[iKristin]

Okay so I was thinking...since the anniversary this year is in September, which is when the mansion is usually closed to refurb it for the NBC; does that mean that it won't get switched over this year until later? Because I highly doubt they will close it during October since they won't want it too be closed during Halloween month. Has anyone heard anything about this? It'd be nice if for Halloween it stayed regular this year

 

[Sherry E]

Okay so I was thinking...since the anniversary this year is in September, which is when the mansion is usually closed to refurb it for the NBC; does that mean that it won't get switched over this year until later? Because I highly doubt they will close it during October since they won't want it too be closed during Halloween month. Has anyone heard anything about this? It'd be nice if for Halloween it stayed regular this year

There has already been some debate on this topic here. The Haunted Mansion usually closes down for at least two weeks (usually like 2-1/2 weeks) for the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay to be installed. This generally begins within the first week or second week of September and then opens back up as the HMH towards the end of September, staying in HMH mode all the way through the beginning of January. Since one of the 40th Anniversary HM events is happening on September 9th this year, IF they were going to do the HMH overlay at all with the intention of getting it open again by the start of October, they would have to begin the overlay process almost immediately after 9-9-09. In my opinion, I think Disney would be reluctant to do that because it would detract from the anniversary celebration. You don't want to shut HM down immediately after the 9-9-09 event and have people forget that it's the 40th anniversary. I would think they would want to keep the regular, original HM open all through September and the rest of 2009.

So it is my personal belief that DLR will skip the HMH overlay entirely in 2009, choosing instead to focus on the anniverary stuff. I mean, technically, since HMH celebrates TWO holidays, they could feasibly still get the overlay open in time for Halloween and leave it up through Christmas, but their official Halloween season begins at the very end of September, so it seems like it would be better to have it up then. It just all depends on whether they want the (extremely popular) HMH overlay up in time for Halloween or if they just want to keep the original HM open without a 2+ week closure this year to celebrate the anniversary. I think they will skip HMH altogether in 2009, and one of our other DISboard members read on another website that it is likely we will NOT see HMH in 2009 at all. But if they DO do it, it will have to be a mad rush to get it open between September 9th and the start of Halloween season. The HMH IS very, very popular, and if DLR is suffering from attendance issues due to the bad economy in 2009, they may want the HMH to go up to lure in more people. I know that it is one of the highlights for my friends and me and a BIG reason why we go during Halloweentime. So if they don't bring HMH back this year, I think we will probably skip a Halloween trip in 2009.

We have (at least) a couple of Cast Members on DISboards. I HOPE one of them will clue us in as soon as they get the official word on whether or not HMH will return in 2009 at all, and if so, when.

 

[AmericanItGirl]

I could see them closing it with IASW to do the overlay for Christmas, but leaving it as is for the anniversary (HM by the very natured of being haunted will probably sell most of its merch during the Halloween season).

 

[Gisele]

I dare say that the traditional Haunted Mansion is far more popular than the hmh. I know it is with me, and so many other people. I loath hmh, and I will never change my mind about that, I am resolute on the matter. I hope that hmh will not be held this year. The HM is such an inappropriate location for the off the wall silliness that hmh presents. If hmh, was held somewhere else, depending upon the location and situation, I might be interested in taking a look at it then, otherwise NO WAY! (Blah!)
I agree, that unless hmh begins to be set up, right after the 40 th anniversary event is over, then it (hmh) most likely will not be taking place this year. I say, let WDW have in 2009, instead.
If Disney would like for the 40 th anniversary of the HM, to be celebrated for the rest of the year, it cannot be done, properly, with hmh taking the mansion over.

 

[pixiewings71]

Gisele this is probably one of the only places you and I will disagree. lol I for one will be very sad if HMH isn't around this year, so will DD9. HM is one of her faves, the overlay is also one of her faves. Since her bday is in Dec and we will be taking her I hope the HMH is up for her.

There has been a lot of speculation on this subject, bottom line, none of us know anything. BUT as soon as we do we will be talking about it here! lol

 

[Krissy Marissy]

I hope they put it up but I understand why they'd skip this year. It is afterall a big year for HM and doing HMH might take away from that. I like the HMH as we usually go twice a year and it's nice to see it a little different every other trip. It is a big draw during holiday season!

 

[iKristin]

I hope it's just regular HM for Halloween since that's when I'll be there but after that they can change it hahaha.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

... There has been a lot of speculation on this subject, bottom line, none of us know anything. BUT as soon as we do we will be talking about it here! lol

None of us? Madame Leota knows!

FWIW, last year the dates to install the HMH Overlay were listed in MousePlanet's weekly DL Update on June 9, 2008.

 

[laura&fam]

We're tentatively planning a trip in November and I saw this on Disney's website:
"Witness the snow-covered Haunted Mansion Holiday, featuring Sandy Claws' coffin sleigh atop the roof — and see what Jack Skellington and pals from "Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas" have done inside!
Check back in fall 2009 for details!"

Here's where it came from:
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dis...alEvents/detail?name=HolidaysSpecialEventPage

Now that's not to say that Disneyland isn't going to change their mind, repeatedly, before Christmas.

 

[Krissy Marissy]

We're tentatively planning a trip in November and I saw this on Disney's website:
"Witness the snow-covered Haunted Mansion Holiday, featuring Sandy Claws' coffin sleigh atop the roof — and see what Jack Skellington and pals from "Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas" have done inside!
Check back in fall 2009 for details!"

Here's where it came from:
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dis...alEvents/detail?name=HolidaysSpecialEventPage

Now that's not to say that Disneyland isn't going to change their mind, repeatedly, before Christmas.

Yeah I saw that too. Perhaps this means they will indeed bring back the HMH. It is fun and I hope they do! We are going to WDW this dec instead of DLR but I just might have to sneak in a nov trip to see it if they put up the overlay

 

[Sherry E]

Gisele this is probably one of the only places you and I will disagree. lol I for one will be very sad if HMH isn't around this year, so will DD9. HM is one of her faves, the overlay is also one of her faves. Since her bday is in Dec and we will be taking her I hope the HMH is up for her.

There has been a lot of speculation on this subject, bottom line, none of us know anything. BUT as soon as we do we will be talking about it here! lol

Yes, it will be breaking news and we will be analyzing it in-depth! I, too, will be very sad if HMH doesn't come back in 2009, and I tend to think it would be a mistake from a financial point of view because the HMH does attract a lot of visitors. Those lines were CRAZY for HMH when we went in October and December. In these rough financial times, I think it would be wise for DLR to bring it back as often as possible to get lots of money coming in. BUT, if they truly want to honor the 40th anniversary of the original, it seems like it will be a crunch for them to give the 40th its proper due and then try to cram in the 2+ week shutdown for the overlay in time for the Halloween season. So, perhaps they will just open it up later in the year than they normally do, but still in time for Halloween. As you said, Kerri, none of us know anything. I think Dizney Dogs read on another website that the HMH was likely not happening in 2009, but if the DLR website has verbiage somewhere that says to check back in Fall 2009 for details, then I think that is a sign of encouragement for those of us who love the HMH!!

 

[Canyon girl]

Please don't flame me!!! I'm not a huge HM fan, but if you are going to celebrate the 40th anniversary of something, it would make sense to me that it is the original item. My vote would be for skipping the HMH for the anniversary celebration. Continue with the HMH in 2010. But who am I?

 

[ToodlesRN]

A little off topic, but when does DL prepare for Halloween late September through October? We never go around that time of year and would like to go at the end of Spetember first week of October this year. Would we be able to experience the Halloween theme during that time? Thanks!

 

[joseph821]

A little off topic, but when does DL prepare for Halloween late September through October? We never go around that time of year and would like to go at the end of Spetember first week of October this year. Would we be able to experience the Halloween theme during that time? Thanks!

Halloween Time at Disneyland usually starts around the last Friday in September which in 2009 would be September 25.

 

[joseph821]

Okay so I was thinking...since the anniversary this year is in September, which is when the mansion is usually closed to refurb it for the NBC; does that mean that it won't get switched over this year until later? Because I highly doubt they will close it during October since they won't want it too be closed during Halloween month. Has anyone heard anything about this? It'd be nice if for Halloween it stayed regular this year

I love the original Haunted Mansion and I have grown to like Haunted Mansion Holiday over the years. I think Disneyland might want to leave the Haunted Mansion alone during the 40th anniversary. I just does not see right to have 2 events in August and September and then bring Haunted Mansion holiday.
I also saw on DL website about HMH but everything at Disneyland is subject to change.

 

[iKristin]

The HMH page on DL.com is always up so when it comes down to taking the info off for 2008 on every attraction it says check back for dates in 2009. So they probably just did the same with it, even if they don't bring it back this year.

 

[joseph821]

The HMH page on DL.com is always up so when it comes down to taking the info off for 2008 on every attraction it says check back for dates in 2009. So they probably just did the same with it, even if they don't bring it back this year.

Oh ok. I am wondering if HMH will be back this year.

 

[fairycat]

I understand the anniversary and that this creates a very tough situation. I think bringing HMH in with the Christmas decorations might be the best fit, opening the ride in Nov.

The HMH has been one of the best things Disney ever did for bringing in the crowds. With next to no advertisement or full Halloween decorations, HMH took the HM from next to no lines and its slowest season at the park and almost broke the ride the first year. It was running at such a high capacity that they never expected it and had not serviced it in the way they would if they knew that it would draw that huge of crowds.

I think it would be a huge mistake for Disney not to bring in the ride, since it will all but kill all of the draw for people to come for Halloween to DL (DCA has more decorations and the Treat Party, DL has the HMH), I think it will also effect what they have to offer for Christmas as well.

Though one or two people aren't big fans of the HMH (and are very loud about that fact!), if you look at the recent thread about favorite rides, HMH was one of the top rated rides for both parks, and from the line difference I see HMH is a big deal and well loved!!! It will be a big loss if they can't find a way to fit it in this year, when Disney really needs the crowds.

 

[Gisele]

Many, many people loath hmh, not just myself. So therefore there are more than one or two people. That number is a gross understatement, to say the least.
People are free to expand upon how much they like anything, just as much as others have a right to state the opposite. Freedom of speech, and individual perspectives, and opinions, do not exist only for those, that are in agreement with a particular group. These rights exist for us all.

 

[Gisele]

In addition, I do not have a problem with hmh in and of itself. But rather where it is placed. Like I have stated before, in my opinion the HM is not the proper setting for nbc theming. For that theming is the compete polar opposite. It just simply does not set right in my mind. It never has, nor will it ever do so,for as long as it (nbc theming) continues to take place in the HM.
What on earth does nbc have to do with a 19th century Anti-Bellum mansion? I will tell one what. Absolutely, positively NADA! NOTHING!