Haunted Mansion Refurb in July?

[lacrosse_lady72]

Ok, I'm not a dummy... I know how to look on the DL website and see in something is in refurb or not and I also know it doesn't even go through the middle of Feb as of now.

I know HM goes into refurb a lot but does it typically refurb in July? More specifically 4th of July weekend?

TIA

 

[Disney Dreams]

Ok, I'm not a dummy... I know how to look on the DL website and see in something is in refurb or not and I also know it doesn't even go through the middle of Feb as of now.

I know HM goes into refurb a lot but does it typically refurb in July? More specifically 4th of July weekend?

TIA

Not usually. Why?

 

[HydroGuy]

The only rides or shows in refurb during the summer will be projects that take more than 4-5 months (like IASW in 2008). If they are less than that, it will happen between Jan-May or Sept-Dec because DLR tries to have everything up and running in the summer and all peak season times (Holiday and, if possible, Spring Break).

I have heard nothing about a long HM refurb and, indeed, it had a refurb recently. The chance of HM being down in July on purpose are near zero.

 

[DizneyDogs]

It may be refurb for a while since the 40th event is in Sept - and they may update it for the event. Some rumors are that the hat box ghost is coming back - which would be so cool!!! Also it won't be getting the holiday makeover this year from what I have read due to the 40th.

 

[Sherry E]

It may be refurb for a while since the 40th event is in Sept - and they may update it for the event. Some rumors are that the hat box ghost is coming back - which would be so cool!!! Also it won't be getting the holiday makeover this year from what I have read due to the 40th.

Oh really? No Haunted Mansion Holiday in 2009? Hmmmm.....that is interesting. Good to know! That MAY just very well be a reason for us to skip DLR in the Halloween season in 2009. I mean, that is not the only part of the Fall season we like, but it is a big part of it. I wasn't sure two 2009 trips would be possible for me as it is, and if I only had one trip to make, I would choose Christmastime over Halloweentime - especially if the HMH is not up and running. There is more stuff for me to see and do during Christmastime than in the Halloween season at DLR if there is no HMH. Also, the HMH is a big part of the Halloween and Christmas holiday tours (along with IASW Holiday), but I wasn't entirely sure they were going to do the IASW holiday in 2009 either because they are bringing in all the Disney characters to the ride in 2009, and I thought they might showcase those n 2009 rather than doing the holiday overlay again. Very interesting indeed. I mean, I totally understand the need to focus on the 40th and not detract from it, so it makes logical sense, but it is disappointing nonetheless for those of us who enjoy the HMH overlay. Oh well. What can you do?

Well, does this mean that the HMH may be making its debut at WDW in 2009, possibly?

 

[blackjackdelta]

Oh really? No Haunted Mansion Holiday in 2009? Hmmmm.....that is interesting. Good to know! That MAY just very well be a reason for us to skip DLR in the Halloween season in 2009. I mean, that is not the only part of the Fall season we like, but it is a big part of it. I wasn't sure two 2009 trips would be possible for me as it is, and if I only had one trip to make, I would choose Christmastime over Halloweentime - especially if the HMH is not up and running. There is more stuff for me to see and do during Christmastime than in the Halloween season at DLR if there is no HMH. Also, the HMH is a big part of the Halloween and Christmas holiday tours (along with IASW Holiday), but I wasn't entirely sure they were going to do the IASW holiday in 2009 either because they are bringing in all the Disney characters to the ride in 2009, and I thought they might showcase those n 2009 rather than doing the holiday overlay again. Very interesting indeed. I mean, I totally understand the need to focus on the 40th and not detract from it, so it makes logical sense, but it is disappointing nonetheless for those of us who enjoy the HMH overlay. Oh well. What can you do?

Well, does this mean that the HMH may be making its debut at WDW in 2009, possibly?

Is there a confirmed post stating that the HM will be down for a lenghty overhaul?

Jack

 

[pixiewings71]

In general nothing is closed July-August. Of course rides do go down for service but they are normally reopened later in the day.

I hadn't heard no HMH this year! Oh no, I'm so sad and DD9 will be heartbroken, that's her fave and her b-day is in Dec. First thing she said when we got our AP vouchers, "can we go back for my birthday, I wanna see Jack"

 

[Sherry E]

Is there a confirmed post stating that the HM will be down for a lenghty overhaul?

Jack

I hadn't heard anything about it, nor had I heard about the lack of a HMH overlay in 2009, prior to seeing this thread. BUT, if DLR does, indeed, close HM for part of July for some sort of sprucing up in connection to the 40th, then it would make sense that they won't be closing it down again in early September to do the HMH overlay.

But DLR had better do the IASW Holiday in November, even WITH the new Disney characters and the Americana scene added in. I think people have gotten so used to both holiday overlays that losing one will be bad enough, but losing two in the same year will be downright depressing! From what I heard, the 2008 Tower of Terror barely had any Halloween touches at all to qualify it for Holiday Overlay status, so HMH was really the 'star' of that Halloween season, as well as a great addition to the Christmas season (in my opinion).

I know the original HM is beloved to many people, and I suppose I would welcome seeing it again in its original form because that is the version I grew up with, but I have gotten so used to the HMH that it will be quite different. On this last DLR trip a couple of weeks ago, one of my friends said, "You know what? This is my favorite version of Haunted Mansion. This is the only time I am interested in going on it now. When I come here at other times during the year, I don't even go on the regular Haunted Mansion anymore because I like this one so much." And she never cared about Nightmare Before Christmas one way or the other before the overlay. She just loves the colors and the details in this version (she was pointing out to me the details in the scotch tape on the presents in the ride, with the jagged edges) and she said the original version would be anti-climactic for her now! I bet there are a few others who share the same sentiment, though maybe not the majority of people.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Ummm.... I think this thread may get a prize for speculation snowballing.

lacrosse_lady72 simply asked if there would be any reason for HM to be down during July. Given the counter in her footer, I would guess she is just thinking about her upcoming trip.

DizneyDogs then took a guess that it may go down for the 40th event.

And now... we have it closed down, no HMH overlay, and concern over no IASW layover.

I think we have snowballed our own speculation. LOL

I cannot find a single piece of information anywhere that supports any of the above. I DID find these cool packages in connection with HM 40th though!

I would still say the reply to the OP's question is, "Not usually."

- Dreams

 

[TheAXIOM]

Hahaha.... Good point Disney Dreams!

That was a fun thread to read. Thoroughly enjoyed it .

But, I would have to agree with your friend, Sherry E... I dunno how I could take HMH going down for a season, IF that were the case. It's one of the big reasons that I plan a fall/holiday trip, just so I can get on that ride and see the new gingerbread house every year. Not to mention NBC is one of my favorite movies .

IF and ONLY IF they refurbed in the summer, that probably wouldn't stop me from planning because of the fact that after seeing HMH the old version doesn't seem as hyped. Call me crazy, but the colors and decorations just trump the old one in my book... Although I would be interested in seeing the Hat Box Ghost. I've never seen it, maybe I was too young?

And what's happening during this 40th Anniversary besides these various packages? DL hasn't really divulged anything specific happening to the HM during this year, have they?

 

[Sherry E]

Ummm.... I think this thread may get a prize for speculation snowballing.

DizneyDogs then took a guess that it may go down for the 40th event.

And now... we have it closed down, no HMH overlay, and concern over no IASW layover.

I think we have snowballed our own speculation. LOL

I cannot find a single piece of information anywhere that supports any of the above. I DID find these cool packages in connection with HM 40th though!

I would still say the reply to the OP's question is, "Not usually."

- Dreams

DizneyDogs said, "Also it won't be getting the holiday makeover this year from what I have read due to the 40th."

That sounds like more than a guess! Maybe further info will be available soon. I hope it's not true, but it seems like it would make sense to cancel HMH for 2009 if DLR was celebrating the 40th and wanted to focus on that. I am only pondering aloud, but it sounds like DizneyDogs actually read that info somewhere. And I am sure they won't cancel the IASW Holiday in 2009, but I was just playfully emphasizing that one cancelled overlay (IF that happens) would be enough. Two is just too much to bear! (And I am kidding about that, Disney Dreams, before you go getting all logical and reasonable on us!!!)

And yes, those are cool HM packages! I actually like all the Haunted Mansion sculptures and self-referential things like the characters riding in the Doom Buggies, etc., that I have gotten in the past. Those are some of my favorite Disney collectibles, and I was thinking that they would probably have some cool stuff this year for the anniversary.

 

[Sherry E]

Hahaha.... Good point Disney Dreams!

That was a fun thread to read. Thoroughly enjoyed it .

But, I would have to agree with your friend, Sherry E... I dunno how I could take HMH going down for a season, IF that were the case. It's one of the big reasons that I plan a fall/holiday trip, just so I can get on that ride and see the new gingerbread house every year. Not to mention NBC is one of my favorite movies .

IF and ONLY IF they refurbed in the summer, that probably wouldn't stop me from planning because of the fact that after seeing HMH the old version doesn't seem as hyped. Call me crazy, but the colors and decorations just trump the old one in my book... Although I would be interested in seeing the Hat Box Ghost. I've never seen it, maybe I was too young?

And what's happening during this 40th Anniversary besides these various packages? DL hasn't really divulged anything specific happening to the HM during this year, have they?

I was actually surprised when my friend said she had no interest in the regular Haunted Mansion anymore because she also grew up with that version of it, as I did. I thought she would have some nostalgic feelings for it but she has become SO impressed with the HMH version - never previously being a Nightmare Before Christmas fan or knowing anything about that movie - that she said it would be a let-down for her now to see the original version. She said that whenever she and her husband went to DLR during 2008 - with the exception of October through December - they never went on HM at all. And she brought her DH on HMH for the first time - he was only familiar with the original HM too - and he LOVE LOVE LOVED it. The colors and details just POP! It is so lively in there, and as you said, Axiom, the new gingerbread house each year is something to look forward to in and of itself! I think that, as much as folks like to preserve a lot of the original integrity of Walt's park and the purity of the rides in their original forms, which makes total sense, there is another camp altogether that likes change and appreciates subtle, gradual and/or temporary changes to SOME of the existing rides. Of course, the HMH is not subtle in any way, but temporary it is.

However, while my friend's DH was thrilled with HMH and wanted to ride it again and again, he hated IASW Holiday, and told her that he could go another 20 years without ever having to ride that again - holiday version, original version, Disney character version, whatever version!!! He hates it!

By the way, Axiom, I hope you and WazowskiLOVER and the gang have a GREAT time at DLR this weekend. Make sure to ride HMH as many times as you can - JUST IN CASE!!! I hope you guys are able to restore your other cousin's DLR spirit!!!

 

[DizneyDogs]

Since the HM 40th event is 9/9/9 it doesn't give them much time to do the HMH overlay afterwards and besides the theme of the event is Constance (the bride) not NBC - you can read more discussions and info about it at doombuggies.com

 

[Sherry E]

Since the HM 40th event is 9/9/9 it doesn't give them much time to do the HMH overlay afterwards and besides the theme of the event is Constance (the bride) not NBC - you can read more discussions and info about it at doombuggies.com

Makes perfect sense, timing-wise! They would normally be shutting down HM to start the overlay in early September. So I would say it is a safe bet to assume/speculate there is not going to be a holiday overlay for the HM in 2009, unless they do some last minute scrambling to get the overlay up before the Christmas season....which could be possible, but I would think they would aim to get the overlay up before the Halloween season first and foremost, and I don't see where that will be possible with the anniversary stuff happening. Thanks for the info, DizneyDogs!!!

 

[TheAXIOM]

Oh no! No HMH this year! .

I wonder what they're going to be doing for the bride? Maybe the Hat Box Ghost will return as the "guy" The Bride weds?

 

[Disney Dreams]

Oh no! No HMH this year! .

I wonder what they're going to be doing for the bride? Maybe the Hat Box Ghost will return as the "guy" The Bride weds?

My guess is that they are not going to do anything to the ride for the 40th (no clue for HMH). If you read the packages that are offered in the link I provided above, the top level package includes (along with other things):

- “Spirited Séance” - Haunted Mansion seminar
- Wedding Feast or Famine Dinner
- Spine-tingling Toast & Cake Slicing at the Haunted Mansion attraction

So I think there will be story-telling and folklore, but nothing actually done to the ride itself. Just my guess.

- Dreams

 

[Gisele]

I for one, have no problem whatsoever with hmh not existing this year. Wish that it would end period.
If Disney would like to open a new ride specificly for nbc, no problem. I believe there would be appropriate space and theming at DCA for it.

 

[Disney Dreams]

For those who are into / getting into pin trading / collecting...

The first Sunday of every month Disney comes out with a "gift with purchase" pin. It is limited edition, available when you spend $25 on pins and/or pin accessories. Every month it changes and usually there is a theme for a few months. The last 6 have been Tiki Room themed (each playfully featuring one bird: Jose, Pierre, Michael, Fritz, Gigi, and Colette).

Well, today the gift with purchase pin for January debuted.

At first glance I thought, "What? Why on Earth is Minnie a bride?!?!" Then it hit me! This month's gift with purchase pin is Minnie as Constance from HM. There will be 6 HM themed gift with purchase pins (Jan - Jun, 2009).

- Dreams

 

[TheAXIOM]

Wow!

My cousin wazowskiLOVER JUST got that pin today!
We didn't even know that today was the first day!
She got a little mat too where you can put your pins that has a nice lil pic of the Haunted Mansion for free.

Yayyyy special

 

[Disney Dreams]

Wow!

My cousin wazowskiLOVER JUST got that pin today!
We didn't even know that today was the first day!
She got a little mat too where you can put your pins that has a nice lil pic of the Haunted Mansion for free.

Yayyyy special

Yay! Today was the first day and they run out very quickly.

The mat she got has a spot for each of the 5 gift with purchase pins. Do you see a marketing snowball???

Now all she has to do is go back during the first couple of days of each month through June, spend at least $25, and voila! she will have the entire set (and all the pins to complete her mat).

- Dreams