Haunted Mansion (w & w/o pre show)

[Mousey0324]

It looks like the wait times for haunted mansion have exponentially increased in part due to the re-introduction of the pre-show staging process.

so the question is…if you knew the haunted mansion wait time would be cut in half due to the elimination of a pre show would you

1. opt for no pre show (short wait)
2. Keep pre show (longer wait)

what about other rides like dinosaur, TT, etc.

 

[luv2cheer92]

I don't think that has any affect on wait times. Most of those rides, you are still waiting after the pre shows. Its just used as something to do instead of waiting, not prolonging the wait.

 

[gharter]

Its much better with the pre-show. As mentioned, the loss of pre show does not really change the wait. However, without the pre-show, your eyes don't acclimate to the darkness as well and the ride seems much darker.

 

[PurplePigment]

It seems weird to me to compare Haunted Mansion to something like Dinosaur. Haunted Mansion doesn't necessarily have a story the preshow explains (unless you count "the house is haunted"), whereas removing the preshow from Dinosaur would leave you wondering what is going on. Unless that would also entail removing any lines about finding the right dinosaur in the ride?

That said, even if it hiked up the wait times, I'd rather the preshow. Especially in a case like Haunted Mansion, where it's so creative and you get to have an experience different from just sitting in the cart looking at things happening around you.

 

[Upatnoon]

To me, the Haunted Mansion just isn't the same without it. It is an integral part of the attraction.

 

[coasternut22]

I was there two weeks ago and it baffled me why HM and Jungle Cruise had such consistent long waits, especially since other classic rides like Pirates and Splash had consistently lower wait times.

The preshow for HM was completely packed, running both sides, and when the doors opened, there was still a queue for the doom buggies. I don't think the pre-shows contributed to the long wait times. I think it was just Halloween time, the hot weather, and the state of that attraction without fastpass.

For Jungle Cruise, I thought it was Chapek's budget cuts to skippers, but no, boats were lined up one after another without any noticeable depreciation of capacity. Could it be because of of the movie?

I think the pre-show is necessary for this one reason: it allows your eyes to adjust to the dark before going on the ride. This is why HM is a completely different ride a night. It's much more vibrant when your eyes haven't been out in the sun. Although, in modern times, the pre-show, as well as riding ToT most times, is ruined by that one person with their phone on. It's has become a frustrating decision to always make: hope to experience the attraction as intended or risk being grumpy when you get off because of that one person. It really has become a difficult decision.

 

[Timmy Boy]

Some preshows are there for safety information too. My friend used to be a Dinoland Manager and he said guests at Dinosaur have to see the preshow because it has safety information in it.

 

[luv2cheer92]

Some preshows are there for safety information too. My friend used to be a Dinoland Manager and he said guests at Dinosaur have to see the preshow because it has safety information in it.

Though they weren't having people wait to watch it for close to a year. At least some (maybe all) of that time they had it playing while you just walked right through without stopping.

 

[LSUmiss]

We always skip the stretching room now b/c it scares DS so I prefer it without now.

 

[DWillowBay]

This might be the ONLY pre-show that I enjoy! Nothing like the Ghost Host to begin that adventure!

 

[Timmy Boy]

Though they weren't having people wait to watch it for close to a year. At least some (maybe all) of that time they had it playing while you just walked right through without stopping.

Oh then I don't know.

 

[fabfemmeboy]

HM is one of the few preshows I enjoy. It's ok without it, and if it would cut the wait time in half (comparing wait times in FL versus CA during the same time period because CA can't skip the stretching room) I'm ok missing it, but I do enjoy it. Unlike FOP where I'm fine skipping all preshows forever. And Mission Space gets long.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Pre shows (on any ride) do not add to the wait time. They are simply an element added to the queue to entertain you while waiting (and sometimes provide safety info). I would always rather have them than not, especially for HM!

 

[Violet Parr]

Is it actually possible to choose to skip the preshow?

 

[gharter]

This might be the ONLY pre-show that I enjoy! Nothing like the Ghost Host to begin that adventure!

agree, but I also enjoy the ToT pre show.

 

[luv2cheer92]

Is it actually possible to choose to skip the preshow?

For HM, yes. You just tell the CM before entering and they will lead you to a back door..

 

[_19disnA]

Most pre-shows are just another place to queue before the ride begins. Gives you the impression you have 'entered' the ride and aren't waiting as long, but in reality are just standing somewhere else waiting.

 

[BrianL]

Is it actually possible to choose to skip the preshow?

Yes. This is usually done for kids for whom the pre-show can be scary. It is the most intense part of the experience. This had previously not been possible at Disneyland as the pre-show is an actual elevator, but I do believe there is now a guest accessible staircast that was brought into use to skip the pre-show due to covid. I don't know if that remains an optional path or not.