Is the Halloween Haunted Mansion scarier than the normal one?

[spidey_99]

Hey all! Surprising my little girls with an overnight trip to DL tomorrow! Sweet! Can't wait! But I had a question:

My daughters are 4 and 6 and last year Haunted Mansion proved a TOUCH too scary for my oldest (when she was 5). I really want to take them both thru the Halloween themed Haunted Mansion because- from the tv commercials- it seems less scary (and more kid friendly) than the real thing. Is this an accurate read or is the scare factor just as high? Higher?

Never been to DL at Halloween (so jazzed!) so this is all new to me. Any help/advice is much appreciated.

Thanks ya'll!

Spidey

 

[Chris420]

I would say its about the same, although the fact that she may recognize the characters may make a difference.

There are still lots of ghosts, scary voices and things like that though as well as just as many screaming guests

I believe you can youtube a video of the whole ride if you want to check it out yourself first

 

[clb79]

I would said not near as scary, especially if they are familiar with the "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and its characters. The whole queue seems less frightening with the changes they make and has a much more cartoon feel to it and not near as scary. The ride is still dark and has those jump effects (but I don't think they are as scary during the overlay). I would recommend testing the waters by introducing your kids to the movie and its characters and related merchandise, books, etc.. and see how they react.

The overlay is the reason my wife is kind of sad that we have only made it during the overlay for our last several trips. She likes the original and doesn't think the Holiday overlay is scary at all...

 

[imjen]

It's a lot less scary to my kids. We went during Halloween 2 years in a row, then went last spring and they saw the regular version. It was scarier to them than the Halloween overlay. That's more fun and silly.

 

[bumbershoot]

It really depends. Have they seen the movie? Do they like it?


When I first went on HMH, I *hated* it. It felt FAR scarier to me than HM, because honestly, I despite Tim Burton's images and it just freaked me out. I had never seen the movie because I did not WANT to see the movie, and the reason was those images, so here was a ride filled to the brim (seriously, it's packed inside) with those images.

Since then, I saw the normal HM again, alone, at night...um, hello, spooky!

And now I've seen the movie 18,002.4 times because hubby and son (5 y.o.) are mega-fans of it. Even though I still don't like the images, and the concept of filming a stop-action film makes me think of tearing my hair out, I'm much more used to it, and I'm actually looking forward to HMH this weekend.

And, if DS follows through, it will be HIS first time on it. We tried when he was 2, and honestly he didn't even get to the point where he might have beens cared on his own, because there's a whole contingent of grownups who enjoy *screaming* and shrieking their lungs out *in the stretching room*, and that sent my son over the edge. We couldn't ride it, and he's remembered that moment this whole time. But it's HMH (OK, it was when he was 2, too), he's a fan, and *we have earplugs* this time.

Just hoping he'll get in line this time! Tried on our last trip (normal HM), and the line itself spooked him too bad, we had to go.

Better luck to you! And bring earplugs!

 

[spidey_99]

Well thank you folks for the informed and speedy response! I think we'll chance it- or at least try to (assuming the lines don't freak them out). I'll YOUTUBE the ride as well to make sure it's not going to send them over the edge. Thanks for the suggestions!

Spidey

 

[bumbershoot]

The nice thing about HMH is that they have FastPass for it. But...I wouldn't take the kids over to the FP area. It's a little creepy. Has imagery that reminds me of the graveyard Jack ends up in when he's shot down...

And FWIW it's near where the "chicken exit" comes out, should you get to experience that special joy of parenthood.

 

[clb79]

Just a reminder that that the characters from the movie/overlay play a main role in the Fireworks show and that they are also out and about in New Orleans Square so don't forget to take that into consideration.

It might help ease their fears if they see the characters and meet them out in daylight or the fireworks could maybe convince them to try a last minute ride afterward.

On the flip side, if they ride and are scared you might want to plan ahead so that their aren't any surprise appearances later in the day by the characters at meet and greets or the Fireworks show...

 

[disneynerd420]

The nice thing about HMH is that they have FastPass for it. But...I wouldn't take the kids over to the FP area. It's a little creepy. Has imagery that reminds me of the graveyard Jack ends up in when he's shot down...

And FWIW it's near where the "chicken exit" comes out, should you get to experience that special joy of parenthood.

There is a chicken exit? I hate my mother...

 

[Kayla's Mom]

There is a chicken exit? I hate my mother...

 

[LuLusApple]

I would say it's not as scarey. The colors are brighter and there is a large display that is very colorful when you first get on your doombuggy/sleigh that my DGD16 months really liked. She is afraid of most dark rides and enjoyed HMHoliday.

 

[gatorfreud]

Not sure your kids are quite old enough to play, but my DS's were a little scared the first time (although they love regular HM) so we made a game of finding things that mixed Halloween and Christmas (example: pumpkin wrapping paper on the present).

Kim

 

[queenie82]

I found it more funny and colourful and playful.
Haunted Mansion is my favourite ride and I when I went into this and hated it because it was so bright and colourful. I refused to go back again. It wasn't scary at all. I couldn't get past the feeling of the Haunted Mansion being treated this way and being trashed.....and the Ghost host being removed.
BUT....since then...I have grown to love Nightmare Before Christmas and the spiel for the Overlay. It is very well done...

So I would say less scary certainly once in the ride, but some of the external decorations can be a bit spooky.

 

[keptwoman]

I've never seen the original, only the overlay. I found it not even slightly scary and I'm the biggest chicken in the world. DD also was not even a little bit bothered by it and some rides had her in tears (although she went back for more of all of them once she got over the initial shock)

 

[GrandBob]

I would said not near as scary, especially if they are familiar with the "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and its characters. The whole queue seems less frightening with the changes they make and has a much more cartoon feel to it and not near as scary. The ride is still dark and has those jump effects (but I don't think they are as scary during the overlay). I would recommend testing the waters by introducing your kids to the movie and its characters and related merchandise, books, etc.. and see how they react.

The overlay is the reason my wife is kind of sad that we have only made it during the overlay for our last several trips. She likes the original and doesn't think the Holiday overlay is scary at all...

I agree with this assessment totally.

DW & I went on the overlay for the first time this trip. At first we really hated it. As clb79 says, it feels more like a cartoon, whereas the original has some really good ghost effects. Being in the park for 5 days, we tried it about 3 more times, and it grew on us. But I still say, give me the original any time. But this one should be good for small kids.

-Bob

 

[Krissy Marissy]

I haven't read this entire thread yet but do keep in mind hmh is loud! Usually the voice in the doom buggy is loud but we almost couldn't hear it this time. It was louder than I remember. In the attic the jack in the box pop up thing shrieks and it's very loud. As long as your girls aren't bothered by the movie and can handle the noise they'll be fine. Its brighter and more colorful and the gingerbread carousel is cute! Enjoy your visit!!

 

[Sally_fan]

Another vote for no here. Especially the stretching room! lol
ENJOY!!!

 

[mom2pirateNpooh]

Another vote for no here. Especially the stretching room! lol
ENJOY!!!

I completely agree. My kids hate the stretching room EXCEPT during the HMH overlay season. They tolerate HM the rest of the year (and ask to ride it during hot weather ), but they really look forward to HMH. Yes, even the 3-year-old.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

HMH is no where near as scary as HM. For one thing, the music is happier/jollier and just less scary than the original. Yes there are stupid people who screaming the stretching room. I would cover the kiddos ears or go the earplug route and just remind them it's all make believe. The actual ride itself is far less scarier than the original for kids. When my DS was little he actually said he liked the HM original better than HMH because HMH was too happy and not scary enough.

 

[SleeplessInSeattle]

I just asked my 7-yr old, who went to both at the age of 6, and she thought the traditional HM is much scarier, since it is more like a "real" haunted house. HMH is more like the movie, more comical, I would say.