More Haunted Mansion Pixie Dust

[samsteele]

I just returned from my WDW vacation and enjoyed another great CM experience at MK's Haunted Mansion. I was at the Oct.29 MNSSHP and just before the party officially started, I was exiting the HM and a CM who appeared to be a custodian saw my costume, started to laugh and pulled me aside to wish me a happy halloween. She was dressed in the white uniform and had the garbage pickup claw, but once I started to speak with her, I got the sense that she may have been junior management cycling through a work position in the park. She wasn't actually cleaning, but was standing quietly at the exit of the ride just next to the pet cemetery, and seemed to be watching the front courtyard and the standby line. After discussing my costume, I asked her when Madam Renata would appear. She got on her radio to double check and then let me know she should be out in the next 20 mins. I explained that it was my first MNSSHP and I had heard a lot of great things about Madam Renata's performance and was excited to be here to actually see her "in the flesh" so to speak. The CM laughed and pointed to the small standing area just behind the horseless carriage and explained that if I wanted a ringside seat, that would be the place to wait. I waited for a few minutes and watched as the HM put on its halloween cloak of mist and lights. Suddenly, I heard a voice at my elbow, ask "Is she here yet? Is she here? I'm waiting for her!" I turned to find Madam Renata right there and she gave me a big grin. Then her handler wheeled her steps up into place and had to give her a boost up the steps to her bench (that hoop/petticoat is a handful). Madam Renata was incredible. She was a bit saucy but not overly so as there were children in the line. She decided to ask me a few questions and got a kick out of the fact that I am Canadian. It was great fun and a real treat. I glanced back toward the exit line where the custodian was still standing, and she gave me a wave and a big thumbs up. After 10 mins or so of fun, I had to leave to catch the Sanderson Sisters stage show. But at a time when many of us report poor experiences with CMs in the park, it was great to have a truly wonderful CM experience. Both the CM custodian/management (who knows?) and Madam Renata went out of their way to interact with a guest and give a first-timer to MNSSHP a wonderful memory. When WDW CMs go out of their way to do it well, they do it great.

 

[Robo]

Love the story!

So much FUN when the CMs give the magic an extra boost.

 

[T00dles]

Sounds like fun! Love those moments

We love HM and have found some CM's can get downright spooky after dark.

 

[larryz]

That would have had to have been PURPLE pixie dust!

 

[Lori74]

that is so great!! i got a sprinkle of pixie dust last week too. it was late one night at magic kingdom, part of my family was hitting a wall and getting tired. one of my kids in particular was critiquing me most steps and decisions i took that day. (even though i got them on almost every ride their hearts desired, and even had time to go back to resort for a much needed nap that afternoon!) anyways we stopped and sat in some rocking chairs and just chilled. my husband and i wandered around a little and stumbled onto the stand with the dole whips. i've never had one so i asked the cm if they served a tiny one so i could try it. she gave me a very generous portion, almost the size of a full one and would not accept payment for it. i almost cried, i was so frustrated with my son, and probably a bit tired myself. my husband and i sat down and i vented, while eating the entire thing. i had a smile by the time it was gone. we went back to the kids, watched the electrical parade which the kids loved, and the kids that were tired went back to resort while the rest of us enjoyed the almost emptied park the rest of the night.

 

[Scubee]

Awesome! We were exiting HM at the party this year when Madame Renata (played by the CM below) was arriving. Our family was in Peter Pan garb, and my 8-year-old was Smee. She stopped him stating "Oh, I though you were Mr. Smee" and "I'd recognized Smee's clothing line anywhere!" She went on-and-on about our costumes. Such a fun memory for us.

 

[missnic]

She is awesome! DH and I spent a bit of time with them last year, but made a point to stick around for this year's party. We watched her entire set, and were the focal point of her antics. We told her that we were there celebrating our 11 year anniversary. For the rest of the set, she kept telling newcomers that we were newlyweds, and that we were accepting cash gifts. She also kept calling us out by different names. It was hilarious. Oh, and she told us the story of her death.