ConcKahuna
<font color=darkorchid>Corn was on sale, 10 ears f
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2006
- Messages
- 8,442
Today after I got off work, I decided to swing by the Magic Kingdom and check out the Haunted Mansion, since it opened yesterday. I was dubious about what they may have done to it, but I figured I'd give it a chance.
I must say, I was very impressed!
Let me just start by saying that it is almost the same attraction that it always was. The first thing you will notice as you walk up is that the awning that covers the queue is now much wider (the line actually went back and forth 3 times under it), and seems to have some sort of AC under it.
Next you go into the parlor. The portrait is still the exact same (although it seemed to transition smoother, the old one was like a slide show), but the audio is GREAT! It's still the classic narrator, but they've remastered the audio and put in a new sound system, and it makes all the difference.
The stretch room is much better looking, although they didnt change anything in it really. The paintings are flush to the wall now, and when the room stretches it's much smoother than before (no more wall paper unrolling at the base LOL). The audio in here is great, and it seems like the "Ghost Host" is swooping around the room, instead of the fixed audio locations of before. They've also spruced up the corpse so it's more noticable.
The first big change you will notice is the portrait hall after you get on the attraction. The portraits on the left side of the hall are gone, replaced with large (and very real looking) windows. The eyes on the portraits to the right don't follow you any more, but pay attention to them when the lightning flashes
The library has not changed at all, and while the "infinite hallway" is brighter than before, making the floating candleabra easier to see. The hallway with the knocking doors is also the same.
In the seance room, the first thing you'll notice as it comes into view is that the instruments are much easier to see than before. As you turn into the room, Leota's crystal ball is much bigger than it used to be, and is floating in mid-air in the middle of the room! Her face is easier to see, and they did an amazing job of keeping it perfectly in place while the ball floats around.
The "ball room" scene is also the same, although the ghosts are much more vivid (in a translucent, ghostly sort of way).
Next is another of the big changes. Where before you just went through some darkness, with a few fake spiders that didnt move, now you enter the "stair room." It's a lot like the "Careful Stairs" illusion (pictured below), with ghostly footprints following the various staircases. It's VERY cool.
Next you come to the attic. The bats and "popping ghosts" of the past are gone. Now the attic is more...well...atticy. There are heirlooms and wedding props/decorations stored up there, as well as portraits of the bride and a headless groom. You turn the corner and there is the ghostly bride herself. Watch her hands carefully when she says "I said I do, and then I did!" It's one of the coolest effects I've ever seen outside of a CGI movie.
The graveyard is still the same, although cleaned up and spruced up. The audio here is also a lot more clear.
If you have any other questions, feel free ask!
I must say, I was very impressed!
Let me just start by saying that it is almost the same attraction that it always was. The first thing you will notice as you walk up is that the awning that covers the queue is now much wider (the line actually went back and forth 3 times under it), and seems to have some sort of AC under it.
Next you go into the parlor. The portrait is still the exact same (although it seemed to transition smoother, the old one was like a slide show), but the audio is GREAT! It's still the classic narrator, but they've remastered the audio and put in a new sound system, and it makes all the difference.
The stretch room is much better looking, although they didnt change anything in it really. The paintings are flush to the wall now, and when the room stretches it's much smoother than before (no more wall paper unrolling at the base LOL). The audio in here is great, and it seems like the "Ghost Host" is swooping around the room, instead of the fixed audio locations of before. They've also spruced up the corpse so it's more noticable.
The first big change you will notice is the portrait hall after you get on the attraction. The portraits on the left side of the hall are gone, replaced with large (and very real looking) windows. The eyes on the portraits to the right don't follow you any more, but pay attention to them when the lightning flashes
The library has not changed at all, and while the "infinite hallway" is brighter than before, making the floating candleabra easier to see. The hallway with the knocking doors is also the same.
In the seance room, the first thing you'll notice as it comes into view is that the instruments are much easier to see than before. As you turn into the room, Leota's crystal ball is much bigger than it used to be, and is floating in mid-air in the middle of the room! Her face is easier to see, and they did an amazing job of keeping it perfectly in place while the ball floats around.
The "ball room" scene is also the same, although the ghosts are much more vivid (in a translucent, ghostly sort of way).
Next is another of the big changes. Where before you just went through some darkness, with a few fake spiders that didnt move, now you enter the "stair room." It's a lot like the "Careful Stairs" illusion (pictured below), with ghostly footprints following the various staircases. It's VERY cool.
Next you come to the attic. The bats and "popping ghosts" of the past are gone. Now the attic is more...well...atticy. There are heirlooms and wedding props/decorations stored up there, as well as portraits of the bride and a headless groom. You turn the corner and there is the ghostly bride herself. Watch her hands carefully when she says "I said I do, and then I did!" It's one of the coolest effects I've ever seen outside of a CGI movie.
The graveyard is still the same, although cleaned up and spruced up. The audio here is also a lot more clear.
If you have any other questions, feel free ask!
I don't think you spoiled it a bit. Now I know to look at the eyes in the portraits. I confess, I'm one of those who really loves the ride and has read up on the story of Master Gracey and his doomed bride. I've even found the "wedding ring" in the exit path. I'm looking forward to seeing what changes Disney's made and how they've improved the "storyline" of the ride. It's amazing how many people don't look up in the stretching portrait room...
