Tell me about the Haunted Mansion Overlay

[avalon451]

I asked this at the tail end of another thread, but was hoping for a few more details, if anybody wouldn't mind giving them... I don't mind spoilers.

What is it like? What's your opinion of it? I know it's a Nightmare Before Christmas theme (I've never seen the movie). It's inside as well as outside? Is the ride just completely different? Somebody said that they don't even sing "Grim Grinning Ghosts?" Do you still hear "Hurry back, hurry baaa-aaaack..." ?

DD didn't get to go on HM last time, so I'm already a bit disappointed she won't see the original.

TIA!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I think the HM Holiday is a completely different experience. Personally I find it kind of fun. I watched the movie after I saw the attraction. It features that twisted Tim Burton style, so it's fun to see the Mansion twistedly whimsical. I think there might be a holiday type version of Grim Grinning Ghosts, but I don't remember for sure. The "hurry back" is replaced by Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas wishing for Jack Skellington's return.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Here's some pics on the DIS: http://www.wdwinfo.com/Disneyland/photos/Haunted-Mansion/index.htm

The Haunted Mansion is completely redone, so the theming is different than the rest of the year. It's Nightmare Before Christmas, which is Halloween themed, and there are jack o' lanters throughout. Jack Skellington (main character in NBC) greets you as you enter, and you see the characters throughout the attraction. Even in the elevator going down you have a different scenario, and the song played throughout is different.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

It's on youtube if you want to see it. We love it! They do decorating on the outside as well as the inside, and it provides a completely different experience. We were able to see both this year, got our fix on both versions.

 

[cinderella_mom]

The general scenes of the ride are the same, just decorated with a Halloween/Christmas seen. For example, at the beginning there is a long hallway where you normally see a floating candleabra. Instead, there is Zero. There is snow and presents and the characters from The Nightmare before Christmas. We love HM and HMH. Both are great. You will love it. Plus, it might be an incentive for your family to come back again.

 

[bumbershoot]

I seriously dislike the overlay, and would not be upset if they got rid of it entirely and forever. But then I've never seen the movie b/c I don't want to, I don't like the images or animation style I've seen of it.

Hubby, however, likes it.

Our first trip as adults HM was closed to put the overlay on. Our second trip I couldn't go on it because our then 2 year old freaked out in the stretching room when all of the adults apparently were scared out of their minds and screamed (they should have "fun"-screamin-FREE stretching room "rides" throughout the day) and DS and I had to take the scarier-than-anything, black-walled, went-on-forever, chicken exit.

When we went back in September, it opened on our last day there, and I finally saw it, and hated it.

In January I went there right after it re-opened, and was at last able to see it "normal" since I was a kid, and I loved it. I'm a HM purist.

So I can't tell you you will love it, b/c I am the polar opposite of loving it, and will now avoid it during the overlay!

 

[brenda1966]

I love, love, love the overlay, but it does make it a completely different ride. Of course the track is the same, but the visuals are completley different.

It's been a few years since I've seen the overlay and I long to go back. Maybe Oct 2009!

 

[**Tinker*Bell*7**]

i LOVE the overlay
Can't wait to see it again on our Oct. trip this year!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Our second trip I couldn't go on it because our then 2 year old freaked out in the stretching room when all of the adults apparently were scared out of their minds and screamed (they should have "fun"-screamin-FREE stretching room "rides" throughout the day) and DS and I had to take the scarier-than-anything, black-walled, went-on-forever, chicken exit.

Boy, isn't that the truth. I also favor some sort of device that would drench and soak any park guest who screams solely for the sake of screaming like an idiot so they can hear themselves scream. The screamers were by far the worst part of the visit. I'm all for having loads of childlike fun at Disneyland, but screaming like your life is in serious danger is being obnoxious. I have seen many, many little children who conduct themselves far more appropriately than the screamers.

*okay, bitter venting and ranting about screamers over* Boy did it feel good to get that off my chest.

 

[avalon451]

I seriously dislike the overlay, and would not be upset if they got rid of it entirely and forever. But then I've never seen the movie b/c I don't want to, I don't like the images or animation style I've seen of it.

So I can't tell you you will love it, b/c I am the polar opposite of loving it, and will now avoid it during the overlay!

See, I'm kind of the same way about the movie. Not much of a Tim Burton fan. The images are disturbing to me. I wasn't nuts about James and the Giant Peach, and I had no desire to see Corpse Bride. Not that I'm a pollyanna or anything, but twisted and dark humor just doesn't really float my boat. I guess that's why I wanted details.

Hey, thanks for all the responses so far, you guys have been very helpful! I think I'll watch the youtube video; should've thought of that!

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

I hear you guys on those teen/adult screamers. Very annoying! Why do people have to act like that?

That and we had someone who actually would turn around on Pirates and snap the flash RIGHT in our faces! We had a few that was using flashes, and that was bad enough, but to turn around and flash it right in our eyes? Are you kidding me?

I really tried to not let the behavior of others get to me on this trip. Unfortunately it's easier said then done sometimes. LOL

 

[brenda1966]

Isn't the back story behind the HM dark?? Isn't it about a bride her murders her grooms or something like that? I think that's far more dark than a funny Tim Burton flick.

Nightmare Before Christmas has a good message about being yourself and being true to yourself. It's not just about halloween mayhem happening during Christmas.

 

[vettegirl]

The overlay for HM is awesome. It is is now one of my most favorite rides at DL. I think I like it better than the original HM IMO.

 

[bumbershoot]

Isn't the back story behind the HM dark?? Isn't it about a bride her murders her grooms or something like that? I think that's far more dark than a funny Tim Burton flick.

Nightmare Before Christmas has a good message about being yourself and being true to yourself. It's not just about halloween mayhem happening during Christmas.

It's not the story, it's the images. They are weird and dark and ooky to me, more than the relatively "normal" ghost storyline. (I'm OK with being spooked by the heartbeat in the attic and the doors moving...I'm not OK with being just freaked out by the images)

Hubby has told me about how the story is good, and that's fine, but I don't like the animation and won't watch it, and wish it only involved ONE holiday so I could go at some point between late Sept and early Jan and ride "my" HM!

Hubby feels I'm missing out, and that's fine...he and I bonded when we first met because we REFUSE to watch Titanic, so he can understand that I'll never see NBC.



The other aesthetic thing I remember about the difference is that it *seemed* like the HMH version was just packed with stuff. When I saw the normal version, it was stark, almost empty. I was surprised at the minimalistic corridor of doors when I saw it in late January, b/c I was remembering that area being stuffed to the gills with things from NBC. So that's another difference that I remember.

 

[DLR29]

See, I'm kind of the same way about the movie. Not much of a Tim Burton fan. The images are disturbing to me. I wasn't nuts about James and the Giant Peach, and I had no desire to see Corpse Bride. Not that I'm a pollyanna or anything, but twisted and dark humor just doesn't really float my boat. I guess that's why I wanted details.

Normally I'm like that too (so are my parents) and I've never seen those movies either. So when I rode it for the first time I had very low expectations. To my surprise it was fantastic and I loved it! So you never know.

 

[perlster]

 

[shiver me timbers]

awesome pics, i have only been once and i went in january and didnt get to see the overlay, but hopefully i will someday

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

I love the NBC overlay. I really love NBC the movie (and I admit, when it came out when I was a kid, um 1993? So I was 6. I was completely terrified out of my mind of that movie) and I'm really into Tim Burton and how/what he directs. But I'm glad that it's only during Halloween/Christmas time because I think if it was all year I wouldn't like it as much. But I do wish it had MORE NBC music in the ride. The soundtrack of that movie is the best.

 

[avalon451]

Great pics, thanks! I was telling DD about it at dinner, and now she wants to rent the movie, and see the HMH when we go in Oct. Well, Tim Burton fan or not, I know I'd want to check it out for myself anyway. It's interesting hearing what everybody thinks about it, though.

 

[dreams91]

I absolutely LOVE the overlay. I always wish I can go at that time of the year. We caught it by accident and didn't know it was there, but were completely happy that we did. I could ride it over and over and LOVE the music.