The Haunted Masion Event is two words

[Raulandpinboy]

So So


Sorry kids I'm a Disney Corporate boy at heart and Disney can do no wrong I love Disney to death and it will always be my #1 place to go. I'll even be buried there.

But tonight’s event was the pits some good things though The Story teller in the town square was cool, Riding the rides was a blast, and having the park all to ourselves was very cool, the headless horseman outdid himself or herself. The two vampiras that tried to pull me into the ladies room over the tavern got my vote. (Sorry ladies the marriage thing got in the way)

Don’t get me wrong I had a good time fever and all, but I always have a good time no matter where I go. I was almost kicked out of Pirates for rocking the boat and trying to board the boat in front of us to loot and pillage. Hey I was a pirate getting in the mood. I rode the Haunted Mansion scared Bob. It was fun

But there was some bad…

The food was cold meat undercooked, they gave these little itty bitty plates so you had to go back time and time again, they put the drinks 1 mile away from the food and the drink Nazis made sure you only got a drink if you had your card... No card no drink! There was no lights so you had to guess what you were eating Some poor souls in front of me thought he had chicken and it ended up being fish. The poor cast member at the dessert table was to busy getting food for people not able to maneuver the little scooters or wheelchairs because the put the desert tables next to the ropes by the street with just enough room for one person to fit in line.

Then they promised a final kiss at the castle, which was nothing, more then ghost images shot up the side of the castle and a spooky voice. The parting gift was a bag with a plastic cup ohhhhhhh.

People stood in lines for some time to see the fortune tellers, and then they just came up and said sorry folks we’re out of time and left.

The auction was horrible the auctioneer would start at 1 you thought it was $100 then he said I have 1 do I hear $2000 scared the heck out of some folks. I saw them bid it up starting at $100 then going $200 $300 $500 before you knew what was gong on you had bid $500 They told you to hold your paddles up until the price got up to the point that you were out then just lower your paddle. So if 10 people raised their paddles and they started with $100 and the paddles stayed up they would jump it to $500 or $1000. In my world they call a number say $100 and you raise your paddle signifying you are willing to pay $100, then they asked for $200 if somebody wants it for $200 they raise their paddle. But If I put my paddle up and leave it up that gives the auctioneer free raise it up rights. And that’s what happened. Then they have the three horsemen of the apocalypse in the audience literally in people’s faces screaming and egging them on to bid higher. Remember these guys get a buyers premium the higher they sell the more they make.

By far the people that went to last years said that it was planned a lot nicer, and this year was horrible.

Disclaimer: This is my opinion and mine only I had some fun but I was disappointed.

 

[Dom13]

Hmmmmmmm....maybe my boss was psyhic when he would not let me take off for this.

 

[drdelsol]

Have to agree. I should preface this by saying I was more tired from work at this years event and I am still tired writing this looking at a 12 hr day today, so my opinion is probably a little skewed. I was not looking forward to having to go to Colorado Springs, then the park, but the CSR part wasn't as bad as I anticipated. Going between the two did seem to cut down on time in the park. The auction to me was fun to watch for about 20 mins then got old but that's me. Others seemed to enjoy it. Too bad there wasn't more of a presentation about the mansion or the movie for those of us without enough money to buy the items. The set for the auction was nice though.

That food was a joke. Last years' was so much nicer and had a lot more for my vegetarian wife. I can't count how many people I heard complaining. I still don't know what some of it was. The food I had was definitely cold and how hard would it be to label it. I would have been too ashamed of that rice to even bring it out. There was avocado dip-what were you supposed to eat it with? Barbeque sauce in a pot next to mashed potatoes instead of gravy? I didn't get either but the table next to me wasn't happy about that surprise.. Was that chilli and baked beans combo leftovers? Also in adventureland there was a coffee station but again nothing was labeled and there was no one to ask. Last year there was softdrinks and water available throughout the evening without a ticket. The desserts were great I thought. How could the quality of them be so high and the rest of the food so low.

Did like the storyteller and the headless horseman. Hated the stupid, incredibly loud DJ (IMHO) The ticket "dessert" was weak compared to last years chocolate skull.

A lot of this is my fault, but I felt like I working more this year standing in lines. I didn't have to get a book signed or a doombuggy photo, both of which I liked, but that took an hour on top of the food line and the third rsp line going out of the park. I know you can't get rid of the lines it is just when you add them up it makes a big part of the evening. I gave up on the fortunetelling, there were more then 3 of them last year. No show in the Diamond Horseshoe this year.

Also how come the MNSSHP can have the giant Miss Leota out front but not us?
They could have used more then 2 cashiers at the 3rd rsp pickup.

Once again alot of this is because of how I chose to spend some of my time but it didn't seem like I had as much free time this year. I though the merchandise distribution went better this year, but the park portion I didn't enjoy as much.

Oh well, will I be there next year? Yes, because I had some fun and love the mansion at Halloween, but mostly because of the merchandise. I'll be at MNSSHP for a higher fun to dollar ratio.

 

[wdw4us2]

I have to agree with the comments regarding the Park portion of the 999 HHB. The food was awful compared to last year. I don't know whose bright idea it was to set the food tables up outside, in the dark, with no labeling - but they should be demoted or fired.

I was also not happy about the beverage situation, it seems ridiculous that soft drinks are in the same category as beer and wine.

The gift dessert was disappointing especially after the one they had last year.

I don't know why they bothered giving us a "goodie bag" - it would have been easier to hand us the cup instead of making it sound as though we were going to get several items.

However, all was not bad. I had the Gus package, and the reception and dinner that we had on Tuesday night was very well done. Excellent food, entertainment and parting gift. the seminars were also very interesting, I enjoyed meeting X. Atencio - he was so interesting and just the nicest person you would ever want to talk with. He was a great surprise guest. I guess maybe they're putting more emphasis on the package events rather than the park event.

I will most likely attend again next year just because I enjoy the Mansion so much. Oh yeah, I thought our favorite storyteller did a great job with the Ichabod Crane story.

 

[TIGGERSMOM]

Hvae to agree with just about everything, event itself was a bit of a let down. The build up the day before for the Gus package was wonderful.

We had a decent time but only because we made our own. We took our own Doombuggy photos, ok so we broke the no flash rule. We joined the pirates drinking there rum on the ride - yo ho, yo ho!!

Goodie bag - you mean the lame plastic cup shoved it a bag they were handing out for free at the parks all day.

The ghosts and goblins projected were the same you got for MNSSHP, for alot less I might add.

We won't go into what I could say about the food. Suffice to say, no I can't even say that here.

I did enjoy the auction though. I guess having done lots of them I know better than to leave my paddle up. I have to go with Ed on the 3 horsemen, I do think they thought they were being entertaining. I just thought they were intimidating for non-auction veterans. I did talk to staff after - they auctioneers were straight salary is what I was told. If they were being paid a commission it was not by the buyer (the usual method in an auction). I can say this with confidence. Yep I was an auction winner - not gonna say what or how much - but enough to make a dent but not enough for a divorce. No, I did not buy the pins for a 1000.00.

Would I do it again - yep. I would do one more shot, but they need to raise the bar.

 

[WebmasterJohn]

Everyone who has described this event so far has been right on the money.

My favorite comment of the evening was a woman I met in line for food who described it as "It was as if they woke up that morning and realized they had to throw a party that night".

Being my second Happy Haunts it really was sad compared to last years event. Last years was the only reason I signed up for this years - we had such a blast. I know for sure I will not be at the Prince/Princess Event in February.

In all this negativity there was one bright spot I wanted to share - I had a chance to meet a Disney Imagineer who is one of the last remaining of Disney's original 'nine old men'. He is Mr. Xavier Atencio and is one of the original imagineers who worked on the Haunted Mansion and wrote 'Grim Grimming Ghosts'.

Through an odd series of events we came across Mr. Atencio at the event and had him sign our event credentials (we met Jason Surrell on a cruise, saw him at the event, asked him about his family, he mentioned they were at the event with Mr. Atencio, we hunted him down, blah, blah, blah).

It was a thrill.

John

 

[bsbkmacgowan]

Wow, John, that's just TOO cool. What a thrill! Funny how that sort of thing happens from time to time, huh?


Oh, to have been able to be there...

Going through withdrawal right now...

Can't believe it's been a whole year since we were at our favorite place on earth. SIGH.....



Sandy (and Brian, Bonnie & Kellie, too)

 

[drdelsol]

The more I read about the other packages, the more dissappointed I get about my "poorboy" Ezra package. I can't believe how little my $125 was valued. I would have loved to meet Mr. Atencio, but that wasn't an option even as an add-on.
Of course the higher packages deserved more, but we didn't deserve less then last year. I couldn't justify the other packages when they were only bundled with resort stays since I am in driving distance. I know, poor me, but in my defense, I was here before Disney.

We were planning on going to the February event when they gave us the handout, but by the end of the evening we had changed our mind. It sounds like fun but so did this.

Its hard to shell out that much nonrefundable on an event that has such a vague description. IMHO, for these events, don't try to be so artistic in the descriptions without a nice detailed flowchart also. That's the science background- I prefer facts and details.

Probably by July I will have paid for this years merchandise and be wanting more for my collection (even if it is just sitting in the closet at this point) and so sign up for the 2004 event.

Is anyone trying for the February event? It did sound like a nice event to take my wife too, but that is a lot for the amount of time if it is anything like the HHB.

Does anyone else get a little jealous of the events in California versus WDW? We get nothing for the Pirates movie(who is closer to the Caribbean? ) or for the Haunted Mansion movie and they get their February event actually on Valentines Day.

Oh well, gotta go. Take care everyone.

 

[TDC Nala]

I love all the merchandise I bought. I even enjoyed the auction, but then I wasn't trying to buy anything during it. The park thing was a lot of fun as long as I stuck to riding the Haunted Mansion. The only other attraction open was Pirates, unless you count the riverboat. What's the deal with having food that you have to sniff before you can figure out what it is? My friend spent most of her time with her nose hovering over the trays trying to identify the mystery meat. I just ate dessert and potato salad. The deejay sounded either like Linda Blair in "The Exorcist" or like Charlie Brown's teacher as a man. Would have been tolerable if he didn't go on all night long.

Speaking of Charlie Brown, was anybody else walking out saying dejectedly "I got a cup??"

Maybe they should just sell us the stuff and let us go in and ride through the Mansion a few times... and cut the price...like that'd ever happen.