Your opinion on Phantom Manor

[MrPotatoHead]

What do you like or dislike about Phantom Manor?

[pussnboots]

I think the intentions and the creativity behind it are fantastic — right up there with the best of Imagineering. I also think that the mere fact that they took the time to completely, thoroughly retrofit the attraction to its new surroundings instead of Xeroxing the original is highly, highly commendable.

The "bad" part is that it has been allowed to age without much in the way of innovation and is really in need of some rethinking. Some effects never worked as well as they must have looked on paper, others have since 1992 been outdone by the Haunted Mansions. Then there's the final scene in the attraction, which was where the Imagineers ran out of budget and space, apparently, and it shows. Whenever people express the opinion that the ride has an air of unambitious cardboard cheapness, I suspect this is the scene that got burned into their retinas.

In short, an excellent project by brilliant people that sadly never quite made it to the finish line. I like to think that if fate hadn't been so cruel to the park in the early '90s, the ride might have been retooled somewhere along the way and — I imagine — allowed the Imagineers behind it to die happy.

[TDLFAN]

PM is a very unique take on the classic ride. I love it.
As for the others... both TDL and the MK's were quite similar in contents, with some small differences in show, but with the additions of new elements at the MK... that version is superior.. However, TDL's Nightmare overlay is superb.
DL's version I have not been on since july 2005... but it's always been a favorite version for me as well.

[soundtracker]

It's hard for me to judge, as I know Phantom Manor exteremly well, and have only ever ridden one of the Haunted Mansions - WDW's, a few years before the refurbishment, so there was no real contest.

But as Puss so adroitly put it, the thought and planning behind the Ol' Ravenwood Place is spectacular. Now if only they'd spend a little money on maintaining it!

[Dagobert]

I have only been on the PM at DLRP and on HM in the MK at WDW. PM was always one of my favorite rides at DLRP, but since i have seen HM in January I'm a little bit disappointed by the DLRP version. HM is really great!!! In my opinion the best attraction in the MK and the only attraction which is better than its counterpart in Paris. PM really needs an update and I hope the attraction will receive it very soon.

[davewasbaloo]

PM is one of my fav attractions anywhere (but the Phantom on the Doom Buggy was missing this weekend. I think I actually prefer not havig the ghost host, and I love the scene at the end as it feels like I think Western River Expedition would have. Love it, but a littl maintenance is needed.

What as awesome was this weekend the queue stretched out of the gates, around the gazebo, through the undercover area (all of it) and they were running it properly so the stretch room worked properly.

[pussnboots]

Originally Posted by davewasbaloo

[...] and I love the scene at the end as it feels like I think Western River Expedition would have. Love it, but a littl maintenance is needed.

But you have to admit it is a little cheesy — the pinnacle being the part where you re-enter the mansion and see a cardboard cutout of it above you with the show building's tiled ceiling clearly showing. It looked great on paper, but well, the Pooh ride at Disneyland has the bar set higher.

[davewasbaloo]

Originally Posted by pussnboots

But you have to admit it is a little cheesy — the pinnacle being the part where you re-enter the mansion and see a cardboard cutout of it above you with the show building's tiled ceiling clearly showing. It looked great on paper, but well, the Pooh ride at Disneyland has the bar set higher.

That may be the only exception, but it could be the ethereal view of it. I am happy to go with it. Afterall, isn't HM's graveyard "outdoors" too. Careful about being too literal.

[MrPotatoHead]

PM is a good ride, but still needs to get some MAJOR updates to it's animatronics. And, they should finally put in the fabled carriage house instead of the cheap garden pavillion!

[pussnboots]

Originally Posted by MrPotatoHead

PM is a good ride, but still needs to get some MAJOR updates to it's animatronics. And, they should finally put in the fabled carriage house instead of the cheap garden pavillion!

That's your problem with it? The queue covering? Have you seen the Magic Kingdom version?

[Walt Jr.]

I love Phantom manor to pieces because it is such a unique artistic version of HM. But I wouldn't want it at Disneyland, my heart is in that one.

[MrPotatoHead]

Originally Posted by pussnboots

That's your problem with it? The queue covering? Have you seen the Magic Kingdom version?

Personally, I've never been to WDW, but shall someday!
But I have heard of all the good things done at Flordia's WDW.

[davewasbaloo]

Originally Posted by MrPotatoHead

Personally, I've never been to WDW, but shall someday!
But I have heard of all the good things done at Flordia's WDW.

Not many if you are referring to the MK - DLP is far superior in almost every way compared to the MK.

[TDLFAN]

Originally Posted by davewasbaloo

Not many if you are referring to the MK - DLP is far superior in almost every way compared to the MK.

I agree, and anyone who wants DLP's quality pushed a few notches higher should go to TDS. Not sure what "good" things there are at WDW to do except for the few things that are unique to that resort, but still.. their overall quality just pales when compared to all of the other Disney Resorts.

[pussnboots]

Originally Posted by MrPotatoHead

Personally, I've never been to WDW, but shall someday!
But I have heard of all the good things done at Flordia's WDW.

The queue covering at its Haunted Mansion is a fabric-covered canopy that follows the footpath. You know, just like real 19th century mansions used to have.

Makes the Paris version seem pretty snazzy, non?