WDW Haunted Mansion observations

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Hello all! I've just returned from my first trip to WDW since 1991 (full trip report to come), and I managed to ride the Haunted Mansion 11 times over the course of three days.

One thing I noticed is that it seems that they were tinkering with show elements throughout the day, and that the experience varied from visit to visit. This isn't merely a matter of noticing new things, or becoming jaded to certain effects - certain scenes would be fully lit during one ride-through, and then not lit at all on a subsequent visit.

For example, as we emerge from the attic and the Doombuggy tilts backwards, everyone knows that the Raven is present to the right. The first couple of times I rode, he was dimly lit, but clearly visible. The next few times, he was well-lit, and the last few times, he wasn't lit at all - we could only see his LED eyes glowing in the blackness.

Other elements seemed different too, such as the level of ambient light during Leota's sequence, the volume of the speakers in the portrait gallery, and the brightness of the lights in the loading area, but these things could just be changes in perception. However, there's no denying the variations in lighting used on the Raven in the graveyard scene.

I also noticed that on one day, there was a cast-member near the exit, polling people on their experience in the Mansion.

I was wondering if anyone else noticed anything like this, and if anyone knew whether or not they constantly fiddled with such things throughout the year, based on the the whims of the ride operators or management, or if they were being particularly experimental while I was there?

[JCSkipr79]

Yes, since we reopened last Sept. they have been constantly surveying guests. I assume, mainly because they have JUST finished! No im serious! Our latest 'additons' were a new fireplace effect for the Ballroom fireplace, Leotas hair effect, and the ghost flying effect in the graveyard is super clear and bright! And its amazing that after a full year after the re-haunting we are still getting rave reviews. Pirates did not even get the kind of response we got.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Originally Posted by JCSkipr79

Yes, since we reopened last Sept. they have been constantly surveying guests. I assume, mainly because they have JUST finished! No im serious! Our latest 'additons' were a new fireplace effect for the Ballroom fireplace, Leotas hair effect, and the ghost flying effect in the graveyard is super clear and bright! And its amazing that after a full year after the re-haunting we are still getting rave reviews. Pirates did not even get the kind of response we got.

That's great, because I've got to tell you - after seventeen years away, I was afraid the HM wouldn't live up to my memories, expectations, and yes, even the many dreams I'd had about it over the years. With all that in mind, it was even better than I hoped it would be!

However, my question still stands regarding the subtle things that changed from day to day - the lighting, sound, etc.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Okay, so...nobody else noticed anything like this?

[TDLFAN]

Originally Posted by Tyrone Shoelaces

Okay, so...nobody else noticed anything like this?

Personally, I do not think they tinker with anything. All those irregularities appear to be caused by a certain lack of maintenance on Disney's part. Pure and simple. I do not think they have the time nor the cast to tinker with elements of the ride that should be operational on a constant mode throughout the day.

[SpectroMan]

LOL@ TDL! I agree with you to a point!

But regarding the OP's question - I think a lot of it has to do with the time of day that you ride the attraction. Lighting will seem much different from day to night because of the way your eyes adjust to the darkness. In mid afternoon, everything will feel extra dark inside (Raven included) whereas a ride at 9pm will produce perceptions of too-bright light. Just a consideration.

[chesirecat]

Originally Posted by Tyrone Shoelaces

Hello all! I've just returned from my first trip to WDW since 1991 (full trip report to come), and I managed to ride the Haunted Mansion 11 times over the course of three days.

One thing I noticed is that it seems that they were tinkering with show elements throughout the day, and that the experience varied from visit to visit. This isn't merely a matter of noticing new things, or becoming jaded to certain effects - certain scenes would be fully lit during one ride-through, and then not lit at all on a subsequent visit.

For example, as we emerge from the attic and the Doombuggy tilts backwards, everyone knows that the Raven is present to the right. The first couple of times I rode, he was dimly lit, but clearly visible. The next few times, he was well-lit, and the last few times, he wasn't lit at all - we could only see his LED eyes glowing in the blackness.

Other elements seemed different too, such as the level of ambient light during Leota's sequence, the volume of the speakers in the portrait gallery, and the brightness of the lights in the loading area, but these things could just be changes in perception. However, there's no denying the variations in lighting used on the Raven in the graveyard scene.

I also noticed that on one day, there was a cast-member near the exit, polling people on their experience in the Mansion.

I was wondering if anyone else noticed anything like this, and if anyone knew whether or not they constantly fiddled with such things throughout the year, based on the the whims of the ride operators or management, or if they were being particularly experimental while I was there?

Oddly enough I remember riding HM and once saw the Raven was lit up by its own little light although to highlight it. The Raven was originally going to be the "Ghost Host" and would talk guests through the haunted mansion. Since both the HM in Disneyland and WDW were built at the same time I would guess that the Raven was added to each with this though in mind. Later, it was decided that the host of the ride would be the "Ghost Host" we all know as a disembodied voice and the Raven's role was much reduced, although if you look carefully the bird is everywhere. My explanation is that the lighting effect is a remnant of the old system setup to make the Raven a central part of the ride, such that when doombuggies go by a light would light up the Raven and it would talk, . . . makes sense to me as they physically put the Raven everywhere into both rides before making the change. However, since it was changed I like to think that the light on the raven is triggered by doombuggies at irregular intervals and never perfected as it wasn't central to the ride anymore. Maybe when the light goes on the Raven it would say "Look out below!" as you are acutally "falling" from the attic and "die" . . . this is why the graveyard keeper is scared of you as you are now a ghost!

I have noticed this before and it amsued me as I guess CMs are putting light bulbs into a light that shines on the Raven (sort of like how lights shine on the hall of presidents when they talk) but probably few know why the light is there or even perhaps that it goes on and off like it does do. Or in other words, I don't think it is a "maintenance" issue but rather the old plans for the ride still haunt this attraction! But there is a clear difference, sometimes the raven is just glowing red eyes and once I saw a prominent mini-spot light on it, . . . I think it as originally designed you are in darkness and then a light goes on and you see the raven and it says something . . .

[sediment]

Originally Posted by Tyrone Shoelaces

That's great, because I've got to tell you - after seventeen years away, I was afraid the HM wouldn't live up to my memories, expectations, and yes, even the many dreams I'd had about it over the years. With all that in mind, it was even better than I hoped it would be!

You're lucky you waited, because it was in bad shape before the refurb.

[sediment]

Originally Posted by Tyrone Shoelaces

Okay, so...nobody else noticed anything like this?

Hmm, sorry, I haven't been in a few years, and I wouldn't likely go on HM that many times even in a whole week.

Could be what TDLFan says, could be a timed effect. I mean, every time I go past Leota on HM, she is in some other part of her schtick. Is that something special? No.

[disneyfann121]

Originally Posted by JCSkipr79

Yes, since we reopened last Sept. they have been constantly surveying guests. I assume, mainly because they have JUST finished! No im serious! Our latest 'additons' were a new fireplace effect for the Ballroom fireplace, Leotas hair effect, and the ghost flying effect in the graveyard is super clear and bright! And its amazing that after a full year after the re-haunting we are still getting rave reviews. Pirates did not even get the kind of response we got.

When were these latest additions put in?
I agree with Tyrone, by the way. On my WDW vacation last December, HM was my favorite ride, bar none. I was dazzled by the refurbished Mansion.

[TDLFAN]

Originally Posted by sediment

Could be what TDLFan says...

Oh I know it is. Remember... I know a lot of people in the inside and they sing like birdies into my ears...and sometimes what I hear, is quite shocking.

[WDITrent]

Originally Posted by chesirecat

Since both the HM in Disneyland and WDW were built at the same time I would guess that the Raven was added to each with this though in mind.

Disneyland HM: 1969
WDW HM: 1971

I don't think they were constructed at the same time, but I do know that the audio for both were recorded near the same time.

[GRD999]

The Fireplace effect was added a few months after reopening, around the same time as the addition of the Ghost Host portrait in the Corridor. Leota's Hair Effect, or actually the entire scene effect with the black-lights was something added or at least tweaked within the last month, as is with the clearer ghosts rising in the graveyard.

As for the light on the raven. In some cases, the spotlight is on, sometimes not so much. He is near impossible to see in the early morning but is very apparent in the evening. There is no magical effect with a light going on as if for him to speak.

And lastly, the figures for WDW HM were built at the exact same time as DL HM. Though they were 2 years apart in opening, the WDW HM was one of the first completed attractions waiting for opening day.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Originally Posted by sediment

You're lucky you waited, because it was in bad shape before the refurb.

I'd heard as much. Ever since 1996 or so, I've been haunting various sites like Jim Hill Media and Doombuggies.com, indulging in my obsession with the Mansion. So yes, I'd heard it mentioned that it was getting pretty beat up.

That reminds me - I noticed that the painting of Dynamite Guy in the stretching room had started to sag a bit, when I went there recently. Anyone notice if they got around to fixing that?

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

On a slightly different note...when I visited, I wasn't exactly blown away by the amount of HM merchandise available at Leota's Cart. I shudder to think of what the selection would have been had I not been visiting around Halloween.

Some of the best finds I made were actually in other places throughout the resort. For example, there was an awesome 3-D pin of the Hitchhiking Ghosts that I found at Fort Wilderness, of all places, and I found the attraction soundtrack at the Emporium.

Can anyone clue me in to any hidden HM gems that I might have missed, or perhaps surprise discoveries made in the past?