Team Mist proudly presents...
Haunted Mansion Holiday
For this project, Team Mist was asked to bring the anarchic fun of Tim Burton’s
The Nightmare Before Christmas to Walt Disney World’s Haunted Mansion. But, we were told not to borrow from the Haunted Mansion Holidays of California and Tokyo. This led us to a unique conclusion—since we weren’t told to stick to a specific holiday…why not do
all of them? For this project, we each worked on different scenes in the ride, as I will denote in the ensuing ride-through.
Backstory
After the mess that was the “nightmare before Christmas” fiasco, Jack Skellington, Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, has decided to host a gathering of all the holiday mascots there are…Sandy Claws, the Easter Bunny, the Thanksgiving Turkey, you name it. This way, they all can learn more about holidays that aren't theirs. But, in order for this event to happen, he’s snuck into the Haunted Mansion…uninvited. What will happen?
The Queue ~ @TrevorA
At first glance, it will be apparent to guests that something new is happening over at Liberty Square’s world-famous spook house. The normally drab mansion exterior has been enthusiastically decorated with streamers and balloons of all colors and patterns. Yellow, Blue, Orange, Pink, White with Red polka dots, Green with Purple stripes. There are so many balloons that for a moment it may seem like a strong breeze could carry this house up, up, and away! Wooden stand-ups with likenesses of Jack Skellington and Sandy Claws painted on are positioned at the front gate of the Haunted Mansion, smiling and shaking hands. Another wooden stand-up depicting the Mayor of Halloweentown is nearest the entrance to the HM queue. The mayor is holding a megaphone in one hand, and with the other hand displays a scroll for guests to read. The text follows:
Notice!
All holiday-town hosts and residents
The meeting of the holidays will commence today, here in this
HAUNTED MANSION
Don’t be left home for the holidays! Enjoy food, drink, and merry-making for one day only in this historic residence - the new home-away-from-home for famous holidays, holidays trying to make a name for themselves, and holidays not yet recognized on the League’s official calendar. Today’s meeting will commence once all invited holidays have arrived at these happy haunting grounds.
RSVP, regrets only, to Jack Skellington c/o Ghost Relations Dept. Magic Kingdom
Please! Do not RSVP in person.
The horseless hearse in front of the mansion has been similarly decorated with balloons and streamers, and painted letters across the side of the carriage read: “Holiday Shuttle Service”. Once underneath the covered queue, guests can peer across the Rivers of America to see the shores of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad[1]. On the riverbank now stands a circle of tall, thin trees. Each tree in the group has on the base of its trunk a painted door, shaped into a holiday symbol. Just like in the movie, a guests would expect to enter Halloweentown by entering the tree with the pumpkin-shaped door, or to find Thanksgivingtown just on the other side of the turkey-shaped entrance. Of course, this tiny forest is too far to explore in detail, so the guests must press on towards the Haunted Mansion. The doors are all closed so that onlookers can see their colorful fronts, but tracks and footprints on the dirt in front of the group of trees suggest that the citizens of each of these towns has already entered the Magic Kingdom and trekked to the opposite side of the river. The Graveyard section of the Florida Haunted Mansion queue has been roped off from guest entrance. The garden beyond features tables and chairs, with tubs of ice cream and punch set out on the lawn. A sign hangs on the rope reading:
Please all holidays enter through the side-doors ahead. The Graveyard Ice Cream Social will be held here after the official gathering.
A Haunted Mansion cast member opens the double doors into the foyer and guests are ushered inside.
[1] On the Big Thunder Side of the RoA, at the exit to BTMRR, a guest can see the reverse side of these trees, and behind them the newly-decorated Haunted Mansion. A long note is posted in front of the tree-circle for guests to read, identical to another note posted outside the Haunted Mansion (see main description).
The Foyer ~ @mickeyfan5534
"When creepy creeps come here to play and the air takes on a deathly chill. When the thirteenth hour appears on the clock and Easter eggs and sugar plums begin to sway. This is the time where holidays come together, to practice their craft in joyous delight!"
As we walk into the foreboding foyer, decked out for all Halloween can bring, the air turns deathly still as a large portrait of the trees sending those to the towns of holidays begins changing. First, the doors open. Then, the rulers of the town begin stepping out, one by one. As the portrait finishes its elaborate change, all the rulers of the holiday towns appear before us.
The Stretching Room ~ @mickeyfan5534
"Welcome, frightful friends, to the Haunted Mansion Holiday. I am La Catrina, the Grande Dame of Death, representing Dia de los Muertos. I am your host, your... Holiday Host. Kindly step all the way in please and make room for everyone. There's no turning back now. 'Twas the nightmare before Christmas and all through the land; the holiday worlds made up their plans. As a grand gathering we mascots espoused, Jack Skellington decided to move through this house. While dreams and magic took over the land, a top on the course made decorations the plan."
(thunder and a projection of Jack on the ceiling)
"Happy holidays, my honored guests!"
"Oh dear, I didn't mean for him to come in so soon. You will meet him later on. Now, as they say, look alive! There's more to see."
The stretching room, decorated in garland and holly, takes on an all new form. The portraits now show The Easter Bunny, Santa, Jack and Sally, and a Thanksgiving Turkey. Upon full stretching, the Easter Bunny is being chased by the werewolf, Santa is being threatened by Lock, Shock, Barrel, and Oogie Boogie, Jack and Sally are decorating the mansion on a rickety ladder help up by Zero, and the Turkey is escaping a knife wielding Mayor. To make the transition easier, the attic scrim is simply projected on rather than replacing the attic.
Loading Area ~ @mickeyfan5534
"Please do not pull down on the safety bar. I will do it for you. Oh, and as a bit of fair warning, we holiday mascots do not like being approached when it’s not our time in the spotlight. So please, keep all hands, arms, feet and legs in the vehicles. And parents, please watch your little boys and ghouls. Ha, forgive the pun."
The long hallway that brings us to the load is simply decorated exactly how a citizen of Halloween would decorate for Christmas. Garland covered in pumpkins and orange candles light the way for guests to load into their doom buggies and head off.
Changing Portraits ~ @DisneyManOne
As we head off into the inky blackness, we pass by changing portraits--Lock, Shock and Barrel with their masks on and off, The Mayor changing faces, and the Haunted Mansion decked out for all sorts of different holidays.
The Library ~ @Snoopy
After leaving the portrait hall, guests glide into the Library. We hear our host, La Catrina, say,
"Ah yes, the library. This is where we holiday mascots are being checked in for this meeting." A large banner hangs from the step-ladders saying
"Welcome Holiday Guests!" and a table loaded with refreshments sits in the center of the room. Inside the library guests see several holiday mascots standing around awkwardly, some holding cups of blood-colored punch and others eating coffin and bat-shaped cookies. A few are standing in front of a podium, where the Mayor is checking in mascots for their stay in the mansion.
"Aha, here we are. Yes, Mr. Straw Bear... it would appear that you'll be staying in room 2412. Watch out for the fireplace, ha ha! Have an awful time!" Moving on, guests come to the self-playing piano; while still playing, Grim Grinning Ghosts has been replaced by creepy versions of holiday melodies like
Auld Lang Syne and
In Your Easter Bonnet.
The Escher Staircase ~ @Basketbuddy101
The doombuggy glides upward toward the Escher Staircase, which will retain its familiar layout and lighting arrangement. However, guests will find that the series of endless staircases is now home to a new resident: The One Hiding Under the Stairs, a familiar monster from the film who first made his appearance during the opening number of the '
The Nightmare Before Christmas.' Due to the fact that the omnimovers rarely stop, the creature will be presented in full animatronic form, greeting guests from adjacent to the main balusters. As the vehicles approach the center of the room, the monster will peer at guests, waving his fingers at them, which appear in the form of hissing snakes.
"So many stairs, so many places to hide and…seek, hah heh," guests hear him say, the monster's fingers wiggling profusely.
"Hello, hello, having a good time? Pay me a visit sometime; I'm just a couple of steps away." The footstep projections that usually step above guests' heads are replaced with silhouettes of slithering snakes, their tiny red eyes glowing like candles flames.
Endless Hallway ~ @Snoopy
Leaving the stairway behind, guests move on to the endless hallway. Looking out guests see that the hallway has been decked out with various garlands and decorations that seem to stretch on and on. In addition to the standard optical illusions, the hallway now also makes use of projections to show various mascots traveling door-to-door in search of their rooms, with a few growing frustrated. Underneath the suit of armor the Thanksgiving Turkey stands nervously, while Punxsutawney Phil struggles to find a way out of the chair that rocks by itself.
The Coffin ~ @Snoopy
It appears as if the conservatory has been turned into a luggage depository, with several Halloweentown residents taking it upon themselves to be the bellboys. This unfortunately means that several suitcases have been thrown about in the room. A Haunted Mansion staple, the man in the coffin is once again trying to get out, but this time it's luggage on his coffin that is preventing him from leaving... as a snickering Lock, Shock and Barrel (dressed in bellhop uniforms) point and smirk.
Door Hallway ~ @Snoopy
"It appears as if the guests are finding their rooms... let's see how they're liking them." La Catrina directs riders through the door hallway, and it appears as if the holiday mascots aren't liking their rooms very much at all. On one side we see a Leprechaun trying and failing to reach his door handle, and on the other side Ded Moroz is seen arguing with Behemoth.
"I told you, the door keeps breathing!" "Santa!" "For the last time, I am not Santa Claus!" A nervous Befana backs away from a door with hands sticking out of the top (
"Sorry, I had no idea this room was occupied!") while Uncle Sam, standing by the backwards grandfather clock, looks about.
"Oh dear me, it seems as if I'm supposed to be in the hall across the street right now..."
The Seance Room ~ @Basketbuddy101 and @JokersWild
The omnimovers enter the familiar Séance Room, circling around Madame Leota, who is attempting her original incantation but finding this difficult, as Dr. Finkelstein is busy interrupting her with inquires concerning her levitation ability, the flap on his head constantly opening and closing.
"Ah yes, magnificent flying technique, Madame…err…whatever your name was but, eh, just how did you manage to perfect it, I wonder? Perhaps…yes, but…no, no that can't be. Will you pipe down with that incantation, Madame, this is a matter of research!" Guests will notice that the instruments which usually circle above guests in the room are now slowly falling downwards toward the ground because of Madame Leota's distraction. "
I'm racking my brain trying to figure out how you acquire such frizzy hair indeed!" he says. The omnimover steadily proceeds towards the ballroom.
The Ballroom ~ @Basketbuddy101 and @JokersWild
"Well, look at that", La Catrina says.
"It's time for our celebratory feast. Everyone who is everyone has gathered here...oh, and they must be expecting me! Pardon, mis amigos, but I'll see you all after the feast is over." The Grand Ballroom is decked out in Thanksgiving decorations. Festive red, yellow, and orange banners adorn the familiar walls of the ballroom, as well as the balusters. Decorative paper turkeys and fall leaves hang from the chandelier. The scent of fresh pinecones fills the air as the ghosts dance in their familiar pattern.The center table is topped with a visibly-delicious Thanksgiving day feast, complete with corn, mashed potatoes, rolls, peas, and carrots. At the center of the table, however, the holiday's mascot, a fat turkey, shakes in fear as the three witches from the film wave massive pitchforks at the defenseless creature, laughing as they command the turkey to "hold still." A massive cornucopia stretches from one end of the ballroom to the other, overloaded with large pumpkins, squash, nuts, onions, and other veggies. Three new ghost figures bob for apples near the organ, one of them disappearing as he appears to fall into the bucket. The omnimover then proceeds into the attic.
The Attic ~ @Basketbuddy101
The omnimovers approach the entrance to the attic, which is covered in strings of dark green Easter grass. Large baskets are scattered about the entrance, each holding large eggs painted in bright, mellow colors, which glow brightly under the blacklight. The eggs feature hand painted designs depicting characters from the film, including Oogie, Sally, Jack, Mr. Mayor, and zero, along with various other shapes, stripes, and patterns. Strings of candy hang from the ceiling, along with ornaments shaped like carrots. Oversized jelly beans stacked in carrot-shaped containers glow beautifully as the omnimovers glide past large cardboard boxes that read "Easter Supplies," "Easter Eggs," "Jellybeans," and "Easter Stuff" on them. A wide banner hung from one end of the attic to the other reads "Greetings From Easter Land," painting in hot pink paint. Nestled at the foot of an oversized carrot, the Easter Bunny clutches his basket as he admires his handiwork, perhaps too busy to acknowledge guests. As the omnimover travels deeper into the attic, however, the scene becomes slightly more alarming, as Lock, Shock, and Barrel have seemingly intercepted the Easter Bunny's "Easter Toys" box, proceeding to alter them to their liking.
Wind-up baby chick toys have been painted black, their eyes glowing like fire, and their chirps sounding more like aggressive barks. Each half of every Easter egg has been fused with sharp blades of teeth; the eggs chatter in an open-close motion, making sharp, cutting sounds. Large chocolate bunny wrappers have been heavily modified, converted to look like coffins, the lids opening to reveal terrified chocolate bunny animatronics, who dodge the lids as they snap shut. One of the bunnies can be seen in a corner of the attic, entangled in the Easter Grass. Lock, Shock, and Barrel are busy engaging in their twisted Easter activities. Lock is busy rolling on the floor laughing at the terrified chocolate bunnies while Shock is balancing herself atop a box, searching for one of the chocolate bunnies who is hiding underneath the box, opening a corner and looking around, terrified.
"Here bunny, bunny, bunny, where are youuuu?" She asks mockingly, laughing in between calls. Barrel is busy eating a large, dismembered chocolate limb while an arm crawls in a circular motion around horribly-spotted jellybeans. As the omnimover reaches the end of the attic, Oogie Boogie can be seen near a window, a basket in hand, a chocolate bunny head nestled inside.
"Will ya just look at that! A head but no body," he exclaims, an obvious parody of the Hatbox Ghost.
"Come on, you three," he says, his words directed at Lock, Shock and Barrel.
"There's a party going on right outside, and everyone's invited. Just don't lose your head, hah hah hah hah!"
The Graveyard ~ Group Effort
As we leave the attic, we hear the joyous sounds of all the various holiday mascots engaging in a little after-party. Jack Skellington himself, in his usual attire, appears in place of the caretaker.
"Ah, welcome, my friends! I was wondering when you were going to arrive. Well, come on in--the party is just getting started!" As TrevorA mentioned, an ice-cream social is going on here, with all the various holiday mascots enjoying the frozen treat. The singing busts, wearing hats representing different holidays (Santa hat, shamrock hat, hat with bunny ears, Pilgrim hat and generic party hat--for New Years) sing "Grim Grinning Ghosts" in a medley alongside other famous holiday songs. Lock, Shock and Barrel pop up from behind gravestones. The April Fool is about to dig in, only for a pie to shoot out from the bowl and knock him in the face. Cupid declares
"I love ice cream!" Baby New Year dives head-first into a huge bowl of ice-cream. The Easter Bunny takes a few nips out of an ice-cream sundae made to look like an Easter egg. The Thanksgiving turkey, a la Heihei in
Moana, pecks at the ground, facing the opposite direction of his bowl. These are just some examples of the various sight gags you'll see in this scene. I'd do them all, but with this many mascots, it would take forever! But, near the end of the graveyard, we see Santa Claus enjoying peppermint-flavored ice cream, and right near the entrance into the next scene, on top of the Spiral Hill from the film, we see Jack and Sally enjoying ice cream together. Zero floats nearby.
Hitchhiking Ghosts ~ @DisneyManOne
"Ah, mis amigos, there you are!" La Catrina's voice is once again heard.
"I thought I lost you somewhere in the graveyard. Well, I certainly hope you enjoyed your tour through the Haunted Mansion and I hope you enjoyed meeting everyone. Say, how about we take a commemorative picture to mark your time here?" Indeed, the windows that displayed the Hitchhiking Ghost effect now host cameras that take our pictures. What's so special about that? Well, a special kiosk has been installed at the ride's exit, and it tracks your car number, and each car gets its own unique "frame"--each one, of course, themed to a different holiday.
Unloading Area ~ @JokersWild and @DisneyManOne
As we turn north to face the unload, we see a little model of La Catrina bidding us farewell.
"Adios, amigos! Come back soon! You certainly know how to 'liven' things up around here." The unload area looks the same as it does currently, but as we exit, we pass by a large horizontal scroll, upon which the mascots have written their respective holiday greetings
("Happy Halloween", "Merry Christmas", "Happy Easter", "Happy Valentine's Day", "Feliz Dia de los Muertos", etc.)
Upon passing the scroll, we find ourselves once again in broad daylight. So completes our journey on this new take on Haunted Mansion Holiday.
