HM after rehab: How does it compare now with DL version?

[PeterAlt]

Hi, all. I have not yet seen recent the recent updates in the MK, including SM, PotC, IaSW, and HM. I've been to DL a couple of years ago and I was very impressed with that park's versions of these MK classics. I've been following the news here about the extensive and much-needed Florida MK rehabs. From what I've seen here, much of these rehabs are very welcome and do make overall improvements but do not go far enough to upgrade them to be on par and at a level comparible to their west coast counterparts. Space Mountain is an example of what I'm talking about; Florida's version still lacks the smooth ride system and onboard audio. Pirates and IaSW is another; upgrades could never add all the cut sequences back in without constructing expansive show building space. Florida's HM show building has more space than DL's, so the HM rehab had a perfect opportunity to be upgraded to a level comparible to the DL version.

What sticks out in my mind about the DL version of HM compared to the MK version (before rehab) is how it used modern technology throughout the ride, while the MK version seemed stuck in 1971. The DL version had a clean digital sound track, real holograms, better working effects, etc. Has the MK upgrade modernized all the special effects and sound on par with DL? I know the MK upgrade included a new scene. With the new scene and all the other upgrades, is the DL version still better, are they now equals, or could the MK version actually have an edge over the DL version?

Thanks in advance!

 

[marni1971]

real holograms

??

The MK version for the most part is a shining example of how a refurb can work if it is done properly. Kind of the same with its neighbour the HOP. Both past haunts and fondly loved by Phil Holmes. Funny eh? Anyway I digress...

 

[PeterAlt]

??

The MK version for the most part is a shining example of how a refurb can work if it is done properly. Kind of the same with its neighbour the HOP. Both past haunts and fondly loved by Phil Holmes. Funny eh? Anyway I digress...

I was talking about the Madame Lenora (whatever her name is) hologram that is used in the DL version during the sayence scene versus the 2D projection of the WDW version. Is this still a 2D projection or have they updated this?

I'm glad to see this update was done right. I wish they could have done the same with Space Mountain or maybe they plan to upgrade SM in phases, with the next phase featuring the onboard audio and the smooth tracks.... One can hope....

Very few projects at the MK of WDW were given the kind of budget that their west coast cousins got. Florida's Splash Mountain and now the Fantasyland project got DL like respectable budgets. Toontown and Indiana Jones at DL got respectable budgets and they don't even exist at WDW. Buzz Light Year and even Pooh were given bigger project budgets than it's WDW cousins.

 

[skimbob]

I was surprised to see how much different the two parks are. There are things I like better at MK and things I like better at DL. I love the graves at HM and the house itself. I also like the layout of POC but it is definately a shorter ride than our version in CA.

You didn't discuss the castle rides. I was very disappointed to see that the Snow White and Peter Pan rides were not placed in the courtyard behind the castle. That whole area should have matched DL because of the way it is laid out for the over all effect. Plus they are missing a few rides that DL has back there and they killed Mr. Toad.

The thing I was most shocked at was the exterior of It's A Small World. DL has such an awesome exterior set up compared to MK. It is a favorite ride of mine and they kind of killed it for me.

I have never been a fan of Toontown at DL so I am happy to see it go at MK. The new rides that are coming sound totally awesome to me.

I was glad to see that Walt's dream of Liberty Square was realized at MK. The layout is great in that section. As you can tell I am more concerned with the layout than the rides themselves because it sets the tone for the rides themselves. Theming is everything to me.

I will be returning to WDW in 8 days which will be my third trip in a year to the parks. I really like all four parks in FL.

 

[WDWGoof07]

HM after rehab: How does it compare now with DL version?

The MK version is better.

I've always preferred the ride's facade at MK, too.

 

[darthspielberg]

The only thing I can comment on is the Facade, which I think is leagues better than Disneyland. It actually looks like a creepy mansion. Disneyland's is very pristine, and while I understand why they did that, I am glad they didn't take that route when building the MK version.

I do love the update of the Mansion though, and all the new effects really make it super top notch. The staircase scene gives me goosebumps at how cool it is.

 

[Mansion Butler]

The DL version had a clean digital sound track, real holograms,

Real holograms? I don't think so.

better working effects, etc. Has the MK upgrade modernized all the special effects and sound on par with DL? I know the MK upgrade included a new scene. With the new scene and all the other upgrades, is the DL version still better, are they now equals, or could the MK version actually have an edge over the DL version?

Thanks in advance!

MK's is now slightly better, though it is somewhat a preference thing. Having more to ride is a plus, though, and (small thing) the MK Leota is more reliable than the DL one. Plus, the interior of the Haunted Mansion fits a New England mansion better than an antebellum mansion (though the graveyard fits New Orleans better, so maybe that's a push?).

Mostly, as mentioned, it probably comes down to whether you'd rather walk through the library or ride through the library, exit through an escalator or not, and which exterior is more attractive to you.

I do wish we could get their carpet runner effect at load, though. . .

 

[Mansion Butler]

I was talking about the Madame Lenora (whatever her name is) hologram that is used in the DL version during the sayence scene versus the 2D projection of the WDW version. Is this still a 2D projection or have they updated this?

Take it from someone in the know: there is not a real hologram.

Both Leotas are still a projection, but if I understand my DL brethren correctly, their Leota still has the projector outside the ball tracking its flotation, and can at times be off focus, while MK's projects, I believe, from within the head. It's never, ever off anymore, while it was often before the refurb.

 

[SeaCastle]

Most Disneylanders will swear up and down that their's is the original and is therefore better, etc. . I happen to enjoy both very much, but WDW's has the edge for me, as it has some scenes (like the Escher staircases) that Disneyland's doesn't have. From what I've read, the WDW version is on the way to be even better over the next few years.

 

[Mansion Butler]

Most Disneylanders will swear up and down that their's is the original and is therefore better, etc.

Then fire that Space Mountain logical fallacy right back at them.

(Though I do prefer our Space Mountain, but I understand that I am and why I am in a minority. My point is just the logical fallacy of original = better.)

 

[wolf359]

The biggest difference is that Disneyland has real ghosts, and Walt Disney World has holograms.

TDO was too cheap to get real ghosts because they didn't think the tourists would notice the difference like the locals at DL would.

 

[Thrill]

You can argue it. WDW has better effects in certain areas (not sure if Disneyland added the new stretch room audio effects, and WDW has a better Leota projection), as well as the staircase room, but one who prefers Disneyland's exterior and walk-through library could say it's better at Disneyland. I personally prefer WDW as far as exterior (its eeriness fits the ride better and has a couple neat effects that Disneyland lacks) and library goes, so I prefer the Haunted Mansion at the Magic Kingdom.

Then fire that Space Mountain logical fallacy right back at them.

(Though I do prefer our Space Mountain, but I understand that I am and why I am in a minority. My point is just the logical fallacy of original = better.)

I was thinking the same thing when reading that and do agree that WDW has a better Space Mountain. Buzz Lightyear is one where you really can't make an argument that the original is better, so I'd say it's a better example.

 

[marni1971]

and Walt Disney World has holograms..

There are no holograms.

 

[Mansion Butler]

There are no holograms.

But are there real ghosts? :lol:

 

[marni1971]

But are there real ghosts? :lol:

Nine hundered and ninety-something of them I hear.

 

[the-reason14]

I can't really speak on DL's HM since I didn't get to do it while I was there. But DL does have a lot of better versions of their rides compared to the MK. Pirates, Small World, and their fantasyland is better. Splash is nice there too, but they have too many AAs in there and you go by so fast it kinda defeats the purpose imo. Of course WDW has the superior Space mt. They 'recently' added audio, and while it isn't on board like the one in DL, it does add an extra set of magic to the coaster. Unlike the DL version, MK's space mt. doesn't need the audio. DL's does just because it needs all the shiny lights and special effects it can get to make up for being such a boring coaster.

In all, the refurbs have improved the MK versions imo. Space mt. was the only one that didn't really need it but it's refurb just made it better than what it is.

 

[Mansion Butler]

Small World

Agreed with you before they added the cartoon characters. The gorgeous facade and better backdrop were enough to overcome the lesser flume and smaller capacity, but not the cartoon characters.

Splash is nice there too, but they have too many AAs in there and you go by so fast it kinda defeats the purpose imo.

It also has one (technically two) fewer drop, I believe. But Splash is great in both parks.

Oh, also give me WDW's Tower of Terror, People Mover, Thunder Mountain, and Jungle Cruise (even without the refurb, but I wish WDW's would get it), too. Though a couple of those are close.

Most other attractions I can think of are a push or I'll go with DL's.

 

[SeaCastle]

Then fire that Space Mountain logical fallacy right back at them.

(Though I do prefer our Space Mountain, but I understand that I am and why I am in a minority. My point is just the logical fallacy of original = better.)

I prefer our Space Mountain as well, though like you said, we're in the minority.

DL's Space Mountain may be clean, have onboard audio, visual effects, etc. but it's not as wild a ride, or as nicely themed.

 

[wolf359]

There are no holograms.

Did Orlando's Haunted Mansion finally get real ghosts too? Cool!

 

[Mansion Butler]

I prefer our Space Mountain as well, though like you said, we're in the minority.

DL's Space Mountain may be clean, have onboard audio, visual effects, etc. but it's not as wild a ride, or as nicely themed.

I'd really like DL's effects and smoother ride, but I'll sacrifice them for WDW's pre-show, post-show, two tracks, more turns and drops and low-slung vehicles. Somewhere between the two is the perfect Space Mountain.

Actually the perfect Space Mountain would be one track like that and one track with more thrills, but I digress.

It does seem since the on-track audio (which I haven't heard yet ) we're less in a minority.

Foxxfur, by the way, has a great segment in one of her pieces about comparing the Space Mountains and MK SM in general.

What's funny about the popular differences in conception between the two Space Mountain variations in the United States is that the Florida Space Mountain is denigrated for the same reasons the California Pirates of the Caribbean is celebrated: their excessive strangeness, their overflowing of ideas and creativity. Conversely, the California Space Mountain is pretty much similar to the Florida Pirates of the Caribbean in that they may not be as impressive or special as the originals, but they contain certain design changes and re-conceptualizations that improve on components of the overall show experience. What may not be better does show indications of being a second design iteration.

Also, when I Googled looking for that quote, one of the first results was you linking to Foxxfur, so this reply is probably not directly for your benefit. :lol: