"enhancing the classics" , from the Annual Report

[yellowrocket]

Enhancing the Haunted Mansion?

I was reading through the 2004 Annual Report and came across something that I haven't heard anywhere yet. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I guess its always been done. Could be good. Could be bad. But, still... haven't read it anywhere yet. So here goes.

http://corporate.disney.go.com/investors/annual_reports/2004/pdfs/ar_2004.pdf Page 23 (25 of 98)


Enhancing the Classics
Updating classic Disney attractions with new magic and the latest technology is an ongoing mission for Imagineers. A state-of-the-art, re-Imagineered Space Mountain is expected to open at Disneyland Resort in 2005, featuring new special effects and digital technology to thrill new generations of space travelers. Guests will also find surprises in other classic attractions, including
the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland.

 

[ImaginEAR]

When I read it, I thought it meant the "Holiday Nightmare" overlay...

 

[Lynx04]

Now I hope they update WDW Space Mountain.

 

[AndyP]

Now I hope they update WDW Space Mountain.

I think its a fantastic ride already, if they added special effects could be even better, but I wouldn't like a new ride system there or new track. Darker would be nice!

 

[Chape19714]

New Special Effects for our Space. Don't over mess with a successful attraction.

For instance...If you were putting on the show The Enchanted Tiki Room, you would just run the show makeing MINOR enhancements (sp?). You don't mess with a classic.

 

[mikeb_86]

Hope to se some updates on wdw's two!!!

 

[General Grizz]

Just waitin' for the Carousel of Progress. Boy, they would get so many grizzly points for that. . .

 

[Chape19714]

From what I heard...

COMING IN 2005, STITCH ESCAPES THE MANSION'S CURSE!

A new thrill ride featuring the latest in ride technology, as well in special effects. The ride features Stitch as the new Ghost Host, and he will lead you through the newly desinged mansion that resembles hawaii. The ride is promice to give a new look to the classic attraction, and will bring the Stitch craze, currently being experenced in Walt Disney World, to Disneyland. If the attraction proves worthy, it will be cloned at WDW.





Kidding...of coarse...have no idea what this is about, but as I have said before, don't mess with a classic!!!

 

[Lynx04]

I would like to see a complete gut and redesign of the attraction. New ride system with show scenes, but I doubt that will happen. I can dream though.

 

[DizkneeBoi]

I would like to see a complete gut and redesign of the attraction. New ride system with show scenes, but I doubt that will happen. I can dream though.

If you are talking about the HM then that is just pure BLASPHEMY!

 

[joel_maxwell]

If you are talking about the HM then that is just pure BLASPHEMY!

i think he was refering to CoP?

 

[WDWFREAK53]

What would be so bad about updating the technology in the Haunted Mansion??? It's my favorite attraction and I'm all for it! New technology could be put forth to create some amazing new "ghostly" images and an all-around eerier feeling! (Sheesh, the audio use a good update!!!). I'm all for a replacement as long as it's as good or better than the original. (Just think...what if the bride in the attic was an animatronic on par with the Wicked Witch???) What if the Madam Leota room had the table lift in the air and slowly float and spin? Keep the "feeling" just update it!

 

[Slipknot]

Just waitin' for the Carousel of Progress. Boy, they would get so many grizzly points for that. . .

Well, they were supposed to shut it down (seasonally right?) when SGE opened. It's still up and running. Could be a good sign.

 

[joel_maxwell]

Well, they were supposed to shut it down (seasonally right?) when SGE opened. It's still up and running. Could be a good sign.

and maybe a bad one for Stitch............. but ive heard lines have been good, so hats off to CoP, your still kickin'.

 

[Rosso11]

This has been in the planning stages for years and actually begun this year with a Small World at WDW. When I worked at WDW 2 years ago I had the opportunity to talk to Al Weiss the president of WDW. He spoke about the plan of updating the classic atractions with new technology. Some attractions would be getting far more of an update then others depending on there condition and how much of an improvement they can make. He said they have been wanting to do this for years but it took them a while to decide how to update the rides without people freaking out. From what he said , although this was 2 years ago and could have changed order by now, Small World was first, then Pirates, then Haunted Mansion, and then the Jungle Cruise. Each ride was given a one year time line, however each ride might not actually take a year to complete. Disney knows changing classic rides is a very touchy subject to a lot of people, but they feel these rides have gone way to long without major updates. So look for a lot of changes in the years to come. On a side note he also said that this is a very big reason why many new rides such as Tower of Terror and Mission Space will be frequently updated every few years. They feel if they are continuosly changed they will not run into the same problems years down the road and have protesters in front of Tower of terror protesting an update 30 years from now when it reaches classic status.

 

[Lee]

From what I'm told the Mansion changes will be at Disneyland.

For example...new changing portraits (new ones added, others upgraded to digital images).

And even....a flying, levitating Madame Leota.

:animwink:

 

[HauntedPirate]

Just waitin' for the Carousel of Progress. Boy, they would get so many grizzly points for that. . .

Grizzly Points©? *looks around* When did this get implemented? Why am I always the last one to know about these things???

heh....

I'm a bit wary of this. While I am all for enhancing attractions (the HM needs some TLC, for sure), I don't want things like Animatronics to be replaced, just to save a buck.... err.. I mean, to "enhance the attraction". Sorry, removing Animatronics will NEVER enhance an attraction in this Pirate's eyes.

 

[HauntedPirate]

From what I'm told the Mansion changes will be at Disneyland.

For example...new changing portraits (new ones added, others upgraded to digital images).

And even....a flying, levitating Madame Leota.

:animwink:

Oooooo!!!! I was always so freaked out by the eyes following you when I was a kid...

 

[MonoRon]

As long as they update the ghost that are already in the HM and they dont add or subtract anything else from the ride.

 

[yellowrocket]

From what I'm told the Mansion changes will be at Disneyland.

For example...new changing portraits (new ones added, others upgraded to digital images).

And even....a flying, levitating Madame Leota.

:animwink:

As long as they don't update Madame Leota with Jennifer Tilly, I'll be happy.