News Fix the Haunted Mansion Intro Timer

[tirian]

I’m at the Magic Kingdom, and the Haunted Mansion’s intro audio is completely off-sync. This has been true for three rides since Sunday. The “When hinges creak...” audio is barely audible, the “Welcome, foolish mortals” cue plays almost directly on top of it, and the room begins stretching BEFORE guests have loaded into it.

This was not a one-off mistake by a new cast member. I’ve seen this happen three times since Sunday, and it’s probably happening for every single cycle. If the CMs are causing the problem, management needs to step in and fix this ASAP.

 

[ᗩLᘿᑕ ✨ ᗩζᗩᗰ]

I’m at the Magic Kingdom, and the Haunted Mansion’s intro audio is completely off-sync. This has been true for three rides since Sunday. The “When hinges creak...” audio is barely audible, the “Welcome, foolish mortals” cue plays almost directly on top of it, and the room begins stretching BEFORE guests have loaded into it.

This was not a one-off mistake by a new cast member. I’ve seen this happen three times since Sunday, and it’s probably happening for every single cycle. If the CMs are causing the problem, management needs to step in and fix this ASAP.

They're the problem!

 

[SoFloMagic]

Yeah I thought something was off when i rode yesterday

 

[AndyS2992]

This has been going on for at least a year or more from what I recall.

 

[ToTBellHop]

It is a management decision to start the gallery stretching before all guests are in. There is a set timer now. CMs no longer control when the scenes is cued.

And it’s a travesty.

 

[Lightster]

Noticed this months ago. It really screws with the effects.

 

[yensidtlaw1969]

A few years back the Stretch Room animation was automated, and as a result frequently starts before the door has slid shut. For several years now I've had to make an effort to be first to go in the doors to the foyer if I want to her "When Hinges Creak . . ." from the beginning - and similarly attentive to which Stretch Room would be opening to get to hear its full spiel. Everything is right on top of each other -- and not only that, but they shortened the hangman and blackout sequence too.

I'm sure it manages to keep the Load Hall a little more readily filled, but the negative impact on the show is palpable and the ride doesn't actually load any faster than it always has, so it seems like this is ultimately for naught. Maybe the margin is up slightly from the removal of potential cast member error, but I wouldn't call it worth it when it basically ensures that guests will never get the complete show.

 

[Sneezy62]

The whole loading operation felt very rushed and pushy in November. There should be more of a sense of trepidation than cast members yelling “Go! Go!” I guess the faster they load the more people can post on Facebook that they rode the Haunted” House “ at Disney World.

 

[GlacierGlacier]

It's entirely an operational choice.

MK wasn't built to handle the crowds it does. Show is suffering to make up for operational capacity deficits.

 

[tissandtully]

Nothing like being in the stretching room while it's stretching and hearing the "Beep, Beep" of an ECV backing up in the doorway.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Nothing like being in the stretching room while it's stretching and hearing the "Beep, Beep" of an ECV backing up in the doorway.

That’s the “strange and frightening sounds echo[ing] through the halls” that were promised.

 

[Tom Morrow]

beep... beep.. beep...... "Ow! My foot!"

terrifying.

 

[mitchk]

Yeah tell me about it.. I was just there last week it’s a disgrace and good luck trying to recognize what the hell is hanging from the ceiling when the lights go out

 

[mouse_luv]

This makes me so so sad and mad. They've ruined my fave ride. Well, guess I have to go to DLR sooner than later.

 

[HMFan999]

Everything I wanted to say has already been said, but I want to join in expressing my displeasure. I've also noticed that the cast seem to be less... "into" their role than they were in the past. I've always felt that the HM is a role that should be earned through audition. It takes a certain talent to pull it off well and a good CM in that position can really make or break the experience.

 

[Kram Sacul]

Really makes me grateful that these type of problems are absent from DL's original HM. No cheesy queue, the hatbox ghost and the mirror effect at the end isn't a TV screen. Just watch out for the annoying APs that talk over the stretch room audio.

 

[rodserling27]

Yep, it's been bad for a few years. Almost every time I go on HM, they definitely cram everyone into the stretching room long after the narration has started. Like some said up top, I also cannot ever hear the "When hinges creak" narration unless I'm the first person to walk in. The changing portrait effect is completely lost on everyone. I can't stand how the crowd bottlenecks immediately after the stretching room as well.

By the way....Two other attractions that suffer this sort of stuff are Dinosaur and RRC..except it's the opposite! They don't get enough people into the pre-shows fast enough, especially with Dinosaur. By the time both are over, there are people still coming in sometimes! Bad show!!

 

[ToTBellHop]

Yep, it's been bad for a few years. Almost every time I go on HM, they definitely cram everyone into the stretching room long after the narration has started. Like some said up top, I also cannot ever hear the "When hinges creak" narration unless I'm the first person to walk in. The changing portrait effect is completely lost on everyone. I can't stand how the crowd bottlenecks immediately after the stretching room as well.

By the way....Two other attractions that suffer this sort of stuff are Dinosaur and RRC..except it's the opposite! They don't get enough people into the pre-shows fast enough, especially with Dinosaur. By the time both are over, there are people still coming in sometimes! Bad show!!

Indeed. And it's silly. WDI planned pre-show rooms to hold the correct number of guests to maintain a steady flow onto ride vehicles. Is this simply an issue that the average guest is now larger so they need to cut the pre-show time to ensure steady guest flow?

 

[JohnD]

I’m at the Magic Kingdom, and the Haunted Mansion’s intro audio is completely off-sync. This has been true for three rides since Sunday. The “When hinges creak...” audio is barely audible, the “Welcome, foolish mortals” cue plays almost directly on top of it, and the room begins stretching BEFORE guests have loaded into it.

This was not a one-off mistake by a new cast member. I’ve seen this happen three times since Sunday, and it’s probably happening for every single cycle. If the CMs are causing the problem, management needs to step in and fix this ASAP.

I don't think it's a mistake but WDW trying to move guests along faster to the omnimovers. Not saying it's right. . .

 

[mikejs78]

The other thing this does is upset the timing of guests entering the queue after the stretching room. It is so much more crowded than it used to be. My DW commented that, with the darkness and the mass of people crushing together, that it was the only time at MK that she felt unsafe in regards to keeping track of our kids.