Fixes for the Haunted Mansion

[180º]

Something I've noticed elsewhere online is this notion that the lady sitting on the tombstone portrait in the stretching room is Constance.

Obviously, this is ridiculous and makes no sense. But does anyone know where this idea has come from?

I've heard this before. I actually think there's some truth to it. Not that the stretching portrait is based on Constance, but the other way around, of course. It makes sense to me that WDI would have done this on purpose, as they've been known to try out weird plot ideas on the Mansions lately.

 

[SuddenStorm]

I've heard this before. I actually think there's some truth to it. Not that the stretching portrait is based on Constance, but the other way around, of course. It makes sense to me that WDI would have done this on purpose, as they've been known to try out weird plot ideas on the Mansions lately.

Problem is- the current iteration of the portrait depicts an old women.

In the attic, Constance is young- in each of her portraits and the projection.

From that basis alone, it doesn't work. And that's ignoring the original Marc Davis stretching portrait that depicted a portly women.

 

[THE 1HAPPY HAUNT]

I'm not a Nightmare Before Christmas fanboy, but I really enjoy HMH. They did an amazing job with the layover and it has a great energy to it rather than the more subdued regular HM. I go to Disneyland every Halloweentime for the sole purpose of riding HMH as it embodies Halloween to me. You might not like it, but that doesn't mean it isn't done well.

It's not that it is not done well it is that the overlay makes no sense in relation to the mansion. I covered this previously how thematically it does not fit at all. I hate the overlay and no the mansion does not need a new recording. it is fine the way it is. it is a crime you can not ride, for over a decade now, the original HAUNTED MANSION during Halloween.

 

[Professortango1]

It's not that it is not done well it is that the overlay makes no sense in relation to the mansion. I covered this previously how thematically it does not fit at all. I hate the overlay and no the mansion does not need a new recording. it is fine the way it is. it is a crime you can not ride, for over a decade now, the original HAUNTED MANSION during Halloween.

Agree to disagree. The OP asked what we would fix, I'd fix the ride's soundtrack and have it less 1960's. Still get shivers when I hear the updated music created for the fireworks. And it would be a crime to me if I couldn't ride HMH during Halloween. The spooky attraction celebrating Halloween by upping the ante seems to make perfect sense to me. The Mission BO overlay is also a nice way they've embraced the Holiday at DCA. Both capture the Halloween spirit and it would seem very weird not to have these key attractions celebrating. That's the one area I think they dropped the ball with TOT. It should have gotten much more than a bat archway at Halloween.

 

[Sharon&Susan]

Something I've noticed elsewhere online is this notion that the lady sitting on the tombstone portrait in the stretching room is Constance.

Obviously, this is ridiculous and makes no sense. But does anyone know where this idea has come from?

Her fifth and final groom is named George and was meant to be the same George who’s tombstone the lady is sitting on. (Obviously same name and same mustache)

 

[SuddenStorm]

Her fifth and final groom is named George and was meant to be the same George who’s tombstone the lady is sitting on. (Obviously same name and same mustache)

So it's a case of the Imagineers hamfisting story where it doesn't belong, whether or not it makes sense?

 

[CraftyFox]

So it's a case of the Imagineers hamfisting story where it doesn't belong, whether or not it makes sense?

Essentially, they’re trying to retrofit the painting to be a part of their new attempt at a narrative for the attraction.

 

[Kram Sacul]

Constance's new job:

 

[Antaundra]

If they just made Constance an impressive AA with a beating heart I’d be happy.

 

[THE 1HAPPY HAUNT]

Constance's new job:
View attachment 318974

GOOD. LET HER STAY THERE AND FAR AWAY FROM MY BEAUTIFUL MANSION AND ATTIC SCENE

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

The attic needs those chintzy heads popping out.

 

[CraftyFox]

The attic needs those chintzy heads popping out.

YES. Those used to terrify me as a kid. I’de personally love to see the shock element returned to the attic.

 

[THE 1HAPPY HAUNT]

The attic needs those chintzy heads popping out.

yes!! those are very much needed back! they creeped me out soo much as a kid. I really miss the mansion's attic as it was in the late 80's to early 90's.

 

[SuddenStorm]

A recent thought- The Mansion ride is often thought of in two different segments. The first park (loading room till the seance) where the ghosts are struggling to materialize and are frightening and spooky, and the second half (seance through exit) where the ghosts are in fact comedic, playful, and sociable.

The stretching room does a great job setting up the tone of the Mansion- the macabre mixed with comedy. It combines the frightening aspects of the first part of the ride, with the comedic aspects of the second- all before you even see a doom buggy.

You have a skeleton hanging- a depiction of a grisly suicide. Yet on the walls lining the room, you have comedic depictions of death.

A designer wouldn't normally blend these two very different approaches in one room- since logic dictates that it wouldn't work. But it does work, and it's why the Mansion is as beloved as it is. Modern Disney could learn a thing or two from this.