Exactly! I was trying to think where in the ride they use cardboard cutouts and couldn't think of any. Maybe the loading area mural -- except it's layered and dimensional with spinning and moving props and projections so i'm not sure if that counts!
I think HMH is the exact opposite of cardboard cutous. Even the exterior is done beautifully with glowing jack-o-lanterns and hundreds of lit candles. And then there's the 6ft-tall real gingerbread house that's made from scratch and is different every year. (Along with the warm gingerbread smell that's piped in during this scene!)
And here is my controversial statement of the day: I think I may prefer HMH to the regular Mansion. And i'm not a nightmare before christmas fan.