Haunted Mansion gets Interactive ending

[Incomudro]

Right. And, of course, everyone also dies in Spaceship Earth when their vehicle turns around and they "fall from space" and land splat onto the ground in Epcot.


Typically, one must fall between four and eight stories to actually die. The DL and MK mansions don't appear to have more than two or three stories, and we only go up one flight of stairs anyway, but let's play along. Why are there no screams as everyone falls out the window and plummets to their death? Where's the sound of our doom buggy crashing onto the ground? No kick mechanism in the floor to let us know that we've had a rough landing? No ghost to say "welcome home" to newly deceased DVC members?

I'm sorry, but this falling out the window and dying thing is nothing more than a poorly made up theory by persons who apparently couldn't be bothered to listen to and/or comprehend the script. Again, why would a ghost need to follow me home and haunt me if I'm already a card-carrying member of the netherworld?

Anyone remember the poor schmuck who bid $37,000 on eBay to be DL mansion's 1,000th Happy Haunt back in 2004? Little did he know that he was already a member of the party!

Trying to stay on topic here... perhaps the interactive element at the end needs to be changed to a McDonald's hamburgers served-like sign saying how many Happy Haunts have been added to the cemetery...

909,657,203... 909,657,204... 909,657,205... 909,657,206...

I'm with you.
It reminds me of the people who believe that certain albums which are not concept albums, are actually concept albums.

 

[MississippiBelle]

All in all I think it is whimsical and cute...and certainly even the original ending was supposed to be funny... not scary, so this does not bother me...I kind of like tieing in the new technology... The Graveyard Queue on the other hand i really think kind of makes a mockery of the whole show... These elements would make more sense at the exit, rather than the entrance... but then there is no reason to have anything at the exit as you want to move people along... I would have loved the Graveyard to have been much creepier... without all the silliness... The whole staging of the original show was to have a mement where you stop, and listen... and then it ends on a happy note.
Not sure why this generation of imagineeers never seems to understand the basic brilliant staging of the original attractions...

But if the graveyard queue wasn't funny, then little Johnny might get scared! Then, little Johnny's mom would go to various social media sites complaining about how her special snowflake was traumatized (here's looking at you kid). If mom can yell loud enough and cause enough stir on said sites, then she gets whatever she wants to avoid a PR problem. That's the way America works now.

Personally, I liked when the HM was creepier, but the new queue doesn't really bother me that much. I think the new interactive effects at the end are interesting, if not a little too cartoonish. It probably would have been cooler if the ghosts were more realistic or perhaps not visible at all, letting what they were doing speak for itself. Again, however, it doesn't really bother me that much. I still love the ride. In fact, I would be fine if "Grim Grinning Ghosts" just played the whole time... I can't get enough of that song

 

[Buried20KLeague]

Right. And, of course, everyone also dies in Spaceship Earth when their vehicle turns around and they "fall from space" and land splat onto the ground in Epcot.


Typically, one must fall between four and eight stories to actually die. The DL and MK mansions don't appear to have more than two or three stories, and we only go up one flight of stairs anyway, but let's play along. Why are there no screams as everyone falls out the window and plummets to their death? Where's the sound of our doom buggy crashing onto the ground? No kick mechanism in the floor to let us know that we've had a rough landing? No ghost to say "welcome home" to newly deceased DVC members?

I'm sorry, but this falling out the window and dying thing is nothing more than a poorly made up theory by persons who apparently couldn't be bothered to listen to and/or comprehend the script. Again, why would a ghost need to follow me home and haunt me if I'm already a card-carrying member of the netherworld?

Anyone remember the poor schmuck who bid $37,000 on eBay to be DL mansion's 1,000th Happy Haunt back in 2004? Little did he know that he was already a member of the party!

Trying to stay on topic here... perhaps the interactive element at the end needs to be changed to a McDonald's hamburgers served-like sign saying how many Happy Haunts have been added to the cemetery...

909,657,203... 909,657,204... 909,657,205... 909,657,206...

There's so much crazy in this post I don't even know where to begin.

Let me just say that I trust Doom Buggies as a source on Mansion info over your rationale and knowledge of distance required for a fall to be fatal to a human. No offense.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

I see the "death" theory as technically plausible, but incorrect and unnecessary. We don't need to speculate about Disney's intent: Disney has already told us exactly what is happening. The descent from the attic perfectly matches the storyline for the Haunted Mansion, as told by the LP many of us had as kids in the 1980s -- "I climbed out of a window and onto a balcony, then down a tree, and was greatly relieved to be out of that house. Now I had another problem... I was out of the house, but in the graveyard. I tried to get help from the caretaker, but he was more frightened than I. He and his dog just stood there shaking..." The narrator proceeds through the graveyard (describing the minstrels, the stalled hearse, the decapitated knight, etc.) and then leaves, vowing to visit the house again, quite whole and alive. I can't ride through the Haunted Mansion without that record's narration playing in my head.

The descent from the attic begins here at the 5:00 mark:

I hadn't heard that. Interesting.

I wonder if it's possible that was to sanitize that section for a kids record. Or how much WDI even had to do with a product like this. It could be a marketing/media team's interpretation without even consulting the designers. Plus it came out well after the Mansions were opened.

But still, very interesting.

 

[Weather_Lady]

I hadn't heard that. Interesting.

I wonder if it's possible that was to sanitize that section for a kids record. Or how much WDI even had to do with a product like this. It could be a marketing/media team's interpretation without even consulting the designers. Plus it came out well after the Mansions were opened.

But still, very interesting.

For what it's worth, the kids' storybook record varies only slightly from the story as originally told in 1969, on another record released at the same time the attraction first opened at Disneyland. In that version, the visitors to the Mansion (you'll recognize the voice of Ron Howard as one of them) climb out of the attic onto the balcony, but instead of shimmying down a tree, they walk down steps from the balcony into the graveyard. (Listen around the 19:30 mark.)

Obviously, all aspects of the attraction -- the descent from the attic, the ghosts that follow you home, etc., are up to interpretation for the guest. As for me, I think it all makes more sense (and is scarier) if I end the attraction as the same living, "foolish mortal" I was when I entered.

http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Story_and_Song_from_The_Haunted_Mansion

 

[Coaster Lover]

Wow has this thread taken a serious left turn since the bottom of page 3...

 

[Amused to Death]

There's so much crazy in this post I don't even know where to begin.

Yeah? Explain to me what clues are being given that you are being pushed or have accidentally fallen to your death outside of the attic window? And that the ghosts in the graveyard believe you to be part of their party? If it was Disney's intent for us to have passed on into the netherworld, they failed miserably at making it known.

...how much WDI even had to do with a product like this. It could be a marketing/media team's interpretation without even consulting the designers.

For what it's worth to you, the illustrations and text are by Imagineer Collin Campbell. He had a little something to do with the Haunted Mansion's design.

Let me just say that I trust Doom Buggies as a source on Mansion info...

Trust your own ears, man!

"Hurry back! Hurry back! Be sure to bring your death certificate, if you decide to join us."

"Beware of hitchhiking ghosts! They have selected you to fill our quota, and they'll haunt you until you return! Now I will raise the safety bar, and a ghost will follow you home!"

"If you would like to join our jamboree there's a simple rule that's compulsory. Mortals pay a token fee. Rest in peace, the haunting's free; so hurry back, we would like your company!"

So... what? I fell, I died, I was part of the gang, but now I'm alive again? I guess that makes me either a zombie of some sort or the Second Coming!

As for what Doom Buggies has to say on the subject, some of you seem to be glossing over the fact that it says "it has been suggested" and "it is a possibility."

Doom Buggies also makes mention of the bride's "ring" in the Magic Kingdom. There was never a ring. There was a hole in the ground for a gate post. Everything else was made up by CMs/fans. As I mentioned earlier, one hourly CM even took it upon himself to try to restore the ring after the hole had been filled in by sidewalk repairs.

It's worth noting that Doom Buggies discusses these things under the heading of "Myths and Legends," not "13 Facts About the Haunted Mansion That You Didn't Know." It's probably also worth noting that there is a notice at the bottom of the site that says it is "by/for fans" and that it is "not affiliated in any way with The Walt Disney Company."

Again, saying something doesn't make it so, even when it comes from an "Imagineer" who may be trying to embellish a story after the fact.

Keys to the Kingdom Tour Guides love to tell everyone that there are "chess pieces" on the Haunted Mansion's roof. And that all of them are up there "except for the knight, because it's night inside." A cute story, although debatable that all of the other chess pieces are actually represented, but it's simply not true. The "chess pieces" are architectural elements that were quite common to the 18th century Hudson River Valley structures that the Magic Kingdom's mansion was based upon. If you take a look at the Harry Packer Mansion and other structures that served as inspiration, you'll find these exact same "pawns" and "rooks." And I'm quite certain these buildings weren't always "night inside." Don't want to take my word for it? You can read about it in Jason Surrell's book, The Haunted Mansion: Imagineering a Disney Classic. Or, you can simply study these old buildings yourself. The similarities are quite remarkable.

Wow has this thread taken a serious left turn since the bottom of page 3...

My apologies for my part in that! The Haunted Mansion is a subject dear to my heart. And, as I mentioned earlier, I also have family who have worked inside of it for a number of years.

On subject, I believe the new interactive element to be fun, but as others have said, 2D video projections do not have the same magic as the original effect. It's a shame that the Imagineers feel compelled to fix things that aren't broken. Job security, I suppose.

 

[Coaster Lover]

My apologies for my part in that! The Haunted Mansion is a subject dear to my heart. And, as I mentioned earlier, I also have family who have worked inside of it for a number of years.

Apologies not necessary AT ALL! I mean, I completely love reading the stories of the history/changes/lore of the Haunted Mansion. It's no doubt a complex attraction with a complex and fascinating history! I was just reading through the thread and I got to the end and was like "wait, what were we talking about originally?"

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Its a ride n a theme park FFS its not real.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

As for what Doom Buggies has to say on the subject, some of you seem to be glossing over the fact that it says "it has been suggested" and "it is a possibility."

Doom Buggies also makes mention of the bride's "ring" in the Magic Kingdom. There was never a ring. There was a hole in the ground for a gate post. Everything else was made up by CMs/fans. As I mentioned earlier, one hourly CM even took it upon himself to try to restore the ring after the hole had been filled in by sidewalk repairs.

It's worth noting that Doom Buggies discusses these things under the heading of "Myths and Legends," not "13 Facts About the Haunted Mansion That You Didn't Know." It's probably also worth noting that there is a notice at the bottom of the site that says it is "by/for fans" and that it is "not affiliated in any way with The Walt Disney Company."

Again, saying something doesn't make it so, even when it comes from an "Imagineer" who may be trying to embellish a story after the fact.

I absolutely DID NOT gloss over that fact. I cut and pasted that line directly from their web page. You're giving me more spin than the Tea Cups. Doom Buggies doesn't mention the original ring in the pavement as having any truth what so ever, yet reading your post you intimate that's the case to discredit them. The site is a catch all for all things Mansion. That gate post was part of that. They treated it as such.

And the attic thing isn't my theory, and frankly I don't even know that it's true, and even more so, I REALLY DON'T CARE. Someone posted it as a possible theory, you completely dismissed it, and I said others have said it was possible with a citation to back it up.

Again.... Never said ANY of ANYTHING I said was based on facts about the Mansion. Completely the opposite, actually. That it was POSSIBLE.

Who said that Doom Buggies was affiliated with Disney? Certainly not me. What's your point? @marni1971 isn't affiliated with Disney either, and I sure as hell trust his information.

You should step away from the keyboard and take a breath. And if you choose not to, I'd at least appreciate if you got your facts right about what I posted. I've already posted on this topic about 4 more times than I really give a rip.

 

[MississippiBelle]

 

[Amused to Death]

I absolutely DID NOT gloss over that fact.

Did I say you did? I said "some of you." To my knowledge there are other persons reading/writing things in this thread, and I'm going to assume perusing Doom Buggies as well. And, yes, I'm aware of what you cut and pasted from Doom Buggies.

Doom Buggies doesn't mention the original ring in the pavement as having any truth what so ever, yet reading your post you intimate that's the case to discredit them.

I said they talk about the ring in MYTHS and LEGENDS, not FACTS. I didn't see any mention of the gate post hole in their write-up, but I can assure you that I wasn't trying to discredit them. I was using the story of the ring, and of the chess pieces further down, to illustrate the fact that many things have been made up or embellished over the years, but that they're not necessarily true. I was also attempting to provide more details for the benefit of those persons who might have heard some of these stories while visiting the park or various places online. Long after you and I are done with this thread, others will still be discovering it via the magic of 'search.'

Who said that Doom Buggies was affiliated with Disney? Certainly not me. What's your point?

Did I say you did? I have nothing against Doom Buggies. I used to be active on their message boards back in the day. They're a great source of information. My point is only that they're not an official source and I wouldn't take everything I read there as gospel.

As for various theories about "dying," "rings," "chess pieces," or "whatever," I'm sure you're aware of things like fan fiction. We wouldn't have Fifty Shades of Gray without it. Although I'm sure most of us could do without Fifty Shades of Gray!

You're giving me more spin than the Tea Cups

You're doing a pretty good job of spinning me, yourself.

I've already posted on this topic about 4 more times than I really give a rip.

That makes two of us. I think we've beat this DEAD horse enough.

 

[prfctlyximprct]

This thread is scarier than any ghost knowing where I live.

 

[NelsonRD]

Yeah? Explain to me what clues are being given that you are being pushed or have accidentally fallen to your death outside of the attic window? And that the ghosts in the graveyard believe you to be part of their party? If it was Disney's intent for us to have passed on into the netherworld, they failed miserably at making it known.


For what it's worth to you, the illustrations and text are by Imagineer Collin Campbell. He had a little something to do with the Haunted Mansion's design.


Trust your own ears, man!

"Hurry back! Hurry back! Be sure to bring your death certificate, if you decide to join us."

"Beware of hitchhiking ghosts! They have selected you to fill our quota, and they'll haunt you until you return! Now I will raise the safety bar, and a ghost will follow you home!"

"If you would like to join our jamboree there's a simple rule that's compulsory. Mortals pay a token fee. Rest in peace, the haunting's free; so hurry back, we would like your company!"

So... what? I fell, I died, I was part of the gang, but now I'm alive again? I guess that makes me either a zombie of some sort or the Second Coming!

As for what Doom Buggies has to say on the subject, some of you seem to be glossing over the fact that it says "it has been suggested" and "it is a possibility."

Doom Buggies also makes mention of the bride's "ring" in the Magic Kingdom. There was never a ring. There was a hole in the ground for a gate post. Everything else was made up by CMs/fans. As I mentioned earlier, one hourly CM even took it upon himself to try to restore the ring after the hole had been filled in by sidewalk repairs.

It's worth noting that Doom Buggies discusses these things under the heading of "Myths and Legends," not "13 Facts About the Haunted Mansion That You Didn't Know." It's probably also worth noting that there is a notice at the bottom of the site that says it is "by/for fans" and that it is "not affiliated in any way with The Walt Disney Company."

Again, saying something doesn't make it so, even when it comes from an "Imagineer" who may be trying to embellish a story after the fact.

Keys to the Kingdom Tour Guides love to tell everyone that there are "chess pieces" on the Haunted Mansion's roof. And that all of them are up there "except for the knight, because it's night inside." A cute story, although debatable that all of the other chess pieces are actually represented, but it's simply not true. The "chess pieces" are architectural elements that were quite common to the 18th century Hudson River Valley structures that the Magic Kingdom's mansion was based upon. If you take a look at the Harry Packer Mansion and other structures that served as inspiration, you'll find these exact same "pawns" and "rooks." And I'm quite certain these buildings weren't always "night inside." Don't want to take my word for it? You can read about it in Jason Surrell's book, The Haunted Mansion: Imagineering a Disney Classic. Or, you can simply study these old buildings yourself. The similarities are quite remarkable.


My apologies for my part in that! The Haunted Mansion is a subject dear to my heart. And, as I mentioned earlier, I also have family who have worked inside of it for a number of years.

On subject, I believe the new interactive element to be fun, but as others have said, 2D video projections do not have the same magic as the original effect. It's a shame that the Imagineers feel compelled to fix things that aren't broken. Job security, I suppose.

Why do you feel the need to defend the death theory so badly? Some of us prefer to enjoy the non G-Rated version of this attraction. Evidence points to either way, and the lack of continuity of this attraction is well documented.

 

[draybook]

I brought popcorn for everybody!

 

[Kman101]

Man this thread took a turn ... I like that they are trying new things with the ending. Sometimes it's OK to just enjoy something for what it is and not always put so much thought into it ...

 

[Progress.City]

Any word on the hat box ghost?

 

[Coaster Lover]

My only hope is that this MM+ interactive element isn't just limited to your name and hometown. I mean, that's neat on a limited basis, but the novelty of it gets old kinda quick. The issue now is that so little information is linked to your Magic Band that most people would feel comfortable sharing. I wonder if in the future, you will be able to make a more detailed profile to give the system in the park a bit more to work with (nothing too personal, just simple things like what's your favorite Disney character? what's your favorite color?) or of the band will remember your history (like when was your last time to the park/that ride, how many times you had been on a ride, what was the last ride you rode). I realize that all this extra use of MM+ just popped up recently so it's still pretty new, but I'd love to see what they have in mind moving forward (and hope this isn't the extent).

 

[tnemgif]

I have no idea if this was a coincidence or not, but while riding the HM today, the bearded ghost dropped a birthday cake on the two people in my party that were celebrating their birthday. Not sure if this is new or just a coincidence?

 

[flynnibus]

cool to see this tech finally going live..

I'm not sure I'm cool with the actual content tho. Would like to see something a bit more savvy and not so '3-D gimmick!!' simple in your face stuff..