Haunted mansion has reopened!

[PintoColvig]

A few more (non-spoiler) notes:

The attraction opened without major last minute work to complete the upgrade. According to Jill, the Project Manager for MK, who walked by the FL rope at 8:15 this morning, there was no mad rush at the last minute to get things done. Forty-eight hours before, however, they weren't so sure, she said. She seemed super pleased with the results. It was cool that she stopped and talked with us.

Here's one for the pin collctors. Chip, another manager of some sort, also came by and said that limited edition HM trading pins were available at The Yankee Trader and The Trading Post. There are two pins plus a $55 set, he sais.

Finally, for those interested, Imagineers Jason Sorrell and Alex Wright were hanging around outside of HM. Jason wrote the HM book and Alex is the author of the Imagineering Field Guides.

 

[NewfieFan]

I was waiting for this to be posted this morning - what a "Disney geek" I am! Great report thanks!

Would you look at that - this is my 100th post!

 

[WDWFigment]

This is so exciting! Thanks for the update; hopefully we'll get more throughout the day. Now, if only the Treo had a built in camera...

 

[wdwmagic]

Details of the opening now up at http://www.wdwmagic.com/hauntedmansion_2007refurb.htm

 

[Hummer1676]

Agree, i might have to make a drive next week to visit just to see it for myself. Very exciting news.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Woooooooooooooot!HM 2.0 sounds fantastic!

Thanks for the update!

 

[Lee]

Now, if only the Treo had a built in camera...

Most of them do. The only ones that don't are the ones made for business accounts.

 

[nibblesandbits]

oh that sounds awesome!!! Can't wait to ride tomorrow!!!

 

[bayoutinkbelle]

Thanks so much for the update! I've got a warm fuzzy feeling now that my fave attraction is open again. Can't wait until next month to see for myself!

 

[TinkerBell9988]

I'm so excited!!!! I can't wait to experience this.



And I just left from WDW on Sunday... I missed the opening by 4 days. Oh well. :lol:

 

[Shere_Khan]

Do you think all the scenes will still be nice and clear in October of 2008? Because that is when I will get to see it.

 

[wdwmagic]

http://www.wdwmagic.com/hauntedmansion_2007refurb.htm

13 September 2007: Haunted Mansion Reopens

Right on schedule, Disney this morning reopened the Haunted Mansion at park opening. Walt Disney Imagineering did a fantastic job on this refurbishment, in a very short amount of time, ensuring the attraction is back open ready for the Halloween season.

Highlights of the refurbishment

The whole of the exterior has been repainted and looks wonderful.
A new canopy has been installed over the queue line.
The parlour room with the fireplace and changing portrait appears to be the same as before.
The stretch room is a MAJO)R improvement. It is almost entirely new. The audio sounds terrific, it has deep bass, multi-positional sound. There are also new sound effects, including creaking as the room stretches, and sounds of bats flying around. There is also a piece of new dialog from Phantom Manor - "I didn't mean to frighten you, so prematurely". Besides the great additions, the actual mechanism is now silent, which really helps with the illusion.
The load area has received a considerable amount of extra theming. The moving eye portraits are now in the load area. The carpeting is new, lots of great cobwebs hanging from the great looking light fixtures. There is also a new load console for the cast.
A note on the Doombuggys, they now run silently, and no signs of any dropped audio. All the of the dialog is crisp and clear.
There is a new window with lightning flashes on the left hand side, which are opposite the portrait gallery. As the lightning flashes, the portraits change. Its a great new scene.
The new staircase scene is a very welcome new scene. There is a lot of detail here, and it is the kind of thing you need to see lots of times to take it all in.
Exiting the staircase room, there is a corridor of eyes.
The séance room has the much talked about floating Leota head. It really is an amazing special effect, and has to be seen to be appreciated. Videos are not going to do this justice.
In the ballroom, there are signs of cleanup and enhancements, but nothing significant.
The attic has had the most attention. It's awesome. All the popup heads have gone from this scene, and been replaced with detailed sets, with portraits, and a sinister background sound track. The ghostly bride is excellent.
The graveyard scene now has only 2 or 3 popup ghosts in total. They are used much more effectively, and they no longer scream. The rest of the scene seems unchanged, but has all been cleaned and restored.
Little Leota looks new and refreshed, and she has curly hair, holding more than just lillies.
Overall it's a terrific update, and really restores the mansion to it's rightful status as one of the best attractions at Walt Disney World. WDI and the Disney cast did a terrific job of getting this done so quickly, and above all, to such a high quality level.

 

[nibblesandbits]

Doing it tomorrow, Doing it tomorrow! :sohappy:

 

[Shere_Khan]

Doing it tomorrow, Doing it tomorrow! :sohappy:

You brat!!!

 

[Eyorefan]

I am glad to hear about al the wonderful new changes and updates! I can't wait to be there!:sohappy:

 

[Eeyore]

:sohappy: They did an amazing job! Its an incredibly well done update. Videos and photos aren't going to do it justice. I'm pleased to be able to say that the Haunted Mansion is still my favorite attraction. Well done WDI and cast! :wave:

The bride is seriously creepy!

 

[JimboJones123]

And the preferred mobile device of a fanboy is the Palm Treo, Jimbo!

Thanks, I'm still nursing the wounds from when I said I was buying a Zune in these forums earlier this week.

 

[PintoColvig]

Going in for a third ride. Posted time was 30 minutes when I got in line again. It has taken me only 15 minutes to get to the doors. Crowds are being managed well.

 

[doop]

Thanks for the update, man I can't wait to ride it for myself!

 

[sarahwiggles99]

My friend Yensidtlaw1969 was the first guest to ride the haunted mansion today. He called me and said that its amazing. Woot! :sohappy: