Haunted Mansion restaurant and shop...............

[Bama14]

So what are some of the ideas for the menu? That could be a fun place to eat!

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I'd like to call the restaurant the Grim Grinning Grill. Of course, my kids would never agree to us eating there (they are terrified of HM), but I'm sure I could trick them at least once into a meal. It really could be cool though...so many possibilities. For whatever reason, I could see the gift shop w/Madame Leota's name on it... kind of like some of the voodoo shops in New Orleans.

 

[Bama14]

I'd like to call the restaurant the Grim Grinning Grill. Of course, my kids would never agree to us eating there (they are terrified of HM), but I'm sure I could trick them at least once into a meal. It really could be cool though...so many possibilities. For whatever reason, I could see the gift shop w/Madame Leota's name on it... kind of like some of the voodoo shops in New Orleans.

Grim Grinning Grill! I love it!

 

[bsiev1977]

I think it would be too much and undermine the notion of The Haunted Mansion being this distinct, solitary place.

I was thinking along those lines. I kind of like that the HM doesn't empty you out into a gift shop like so many of the rides at Disney do.

 

[Magenta Panther]

Hey guys.........When my Wife and I go to WDW, we are always saddened to see only a kiosk for merchandise outside of the HM. We do get some items from there but eventually go to other shops and even the Art store in DD. I would think that as popular as the HM is, there would be a shop and not a kiosk. Oh well, I can wish. Also, I would think a restaurant would be a no brainer and a major hit. There are endless ideas I have for a menu, the setup, the whole atmosFEAR, etc. What do you guys think about a shop instead of a kiosk AND a restaurant?

I think that is BRILLIANT!!!! My gosh, you ought to contact TDO with this idea! I would LOVE to eat at a restaurant themed to the Haunted Mansion! Think of the Gothic architecture, the costumes for the wait staff, the entertainment - it could be slightly creepy but also have a certain shabby gentility and a sense of humor. Such a restaurant would be a HUGE hit, I'm certain. No doubt about it. TDO, you reading this? Get on it!

 

[Magenta Panther]

I remember one rumor from the last big refurb was that they were going to add small gift shop in at the unload area.

Given the floorplan of the Mansion, the room that housed the old "follow you home" Hitchhiking Ghost rig could have been converted over to it since the HHG's are now all CGI projections.

Looking at the satellite maps....I do believe that the old Skyway building could have been made into a HM themed restaurant instead of Tangled Toilets. A little landscaping would put a path between the HM exit and the Pet Cemetery...could have theme it as the Caretaker's Cottage.

Very nice idea. One caveat...I'd hate for the room that housed the original "follow you home" ghosts to be made over into something else...because I hate those CGI projections. They look like exactly what they are, and they're not at all convincing. The original ghosts looked like they were really there in the buggies with you. I keep hoping that someday they'll be restored. Because they were a much better effect, NOT because I don't believe in new technology and progress and so on.

 

[Gabe1]

That wouldn't fit. Has to be by the Mansion otherwise it makes as little sense as selling Pirates of the Caribbean souvenirs at Epcot.

Like putting Tink's meet and Greet in Adventureland veranda?

 

[FettFan]

I'd like to call the restaurant the Grim Grinning Grill. Of course, my kids would never agree to us eating there (they are terrified of HM), but I'm sure I could trick them at least once into a meal. It really could be cool though...so many possibilities. For whatever reason, I could see the gift shop w/Madame Leota's name on it... kind of like some of the voodoo shops in New Orleans.

Or the Grim Grilling Ghost

OOOH...and give Dr. Facilier a presence in the Mansion! Perhaps some of his Loa masks in Leota's seance room and a Dr. Facilier Tarot Card......

 

[darthspielberg]

Some of the original designs for Mystic Manor (the upcoming Hong Kong "Mansion") had a restaurant next to it (Themed to Adventure Club, even!) and the plan looked pretty close to what the WDW Mansion would look like if a restaurant were next to it. Perhaps it could be built into the facade along the Rivers of America, giving an etheral view of the water.

As for a gift shop, I really like that the Mansion doesn't have one. It's one of the few rides at the park where you aren't bombarded with "BUY STUFF" the moment you step out of your vehicle. The cart is a nice subtle way to sell merch (even if it mostly Nightmare Before Christmas stuff)

 

[FettFan]

Some of the original designs for Mystic Manor (the upcoming Hong Kong "Mansion") had a restaurant next to it (Themed to Adventure Club, even!) and the plan looked pretty close to what the WDW Mansion would look like if a restaurant were next to it. Perhaps it could be built into the facade along the Rivers of America, giving an etheral view of the water.

As for a gift shop, I really like that the Mansion doesn't have one. It's one of the few rides at the park where you aren't bombarded with "BUY STUFF" the moment you step out of your vehicle. The cart is a nice subtle way to sell merch (even if it mostly Nightmare Before Christmas stuff)

The cart was originally to be a prop inside the Mansion, during it's "Professor Crump's Museum of the Weird" phase. Was designed by Rolly Crump and was to be populated by animated voodoo dolls.

Once the idea was scrapped, it was dusted off later to be the merchandise cart.

 

[WED99]

A Haunted Mansion-themed eatery at Disneyland was hinted at, during the 2011 D23 Expo.

It's revealed within the first minute of the video.

It sounds like they're talking about experiences that will be at an extra cost and only happen on certain dates.

But still, Disneyland comes out on top once again

 

[HatboxGhost]

Also the restaurant can be modeled after the ballroom scene in the mansion. Who wouldnt want to eat there? Great ideas!

The ballroom...now THAT would be awesome.

 

[HatboxGhost]

Grim Grinning Grill! I love it!

So do I!!!!

 

[HatboxGhost]

I was thinking along those lines. I kind of like that the HM doesn't empty you out into a gift shop like so many of the rides at Disney do.

My Wife and I always make a joke when we come out of POTC and go right into the giftshop. Some of you guys are right, I do like the fact that the HM empties outside and not into a shop. Maybe they could use the space where that shack is. The one that is on your left side right before you go through the gates of the mansion and expand that.

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

Shop and dining? Awesome idea! We've also always been disappointed by just a kiosk when some less exciting, less classic attractions have a full store.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

So what are some of the ideas for the menu? That could be a fun place to eat!

First thing coming to mind would be a combo plate called the 'Hitchhiker's Special." Not a clue what would be in it, but I liked the name!

As for actual food...it would have to go one of two ways- IMO
1. Traditional/American with food name twists like you'd find at Sci Fi or 50s
2. While I think the mansion that's the basis for WDW's HM is in Pennsylvania, my mind still lumps it in with the DLR and thinks NOLA.

Although, I guess if it were a grill- it implies things like burgers, steaks, chicken, etc.

I do think it would be neat to have a dine in ballroom w/dancing projection ghosts and wouldn't it be fun to dine in doombuggies and have your own hitchhiking ghost appear at times at your table during your meal?

 

[littleroo]

That wouldn't fit. Has to be by the Mansion otherwise it makes as little sense as selling Pirates of the Caribbean souvenirs at Epcot.

I would buy them!! I am sure my DSs would con me into something

 

[taz0162]

That wouldn't fit. Has to be by the Mansion otherwise it makes as little sense as selling Pirates of the Caribbean souvenirs at Epcot.

The store at the end of Pirates of Carribean has Jack Skellington merchandise on the left hand side right before the hallway leading to the bathrooms. Looked out of place there to me. Or maybe someone got confused with Jack Skellington and Capt Jack and just never changed it.

 

[ddbowdoin]

I'd like to see some of the river to the left filled... have the restaurant built off in that general area.... would be so epic

 

[Californian Elitist]

It sounds like they're talking about experiences that will be at an extra cost and only happen on certain dates.

But still, Disneyland comes out on top once again

It wouldn't be Disney if they didn't charge extra!

I don't think any of these will happen anytime soon.