I have a love/hate relationship with the HM. I feel compelled to ride every time I am at the park, yet still see so much potential. I agree that the hallway of doors and the sounds seem to have been modified and improve the experience. I feel like the lighting in this area was also adjusted as I have become more apparent of all of the ghost pictures here. It makes me laugh to think that these are the random/odd relatives of some of the ghosts and they are just natural snapshots, although they all look ghastly and startled.
The piano scene and silhouette could be so much better. I honestly believe that most people do not even look down to see the moving shape on the floor, and the movements are choppy and making a clicking noise. It would be cool if as you approach the scene, you are looking through one doorway and see the shape actually sitting at the piano playing, then as you pass another doorway opening, there is nobody there but you can see the keys moving. Kind of like the butterfly effect in JIYI. The armored suit does not move at all anymore and should as it could be much more scary. I do not find the long hallway with the floating candelabra interesting, maybe the candelabra could move slowly then quickly approach you. I'm glad they removed the fluorescent footprints from the staircase room.
My favorite space is the seance room, but I would love it if the instruments could move from the walls and swirl around each Doombuggie. Maybe add more unique items to the room, or random spirits, that Madame Leota has summoned. I don't like the raven sitting on the back of the chair as it does not look realistic at all. I always think the red eyes are cameras or lasers. The last few times I have rode, the birthday cake girl has been missing, although some of the other ghosts in the dining room are now much brighter. I think it would be awesome if your Doombuggie could move around the dining room floor in between the dancing couples or up to the table for a close up look of the guests.
The attic is missing the Hatbox Ghost and Constance is just weird. She would be better as an animatronic, like Elsa, with moving arms and a projected face, and she should be out more where you can see her and she reaches out to your Doombuggie with her axe. The singing busts are great. All of the ghosts in the graveyard are barely visible. I'm not sure if there is a dirty scrim in front of them or if the lighting is poor but they are pretty difficult to decipher what they are doing. I think the popup ghoul heads are a cheap carnival trick.
After you leave the graveyard, what is the idea? Are you supposed to be passing back through the house to exit, or are you inside of a mausoleum? There should be an end to the story as if you made it through and are now leaving the mansion, you decided not to become ghost 1000. Little Leota should fly above you, inviting you to hurry back.
I know I have a lot of complaints but I still love the ride. I appreciate all of the original vision and imagination in creating this attraction but it has been 50 years and could be so much better.
