DavidDL
Well-Known Member
Sorry if I wasn’t clear, I wasn’t trying to say that it is Mansion 2.0. Even though I enjoy the overlay more.
To me, it’s still mansion. Of course the Nightmare characters are going to be at the forefront of the changeover. That’s unavoidable in an overlay of this nature. What I mean to say, if it makes any sense, is that I appreciate that this isn’t just “the Nightmare ride”. It’s the.. “Nightmare characters came to decorate the Haunted Mansion, ride”. To me, the mansion is an integral part of the story telling of the overlay. Yes, elements are changed or covered up but it’s because of Guest’s knowledge of the attraction underneath that the stuff on top during the holidays is so much fun because it puts a fun twist on what came before.
I would use the changing portrait hallway as an example of this. Aside from the one image used that actually changes during the film, this area features largely original works that change because, why? It isn’t something the film dictates should happen or has as a regular occurrence. They could have just thrown a really long “Naughty and Nice” list over the pictures and saved themselves some work. Instead, this area features changing Nightmare portraits because Mansion wants/is known for changing portraits here.
What I’m trying I guess to say, is that I feel like the Nightmare side of the overlays DNA requires the mansions DNA for any of it to work. And when looked at thru that lens, it still very much feels like the mansion, to me. I mean, it has to be. Because if it’s not, then the context of the ride wouldn’t make any sense. This isn’t Jack replacing the Haunted Mansion for a few months. It’s he and others visiting the mansion we already know and bringing a holiday celebration to its residents that is more their speed than what you’d find over at “it’s a small world”.
And I think that’s fun. When something like the Hatbox Ghost went in, my mind inevitably went to: I wonder what gifts Sandy Claws will end up bringing him for Christmas?
Late edit/addition: I understand you and many others may feel differently. I’m sorry if the spirit of the original attraction doesn’t shine through brightly enough during the holidays for you to consider it a worthwhile addition to the parks. If, in general, you consider HMH to sort of just be a “shoehorned” IP, then there is probably little I can do to make you think otherwise about it. But I certainly disagree. I think it is one of the more thoughtful additions to their seasonal offerings or library of overlays. I respect that you may feel different. But if I can, as a super fan of it, at least try to understand and acknowledge why many would prefer to see the amount of months it runs reduced, hopefully you can at least try to see what myself and others see in the overlay that makes it special to us. Thankfully, this isn’t a case of something like Tower of Terror vs. Mission: Breakout!, where one has gone to Yesterland or something.
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