Official News on HM Update from Disneyworld.com

Hoop Raeb

Hoop Raeb

Formerly known as...
Original Poster
I just discovered something called "Backstage Pass" on disneyworld.com. I hadn't seen this info posted anywhere else so forgive me if this is old news. Here's what they say....

"Eek"-Streme Makeover
Behind the screams of the creepy new touches at The Haunted Mansion
"When hinges creak in doorless chambers
and strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls,
Whenever candlelights flicker and the air is deathly still,
That is the time ghosts are present,
Practicing their terror with ghoulish delight."
These eerie words of the Ghost Host are like poetry to the millions who consider The Haunted Mansion one of their all-time favorite Walt Disney World® attractions. This fun-and-frightful landmark is a genuine classic with so many clever effects and superb details, it never fails to amaze and mystify. And yet, come this fall, a few strange things will have occurred—wondrous things that only add to the overall magic, always reverently faithful to the original vision.
One of the things that you'll notice will be astonishing new digital audio effects, using some of the newest technology. "We have taken this new technology and incorporated it into The Haunted Mansion, always careful to maintain the integrity of the original show for all its many fans," Walt Disney Imagineering Principle Media Designer Joe Herrington told us. "Everything they've loved is there, but we've added to it to make it an even more incredible show."
"Could it be that these walls are actually stretching?"
"There are certain things that are sacred territory, like the Ghost Host," he continued. "But in the past, his voice just plunked around the room. We've gone a lot further now. Now he has the power to float around you and the other Guests." (Sometimes he can get creepily close!)
"Now once we got our friend the Ghost Host floating around the room just like a real ghost in an extremely believable way, we decided to bring the little gargoyles to life and let them have fun as well," said Joe. "We put a few bats in there and let them fly around and a few other things too. So now we have more of an ambiance, a texture."
The Imagineers were so dedicated to getting the sound quality perfect, they actually built a full-scale replica of the Stretch Room in their Glendale, California, studios for meticulous testing. Joe assured us that the results were definitely worth the effort. "It's a very noticeable difference, like night and day."
"Wall-to-wall creeps, hot and cold running chills..."
While the Stretch Room is the prime showcase for this new sound technology, a similar effect of a floating Ghost Host is replicated as soon as you climb aboard your "doom buggy" to tour the upstairs hallways, ballroom, attic and graveyard. And as you explore, you may spot some other unnerving sights in addition to the classic scenes. You never know what might materialize! (Look for more in a special video in the October issue of this newsletter.)
Voice actor royalty retain their thrones
The bride adds the only new voice to The Haunted Mansion; all the original ghostly voices will still be there to chill you. The Ghost Host narration—acclaimed as one of the finest vocal performances in any medium—remains the domain of Disney Legend Paul Frees, whose many other roles include Boris on Rocky and Bullwinkle.
And speaking of mediums, continuing as Madame Leota's voice will be Eleanor Audley, who also voiced Lady Tremaine in Cinderella and Malificent in Sleeping Beauty. And thanks to state-of-the-art sound, their voices and all the other atmospheric effects will sound even better—or worse, depending on your point of view—than ever.
We don't know about you, but we're just dying to float over to the Magic Kingdom® Park this fall to see and hear it all!
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WDWFigment

WDWFigment

Well-Known Member
I wonder how long this has been posted there? I remember hearing about the audio in the stretching room a while ago (supposedly there were some CMs who tested in when the refurbishment first happened). Some interesting stuff there! What is this newsletter it references?

Do you by chance have a link to the information?
 
GymLeaderPhil

GymLeaderPhil

Well-Known Member
And here's what is printed on page 11 of the fall Mickey Monitor:

There's No Turning Back Now!
Eerie enhancements are materializing at The Haunted Mansion!

When The Haunted Mansion reopens this fall, you'll notice that strange things occured. "We increased the feeling of presence and movement between Guests and ghosts," said Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Show Producer Kathy Rogers.

Digital audio will give our old pal the Ghost Host the power to hop around in the stretch room, and to dart back and forth on your "doom buggy." In the gallery, a lightning storm will cause the portraits to become more and more ghostly!

Even disembodied medium Madame Leota's had a face-lift - literally. Her crystal ball will float in midair! In the attic, look for an extra-creepy bride with a string of grooms, all pictured below her. Each undergoes a change as the bouquet in her hand changes to an... well, we just can't give it all away!

PASSHOLDER PRIORITY ACCESS DAYS!
Imagine presenting your valid Passholder ID at The Haunted Mansion and bypassing the regular queue line! Make sure you're registered at disneyworld.com/passholder so you don't miss our email with select dates and details.
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DisneyDellsDude

DisneyDellsDude

New Member
Wow. The Stretching Room sounds like it will be awesome now.
This is probably the most excited I've been for a refurb. It looks like it's going to be great!
 
cb3k

cb3k

Member
This sounds much better than I had heard/anticipated. I was aware of a significant improvement to the sound throughout the attraction, but did not realize the extent on "how good" it would be. Hmmm...Lightning in the gallery??? Are they referring to the stretching room pictures, or perhaps the hall of the following eyes ( I apologize for not using the "official" name)...Anyone have any clues, also I am curious why things such as the extra eerie audio, exact bride details, floating Leota..were all mentioned, but yet there was no mention of a stairway scene (maybe I skimmed right by it)..Anyways, Cant wait..I'll be there for the AP preview...Raven I assume you will be attending then?
 
sillykid

sillykid

Member
WOW...who would have thought they would make it sound sooo much better. I'm so happy that they are keeping Paul as the ghost host. :sohappy:
 
KingofHearts

KingofHearts

Banned
"Everything they've loved is there, but we've added to it to make it an even more incredible show."
Click to expand...


Wonder if this means that was was said on the other board about the spiders is true. That they will remain, juts be moved to a new location.



Eaither way I can't wait to see the new stuff.
 
ToTBellHop

ToTBellHop

Well-Known Member
lightning in the gallery? It sounds like they have combined our portraits with the ones at Disneyland that become creepy in the lightning. Sounds very cool!
 
L

liko

New Member
In the Parks
No
Setup for Haunted Holiday?

Do you think that all this work put them in good shape to be able to have Haunted Holiday in Florida??
 
KingofHearts

KingofHearts

Banned
Tom Morrow said:
Keyword: everything they've loved will remain.

Nobody ever loved the spiders.
Click to expand...

Now you can't say that. Some people liked them. In fact this was a recent thread on here if I remember and it's on other boards. Just because YOU don't like something don't mean EVERYONE hates it. Just keep that in mind for things It'll make your life a lot more pleasurable.

But back to topic. Still wondering how this stair case will work.
 

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