The trees in front of Haunted Mansion have been cut down

[nace888]

It look better by restoring the forced perspective. I’d like to see the manicured gardens return too.

Master Gracey's gardeners and landscapers could wear the HM attire should they appear during the day!

 

[MaximumEd]

Master Gracey's gardeners and landscapers could wear the HM attire should they appear during the day!

That would actually be pretty cool.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

You should have seen the "early years"

 

[Bocabear]

You should have seen the "early years"

It was beautiful, and this picture was 1971... by 1972 when I was there as a child I remember looking for the show building but it was very well concealed from everywhere except on the 2nd deck of the riverboat where this shot was most likely taken...

 

[geekza]

It looks better by restoring the forced perspective. I’d like to see the manicured gardens return too.

Good point. Hadn't thought of that.

 

[tissandtully]

I'm OK with this.

 

[Fable McCloud]

You should have seen the "early years"

Look at that view! Stunning, and it looks so much bigger this way. It really does look imposing and ominous, not to mention mysterious. The gaze is really drawn to it. Really wish I could have seen it this way, but I wasn't alive yet. Anyone have any photos from 1986? I'd love to see a visual retrospective through the years.

 

[geekza]

Look at that view! Stunning, and it looks so much bigger this way. It really does look imposing and ominous, not to mention mysterious. The gaze is really drawn to it. Really wish I could have seen it this way, but I wasn't alive yet. Anyone have any photos from 1986? I'd love to see a visual retrospective through the years.

I'm still searching, but your best bet (if you don't mind spending a few bucks) is to get this book.

This page has one image, but it's from 1980.

Here's another one that is all Haunted Mansion photos, but most don't have dates.

I love RetroWDW.com. It's a great resource.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Yeah, but it makes the Mansion look taller and wider.

 

[HauntedPirate]

We can all relax now, Corless posted this as news 2 hours ago, so we know it's solid.

 

[Magenta Panther]

Well, I'm glad that the trees were removed. The more we can see of the Mansion, the better.

Now if TDO would just remove that awful cluttered claustrophobic new queue, and return to the original Hitchhiking Ghosts effect at ride's end...

 

[nace888]

That would actually be pretty cool.

Imagine the gardeners in HM garb, without the coats of course, but tie, vest, etc, and a lovely green apron. Just snip snip snip around the estate, and good to go. Lol!

 

[clarabellej]

Unfortunately, the trees in front of the mansion have been removed. I don’t care for this new look. Hopefully they aren’t done.
View attachment 317954

I think WDW in general is lacking in trees all things green. The new hub area is so concrete and cluttered with lamp posts. There are large swaths of concrete walkways in New Fantasyland. What little nature there is is very pretty. I love the tree across from Sunshine Terrace in Adventureland. And when we make it on time before the azaleas drop there blooms on the walkway to Epcot’s entry, it is such a bonus. I swear when we visited DL, it had more lovely flower beds. At WDW they seem to be shrinking. I agree that the willowy trees outside HM added something. Maybe they will replant.

 

[tnolan]

"I’d sure like to see the canopy go" was mentioned but if they took away the canopy wouldn't that leave everyone waiting out in the sun?

 

[drizgirl]

"I’d sure like to see the canopy go" was mentioned but if they took away the canopy wouldn't that leave everyone waiting out in the sun?

Aw, pshaw. Florida isn't hot.

 

[Kenny Hensley]

I remember when the front of the mansion had formal French Parterre gardens on the front lawn... with less overgrowth the house itserlf looked larger and more ominous... Over the years the natural growth has filled in which was good, and the trees were added to the front lawn I think in the 90s...so they were far from the original intent...
With the front canopy now being so huge, you can't even see the house except for across the water and certain areas outdide of the gates...
I like the iodea of opening up the lawn a bit...
View attachment 317996

Hey, look! Show building!

 

[Dunston]

I think it looks better when you can actually see the mansion. Hope they open it up a bit more, even.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Personally, I have never understood the concept of a pristine Mansion that is deserted except for 999 ghosts. Who does the landscaping and why. Wouldn't looking spooky enhance the experience and make it seem more real? Is it still being done by the caretaker that is shaking in the cemetery. Who pays him to stick around? Oh, well, I guess if we have to use that suspension of disbelief on this, I guess I can do it.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

"I’d sure like to see the canopy go" was mentioned but if they took away the canopy wouldn't that leave everyone waiting out in the sun?

I suggested in another thread I made that they build a proper roof for the queue.

Alternatively, they could have stand-by people walk down to the Keelboat dock, and take a covered boardwalk along the existing brick wall from river level up to the graveyard. Then they can have the uncovered grounds for FP+ guests and more space for those who want to take pictures before or after the ride.

 

[180º]

"I’d sure like to see the canopy go" was mentioned but if they took away the canopy wouldn't that leave everyone waiting out in the sun?

Hi, that was me. That’s why I suggested ripping out the interactive queue and replacing it with lots and lots of switchbacks. Then, pull the entrance all the way back to the brick breezeway at the far end of the facade, rip out the canopy, the entrance gates and (as @The Empress Lilly suggested) the old Fastpass distribution area.