Riding the refurbished HM [Merged]

[WDWdriver]

There is currently a thread in the News & Rumors forum that broadly outlines the changes in the Haunted Mansion attraction. Go there if you want to avoid any spoilers. I rode it today and can provide some details.

Warning! Spoiler alert.

1) The whole mansion has a nice fresh look, inside and out.

2) The new audio in the stretching room and along the ride path is very good.

3) There is an addition to the end of the stretching room audio - basically telling you to move ahead and stay together.

3) The spiders are gone. Instead there are stairways to nowhere on either side of the ride path. Ghostly green footprints appear on the steps as you pass.

4) In the seance scene Madame Leota's talking head now appears in a sphere that floats high above the table where her head used to sit.

5) The ballroom has been nicely refreshed. The hearse outside the ballroom door is much more visible, and there is much more color throughout the ballroom. There is a new ghostly couple sitting on the chandelier, and the female is holding a rose.

6) The attic has been completely redone. You pass a series of portraits showing a bride and her new husband, only he fades away to nothing by the last portrait. Finally, you encounter the bride. She is shown in much more detail than the previous bride - dressed in a bluish gown. She is now on the LEFT side of the ride path.

7) The graveyard scene is mostly unchanged, just refreshed. It seemed to me that the hidden mickey in the ghoul's hand is now gone. Someone else can verify that perhaps.

Overall, the results are excellent. The Haunted Mansion has long been my favorite ride. And now it is better than ever.

[Christine]

Excellent! Thanks so much. I'm glad to hear that it seems to be a definite improvement!

[iheartmickey]

Awesome! I can't wait to ride it on our next trip!

[grego77]

sounds EXACTLY like Disneyland's version...which makes sense!

...can't wait to ride it next month!

[MartyS]

Just talking to my DD, she's in the employee parking lot @ MK by her car watching Wishes(says it is a great view from there) she got off @ 8:15 and went straight to HM after changing, and the ride was down for technical difficulties, so she didn't get to ride tonight. She did, however, get to see the MNSSHP parade preview for CM's last night after park closing, she said it was very cool. MK was a little more crowded today, maybe because of HM opening. I was hoping I could get her first impression of the refurbs, but maybe tomorrow.

[SBETigg]

sounds EXACTLY like Disneyland's version...which makes sense!

...can't wait to ride it next month!

Actually the staircase scene is supposedly unique to the WDW HM, but other touches may be like at DL. At any rate, it sounds fantastic and I can't wait to see it. But it will be awhile for me.

[disneydeb]

I'm too excited to sleep!

[Vintage Disney]

Thanks for the report on the new HM! I am so excited about HM and MNSSHP!! 6 weeks, 1 day, I can't wait!!

[LovinWDW]

Thanks for the report on the new HM! I am so excited about HM and MNSSHP!! 6 weeks, 1 day, I can't wait!!

We are also waiting for 6 weeks and 1 day. we arrive on the 26th of Oct. See you there. I'll be the one wearing the Mickey shirt

[Princess Maggie]

Since they worked on attraction, did they finally get rid of those tight turnstiles?? That just might be the best improvement...

Will be there in 28 days!!

[DDuck66]

Thanks...anyone know if the hidden Donald is still there.
I will be there on Saturday morning (9/15). I can't wait...

[jpH/keD]

Thanks for the updates! I went once when I was 10 and then again in '05 with my kids! I dont remember all these details but we are going back in Nov. post Halloween but I cannot wait to see the rehab! I also saw somewhere that it has a brand new red awning over the queue area before you enter the mansion! Come on Nov 16th!

[murphy1]

Wow, thanks so much that sounds great!! I hope it's not too fresh! I hated to read b/c I love surprises but with the two girls, I wanted to make sure it wasn't too scary. Do they still have the shriekers popping their heads up in the attic?? I still don't like that LOL. The bride sounds more Corpse Bride-ish.

Also, how is getting into the Dooms? It was tight there before, has that been alieviated?

[#1donaldfan]

I CAN'T WAIT.....had to miss it this year during it's refurb.........next year....!!!!

[krorx]

I wanna go soooo bad!

[CosmicRay]

My friend called me today and said she just rode the HM and said how it looks great. I can't wait to go in 84 days!!!!

[Crow]

Im waiting for Friday (Sept 21) to see it the day I arrive! it will make up a little for SE being down for its rehab..

[mttafire]

Thanks for the info!!! We wont be able to get back to Disney till 2010. Its nice to hear the the "new" H.M. is and sounds teriffic.!!

[lindique]

Thanks...anyone know if the hidden Donald is still there.

Can you please explain about the hidden Donald? I'd like to try to find in on my next trip. Thanks!

[mouseketeer mom]

Thank you so much! I'm reading your post on a gloomy, rainy, NJ morning...I'm longing to ride on the new HM!