While Disneyland closed for the past year, Walt Disney Imagineering has updated “The Haunted Mansion” with a number of old and new effects. Thanks to the LA Times, we have a little more detail on what guests can expect after reopening.
As reported yesterday, the painting ‘April to December’ – which depicts the real horror of aging – returns from Marc Davis to the attraction after it was removed when the portrait corridor was revamped in 2005. According to Michele Hobbs, who managed the attraction’s renovation, the change in four scenes of the painting didn’t work with the 2000 technology update, which used two-slide changes. The painting, which Hobbs emphasized to be the original image just newly created with updated technology, is now placed around the corner of the portrait corridor where guests board their Doom Buggies.
The area around “April to December” has been further filled in, as it was previously only used during the Nightmare before Christmas overlay. Next to the painting and a mysterious door, guests will notice a new statue of a cat. This is a reference to an original idea for the attraction by Imagineer Xavier Atencio. In Atencio’s concept, the demonic cat is said to have appeared on the ride, looking for a soul to own. The cat had elongated fangs and a red eye, in reference to Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Black Cat’. The feline idea was discarded before it came to fruition, but it has finally returned to this picture form. “You will see this beautiful image of this cat,” said Hobbs. You might see red coming out of his eye. Maybe not.”
More details include new curtains and new props in the attic, including a dollhouse and trinkets from Constance the bride’s deceased husbands. “What we did is just go through each of the scenes and add little tidbits and flavors of extra properties to back each of those ‘love stories’, if you like,” said Hobbs.
In Madame Leota’s room, a wicker chair now floats next to the musical instruments. While Hobbs says this design was not taken from the archives, it may be a reference to Imagineer Rolly Crump’s concept for the room, with a chair that would come to life.
“There was no history,” Hobbs says of the chair’s addition. “That was something that Kim [Irvine] looked. What would make sense there? What would work stylistically and creatively and float in the air? Why not a chair? Maybe from the mansion porch? “
The spider web floors in the Haunted Mansion hall have been remade, and the building’s exterior has been repainted with multiple shades of white intended to evoke shadows.
The pet cemetery has a new landscape with catnip, toad lilies and more plants with a theme for each animal. Guests may also notice a slight garlic scent near a skunk’s grave.
“We all love our beloved pets,” said Hobbs of the update. What would you do if it was your pig named Rosie? You would decorate. We treated this the way we would treat our own pets. Roses, of course, surround Rosie the pig.
Finally, although no changes have been made yet, Hobbs has answered calls to remove the hanging body from The Haunted Mansion’s expansive portrait room. “It has certainly been discussed,” said Hobbs. “It’s definitely something we’re thinking about.”
It sounds like The Haunted Mansion’s rich knowledge and mysteries will only continue to grow as guests remain frightened and awed by these new elements for years to come. What do you like most to see on the revamped ride? Let us know in the comments.
Source: Los Angeles Times