When Disney Cruise Line started revealing the brand new Disney Treasure ship, I used to be instantly excited concerning the heavy inspiration from Walt Disney World and Disneyland, dubbing it ‘Adventureland on the Ocean.’ One venue, specifically, had me cautiously optimistic: Haunted Mansion Parlor.
Because the title suggests, Haunted Mansion Parlor relies on the enduring attraction of the identical title. Disney’s sneak peeks over the past 12 months have made it look improbable, and I’ve been impressed by every thing from the inside design and results to the deep minimize references and storyline. There’s additionally the truth that Haunted Mansion is considered one of my favourite points of interest on each coasts, making the highest half of Sarah & Tom’s Prime 15 Disney Sights Worldwide.
So why the warning versus unbridled optimism? As a result of Haunted Mansion Parlor replaces Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge, one of many entries on our ‘Worst of’ Listing for the Disney Want. Hyperspace Lounge massively underwhelmed after being one of many issues we have been most excited to expertise aboard the Want.
We described Hyperspace Lounge as if Imagineering blew 90% of its funds on a flowery tv and didn’t have something left over for the remainder of the inside design. After stepping inside this unhappy area throughout our Very Merrytime crusing, my earlier perspective was reaffirmed. Hyperspace Lounge was even worse than I remembered, most likely partly as a result of it was about one-quarter full and felt, frankly, lifeless consequently.
Due to this, I attempted to mood my expectations with the Haunted Mansion Parlor earlier than setting sail aboard the Disney Treasure. In any case, it’s the identical area, most likely had an identical funds that might be allotted in direction of screens, and would possibly even have the identical inventive group. I used to be nonetheless excited, I simply didn’t wish to be underwhelmed but once more when execution didn’t ship on hype and excessive hopes of idea artwork. This was additional bolstered after seeing the brand new carriage home at Disneyland, which is, ahem, actually particular!
It was straightforward to examine a situation the place Disney Cruise Line would as soon as once more go all out with the display, however overpromise and undeliver on every thing else. Slap a few of that iconic purple wallpaper up, purchase the precise (hopefully) Victorian furnishings, a number of gothic prospers, simply sufficient fan-service Easter eggs–the Donald Duck chair, Brother Ronald bust, and so on–and name it a day. I can’t be the one one who anxious about this, proper?!
It’s not simply the Hyperspace Lounge or carriage home, there have been loads of inventive missteps with Haunted Mansion over the past decade. And as nice as Disney Cruise Line will be, it’s not precisely identified for thematically-dense, lavishly Imagineered areas. It has its personal type, which will be fairly beautiful, however there’s a disconnect between DCL themed design and that of the theme parks. That’s, till now. The Disney Treasure adjustments all that.
Truly, Haunted Mansion Parlor is the primary of some “no notes” experiences aboard the Disney Treasure. Within the competitors for Disney’s best-themed bar, this simply surpasses the underwhelming Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge, whereas additionally edging-out extra impressed choices like Dealer Sam’s (each of them), Jock Lindsey’s, Carthay Circle, The Edison, and Oga’s Cantina (that final one is debatable, I do know). Actually, Haunted Mansion Parlor’s closest competitors would possibly really be one other bar on the Disney Treasure.
That is the enduring attraction come to life, and “immersive” doesn’t even start to cowl it. Haunted Mansion Parlor actually is like sitting in a lounge model of the journey, with the motion occurring in all instructions. The Haunted Mansion Parlor options a lot of that, plus an unique seafaring storyline and motifs (pulled from Haunted Mansion historical past and unbuilt Museum of the Bizarre ideas) that matches like a glove with Disney Cruise Line.
The lounge really operates pursuant to a correct present cycle, which lasts for someplace between 30 and 40 minutes, and it follows the stream and story of the enduring attraction. However as an alternative of driving by means of in a DoomBuggy taking in every scene in a linear vogue, you’re immersed in every thing within the room unexpectedly.
On the “begin” of the Haunted Mansion Parlor, the room seems to be foreboding however not possessed. Similar concept because the journey’s opening act, proper right down to the portraits lining the partitions.
There may be, in fact, one thing unsettling within the air. However the lighting is brighter and hotter and the results have but to start. It’s merely an centuries-old Victorian manor, most of that are most likely haunted anyway, inside a cruise ship. Completely atypical factor.
Then the acquainted voice of the Ghost Host welcomes you inside, work come alive, and different results “occur.” That’s all I’m going to offer you about a number of the higher Easter eggs and hidden gags. It’s my sturdy perception that discovery of them is probably the most pleasant a part of the Haunted Mansion Parlor. (In case you disagree and would love spoilers, there are already tons of them floating round.)
It’s not a spoiler to share that Madame Leota and different iconic characters are ‘summoned’ to the display or magic mirror behind the bar. You’ll wish to focus your consideration on that, however not on the exclusion of different results across the room. Actually, I’d argue that the bar provides the worst seats within the Haunted Mansion Parlor. (It’s considerably like House 220–when you’re too near the first display, you’re lacking loads.)
The principle display is okay. There are cool visuals that materialize on it. Nonetheless, it’s fairly removed from the spotlight of the Haunted Mansion Parlor. Fortunately, it’s not the only real focus of the present–there’s an the abundance of “supporting” results right here that make the expertise. The entire of those is most definitely greater than the sum of its elements.
It’s unattainable to overstate simply how a lot is going on across the room. You already know that ~30 minute present cycle talked about above? That’s true of the expertise as a complete, but in addition of the person parts. That means the portraits on one wall have their ~30 minute cycle, as do these on one other wall. Ditto the encased music field, aquarium, hearth, and extra. That melting Brother Roland bust? Lean in on the proper second and it would whisper one thing foolish to you.
This simply scratches the floor, partly as a result of I’m fairly certain I simply scratched the floor–and I spent a minimum of 3 hours within the Haunted Mansion Parlor. It’s straightforward to lose observe of time in right here, between poring over the small print, and simply sitting again and having fun with the environment. As a result of even when you’re not actively making an attempt to soak up the small print or hunt for hidden results, the foreboding environment envelopes you.
Haunted Mansion Parlor makes use of each trick at its disposable to make this occur. Impeccable sound design, moody lighting and visuals, a wide selection of blended media, and improbable furnishings. All the things concerning the expertise is pitch-perfect.
Nothing seems to be overly trendy, know-how doesn’t stand out–though it’s utilized in abundance, there’s no difficulty of the “tail wagging the canine,” as typically occurs with Imagineering getting forward of itself with flashy tech. This bar feels prefer it might’ve been constructed proper alongside the unique Haunted Mansion. (Which looks like one thing that must be mentioned in mild of the carriage home debacle.)
A part of me would like to see the Haunted Mansion Parlor cloned to Walt Disney World and Disneyland, however then I consider the rabid fandom for this attraction, issues that exist already at Dealer Sam’s (and earlier than that, at Adventurers Membership), and rethink.
As superior as this could be, having it monopolized by the identical few dozen diehard followers will not be the best choice. A cruise ship, sadly, is about the one good match. On the very least, it does have me craving for extra well-designed Haunted Mansion-inspired areas within the parks. It additionally has me wanting ahead to the Disney Future, as now I do know it’ll have a minimum of one 10/10 providing (I do hope it’s tweaked in little methods to maintain issues shocking and attention-grabbing).
Even on the Disney Treasure, we’re anticipating that the Haunted Mansion Parlor can have issues with demand outstripping capability on this intimate venue. As a countermeasure, DCL has instituted a 45-minute time restrict contained in the Haunted Mansion Parlor. Whereas that is perhaps sufficient for you, we’d advocate penciling in a number of visits to your itinerary.
We discovered the least-busy occasions have been throughout dinner and the exhibits, pirates evening festivities, and every other marquee leisure. Clearly, you gained’t wish to miss most of this (therefore the decrease crowds within the first place), so attempt to duck into the lounge instantly after any of this stuff to beat the crowds (assuming strains are a problem).
Failing that, I discovered that the final hour of the evening works properly! Finish of the evening is my favourite time in Haunted Mansion Parlor and after I’d advocate visiting when you can keep up that late. Low crowds is one element of it, however one other is that this bar isn’t precisely conducive to dialog. It’s darkish, typically noisy, and atmospheric. (My photographs right here don’t actually do that justice, as more often than not I attempted to time them to lighting results, making a misunderstanding that the bar is brighter than it’s.)
Suffice to say, the Haunted Mansion Parlor is ideal for the top of a protracted day once you don’t actually wish to be a conversationalist, however as an alternative simply wish to crash and decompress. Nothing like a bit of sunshine nightmare gas earlier than mattress, proper?!
Listed here are a bunch extra of my photographs of the Haunted Mansion Parlor:
In the end, the Haunted Mansion Parlor is clearly each big-budget and a labor of affection. It feels very very similar to the group that labored on it saved having one nice concept after one other, and pushed for his or her inclusion, even lengthy after it was “mandatory.” That is the kind of venture I completely like to see, because it jogs my memory that Imagineering has nonetheless bought it (after they’re given the possibility). My concern was that this could be the Worth Resort tackle a Haunted Mansion lounge (however with a flowery display) turned out to be woefully inaccurate. As a substitute, it’s the Tokyo DisneySea twist on one.
Haunted Mansion Parlor is Imagineering on the high of its recreation, and an ideal instance of going above and past with layer upon layer of element to exceed visitor expectations. This lounge might have put in 75% of the hassle that it did, and followers (us included) can be raving about it. It’s that additional 25% that you simply didn’t know you want, however love when you see, that places this excessive. Suffice to say, Haunted Mansion Parlor is itself purpose to ebook a cruise on the Disney Treasure.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider the Haunted Mansion Parlor? Happy that that is the bar that’s materializing on board the Disney Treasure, or do you want it have been Hyperspace Lounge, Dealer Sam’s At Sea, or one thing else? Does this have you ever extra excited for the Disney Treasure? Do you propose on reserving a cruise aboard this ship, or are you awaiting extra particulars? Do you agree or disagree with our recommendation and evaluation? Any questions? Listening to suggestions about your experiences is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
