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 is predicated on the enduring attraction of the identical title. Disney’s sneak peeks over the past 12 months have made it look implausible, and I’ve been impressed by every thing from the inside design and results to the deep reduce references and storyline. There’s additionally the truth that Haunted Mansion is one in every of my favourite points of interest on each coasts, making the highest half of Sarah & Tom’s High 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’ Checklist for the Disney Want. Hyperspace Lounge massively underwhelmed after being one of many issues we had 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 house throughout our Very Merrytime crusing, my earlier perspective was reaffirmed. Hyperspace Lounge was even worse than I remembered, in all probability partially as a result of it was about one-quarter full and felt, frankly, lifeless in consequence.
Due to this, I attempted to mood my expectations with the Haunted Mansion Parlor earlier than setting sail aboard the Disney Treasure. In spite of everything, it’s the identical house, in all probability had the same funds that may be allotted in the direction of screens, and may even have the identical artistic crew. I used to be nonetheless excited, I simply didn’t wish to be underwhelmed but once more when execution did not 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 screen, however overpromise and undeliver on every thing else. Slap a few of that iconic purple wallpaper up, purchase the fitting (hopefully) Victorian furnishings, a number of gothic thrives, simply sufficient fan-service Easter eggs–the Donald Duck chair, Brother Ronald bust, and so forth–and name it a day. I can’t be the one one who fearful about this, proper?!
It’s not simply the Hyperspace Lounge or carriage home, there have been loads of artistic missteps with Haunted Mansion over the past decade. And as nice as Disney Cruise Line could be, it’s not precisely identified for thematically-dense, lavishly Imagineered areas. It has its personal fashion, which could be fairly pretty, however there’s a disconnect between DCL themed design and that of the theme parks. That’s, till now. The Disney Treasure modifications all that.
If truth be told, 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 may 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 experience, 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 circulate and story of the enduring attraction. However as a substitute of driving via in a DoomBuggy taking in every scene in a linear style, you might be immersed in every thing within the room suddenly.
On the “begin” of the Haunted Mansion Parlor, the room seems to be foreboding however not possessed. Similar concept because the experience’s opening act, proper right down to the portraits lining the partitions.
There’s, after all, 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 in all probability haunted anyway, inside a cruise ship. Completely extraordinary 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 robust perception that discovery of them is probably the most pleasant a part of the Haunted Mansion Parlor. (In case you disagree and would really like 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 screen 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 affords the worst seats within the Haunted Mansion Parlor. (It’s considerably like Area 220–in case you’re too near the first display screen, you’re lacking quite a bit.)
The principle display screen is ok. There are cool visuals that materialize on it. Nevertheless, 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 actually greater than the sum of its components.
It’s not possible to overstate simply how a lot is occurring across the room. that ~30 minute present cycle talked about above? That’s true of the expertise as a complete, but in addition of the person elements. 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, partially as a result of I’m fairly certain I simply scratched the floor–and I spent at the very least 3 hours within the Haunted Mansion Parlor. It’s straightforward to lose monitor of time in right here, between poring over the main points, and simply sitting again and having fun with the environment. As a result of even in case you’re not actively making an attempt to soak up the main points 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 big selection of combined media, and implausible furnishings. Every little thing concerning the expertise is pitch-perfect.
Nothing seems to be overly fashionable, know-how doesn’t stand out–though it’s utilized in abundance, there’s no problem of the “tail wagging the canine,” as generally 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 stated in gentle 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 at the very least one 10/10 providing (I do hope it’s tweaked in little methods to maintain issues stunning and fascinating).
Even on the Disney Treasure, we’re anticipating that the Haunted Mansion Parlor could 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 likely to be sufficient for you, we’d suggest penciling in a number of visits to your itinerary.
We discovered the least-busy instances had been throughout dinner and the reveals, pirates evening festivities, and another 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 these items to beat the crowds (assuming strains are a difficulty).
Failing that, I discovered that the final hour of the evening works effectively! Finish of the evening is my favourite time in Haunted Mansion Parlor and after I’d suggest visiting in case you can keep up that late. Low crowds is one part of it, however one other is that this bar isn’t precisely conducive to dialog. It’s darkish, generally noisy, and atmospheric. (My pictures 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 tip of an extended day whenever you don’t actually wish to be a conversationalist, however as a substitute simply wish to crash and decompress. Nothing like a bit of sunshine nightmare gas earlier than mattress, proper?!
Listed below are a bunch extra of my pictures of the Haunted Mansion Parlor:
Finally, the Haunted Mansion Parlor is clearly each big-budget and a labor of affection. It feels very very similar to the crew that labored on it saved having one nice concept after one other, and pushed for his or her inclusion, even lengthy after it was “needed.” That is the kind of mission I completely like to see, because it jogs my memory that Imagineering has nonetheless obtained it (once 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 screen) turned out to be woefully inaccurate. As an alternative, it’s the Tokyo DisneySea twist on one.
Haunted Mansion Parlor is Imagineering on the prime 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 trouble that it did, and followers (us included) could be raving about it. It’s that further 25% that you just 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 had 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 intend 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 fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
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