The updated Experience Enhancement Programme shows Phantom Manor being closed from January to at least September next year. No word on what they're doing to it yet but previous talk said would definitely be going beyond a simple refresh of the ride.
This refurb is more than reserved! Let's just hope they do the ride justice and not turn it into something completely different from what it has been...
I hope they add the HatBox Ghost!
^Good call. How abouts if they take the HBG and make him more unique to the Manor? Not sure how or what that entails exactly, but I'm thinking the Western flavour of the 'attic' portion might be used.
Well, the Hatbox Ghost doesn't fit in the story, but they could use the technology to a Phantom animatronic.
Hi there
Any idea when in Jan this would be ???
really want to see the 25th stuff and i know in the past an anniversary has always lasted longer but with all the changes lately im not sure this one will so was looking at perhaps the end of march , but this is one of our favourite family rides as i don't like rides so don't do many so may look at changing to jan if we could fit it in...
Which Star Wars character are they going to add? ;)
Quote from: A&S&O on April 26, 2017, 10:39:02 AM
Which Star Wars character are they going to add? ;)
i heard guardian of the galaxy retheme ;D :P
Quote from: cjebs on April 26, 2017, 10:22:14 PM
Quote from: A&S&O on April 26, 2017, 10:39:02 AM
Which Star Wars character are they going to add? ;)
i heard guardian of the galaxy retheme ;D :P
Let's be thankful that they didn't buy the rights to The Teletubbies!
Maybe going down a mystic manor route?
I have to say that Phantom Manor was probably the ride I was most disappointed with. It could be because Haunted Mansion in WDW is one of the rides I have fond memories of as a kid, so nostalgia could be playing into it... but I just found it dated, boring and actually, I didn't think the ride flowed at all. So I'm beyond excited for this!
Saying that -- watching a video of Haunted Mansion on Youtube does show how much more detail and impressive it is compared to Paris.
The story of the ride is so amazing and so tied to the rest of Thunder Mesa I'm sure they won't make big story changes but I do expect to see big technological changes.
The PotC refurb will give us a good clue - I'm hoping to see all new upgraded animatronics like the ones they now have in Shanghai. I'm not a big fan of Shanghai Disneyland in general but that's one thing they definitely do get right.
^I agree, they do have the opportunity to add some great new effects to the old Manor without changing the plot.
I still think that the HBG could make an appearance. And if he needs something to connect him to Thunder Mesa, then there's plenty of scope to add some detail elsewhere in the land. Just needs to be a shop sign - for example.
Actually, they could use the HGB for a new Phantom AA. Doesn't have to have his head appear in a hat box. And look at that Cap'n Jack skeleton AA in Shanghai - that effect could really work well in the Manor.
Is it wrong of me to just want them to add a little shop somewhere nearby because every other ride seems to have loads of merch attached to it and Phantom Manor is the best ride and has hardly anything in the parks!
Although my credit card company are probably relieved this hasn't been a thing yet...
I'd consider selling my first born for a scarf of the wallpaper pattern or something :-[ :-X ;D
(I'm kidding obviously, but yknow, only just.... ;) )
I 100% want a shop! It was one of the things I was disappointed with too - my 2 favourite rides are Phantom Manor and Tower of Terror and thought the merchandise was a bit rubbish for both, to be honest :(
I always thought it was odd not to have a shop. When I last went to Disneyland Pairs which was a couple of weeks back and I don't even think I saw any merch for Phantom Manor. I remember you used to be able to get candle holders but I haven't seen them for ages.
Glad it's not just me ;D They had some tshirts in Frontierland stores opposite the shooting gallery but that's the only merch I've seen aside from a lanyard and the odd pins / snowglobes.
Well if we don't get much immediate change from the 'new' ownership, you can bet that more merchandise could be one of the things that will change.
You can bet that if they see there's a market for Manor merch, then it'll happen. It's already quite popular in the States, so Paris should be no different.
I'd imagine an ODV would be the first option, but perhaps a more permament location could be found. Isn't there a store quite close by to the attraction anyway? Perhaps there would be the ideal place.
I hope we see more merchandise as a whole! Especially more ears!! I really wanted Oswald or the TOT ears (I believe they have these in California??) but they only really had the Sorcerer Mickey ears for men :(
Quote from: AJDisney on June 30, 2017, 10:56:01 AM
I hope we see more merchandise as a whole! Especially more ears!! I really wanted Oswald or the TOT ears (I believe they have these in California??) but they only really had the Sorcerer Mickey ears for men :(
I've been saying this for ages! Last time we went it was Minnie ears for girls and giant Mickey hands for boys. Not very helpful as they'd be on and off all day. The only ears we saw were the sorcerer ones and in August temps I can't see those being overly comfortable!
A shop like Memento Mori in WDW would be awesome! But I don't see it happening, to be honest. Phantom Manor isn't as popular as the Haunted Mansion. There are so many hardcore HM fans, but PM has a small fanbase. This is obvious from the waiting times; not that I mind, actually, I love the fact that I can ride it over and over again without having to wait.
Anyway, I hope this long refurbishment will make PM shine, it's a wonderful ride and it deserves to be more popular!
Well, small fan base or not, if they can think that they'll get a return on more themed merchandise, then it'll happen.
You also have to factor in the casual fan/guest, who would buy something Manor related without being a huge fan.
Quote from: AJDisney on June 30, 2017, 10:56:01 AM
I hope we see more merchandise as a whole! Especially more ears!! I really wanted Oswald or the TOT ears (I believe they have these in California??) but they only really had the Sorcerer Mickey ears for men :(
It'd be great if they could bring the ToT ears over to WDS - especially if they have any left over since its retheme.
They also have those cool Red Car Trolly conducter's hat ears. Which admittedly would be out of place in WDS.