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, particularly, had me cautiously optimistic: Haunted Mansion Parlor.
Because the identify suggests, Haunted Mansion Parlor is predicated on the enduring attraction of the identical identify. Disney’s sneak peeks over the past yr have made it look incredible, and I’ve been impressed by the whole lot from the inside design and results to the deep lower 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 Prime 15 Disney Points of interest 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’ Record 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 finances on a elaborate 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 because of this.
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 the same finances that will be allotted in the direction of screens, and may even have the identical inventive workforce. 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 check 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 the whole lot else. Slap a few of that iconic purple wallpaper up, purchase the correct (hopefully) Victorian furnishings, just a few gothic thrives, simply sufficient fan-service Easter eggs–the Donald Duck chair, Brother Ronald bust, and many others–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 lots of inventive missteps with Haunted Mansion over the past decade. And as nice as Disney Cruise Line may be, it’s not precisely recognized for thematically-dense, lavishly Imagineered areas. It has its personal type, which may 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 adjustments all that.
In fact, 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 trip, with the motion occurring in all instructions. The Haunted Mansion Parlor options a lot of that, plus an authentic 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 circulation and story of the enduring attraction. However as a substitute of driving by means of in a DoomBuggy taking in every scene in a linear trend, you might be immersed in the whole lot within the room suddenly.
On the “begin” of the Haunted Mansion Parlor, the room appears foreboding however not possessed. Identical concept because the trip’s opening act, proper right down to the portraits lining the partitions.
There’s, in fact, one thing unsettling within the air. However the lighting is brighter and hotter and the consequences 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 strange 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 few of the higher Easter eggs and hidden gags. It’s my sturdy perception that discovery of them is essentially 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 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 provides the worst seats within the Haunted Mansion Parlor. (It’s considerably like Area 220–when you’re too near the first display screen, you’re lacking lots.)
The principle display screen is okay. 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 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 inconceivable to overstate simply how a lot is going on across the room. You realize that ~30 minute present cycle talked about above? That’s true of the expertise as a complete, but additionally of the person elements. Which means the portraits on one wall have their ~30 minute cycle, as do these on one other wall. Ditto the encased music field, aquarium, fire, 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 at the very least 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 ambiance. As a result of even when you’re not actively attempting to soak up the small print or hunt for hidden results, the foreboding ambiance 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 incredible furnishings. Every part concerning the expertise is pitch-perfect.
Nothing appears overly fashionable, know-how doesn’t stand out–though it’s utilized in abundance, there’s no subject 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 appears 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 might be, having it monopolized by the identical few dozen diehard followers will not be the most suitable 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 trying 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 attention-grabbing).
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 perhaps sufficient for you, we’d suggest penciling in a number of visits to your itinerary.
We discovered the least-busy occasions had been throughout dinner and the reveals, pirates evening festivities, and some 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 traces are a difficulty).
Failing that, I discovered that the final hour of the evening works nicely! Finish of the evening is my favourite time in Haunted Mansion Parlor and once I’d suggest 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, generally noisy, and atmospheric. (My images 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 a protracted day while 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 here are a bunch extra of my images 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 like the workforce that labored on it stored having one nice concept after one other, and pushed for his or her inclusion, even lengthy after it was “obligatory.” That is the kind of challenge I completely like to see, because it jogs my memory that Imagineering has nonetheless bought it (once they’re given the prospect). My worry was that this might be the Worth Resort tackle a Haunted Mansion lounge (however with a elaborate display screen) turned out to be woefully inaccurate. As a substitute, 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 hassle that it did, and followers (us included) can be raving about it. It’s that further 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 cause 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 would like 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 attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
