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The Haunted Mansion

71 bytes added, 04:53, 13 February 2014
/* Attraction Plot */
==Attraction Plot==
The Haunted Mansion is a dark ride which takes guests through an aging mansion , where 999 ghosts live and roam about.  
===The Foyer===
The first room that guests see when entering the mansion Haunted Mansion is the Foyer. The Foyer has orange wall paper, wood finish , and is dimly lit by candle chandeliers. Although none is not seen, guests may notice a an organ playing in the background. On the left side of the Foyer is a fireplace with a portrait of a young man hung above it. If guests watch the portrait they will see that the man appears to be aging before their eyes. The portrait of the man changes in a succession of steps , slowly turning from a young man, into a rotting , skeletal corps. In the Foyer the Ghost Host greets the guests sayingfor the first time, saying:
{{Quotation|"When hinges creak in doorless chambers. When strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls. Whenever candlelights flicker when the air is deathly still... That is the time when ghosts are present, practicing their terror with ghoulish delight."}}
To hear the Ghost Host speak to guests in the Foyer click play below:
<flashmp3>Foyer.mp3</flashmp3>
===The Stretching Room===
After the Ghost Host introduces guests to the Haunted Mansion, guests they are ushered into an octagonal gallery known as The Stretching Room. The This room features vertically stripped wallpaper and menacing green gargoyles. The room also has four seemingly normal portraits of an unknown peoplehanging on the walls. Inside the room the Ghost Host once again speaks to the guests saying:
{{Quotation|"Welcome! Foolish Mortals, to the haunted mansion, I am your host, your ghost host. Hmmmm. Our tour begins here, in this gallery. Here where you see paintings of some of our guests, as they appeared in their corruptible, mortal state. Kindly step all the way in please, and make room for everyone. There’s no turning back now!}}
As the Ghost Host speaks, the walls begin stretch upwards. The paintings , and the portraits are also elongated to show the to show their true nature of . Far from the portraitsmundane images that they initially appeared to be, the portraits are actually a depiction of various Haunted Mansion "residentsresident’s" deaths. When the room stops stretching , the Ghost Host says:
{{Quotation|"Your cadaverous pallor betrays an aura of foreboding, almost as though you sense a disquieting metamorphosis. Is this haunted room actually stretching? Or is it your imagination, hmm? And consider this dismaying observation: this chamber has no windows, and no doors. Which offers you this chilling challenge: to find a way out!...Of course, there's always my way!"}}
[[Image:Stretching.jpg|thumb|The full portraits guests see after the room has "stretched". ]]
At this point , lighting flashes above the room to show the corpse of the Ghost Host hanging in the rafters (having apparently committed suicide). During Finally, during the 2007 refurbishment of the Disney World Haunted Mansion, the gargoyles that light the room were given dialog. After the Ghost Host tells guests to "stay together please" the gargoyles whisper "stay together" and then giggle like haunted children.
To hear the Ghost Host's narration in the Stretching Room click play below:
===The Loading Area===
After leaving the stretching room , guests enter the loading area. Here they board their "Doom Buggies" and begin to ride through the Mansion. Having guests ride through the attraction in Doom Buggies, allowed Disney Imagineers to control what scenes guests would see at a particular time. On the walls inside the loading area are eight of the eleven "Sinister Pictures". The Sinister Pictures are the portraits whose eyes seem to follow guests as they move, however since relocating to the loading area this effect has not been in use.
The Ghost Host gives riders instructions in the Loading Area saying:
===The Library and Music Parlor===
Now in their Doom Buggies, guests exit the loading area, and go up a stairwell and enter which leads to a landing. Here two more of the sinister portraits can be found, and various "changing pictures" can be seen. The changing pictures appear to normal enough at first, but when lightning strikes the pictures become much more ghoulish (an example of this: A portrait of a young lady changes in into a portrait of Medusa when the lightning strikes). Guests also can see a floating candelabrum in the room, a sign precursor of things to come.
The first room that guests tour in the mansion is the Library. In the library, books seem to be flying about by themselves. Ghosts are also present in the room as , and unseen ghosts stand on rocking ladders to reach and move moving books to and from between the shelves. Another Nearby, another ghost is seemingly reading on a rocking chair in the corner of the room. The Ghost host Host introduces the library to the guests by saying:
{{Quotation| "Our library is well stocked with priceless first editions, only ghost stories of course, hmhmh. And marble busts, of the greatest ghost writers, the literary world has even known."}}
The As guests pass by, the marble busts of the ghost writers seem to turn their heads and follow guests as they move through the library , and into the music parlor.
The music parlor is a small room located after the library. In it, a rundown piano plays a somber version of Grim Grinning Ghosts (the attractions theme song). Although guests cannot see the ghostly piano player, his shadow can be seen on the floor. Outside the window, a storm is brewing and guests can see what appears to be a forest outside.
===The Staircases & Endless Hallway===
When the Haunted Mansion was renovated in 2007, a new scene was added to the attraction. Known as the staircase scene, it the new room is seen located after guests leave the music parlor and but before they see reach the Endless Hallway. The staircase scene room is a space filled with various staircases and doorways that apparently lead to other dimensions in it. The staircases look like a maze, and some even seem to defy gravity. Some of the staircases , as they twist and turn, and others even go upside down. On the staircases ghostly, ghostly glowing footprints appear going up or down the stairs , before fading away.
When leaving the music room and entering the staircase scene, the Ghost Hosts makes an offer to guests:
===Conservatory===
As the Doom Buggies move onward, the guests Doom Buggies spin, so that they are spun to face now facing backwards. The room they find themselves in is the middle of Guests then enter a decrepit conservatory. At one time the room may have housed live plants and flowers, but which now the only holds plants are all dead and the flowers have rotted. In the middle of the room a wooden coffin is laid with a banner that says "farewell”Farewell”. A large raven settles on the coffin and squawks as the corpse inside begins to push its way out! The . As guests pass by, the corpse inside begins to yell "let me outta here!", but the Doom Buggies continue on.
===The Corridor of Doors===
[[Image:coridor.jpg|thumb|150px|The matriarch of the family in the Corridor of Doors]]
After leaving the conservatory, guests find themselves in the mysterious Corridor of Doors. The wallpaper in the corridor is filled with demon eyes, who which seem to be watching the Doom Buggies as they pass. Also on the walls, are various ghoulish family portraits which show different skeletons, ghosts and corpses. A sign next to the portraits reads "Tomb Sweet Tomb". A portrait of note features The Ghost Host wearing a noose around his neck as ''his shadow'' lifts a hatchet.
As the Doom Buggies moved move down the hall , guests will notice they are surrounded by various doors. The doors seem to be holding something inside, and some of the knobs begin to turn. Knocking, moaning, pounding and even begging can also be heard, and some of even the doors themselves seem to be breathing! . The last door guests see has two skeletal hands coming out from behind it, and a strange green light which illuminates the doorway.
The Ghost Host once again speaks to guests in the Corridor of Doors saying:
{{Quotation|We find it delightfully unlivable here in this ghostly retreat, every room has wall-to-wall creeps, and hot and cold, running chills! Ssshhhh, listen..."}}
The final thing that guests see before leaving the scene Corridor of Doors is a glowing grandfather clock. The hour hand of the clock reads 13, and the minute hand is seen spinning out of control. The clock has bones for hands, and a demonic tail as its pendulum. The head of the clock looks like it has horns, and fangs that engulf the face. As guests pass, a shadow of a large claw swings over the face of the clock, giving the allusion that a large beast is swooping over the Doom BuggieBuggies.
To hear the Corridor of Doors narration click below:
===The Séance Room===
After escaping the Corridor of Doors, guests find themselves in quiet parlor. The Doom Buggies encircle a lone table sitting in the middle of the room. Floating above the table is , which features a floating crystal ball holding the disembodied head of Madam Leota. Madam Leota chants from inside the ball, trying to make a connection with the various ghosts in the mansion (One of her chants goes "Rap on a table, it's time to respond, send us a message from far beyond!). As Madame Leota chants her incarnationsincantations, glowing objects and other items begin to fly around the room. If guests look closely at Madame Leota's table, they will notice her spell book is open to page 1313. The This page shows the Grim Reaper, while page 1312 shows that Hatbox Ghost and one of the Hitchhiking Ghosts.
The Ghost Host then tells guests:
{{Quotation| "The happy haunts have received your sympathetic vibrations, and are beginning to materialize. They're assembling for a swinging wake, and they'll be expecting me. I'll see you all, a little later."}}
Before advancing to the Grand Hall, guests may also notice that there seems to be a green specter in the corner of the room.
To hear the Séance Room narration click play below:
===The Grand Hall (Ballroom)===
After leaving the Séance Room, guests enter perhaps the most famous scene in the Haunted Mansion, The Grand Hall (also known as the Ballroom). Here ghosts have begun to gather for a "swinging wake" (apparently arriving by hearse). The Doom Buggies actually look down into the Ballroom where guests can see ghostly couples waltzing as they disappear and reappear. An organist plays a crazed version of the attractions theme "Grim Grinning Ghosts", on a large pipe organ. When the organist strikes a notethe keys, ghostly banshees come flying out of the pipes , and then disappear.
On the right side of the room, various ghosts have gathered around a table to celebrate a birthday party. The cake has 13 candles, and at the ghost sits at the end of the table, is apparently the ghost of honor. Directly across from him sits the ghost of Caesar himself. Two drunk ghosts (an Egyptian and a solider) are seen swinging on the chandelier, while another ghoul lays under the table. Another ghost can be seen hanging on the chandelier by his cane. Various other specters pepper the room, including one sitting on the mantle of the fireplace, (who shoots flames out his mouth ) and an elderly ghost sitting in the corner of the room knitting. If guests look up above the Ballroom they will see two portraits of duelists. The ghosts of these duelists emerge from their paintings from time to time and shoot pistols at each other. After passing the Ballroom , the Doom Buggies head upstairs to the attic.
===The Attic===
Following the Ballroom scene, the Doom Buggies go up one floor to the attic. Here guests see a crammed, and dusty room full of wedding gifts and furniture. As the Buggies progress, guests see five wedding portraits of Constance Hatchaway and her different husbands. Next to each portrait are wedding gifts, which seem to increase in quality after every each subsequent marriage. The portraits include:
*Ambrose Harper & Constance Hatchaway (1869)
*Reginal Gaine & Constance (1875)
*George Hightower & Constance (1877) -- (This may be the same George who's tombstone we see in one of the stretching room pictures. In the stretching room a widow sits atop a gravestone reading Beloved George“Beloved George”, with a hatchet in it.)
When the Doom Buggies pass each portrait the head of the grooms disappear. The story goes that, Constance married and killed her husbands in order to gain money and social status. In fact, if guests look closely at Constance in the portraits they will notice that she gains a string of pearls after each husband. After passing all 5 portraits, guests come face to face with Constance herself, who is wearing a wedding dress and standing near the window. When the Buggies go by her, she says ominous phrases (Such such as: "Tell DEATH do us part"). While in the attic, guests may notice that a melancholy version of Wagner's Bridal Chorus can be heard (the only song besides Grim Grinning Ghosts heard in the attraction). After passing Constance , the Doom Buggies "escape" from the attic and fall below into the graveyard.
A melancholy version of Wagner's Bridal Chorus can be heard in the attic. The only song besides Grim Grinning Ghosts heard in the attraction. NOTE: It has been suggested by some, that guests actually "die" after falling out of the attic, thus allowing them to see the ghosts celebrating in the graveyard. This has neither been confirmed nor denied by the Disney Company however.
To hear Constance's ominous vows click play below:
===The Graveyard===
Following the close encounter with Constance, the Doom Buggies "fall" out the window and turn backwards. When they land on the ground, ghosts appear to be flying all around. Guests and guests now find themselves at the gates to a graveyard located near the mansion. Outside the gates, a caretaker named Dick O’Dell quivers in fear as his dog "Boney" whimpers. After passing some scary looking trees, guests enter the graveyard where the ghosts seem to be having a party. A ghost band known as the Phantom Five is playing play a jazzy version of "Grim Grinning Ghosts", as various other paranormal beings enjoy themselves. The band Phantom Five is made up of a drummer (banging on headstones), a flutist, a harpist, a bagpipe player, and a horn player. Various cats and owls harmonize with the band, and demon dogs can be heard howling in the distance. Near the band, a king and queen teeter on see-saw, while a duchess sips tea behind them.
As the Doom Buggies move through the Graveyard, they pass a group of singing marble busts. Located on the guest’s right hand side, these marble busts sing (and express ) the song "Grim Grinning Ghosts". All around the graveyard, ghosts pop up and try to scare guests, while other specters simply enjoy the party. Those enjoying the party include, a mummy who is drinking tea, and a Renascence era oracle, and various ghosts riding bicycles around tombstones.
Further down the graveyard an executioner and , his victim (a headless knight) and the prisoner hitchhiking ghost Hitchhiking Ghost stand singing. Standing next to the executioner are two opera singers. The female is overweight with pig tales and is wearing a Viking helmet, while the male is thin and wears a mustache. Near the opera singers, a skeleton is seeing paving a crypt, entrapping himselfinside.
After traveling through the graveyard , guests come across another crypt, leading to the attractions final scene.
To hear the marble busts singing in Graveyard click below:
{{Quotation|"Aaahh, there you are! And just in time, there’s a little matter I forgot to mention, beware of hitchhiking ghosts! They have selected you to fill our quota, and they'll haunt you until you return! hahahaha"}}.
[[Image:Hitchiking.jpg|thumb|The Three Hitchhiking Ghosts: The Prisoner (left), The Skeleton (center) and the Traveler (right)]]
While hearing this warning , guests pass by the three hitchhiking ghosts (the prisoner, the skeleton, and the traveler) before venturing further into the crypt and encountering a mirror. When guests look into the mirror, they will notice that they are not no longer alone! . One of the three hitchhiking ghosts will be seen inside the Doom Buggies, and will interact with the guests (E.g. The ghost for example one of the ghosts will switch two of the rider’s heads).
Fan The names given to the Hitchhiking Ghosts Hitchiking Ghosts’ by fans are : Gus (left), Ezra (skeleton), and Phineas (traveler). And during the 2010 refurb of the Haunted Mansion queue, These names were seemingly legitimized when headstones with these names were addedto the Haunted Mansion queue in 2010.
After exiting the crypt, guests reach the unloading area where a ghostess says that she can make "final arrangements for you". Following her speech , the Ghost Host tells guests one final thing:
{{Quotation| Now, I will raise the safety bar, and a ghost will follow you home!}}