Radical Scripting Changes for the Haunted Mansion
For 40 years, the servants of the Haunted Mansion have been welcoming guests in the same macabre way. As guests enter the foyer and the portrait room, they’re typically greeted by one of those servants delivering a droll pun such as, “Drag your wretched bodies to the dead center of the room.” Well, those days are over.
It seems some guests were offended by those classic lines which were generally ad-libbed by cast members, and those guests actually complained to Disney about it. Disney’s reaction is to keep even the smallest minority of guests happy, so they’re writing a new script that the Haunted Mansion cast members will be required to follow. Disney is even going so far as to hire an acting coach who will train cast members in Disneyland and Walt Disney World who work at the Haunted Mansion teaching them exactly how to act, deliver lines and move.
Naturally, Disney is saying the scripting changes are not a reaction to guest complaints but rather a planned enhancement to the attraction. Whether that’s true or not is anyone’s guess, but the change is coming soon. According to Jim Hill Media, the new script will be delivered to Disneyland and Walt Disney World this month. No word on how long the training will take or when the new script will be put into action.
Disney claims the changes will be great. I have to assume they will be, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see. What do you think about the servants’ script changes at the Haunted Mansion? Do you think the ad-libbed scripts should stay or are you looking forward to hearing something new?
Tags: disney-tips, disney-vacation, Disneyland & California Adventure, Haunted-mansion, Haunted-Mansion-script, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney WorldRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Disneyland & California Adventure, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World
4 opinions for Radical Scripting Changes for the Haunted Mansion
Roxanne
Jan 8, 2008 at 10:45 pm
You can’t make everyone happy. I’ts fine as it is. It’s ridiculous to change it because of a few complaints just like they changed Pirates of the Carribbean. They are’nt going to lose money over this. I am an annual passholder and I will be sad to see it go
Susan
Jan 9, 2008 at 9:14 am
Thanks for visiting, Roxanne. I certainly agree that Disney can’t make everyone happy. I’ll miss the old droll delivery of those lines from the Haunted Mansion cast members. They always made me laugh. I’m curious to see what the new changes will bring.
wordvixen
Jan 9, 2008 at 10:51 pm
It depends. If the new script is good, then the change will be positive since you’ll always have a great experience. If the script is bland, and it likely will be if the changes are based on complaints, then the change will be a real blemish on a great attraction. Granted, a lot of cast members didn’t do more than just frown (though I loved that for atmosphere), but there was always one or two who really got into the part.
Susan
Jan 10, 2008 at 1:24 am
I agree - the cast members who really played up the part were always so funny! On the other hand, the ones who didn’t do much left me feeling disappointed. Perhaps the new script will bring some more consistency in the cast members demonstrating that macabre feeling.
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: