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Haunted Mansion…. Magic Kingdom

Walt Disney World: Is it time for Disney to update or upgrade the voice in the Haunted Mansion?

From Brian Emery
Posted June 8, 2011 at 7:44 AM
Haunted Mansion….
Is it time for Disney to update or upgrade the voice in the Haunted Mansion?

The effects are great in this attraction but the voice seems so outdated. At the same time they can upgrade the sound system….
The narration may be nostalgic for some but if Walt were here today he might say “Keep moving forward”…..


Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond.

From Tim W
Posted June 8, 2011 at 8:06 AM
No. No way. Nope. Never. Changing the voice would be a bad move in every single sense. Paul Frees will always be the one, the only, Ghost Host.

From Don Neal
Posted June 8, 2011 at 8:18 AM
I am fine with it how it is. Just rode it 3-4 times last week and had a great time. Everything was perfect.

From Scott B
Posted June 8, 2011 at 8:22 AM
Oops, just fell off my chair when I read the suggestion.

I would say, no. And I would also add, no. Haha.

From Raul Araoz
Posted June 8, 2011 at 8:40 AM
Paul Frees' voice is absolutely perfect. I don't see how they could possibly improve it.

Now don't be a foolish mortal because you never know when a ghost may follow you home.

From TH Creative
Posted June 8, 2011 at 10:24 AM
Change the vocal performance? NO WAY!

Add hippos? ABSOLUTELY!

From Flavio de Souza
Posted June 8, 2011 at 10:36 AM
Update the sound system = OK

Change the voice = NO, KEEP IT THE WAY IT IS!!!!

From Brian Emery
Posted June 8, 2011 at 11:44 AM
Wow you folks are really into same old, same old…… Let’s move forward….

Here is what I envision – the new voice will be deep like Optimums Prime…The narration will also be slightly changes a bit for modern times…

From Scott B
Posted June 8, 2011 at 12:11 PM
Lets do it Brian. We should also add an Intamin launch system.

From Thomas Crain
Posted June 8, 2011 at 12:16 PM
Brian, thank you. When you described the new voice as 'like Optimus Prime' I had the biggest laugh I've had in weeks. Again, thank you.

From Raul Araoz
Posted June 8, 2011 at 12:16 PM
I actually think they should rip out all the animatronics and replace them with 3D movie screens. Ohhh, and theme it with current pop culture like Saw or Paranormal Activity.

From Mike Gallagher
Posted June 8, 2011 at 12:50 PM
Ixnay on the Ntaminiay, Scott...we want it to be running.

From Nick Markham
Posted June 8, 2011 at 1:25 PM
Brian, I can see what you are thinking, and that voice would be great, but thetere are two issues:

1. The voice already on Haunted Mansion has been there for years and is what makes the ride such a classic.

And

2. If you think about it, in real life, would a ghost's voice change? Shouldn't it sound like it is old?

From Kurt Larson
Posted June 8, 2011 at 1:42 PM
I'm totally for slight changes and the occasional update in classic rides...

For example, I like the Captain Jack Sparrow additions to the Pirates of the Caribbean and think there should be a few more sprinkled in (Davy Jones animatronic, Blackbeard, etc)... but I believe doing so lightly wouldn't take away from the overall ride. It's a long, long, animatronic ride. Adding a few more updated animatronics doesn't alter what it innately is...

BUT- taking out the original voice would completely and utterly destroy the Haunted Mansion for me.

As one reader wrote, it kind of makes the ride.

I would help lead the revolt if they even hinted at this.

Paul rules. Forever.

From Carrie Hood
Posted June 8, 2011 at 2:45 PM
Oh man, that's a good one! I needed a good laugh this week and this thread did the job!

On a second note, the only person who could even POSSIBLY replace Paul Frees' is Vincent Price and he's dead. So let's not touch it and just upgrade the sound system instead.

From Albino Pygmy
Posted June 8, 2011 at 3:41 PM
. . . why? If there's one thing Disney should learn from "plussing" an attraction that was already great, is that they shouldn't do it. Case in point: Journey into Imagination.

Also, I agree in adding hippos would greatly improve Mansion. "And now, a hungry hungry hippo will follow you home and raid your fridge."

From Mark Fairleigh
Posted June 8, 2011 at 7:36 PM
Sorry, Brian, but that would be nuts!! Paul makes the ride, his voice is an intrinsic part of the whole experience. No way, Jose!

But I would be up for adding bikini clad ghost-chicks to the dinner scene....NOT! ;)

From Tim W
Posted June 8, 2011 at 8:08 PM
Definately agree with the comment about Vincent Price, but he is dead. Didn't he record as a ghost host thought for the DLPs Phantom Manor?

Sorry, an Optimus Prime voice. What?!? How would an electronic, deep voice even sound in that attraction. I can only shutter when I think of the evil cackles.

From Anthony Murphy
Posted June 8, 2011 at 9:53 PM
I am sorry, but no

From Kelly Muggleton
Posted June 9, 2011 at 6:52 AM
I really hope no one from Disney reads this and thinks its a good idea - it's not. (just for clarification.)
There are things that just shouldnt be messed with.... sorry.

From Sylvain Comeau
Posted June 9, 2011 at 3:42 PM
The sound has been great ever since the 2007 refurb (especially the surround sound in the stretching room). As for Paul Frees, uh, no. Irreplaceable.

From TH Creative
Posted June 9, 2011 at 6:07 PM
Posing a related question: Isn't it time to replace Mickey Mouse? Ya know something cooler or edgeier.

I'm thinking Holly Honey Badger.

From Rob McCullough
Posted June 14, 2011 at 9:52 AM
You're just trying to get us all stirred up aren't 'cha?

From Stephen Hicks
Posted June 14, 2011 at 10:31 AM
Never, never, never.

From Joseph Catlett
Posted June 14, 2011 at 10:44 AM
Dude, Paul Frees is perhaps the most prolific and argually the greatest voice talents of the 20th century, no way. Mansion could use a number of technical upgrades to plus the show, but don't fix what ain't broken.

From Rod Whitenack
Posted June 14, 2011 at 11:10 AM
Just how does a "voice" become outdated? Voices aren't computer generated these days. You want Paul Frees autotuned? He isn't speaking in old English. This is a bit of insanity, and I think even Uncle Walt might agree. There are plenty of things that could be done to update the "technological" aspects of this attraction, but replacing Paul Frees' voice isn't one of them. Who do recommend? Vin Diesel? Justin Bieber?

From Rod Whitenack
Posted June 14, 2011 at 11:21 AM
Wait a minute! I just figured out who "Brian Emery" is. It's George Lucas!

From Mike Gallagher
Posted June 14, 2011 at 11:25 AM
^Nah..George isn't into flatulence, snot, and making uncalled for assumptions about other people's lives.

From Joshua Counsil
Posted June 14, 2011 at 11:56 AM
"...the voice seems so outdated."

It's a Victorian ghost house. Outdated seems appropriate.

I'm all for updating, replacing, and improving, but Paul Frees' voice is perfect for the Haunted Mansion. Instead of updating the voice, why not upgrade the Omnimover system to improve its efficiency and reduce noise?

From Brian Emery
Posted June 14, 2011 at 12:43 PM
(Said in your best pirate voice) “Mr. Lucas I am not… But I might be a mighty pirate like Barbossa - Arggg..”

We pillage, we plunder, we rifle and loot
Drink up me hearties, yo ho
We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot
Drink up me hearties, yo ho

From LeaAnne Dollar
Posted June 14, 2011 at 3:24 PM
NO. Shoulld leave Paul Frees' voice.

From Rod Whitenack
Posted June 14, 2011 at 4:40 PM
Here's the new, updated audio:

"'Sup, y'all. Represent yo, and hell yea to my Haunted Crib."

"I'm yo homie, dog, ya Ghost Homie."

From Joseph Catlett
Posted June 14, 2011 at 4:55 PM
this is fun...let's continue...

"Yo, sup? This my house dawg. Get to steppin' into my crib. Know what I'm sayin'? Check out these pictures of my homies 'fore they took the dirt nap, yo. Pour a 40 for my peeps."

Anyone like to continue?

From Rod Whitenack
Posted June 14, 2011 at 5:07 PM
Wait until you hear the new Madame Leota's rap!

"Don't be creepin', round like a rat.
Call in da spirits. Where you at? Where you at?"

"Creepies and Crawlies from Rob Zombie's 'Halloween',
get out yo knife and make dez peeps scream!"

"Lay down a beat with a rhyme you can't spell,
give 'em a hint, dog, by ringing dat bell!"

From Paul Sherwin
Posted June 14, 2011 at 10:31 PM
Well, here are some other voices that would (or wouldn't) fit:
-Jay Leno
-Seth Green
-Donald Trump
-Sean Connery
-Patrick Stewart
-Jeff Bridges
-Vince Vaughn
-Morgan Freeman
-Paul McCartney / Ringo Starr cohosting.


- or, Paul Frees could be replaced with eerie whispers coming from different areas.


What I would not like: an animatronic Eddie Murphy

From Thomas Crain
Posted June 14, 2011 at 10:53 PM
"Yo dawg, I heard you like the Haunted Mansion. So we put a mansion in yo mansion so you can ride while you ride."

From Joseph Catlett
Posted June 15, 2011 at 7:13 AM
Call me crazy, but Jeff Bridges or Sean Connery might just be bearable.

From Jeff Lukas
Posted June 15, 2011 at 9:26 AM
If I'm not mistaken, I believe it was changed, by the voice actor Corey Burton. He sounds just like the original though.

From Mike Gallagher
Posted June 15, 2011 at 10:16 AM
"What I would not like: an animatronic Eddie Murphy"

What I would not like: A human Eddie Murphy.

(unless it's the one from 48 Hrs..you know, the funny one.)

From Thomas Crain
Posted June 15, 2011 at 11:41 AM
Don't think so, Jeff. Burton did a recording for the Holiday overlay at DL, but that's still Frees the rest of the year.

From luis gonzalez
Posted June 15, 2011 at 12:41 PM
this thread is so bad that everyone had to drop a comment on it. The ghost host is forever, im still angry that they changed the tommorowland transit authority voice over. " now approaching..SPACE MOUNTAIN!!!!!!"

From TH Creative
Posted June 15, 2011 at 2:02 PM
In my opinion they should ... um, wait ... "argually?"

From Brandon Mendoza
Posted June 16, 2011 at 6:27 AM
Why not just use Whoopi Goldberg? She's creepy looking... oh you mean voices...

But no, there's no reason to "update" a voice when it fits perfectly with the theme of the attraction. And if they re-do the song with autotuned voices like Glee or most pop and rap music these days, I will quit going to any Disney Park forever.

From Rod Whitenack
Posted June 16, 2011 at 8:04 AM
Little Leota: "Holla baaaaccckkk. Holla baaaccckkk."

From Matthew Blacker
Posted June 29, 2011 at 12:19 PM
Don't mess with the Ghost Host's voice. Why not a sensible suggestion, like painting the Mansion pink, or adding an Eddie Murphy or two?

From Laura Willis
Posted July 1, 2011 at 11:16 AM
No way! The HH is landmark ride. The voice is perfect for that ride- it's scary and funny, and even a little sarcastic. I want the HH to be just like I remember it when I take my 2 yr old in 2 yrs, 5 yrs, 10 yrs...

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