That said, I loved some Limited Time Magic offerings more than others but I hope they keep doing these. Nothing like this has ever been tried before. There will be growing pains as they continue to think up what special things they can pull off each month. It reminds me a lot of the days when Walt was still alive and Disneyland was young. Have you ever read about the circus he tried to have at the front of the park with live animals? It was a whim, and it didn't last long because it didn't work logistically. There was also the HolidayLand he offered where New Orleans Square is now...and guests didn't like it so they went in another direction.
I think here in 2013 that people forget that since its beginnings Disney has tried different things, tested the waters and market, and then replaced what didn't work. In recent years I think the company has gotten skittish doing anything really new because they're so worried about a misstep hurting the stock price or Disney detractors making a stink over it. Limited Time Magic has been a great tool for shaking things up a little bit here and there, just to give a bit of an experiment into what could maybe be possible in the future.
I love that. And I don't live anywhere near a Disney Park. So Limited Time Magic is not just for the locals like you said.
I can attest that it's disappointing to come all the way to Disneyland and want to ride Haunted Mansion and find it instead either closed (while they are putting up or taking down the Nightmare overlay) or that you're there to experience this classic attraction and instead it has the Nightmare stuff up. I know that Nightmare is wildly popular with the Annual Pass holders and there is a cult following for it and Nightmare, but it's sad that people who might make one or two Disneyland trips in their lifetime don't get to experience a classic attraction because it has this overlay.
I don't think Ghost Galaxy changes Space Mountain all that much...and that even with the minimal holiday overlay it still feels like you rode Space Mountain after you get off that ride. Same with Small World's Christmas overly. You ride that, and even though it had holiday decorations on it you feel like you were on Small World. I actually think the holiday lights and decorations on that enhance the ride and make it the best time ever to ride it.
But, the Nightmare decorations make Haunted Mansion into a totally different ride for me. I don't feel like I rode "Haunted Mansion" after I get off the Nightmare overlay. I feel sad, actually, that I didn't get to ride mansion. I rode the Jack Skellington ride instead...and I don't like it as much as mansion.
She makes some valid points, but then seems to contradict herself.
My original reason for not liking the Limited Time Magic, was because it appeared to be and is something new every day. There are many things that they did this year that I would have liked to experience, but not having all of the parks in my back yard, I was unable to see them. This is a bit frustrating and the reason for my irritation with it. If this is indeed a trial run of every single idea that anyone had, then it is a great way to judge whether or not items can gain a quick audience. There are several things that they have done this year that were brilliant and need more than just a couple of days next year, and many things that they need to throw in the circle file or massively overhaul.
While Annette defends Limited Time Magic, she also doesn’t much care for what is in essence Limited Time Magic on the Haunted Mansion attraction. With such a long run of this season makeover and wide publicity, I would have to assume that if someone was really bent on seeing the Haunted Mansion in its original form, then one would go to the Magic Kingdom in Orlando where they have not duplicated this particular seasonal event, or go to the park during a different time of year. But once again, everyone is entitled to their opinion.
So far as my “anger” goes. I personally find anger and irritation funny if done correctly. If I just nodded and happily accepted everything that was thrown in my direction, this would be a very boring article. The goal here is to make a fairly boring subject matter interesting and engaging, while maybe stirring people up enough to write something in the talkback.
As for Haunted Mansion... I may be in the minority, but I actually prefer the overlay. I love Christmas, and I like the look and color of the NBC characters. To be honest, I usually don't even visit the Haunted Mansion any other time. Maybe because I prefer the ultra scary Haunted Houses during Halloween? I don't know.
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Someone please start a petition to Disney to get rid of this forever. I swear I won't go back if they keep doing this. (And I'm absolutely certain it will be a huge financial blow to Disney to not get my $75. That will show em!)