Reliving Fond Memories
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Christmas time in New Orleans Square: The wonderful made better! Garlands entwine the wrought iron, the reflections of smiling kids in the windows. The decorations really suit the place. In the crisp coolness of the night, the warmth of the lights makes the already cozy surroundings even more close and festive.
I walk under the oversized bells and harlequins holding clocks. Through the Dixieland I hear another music: "Making Xmas" and "Kidnap the Sandy Claws". The demented polka rhythms force its way through the charming ambience. The Haunted Mansion Holiday takes over the far side of New Orleans. The purple lighting and the music are pulling like a riptide through the crowd. The souvenir carts cluster the walkways. The Jack balloons in the air block the view of the Mansion itself.
This year's HMH is much more fully realized than the last two years. The first year, it was new, and very exciting. It was phenomenally successful, both in merchandizing and guest satisfaction. The second year Danny Elfman's score was introduced uneasily into the mix. Besides that, the thrill had worn off. We had seen it, had bought the merchandise; It seemed a bit stale. But this year, the introduction of Oogie Boogie adds a new excitement. Also, more money was poured into the project, and it shows. Elfman's music is better integrated throughout the attraction. The trinket stands are on steroids, selling all kinds of glowing, spinning and shrieking tchachkies. The lines are over an hour long. I hope each year it gets bigger and better with new twists and surprises. I mean the attraction itself, not the merchandizing.
I hope, because though the "Nightmare" overlay is exciting, I can't escape the feeling that this is a giant, three month long merchandising event. While I enjoy going through the attraction and looking and hearing what is new (The Oogie/cymbal monkey toy is my favorite) I only wish there were a whole new attraction. HalloweenTown would be interesting along side ToonTown, the crazy angles of the buildings stabbing at the sky. Have trick-or-treating stops for the kids throughout the park, costume contests. Or design wonderful overlays at the NOS restaurants. Spaghetti and main dishes in unnatural colors, eyeball salad, cauldrons of bubbling stews, "finger" sandwiches, cookies that yelp when you bite into them! There once was a Mickey's Halloween Treat, but it was discontinued. I would like to see Disney reclaim this fun holiday and expand on the success of HMH to really create something for parents and children. At least offer a counterbalance the teen hormones of the Halloween Haunt at Knotts.
I long for an unchained WDI to do what it does best: transport us into another space and time. Though well done, the HMH feels more like a taunt, hanging a mirror reflected carrot in front of us. But in the meantime, I'll enjoy the HMH. I do anticipate it will get better each year, to keep it fresh. It is a delightful piece of fun, utilizing creative and offbeat characters in a charming way.
But a glowing Jack balloon just doesn't quite cut it.
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-- David Mink
Reliving Fond Memories is normally posted the third Wednesday of each month.
The opinions expressed by our David Mink, and all of our columnists, do not necessarily represent the feelings of LaughingPlace.com or any of its employees or advertisers. All speculation and rumors about the future plans of the Walt Disney Company are just that - speculation and rumors - and should be treated as such.
-- Posted November 19, 2003
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