The Haunted Mansion. Phantom Manor. Mystic Manor. Each one certainly comes with its own plusses and minuses, but in their own ways, Imagineering has created a masterpiece that results in each being a true "E Ticket" adventure. Should a young child take a chance and explore what lies within?
One main consideration is the use of humor. When inserted into an attraction, it can take the edge off what could be a solely frightening experience. The levels of this vary greatly in each, making some a "safe" experience for younger kids, while for others, it may be much too dark, much too frightening. Let's focus on the humor levels as the main storytelling device.
At the Disneyland original, elements of lightheartedness come into play during the ride's third act, but not one single moment before. You find nothing humorous of the sort while waiting in line in New Orleans Square. We're talking serious business... particularly after dark.
At Walt Disney World, a dash of humor begins in the queue, where cartoonish looking busts greet those waiting to enter the house on the hill in Liberty Square. That said, there's something about that eerie tombstone of Madam Leota that just delivers the shivers.
In Phantom Manor at Disneyland Paris, there's really no humor at all until the graveyard in the outside gardens upon exiting the home. It's a very dark, quite sinister presentation while riding your Doom Buggy, giving a gruesome twist to the story that binds together all the elements of Frontierland as tightly as the noose in the opening scene. Parents should take serious caution before allowing their young children to ride. Snarling skeletal dogs and the Phantom himself keep the edge. The manor in serious disrepair has not taken its inspiration from the movie Psycho without reason. Beware.
On the flip side, Hong Kong Disneyland's Mystic Manor is full of fun and mischief from the very beginning! The colorful exterior gives guests a cue. Who cannot love Albert the adorable little monkey who puts the upheaval into motion? From any angle, the attraction is a winner that is repeatable visit after visit- and I've only seen the videos. Families of all ages should not miss this!
Will there be another incarnation of the Mansion / Manor at the soon to come Disneyland Abu Dhabi? Your guess is as good as mine.
(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)
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