Mystic Manor Comes to Hong Kong Disneyland

Over the past 10 years or so, some fans of Disney theme parks have said that there has been a noticible decline in the quality of new Disney attractions.

Sure, there have been huge critical successes like Expedition Everest and Toy Story Mania. But there have also been some less-popular rides like Stitch's Great Escape, Superstar Limo and Journey Into Your Imagination.

People who know the ins and outs of Walt Disney Imagineering say that the reason for the quality decline has been because attraction budgets were slashed. Perhaps execs at Disney were more concerned with the bottom line than pouring money into story development and special effects.

In this economy , it's hard to blame them.

But then I took at look at a story in the LA Times Funland Blog. Brady MacDonald has a scene-by-scene look at the new Mystic Manor that will debut at Hong Kong Disneyland in 2013.

Essentially, it will be that park's version of the Haunted Mansion, minus the 999 Happy Haunts.

According to the article, "Mystic Manor takes visitors on a circa-1908 tour of an ancient artifact collection belonging to a world-renowned adventurer and explorer. Inside the Victorian home on a remote jungle hilltop, Lord Henry Mystic’s museum comes alive when his mischievous monkey opens an enchanted music box."

When you look at the artwork and the possible special effects, it looks as rich and as detailed as many of the classic Disney theme park attractions that we have grown to love. The attraction has humor, thrills, unexpected moments and a wonderful story.

It's what we expect out of Walt Disney Imagineering.

The new artwork that is coming out of this park looks phenomenal. I only hope it (along with attractions like Expedition Everest and Toy Story Mania) are a sign of things to come from WDI.

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