I went to Disneyland this past Monday and was pleasantly surprised to find that the attic has been updated, both effects-wise and story-wise. The Disney Blog has a quick blurb on it, linking to a thread on the Disney MiceChat forums with lots and lots of pictures. If you want even more pictures, DoomBuggies.com's forums has 'em.

There are pictures throughout the attic of the bride (now named "Constance") with various husbands. Every couple of seconds their heads disappear.. it's very creepy, and the effect looks "natural". Don't know how else to say it. The old bride used to be in the right corner as you left the attic, but now she is in the right, and is totally updated to be projected/live-action. She stands there holding a bouquet and saying random marriage phrases, such as "'Til death do us part..".. sometimes during these, her bouquet morphs into an axe which shimmers and makes a swishing sound. It's awesome!

Someone posted good footage of the new bride on YouTube:



You might notice the music is louder now, as is the beating heart sound. The shadow piano player is still there, in the side of the room just before you see the bride. That effect seems to be better, too, but I can't place my finger on why.

There are other updates happening slowly around the Haunted Mansion -- if you haven't been in a while, you might not know that the seance room has been revamped a bit. (As of a year ago,) Madame Leota's head now floats around the room in the crystal ball (instead of staying put on the table.) I'd post a picture if I had one. It's a very cool effect, and further detaches you from thinking "this is all just trickery.." -- Supposedly there are going to be even more effects added soon to this room, such as spirits fading in and out with fog/smoke, as if they were "coming through" because of Leota's incantations. Nice. I've heard they will be updating the "hitchhiking ghosts" (that you see in the mirror at the end of the ride.) They will be more developed animatronics, and rumor has it they will be amazing, very top-notch.

Indiana Jones might have had some updates, too, but I can't remember 100% -- inside the chamber of destiny, it looks like the roof is now full of stars and sky.. I don't remember that being there before. I know there used to be an ice maker up there, that would flash-freeze a sheet of water and make it fall in front of your car (like the ceiling was collapsing) but heard the effect never worked 100% of the time so it was removed..

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Anyhow, that was my Disneyland experience. I can't wait to go back again, and see what else is in store for the future. Here's hoping the Finding Nemo submarine ride is pretty cool..

August 27th, 2006 Update: Please check out my new site, MickeyRevealed.com for more Disney trivia/secrets!