I'm happy to report that not only are the exit signs at the graveyard extinguished, but it appeared to us that ALL exit signs in the ride have been extinguished. No reflection in the ballroom. No sign in the noticably darker* hall of doors, no exit sign near Leota or anywhere in the final room. Nada.

I was far more excited about this than the changes, which, although I thought had some cool effects, I just didn't like the new bride.

* noticably darker to the point that I was completely unable to see the chair across from the knight at the beginning of the ride.

Yeah, I just got back from the Park and, well, having all the exit lights out makes me think "malfunction" rather than salvation.

On the othe hand, the hallway of doorways Paul Frees narration looks to be purposefully gone ... perhaps for another 15 years. I don't suspect malfunction on this. These are lines which Disney has removed in the past, and the Ghost Host does come off very chatty in that all too brief creepy section of the ride.

Actually, I noticed on another attraction last week (Monsters? I don't recall now) that the signs were off. Seems someone finally figured out that if you leave them off and tie them into the alarm/electrical-backup system, they can be set to turn on either A) when the alarm sounds or B) when the power fails, the only times they need to be on.

That's my take as well. If a emergency system in HM were actually malfunctioning, meaning that the exit signs weren't working at all, I would think that they would be required to close the ride completely until it was fixed. I don't think they would say "Ah, let's run it anyway and if a fire breaks out, we'll take our chances". A scenario like that would be a lawyer's wet dream.

Interesting. I suppose I agree he is a bit chatty, especially when you enter Leota's room and he takes up half of it introducing her.

I would miss "hot and cold running chills" though.

"Hot and cold running chills" comes just before, "Listen," which is still part of the spiel.
I spoke to City Hall regarding the EXIT lights and they confirmed that the lights are, indeed, extinguished. I was told that they are looking for a solution, but this this what they're doing for now.

Huh? A solution? To what?

"Extinguished" means they shut them off purposefully. Are they admitting they don't have any emergency lighting system in place? If that's not the case, then what's to solve?

Methinks this merits further investigation. As romantic as it would be to die in the Haunted Mansion, I don't recommend the Park be allowed to encourage it.

Lord, "extinguished" and "solution" were my words. Her words were to the effect that they're figuring out a way of having the lights on, but dimmed and better themed. I didn't ask her what the technical specifications were on the current emergency EXIT light situation.

Far be it from me to discourage you from going all Carl Kolchak on this if you want, though.

The Mansion changes don't bother me at all. I rode it twice today and actually liked looking at the new portraits, ephemera and effects. I tried to get some pics with my new camera but I need to go back and get more tips from the owners manual. Plus, it is damn dark in there now and I love the spooky darkness.

Yeah, perhaps the darkness and being on the far side of the doombuggy helped, but I though the effect worked quite well - as it does in Tower of Terror. I miss the beating heart bride, but she always was a bit klunky. Anyway, I'll probably ride it again.