Haunted Mansion Debuts New, Cutting-Edge Hitchhiking Ghost Scene

WDWNT on April 4, 2011

After months of speculation as to what was changing in the famous Hitchhiking Ghost scene at the Magic Kingdom’s Haunted Mansion, we don’t have to wonder any longer. Phineas, Ezra, and Gus are now executing some ghostly gags through the use of new infrared technology that was installed while the temporary curtains and projection ghosts (or Curtain Ghosts as we have been jokingly calling them) were displayed. Guests are now seeing their heads “vanish” before their very eyes and ghosts not only sitting in the vehicle with them, but also on top of their Doombuggy. The technology also recognizes if there is one, two, or even no one in the Doombuggy and gives different effects accordingly as you’ll see in the provided video. This is just the first version of this scene to be tested while Imagineering works out the kinks with the system. Once this test and adjust period is through, expect to see the effect improved through some simple software updates and then rolled out to the Haunted Mansion attractions around the world. Without any further ado, here’s a quick look at the new scene:

Two Videos of the Haunted Mansion Interactive Queue

WDWNT on March 22, 2011

We thought we should share two interesting videos of the new interactive queue at the Magic Kingdom’sHaunted Mansion today. The first video was posted on the Disney Parks Blog back on March 15th and features a wonderful behind the scenes look at the project:

The second video is the latest “Tom’s Trips” production from the WDWNTube. Since I was lucky enough to experience the queue, I took some video of myself and Brandon Struve walking through it. The video I took in the queue can be seen in the middle of the video. I warn you it is not the most professional video, but just a little something I captured while winding through this amazing new experience:

PICTURES: NEW Interactive Queue at the Haunted Mansion Open to Guests

WDWNT on March 14, 2011

The new interactive queue area for the Magic Kingdom’s Haunted Mansion that we have been watching the construction of since October 2010 has finally been completed! WDWNT Reporter Taylor Martina was on the scene to bring us pictures and a first-hand report of the new elements:

The line was long, really a perfect day to open the new interactive queue

Read More about PICTURES: NEW Interactive Queue at the Haunted Mansion Open to Guests

What’s Happening in the Hitchhiking Ghost Scene of the Haunted Mansion?

WDWNT on February 28, 2011

Last week, the Disney fan community exploded when Disney placed temporary tarps and projections of ghosts Phineas, Ezra, and Gus in the hitchhiking ghost scene of the Haunted Mansion at the Magic Kingdom without any announcement. Rumors have indicated that new, interactive elements are coming to the Haunted Mansion, both in the queue and on the ride. We may have a clue to what’s happening inside:

If you look very closely at the Fall 2010 issues of Disney’s Twenty-three magazine, you would see this piece of concept art fairly hidden in the article on Walt Disney Imagineering. The artwork shows two guests being frightened by all three of the ghosts in what has to be projection form. If this artwork is any indication, when work on the scene is complete, guest’s reflections will have the ghosts floating around them both inside and outside of the vehicle.

Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information on these changes to the Haunted Mansion become available.