Haunted Mansion Debuts New, Cutting-Edge Hitchhiking Ghost Scene

Apr 4, 2011 by wdwntadmin    No Comments    Posted under: The Magic Kingdom

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: