VIDEO - Haunted Mansion debuts amazing new augmented reality Hitchhiking Ghosts scene

[scgustin]

I notice in the videos that when the ghosts are viewed at an angle (like looking backward across the mirrors at doombuggies behind you), they look pretty flat. Can any of you who have seen the effect in person speak to that? How fully three-dimensional do they look?

The figures are three-dimensional. While the video is great for reference, it does not do the effect justice. Trust me - you'll be impressed.

 

[Victor Kelly]

A job well done. I cannot wait to see it for myself.

 

[MAF]

The effect is great, amazing really, but did someone actually post that this was going to counteract the Harry Potter attaraction? Seriously people, get real...

 

[Magenta Panther]

That is sooo...freaking...awesome!!!!! The figures are amazing - so flexible, and yet so solid - don't look like projections at all (at least on video). Their antics are startling yet amusing, in keeping with the genteel, creepy sense of humor of the Mansion. This is a major plus!!!!! Kudos to those amazing Imagineers! Walt would be so proud of you! :sohappy:

 

[timeman]

I for one can't wait to see the new effect on my next trip. Attractions Magazine posted a video today that they shot of the ride with the lights on. The ride stopped near the end of the graveyard scene and they had to evact it. They filmed video of the graveyard scene and the hitchhiking ghosts. It is amazing the details you don't see that are there. Here is the link to the video.

http://youtu.be/w-BK368dr6g

 

[DisneyDellsDude]

I just wanted to make sure this complaint got in on page one...

"What happened to AA based attractions? I'm sick of all these screens going everywhere..."

But yeah, this looks amazing.

Didn't read the rest of the thread - but that is something ALWAYS in the back of my mind. Here, however, I don't mind because they replaced the AAs in the hitchhiking scene, and they look brilliant now! I can't complain at all.

 

[1stStarIC2nite]

Giving guests a choice and forcing a decision based on little knowledge of the "routes" is a fail by Disney. Also, having a CM to stand there and explain the two queues seems extremely inefficient.

Actually, the only way to keep the Mansion running efficiently is to have a CM standing there, filling up both sides of the line. Believe me, both ways have been tried, and unless you want the line to move, then having a bypass open is the only way to keep people moving and the hourly numbers consistent.

People generally walk slower and take their time in the queue - or people just don't walk around others who are taking the time to play. Thus, the line moves slower, and when a CM opens the front doors every 2 minutes, there area can be full, or completely empty.

The "this way to fun" or "this way to a shorter line" is used to keep both parts of the queue full and the regular queue moving, so that the wait time is kept as short as possible, and the ride is full of guests at all times. If there weren't a CM standing at that point, the line would go all the way to Frontierland. Sad, and one of the only things I don't like about the new queue.

 

[JustInTime]

I for one can't wait to see the new effect on my next trip. Attractions Magazine posted a video today that they shot of the ride with the lights on. The ride stopped near the end of the graveyard scene and they had to evact it. They filmed video of the graveyard scene and the hitchhiking ghosts. It is amazing the details you don't see that are there. Here is the link to the video.

http://youtu.be/w-BK368dr6g

I gotta say, the portrait next to the hitchhiking ghosts makes no sense. Why did they put that there? Where would they be hitchhiking in a place that has a picture of some random girl sitting on the ground? That is the only thing about all these updates that I hate so far. That is terrible.

 

[1stStarIC2nite]

I gotta say, the portrait next to the hitchhiking ghosts makes no sense. Why did they put that there? Where would they be hitchhiking in a place that has a picture of some random girl sitting on the ground? That is the only thing about all these updates that I hate so far. That is terrible.

Actually it is connected to the new queue. If you look closely enough, it is an older woman holding a match, surrounded by flames. This is Maude, who is one of the busts that you see when you first enter the new "graveyard" queue. I don't remember her epitaph exactly, but she died in a fire. So there ya go.

 

[JustInTime]

Actually it is connected to the new queue. If you look closely enough, it is an older woman holding a match, surrounded by flames. This is Maude, who is one of the busts that you see when you first enter the new "graveyard" queue. I don't remember her epitaph exactly, but she died in a fire. So there ya go.

I understood the connection. It's the wife of the fatter hitchhiking ghost (Phineas Prock, I think) and her name is Prudence Prock. But I don't understand why she is randomly there. And in the form of a picture sitting on the ground right outside of a graveyard. Makes no sense.

 

[Captain Neo]

This would have been much more impressive like ten years ago before augmented reality was widespread. A child's handheld game system can do stuff that blows this away. Nice to see Disney trying though.

 

[1stStarIC2nite]

I understood the connection. It's the wife of the fatter hitchhiking ghost (Phineas Prock, I think) and her name is Prudence Prock. But I don't understand why she is randomly there. And in the form of a picture sitting on the ground right outside of a graveyard. Makes no sense.

Well, they are traveling/relocating ghosts, so wouldn't you want to take your valuables and most prized posessions with you??

 

[JustInTime]

Well, they are traveling/relocating ghosts, so wouldn't you want to take your valuables and most prized posessions with you??

not if I was a ghost...

 

[ryanduggers]

The effect is great, amazing really, but did someone actually post that this was going to counteract the Harry Potter attaraction? Seriously people, get real...

I did and if you read what I said that if they did this type of stuff on other rides around the parks, it could be a potter swatter. I bet this type of thing will be all over the new FLE.

Go back to your 7th grade algebra.....

 

[Magenta Panther]

We are at Disney World right now and experienced the new Haunted Mansion additions over the last few days. We were actually in the first group of people to see the new hitchhiking ghosts earlier this week.

My thoughts:

The new effects with the hitchhiking ghosts are amazing! We were totally caught off guard with this effect and were totally surprised, which made it even better. The effect we saw was the switching of our heads. My wife and I looked at each other afterward and said "HOW DID THEY DO THAT?!" Being a huge Disney fan and enjoying seeing others enjoy what we love, it was great to hear so many people react to the new technology - it is a really impressive finale for the classic ride. WTG Disney!

The new "fun queue" was unfortunately a huge letdown. First, they have a CM standing where the queue splits REPEATEDLY having to tell people "Take the fun route... or the much quicker route." I grew SO tired of seeing people go one way... then quickly change their mind and walk back through the queue to the "quick" route. Giving guests a choice and forcing a decision based on little knowledge of the "routes" is a fail by Disney. Also, having a CM to stand there and explain the two queues seems extremely inefficient.

Now, addressing the new effects/games in the interactive queue: Huge MEH. I was unimpressed with the new games and saw a lot of people confused thinking the queue was the actual ride, saying things like "This is it?!", only to find out this was only the line.

In sum: Hitchiking ghosts, HUGE WIN... the interactive queue, MEH/FAIL.

Hopefully Disney puts more time into improving the actual attractions versus creating more interactive queues.

Maybe Disney could put up signs at the beginning of the 2 queues. Maybe one could say "Proceed straight into the Haunted Mansion" and the other could say "Take a stroll through the Haunted Mansion crypt before proceeding into the Mansion." And make the signs creepy-looking. Maybe that would help.

 

[Sarabell]

But they put the heads back on! LOL

LOL! great answer!

although they are very capable of saying they've had neck problems since they put their heads back on...:lookaroun

 

[pumpkin7]

thats brilliant. i was a bit sceptial of how they were going to achieve this but it's a really clever idea. much better than the old hitch hiking ghosts. i am very impressed. can't wait to see it in person!

 

[Rob562]

Maybe Disney could put up signs at the beginning of the 2 queues. Maybe one could say "Proceed straight into the Haunted Mansion" and the other could say "Take a stroll through the Haunted Mansion crypt before proceeding into the Mansion." And make the signs creepy-looking. Maybe that would help.

You make it sound like tourists actually *read* signs in WDW...

-Rob

 

[ChrisFL]

This would have been much more impressive like ten years ago before augmented reality was widespread. A child's handheld game system can do stuff that blows this away. Nice to see Disney trying though.

I disagree with this...its one thing to compare the SSE ending to JibJab because there's nothing special about it, but this is more unexpected and high-tech IMO

 

[BrerFrog]

I am amazed, and speechless.