When I woke up today and found out the last and most impressive of the new effects in The Haunted Mansion, I immediately rushed out the door for the Magic Kingdom. Around 30 minutes later, I entered the attraction, eagerly awaiting the approach of its final scene where the classic Hitchhiking Ghosts have received new “life” and now play fun pranks on guests. I think everyone’s favorite of the new effects is a head swap gag in which Ezra (the tall skinny ghost) will either swap his head with yours (if you’re riding alone) or swap two guests’ heads riding together. It’s playful, fun, and completely in the spirit of the rest of the ride.

It needs to be seen in person to be completely appreciated, but I have posted video of many of the new effects. In four back-to-back rides through, I don’t think I saw them all and only had 3 different ones done to me. (I got the swapping heads one twice.)

So today’s photo is the best still frame I could grab from the video, just as Ezra has placed his head on my shoulders and is in the process of putting my head on his. It’s a dark scene, so capturing it was tough, hence all the grain and blurriness of the picture below. I assure you, it looks far more impressive in person.

Wouldn’t this make a great new on-ride photo op? Disney would sell the heck out of them.