Doctor Disney Explains: The Hitchhiking Ghosts of The Haunted Mansion

The Haunted Mansion at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is not only one of the original attractions in the park, but also happens to be the personal favorite of yours truly…Doctor Disney. This edition of “Doctor Disney Explains” is going to take a portion of the attraction that is one of the most popular, but also the least understood and that’s: The Hitchhiking Ghosts.

Some people know them simply as a group called “The Hitchhiking Ghosts.” Others know them by their more common names of Phineas, Ezra, and Gus ( in order from left to right). But how many of you realize that they truly don’t have any given names and are merely known as “The Traveler, The Skeleton, and The Prisoner?”

It makes sense when you look at them because those descriptions describe them to perfection.

But it’s true that Phineas, Ezra, and Gus are not their actual names and if you refer to the HHG by any of those names in front of Disney Imagineeers, you’re likely to see them shudder. Disney has never actually given those names to the three ghosts that wish you a fond farewell at the end of Haunted Mansion so they really don’t like to recognize them as such.

The three actual names were given to the ghosts by fans and the like. “Phineas, Ezra, and Gus” are their unofficial names and have become so well-known that early drafts of the 2003 film about the attraction actually included the characters under those names. They were later removed, but that just goes to show you just how popular they have become.

Word has been passed around during the last couple weeks that Disney is actually recognizing the HHG by their “unofficial names,” but there has been no true confirmation about that either. Oddly enough though, the newest mystery pin set for The Haunted Mansion does include the HHG hiding behind tombstones and has their “names” written on the front of them.

While I’m not entirely sure if this means that Disney will truly start calling them by their unofficial names or not; it is interesting to see them actually called that on true Disney merchandise. Having spoken to a few Disney Imagineers about it though, they were quite surprised to see the names thrown about like this and weren’t exactly…pleased.

Asking a Cast Member doesn’t always help matters either. Just the other day, I traded a pin for an “Ezra” pin that wasn’t yet in my collection and the CM asked me if I knew his name. Upon replying that he didn’t actually have a name, was truly called “The Skeleton,” and giving a quick explanation…she looked at me dumbfounded and just said, “Well then. I always do like learning.”

Now, you’re a little more informed about the “ghosts that follow you home” so next time you see them thumbing it for a ride and sitting with you in the mirrors at The Haunted Mansion, you’ll know exactly who is joining you. Pass along the info to everyone…especially when they think they know that their names are Phineas, Ezra, and Gus.