“When the crypt doors creak and the tombstones quake, spooks come out for a swinging wake. Happy haunts materialize and begin to vocalize. Grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize!”
These familiar lyrics belong to the legendary “Grim Grinning Ghosts” song from the Haunted Mansion. This eerie and beloved attraction has been a fixture at both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World for decades. It whisks guests away on a spine-tingling journey through a mansion filled with 999 happy haunts, but there’s always room for one more!
Related: Grim Grinning Ghosts! The Haunted Mansion, Disneyland vs Disney World
Although Walt Disney World and Disneyland feature similar versions of the Haunted Mansion, there are some key differences. One of the most exciting distinctions is that Disneyland’s version gets a special seasonal overlay each year.
Every August, the New Orleans Square attraction closes for a brief period, and just before the Halloween season kicks off, it reopens as Haunted Mansion Holiday.
During this time, Jack Skellington and his friends from Halloweentown give the ride a Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) transformation, letting guests experience the whimsical chaos that happens when Halloween and Christmas collide.
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In January 2024, the Haunted Mansion underwent a major refurbishment, including updates to the ride’s queue and the addition of a new shop outside the exit. To many guests’ disappointment, the attraction was closed for seven months, and when it finally reopened in July, it returned as Haunted Mansion Holiday.
Over time, the annual transformation of the Haunted Mansion into Haunted Mansion Holiday has sparked some debate among visitors. It’s become a clash between those eager to embrace the holiday spirit and those who prefer the original version of the attraction, feeling the overlay is introduced too soon.
It’s been over a year since Disneyland Resort guests experienced the Haunted Mansion in its original form, but that will change when the ride reopens on January 18.
Fans of the classic version were even more excited when it seemed that the attraction would remain in its original state for much longer. The Disneyland Resort website indicated that Haunted Mansion Holiday wouldn’t return until November 14, 2025, meaning it would entirely skip the Halloween season.
However, it turns out that information may have been a major mistake.
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The Disneyland Resort website has since been updated, revealing that the Haunted Mansion will close in early August for its annual overlay. The ride will then reopen on August 22 as Haunted Mansion Holiday.
This news was a significant letdown for guests who were hoping for more time to experience the original version of the attraction. Many have also argued that the Haunted Mansion’s eerie, ghost-filled theme is a perfect fit for Halloween.
Not attacking the messenger but. The original Haunted is WAY better for halloween than NBC overlay 😑
Not attacking the messenger but. The original Haunted is WAY better for halloween than NBC overlay 😑 pic.twitter.com/XjhXZ7LJWn
— Scuba Steve (@ScubaStark_) January 7, 2025
According to Disney, Haunted Mansion Holiday will be open from August 22 through January 7, 2026. That means that guests visiting for both Halloween and Christmas will be able to ride the attraction.
How do you feel about Haunted Mansion Holiday’s early return? Does it add to the festive fun, or would you prefer to keep the original ride longer? Share your thoughts in the comments!
While I appreciate the NBC overlay, I think August is much too early to start it. And I do prefer the classic as it is “haunted” already and always ready for Halloween. I think the holiday mansion goes on for too long. Maybe Mid-September through November? Leave Christmas more magical than scary.