If you have visited Walt Disney World Resort more than once, then you may have noticed that, no matter when you visit, the rides are always the same. This is because Disney wants everyone who visits Disney World to experience the rides as they are meant to be. That means that, no matter the time, of year, attractions will not vary. The only time that Disney World changed this up was when they introduced a Christmas playlist for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. That playlist will not return this holiday season.
However, over at Disneyland Resort, things are not the same. Each holiday season, Disney gives major makeovers to two of its most iconic attractions — the Haunted Mansion and “it’s a small world”. “it’s a small world” sees the music change to a combination of the classic song and Christmas music, along with lights and decorations. The Haunted Mansion gets a Nightmare Before Christmas overlay, and Guests journey through the mansion to see what happens when Halloween takes over Christmas and two holidays collide.
Haunted Mansion Holiday is not just something that happens at Christmas, either. Since the residents of Halloweentown are taking over, it’s only appropriate that the house gets its change for Halloween as well. So, that means that the Haunted Mansion shuts down every year for several weeks as Cast Members work tirelessly to complete the massive overlay.
This year, the Haunted Mansion will be closing on August 14 and will reopen on September 1, when Halloween time at Disneyland Resort begins.
According to the Disneyland calendar, Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Park will be closed beginning Aug. 14 to make way for Haunted Mansion Holiday — which is scheduled to open on Sept. 1.
According to the Disneyland calendar, Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Park will be closed beginning Aug. 14 to make way for Haunted Mansion Holiday — which is scheduled to open on Sept. 1. pic.twitter.com/kyLQHiljiu
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) July 3, 2023
We do not yet know when Haunted Mansion Holiday will close, however, it is typically right when the holiday season ends at Disneyland — usually around January 8. However, last year, the Nightmare overlay was kept for an additional two weeks. So, that could happen again this year.
Disneyland Park is not the only place where attractions get makeovers for spooky season. Guests can head on over to Disney California Adventure Park each evening and ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Monsters After Dark. Each day, the ride closes down at 2 p.m. for about an hour as it is changed over. That means that Guests can actually ride two different versions of the attraction in one day!