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Christmas in July: Disney Theme Park Moves up Holiday Celebrations

A nighttime view of a brightly illuminated castle adorned with twinkling lights and festive decorations. The castle's turrets are outlined with lights, and garlands with ornaments hang in the foreground. Two lit torches stand on either side of the entrance, capturing the magic of Christmas at Disneyland.
Credit: Disney

Every year, fans eagerly count down the days until the Christmas and Holiday seasons officially open at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. With special parades, character costumes, fake snow, and holiday music, the parks during Christmas are incredibly magical.

One of the things that fans most look forward to is the retheming of select holiday attractions. While the season opens on or around November 15, it looks like one holiday retheme will arrive much earlier than fans had hoped…

Related: Haunted Mansion Set to Reopen: Disney Teases Major Changes to Guest Experience!

Mickey and Minnie Holiday Wear

Credit: Disney

Holiday Retheme Arrives Next Week

Prepare to immerse yourself in the magical world of Haunted Mansion Holiday as it makes its highly anticipated return on July 29 at Disneyland Resort. This enchanting seasonal overlay of the classic Haunted Mansion attraction transforms the eerie manor into a whimsical wonderland inspired by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.

As you step inside, you will be greeted by the Pumpkin King himself, Jack Skellington, who reigns supreme over the mansion adorned with festive decorations fit for the holiday season.

The transformation of the Haunted Mansion into a haunted holiday spectacle is a beloved tradition that guests eagerly anticipate each year. From the iconic Pumpkin King Jack Skellington to the intricate details of the Gingerbread House in the Grand Hall, every corner of the mansion is adorned with a touch of holiday magic.

While many fans do love this holiday retheme, it is undoubtedly odd that this transition will be happening so early this year. Since the announcement was made yesterday, some fans have expressed sadness over not being able to enjoy the original Haunted Mansion attraction until January, when the Holidays are over. This schedule change will mean that Haunted Mansion Holiday will operate for over four months, a new record for the overlay.

Haunted Mansion Holiday

Credit: Disney

Disney Receives Backlash for Schedule Change

Haunted Mansion has been closed for the past several months as the attraction undergoes some major renovations. The largest change will be happening to the attraction’s ride queue, which has been entirely remodeled. In order to handle the influx of visitors, Disney will use a virtual queue for this attraction.

When Disney announced that the Christmas version of the attraction would be reopening next week, many fans shared their dissatisfaction on social media. Haunted Mansion Holiday typically opens in September during the Halloween season at Disney in particular.

While this version is loved by fans, it is hard for many to swallow that they won’t be able to enjoy the original Haunted Mansion until 2025. Whether or not you like Haunted Mansion Holiday, Disney’s decision is surely a surprise to most. What do you think about this choice? Let us know in the comments below…

About Eva Miller

Eva was born and raised in the beautiful state of Oregon but has since relocated and lives in New York City. Since she was young, Eva has loved to perform in musicals, especially Disney ones! Through performing, Disney’s music became the soundtrack of her childhood. Today, Eva loves to write about all the exciting happenings for the Walt Disney Company. In her free time, Eva loves to travel, spend time in nature, and go to Broadway shows. Her favorite Disney movie is 'Lilo and Stitch,' and her favorite Park is Disney's Animal Kingdom.