Haunted Mansion fans, we have some good news: Disneyland Park has finally adjusted its approach to Haunted Mansion Holiday.
The Enduring Legacy of Haunted Mansion
First opened in 1969 in New Orleans Square, Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion is one of the park’s most beloved attractions. Combining eerie elegance with whimsical scares, the ride sees guests transported through the mansion’s ghostly halls in Doom Buggies, welcomed by the disembodied voice of the Ghost Host.
Versions of the attraction exist at Disney parks worldwide (including Phantom Manor at Disneyland Paris and Mystic Manor, a distant cousin of the OG, at Hong Kong Disneyland), but the Anaheim original holds a special place in fans’ hearts.
For much of the year, guests revel in its atmospheric storytelling, complete with 999 happy haunts and a hauntingly memorable soundtrack. However, since 2001, the attraction has undergone a significant transformation each fall, becoming Haunted Mansion Holiday—a mashup of Halloween and Christmas inspired by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993).
A Polarizing Tradition
Haunted Mansion Holiday has been a staple of Disneyland’s seasonal offerings for over two decades. Each year, the ride closes for approximately two and a half weeks as the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay is installed.
For years, fans have expressed frustration with the extended duration of this seasonal reimagining, which often begins as early as September and lasts until mid-January. In 2024, the overlay debuted earlier than ever, opening in July following extensive refurbishments that began in January.
This prolonged run left traditionalists feeling shortchanged. Many believe the original Haunted Mansion, with its gothic atmosphere and ghostly charm, is better suited to Halloween than the festive chaos of Haunted Mansion Holiday.
As one fan on Reddit put it, “I think Haunted Mansion should be the traditional (more creepy) version for Halloween, and then they could do the Nightmare overlay for Christmas. That would never work because of the lead time they need to decorate for the overlay, though.”
A Festive New Era for Haunted Mansion Holiday
In a surprising move, Disney has announced a significant schedule change for 2025. Haunted Mansion Holiday will now begin on November 14, just in time for the holiday season, and run through January 7, 2026.
This adjustment allows the original Haunted Mansion to remain open throughout Halloween, which is sure to delight fans who prefer the classic version.
NEW: Haunted Mansion Holiday will return to Disneyland Park Nov. 14 through Jan. 7, 2026. The November opening date is later than normal – but it means we get traditional Haunted Mansion for Halloween this year. 👏
NEW: Haunted Mansion Holiday will return to Disneyland Park Nov. 14 through Jan. 7, 2026. The November opening date is later than normal – but it means we get traditional Haunted Mansion for Halloween this year. 👏 pic.twitter.com/iVVoKYhn9w
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) January 7, 2025
The decision has been met with widespread approval. On social media, users celebrated the news, with one X, formerly known as Twitter, user exclaiming, “Thank the maker! I never liked the logic of taking the most Halloween ride in the entire park and making it overtly Christmas themed before Halloween is over.” Another added, “Awesome change and hopefully stays moving forward.”
While Haunted Mansion Holiday devotees may be disappointed, the shift appears to align with broader fan sentiment. The reduced timeframe for the overlay preserves the ride’s traditional Halloween appeal while still offering a festive experience for the holiday season.
The Global Perspective
While Walt Disney World Resort’s Haunted Mansion in Florida does not feature a Nightmare Before Christmas overlay, Tokyo Disneyland’s version follows a similar seasonal pattern. For 2025, Tokyo Disneyland has yet to announce its schedule for Haunted Mansion Holiday, though it typically runs from mid-September to mid-January.
Do you think Disneyland is making the right move for Haunted Mansion?
