It’s time!!! It’s barely Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort, but Disney has released most of the info for the 2026 holiday season… and we’ve got your complete guide to this year’s holiday lineup at the Merriest Place on Earth. The 2026 yuletide season at the Disneyland Resort runs November 13, 2026 through January 6, […]
There are new snacks, new merchandise, and lots of exclusive entertainment options. But of course, one of the highlights of the season is a major ride overlay at Disneyland Park.
It’s official, folks — Haunted Mansion Holiday is BACK at Disneyland Park, and we are hyped! This ride overlay happens each year throughout the fall and winter, mainly the Halloween and Christmas seasons. Why so long? Because it’s themed to The Nightmare Before Christmas!
Haunted Mansion Holiday
This ride gets incredibly popular during the overlay season, and the Lightning Lanes book up quickly. You may be looking at a long wait if you want to check it out. Of course, the overlay starts on the outside, so you’ll have some awesome decor to take in while you wait!
So many pumpkins!
Throughout the ride, you‘ll spot characters from the film, including Jack Skellington, Sally, Zero, and Oogie Boogie. Wave hello to your friends!
It’s Jack and Zero!
They’ve also updated some of the ride gags and scenes to fit with the Nightmare Before Christmas motif. In terms of holiday ride overlays, this one is particularly impressive.
It’s Madame Leota in her Christmas outfit!
Of course, one of the most iconic parts of this overlay is the gingerbread display in the ballroom scene. Each year, there’s a new gingerbread creation, and they are MASSIVE. Check out this year’s version!
The new gingerbread house!
This overlay typically runs through early January before the ride closes to be turned back into the regular Haunted Mansion. If you want to check it out, you have a few months to stop by!
So cute!
It’s important to note, too, that this isn’t the only Halloween ride overlay at Disneyland Resort. At Disney California Adventure, Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree and Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween come to life in Cars Land, and in the afternoons and evenings each day, you can ride Guardians of the Galaxy — Monsters After Dark.
Tow Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree
We’ll keep you in the loop with any more Halloween and seasonal fun at Disneyland, so subscribe to our newsletter for the latest.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Are you going to check out this ride in 2026? Tell us in the comments!
Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Disneyland Resort to attend their media preview of Halloweentime offerings. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ
If you weren’t dreaming of a Disneyland Christmas before, you will be now!
Christmas at Disneyland
Disney has finally announced all the details regarding Christmas at Disneyland Resort, which is coming on November 18ththis year, and now our minds are filled with anticipation and holiday cheer. We have lots to talk about regarding the most wonderful time of the year, from exclusive snacks to the Disneyland Christmas parade. Oh, and of course, the ride overlays!
Holiday Ride Overlays
Haunted Mansion Holiday
There’s so much to look forward to when it comes to the holiday season at Disneyland Resort. However, nothing excites us more than the holiday overlays for some of our favorite rides. Tons of rides across the resort transform with seasonal overlays, creating completely new and unique experiences. No ride does it better than the transformation from Haunted Mansion to the beloved Haunted Mansion Holiday!
Haunted Mansion Holiday
The Haunted Mansion Holiday arrives for the start of Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort, and stays until the end of the Christmas season. The ride overlay sees Haunted Mansion transform from the classic attraction into a seasonal ride inspired by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Haunted Mansion Holiday
The ride features Jack Skellington and the residents of Halloween Town, who have taken over the space, showcasing what happens when two holidays collide. It’s filled with festive scenes, updated decor, holiday-infused music, iconic characters, and so much more. It’s a completely different attraction during the spooky and holiday seasons.
Oogie Boogie!
The attraction also features an annual gingerbread house, which is a fan-favorite centerpiece located inside the ballroom scene. It even has an aroma that fills the room with that nostalgic Christmas feeling. The gingerbread house is created with a new design every season, and this ever-changing display has become a tradition for Disneyland guests. We always look forward to seeing what Disney Live Entertainment puts together every single year.
“it’s a small world” Holiday
Also returning this year is “it’s a small world” Holiday, bringing Christmas cheer, bright lights, and a stunning finale. Those who love Christmas lights will not want to miss out on this ride overlay, as the ride’s iconic scenes are covered with festive overlays. Each region in the attraction celebrates the holidays in distinct ways, from Mele Kalikimaka to Feliz Navidad.
it’s a small world Holiday
The attraction also blends the classic “It’s a Small World” song with holiday classics like “Jingle Bells” and “Deck the Halls” into a continuous musical arrangement. However, the most stunning part of this overlay has to be the way the attraction looks on the outside. The Holiday Lighting throughout the night on the attraction’s facade sees thousands of twinkling lights come to life at once. Like we said, a Christmas lights lover’s dream!
Cars Land
Over at Disney California Adventure, Cars Land is the place to be! The holiday season brings Radiator Springs holiday music, plenty of festive personality, and two attractions with seasonal overlays. The first overlay is the transformation from Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree into Mater’s Jingle Jamboree. The ride features a collection of seasonal tunes, but with Mater’s own original lyrics. The ride is filled with garland, lights, and decor!
Mater is looking festive!
The other ride overlay is the transformation from Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters into Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl. Luigi and his extended family are celebrating the holidays with festive dances to tunes sung by Luigi himself.
Snacks
It’s not a holiday party without tasty treats! Disney teased a ton of the holiday snacks and drinks that are returning this year on November 18th, and they look delicious. Let’s take a look at the full list:
Mickey Elf Shake (at Schmoozies!): Mint and chocolate cookie shake with green whipped topping and crushed peppermint candy
Fried Chicken Cone (at Cozy Cone Motel: Chili Cone Queso): Chopped fried chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, chicken gravy, and cheese topped with green onions
Milk and Cookies Tree-shaped Macaron (at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe): Green macaron with milk buttercream, filled with chocolate cookie dough
Cranberry Crispy Chicken Sandwich (at Galactic Grill): Fried chicken sandwich with cranberry-orange marmalade BBQ sauce, provolone, onion rings, and arugula served on a toasted bun
Entertainment
All of the holiday entertainment we love is coming back again this year, including A Christmas Fantasy Parade and “Believe…In Holiday Magic” Fireworks. Don’t forget to check out Wintertime Enchantment at Sleeping Beauty Castle, as you witness a shimmering spectacle that transforms the castle every evening.
Sleeping Beauty Castle during the Holiday Season
Characters
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and some of their friends are going to celebrate the holidays in festive attire at Disneyland Park. There will be activities with Chip ‘n’ Dale, Goofy, and Pluto, including crafts, sing-alongs, and more. Santa Claus will also be coming to town!
Mickey and Minnie at Disneyland in their Holiday Best!
Decor
Of course, the park is going to feature gorgeous decor in so many different places. You may spot a skipper-inspired Christmas tree in Adventureland, tiny pieces of garland while on the Storybook Land Canal Boats, or wreaths on Main Street. Oh, and the giant Christmas tree when you enter the park!
Christmas at Disneyland 2025
Downtown Disney will even have an activity fun for the whole family, Chip and Dale’s Ornament Trail. It will have you go on a search for ornaments hidden on Christmas trees.
Chip ornament
There’s so much to look forward to when it comes to Christmas at Disneyland Resort this year. We won’t see it till November 18th, so we’ll be patiently waiting. For more Disney news and updates, make sure to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog!
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Are you going to Disneyland this holiday season? Let us know in the comments!
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