How Disney Can Fix Their Haunted Mansion Holiday Problem

Haunted Mansion Holiday is one of the most popular ride overlays in Disney theme park history. The seasonal event sees Disneyland’s classic Haunted Mansion attraction add characters and decorative theming from the iconic cult film The Nightmare Before Christmas, giving the Mansion a “merry macabre makeover” by adding “thrilling sights and seasonal surprises created by the residents of Halloween Town.”

Each year since its introduction in 2001, the overlay has drawn massive crowds and long waits. Throughout the Halloween season. However, in recent years, two major complaints have sprung up about the Haunted Mansion Holiday. Two complaints that could, in my mind, be alleviated by a single move from Disney!

Complaint #1: The Length of the Haunted Mansion’s Closure

While Haunted Mansion Holiday is undoubtedly popular, its run time (Usually from late August through early January, with approximately two weeks of downtime on either side of that to install and remove the various animatronics and decorations that make up the overlay)  means that Disneyland is without the “actual” Haunted Mansion for about 6 months during each year.

To many, especially first-time or rare visiting guests, having one of Disneyland’s most iconic rides down for half of the year is not worth even a popular seasonal overlay.

Complaint #2: Walt Disney World is Left Out

The second major complaint about Haunted Mansion Holiday comes from Walt Disney World fans, who are questioning why the popular overlay has never been made available at the Magic Kingdom’s version of the Haunted Mansion, despite the rides on each coast having essentially identical layouts and infrastructure.

So, what’s the solution? Alternating Years.

Let’s think hypothetically: Let’s say in 2025, Haunted Mansion Holiday had its normal run at Disneyland from late August until January of 2026. However, let’s say the overall doesn’t return to the Happiest Place on Earth until August of 2027, with a run at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom from August 2026 until January of 2027. From there, let’s say hypothetically the overlay were to continue alternating year to year.

It would alleviate the issue of the “real” mansion being down too long (both Disneyland and Disney World would each only have the overlay active for 6 of every 24 months) and both coasts would experience it. Plus as a bonus, it would arguably become more anticipated for guests on both coasts.

That being said, it seems unlikely that Disney would enact such a plan. For starters, it would require either duplicating a second set of Haunted Mansion Holiday animatronics, sets, and props for Florida’s version OR transporting said animatronics, sets, and props across the country each year. Either way, it seems like something Disney wouldn’t budget for. Furthermore, given the fact that Haunted Mansion Holiday remains popular – – and a merchandise driver – – at Disneyland each year despite the aforementioned complaints, it seems unlikely that Disney would want to move it to an every other year schedule.

Disney could arguably fix the major complaints that follow Haunted Mansion Holiday with one move, but it seems unlikely. Stay tuned to AllEars for more thoughts on the Disney parks.

Marc Davis: The Imagineer Who Crafted Modern Disney Parks

Would you rather see Haunted Mansion Holiday run at Disneyland and Walt Disney World in alternating years, or do you prefer things remain as they are? Let us know in the comments below.

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