Haunted Mansion Holiday Returns to Disneyland with Spooky New Touches

After a six-month hiatus, Disneyland’s beloved Haunted Mansion Holiday is making a thrilling comeback with fresh design elements and fan-favourite characters just in time for the Halloween and Christmas seasons.

The eerie attraction, located in the park’s New Orleans Square, has officially reopened after a temporary closure that began on January 22. The shutdown was part of ongoing renovation efforts to improve the area and enhance the guest experience. As part of the revamp, Disneyland has been working on expanding the mansion’s outdoor queue area, introducing improved accessibility features, and constructing a new gift shop inspired by Madame Leota’s mysterious carriage house. The redesigned queue will also include elegant gardens, complete with water features and sculptures of iconic Haunted Mansion characters.

As always, the seasonal overlay draws heavily from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, transforming the classic ride into a festive fusion of Halloween and Christmas. Characters such as Jack Skellington, Sally, and others from Halloween Town will once again bring their unique charm and spooky cheer to the haunted halls of the mansion.

What makes this year’s version stand out is the inclusion of brand-new elements that haven’t been seen before. According to Disney, this year’s centrepiece — the grand gingerbread house in the ballroom scene — features an entirely new design created exclusively for the 2024 holiday season. While details of the design remain under wraps, it promises to offer a fresh twist to the long-standing tradition.

How to Access the Haunted Mansion Holiday

Access to the Haunted Mansion Holiday attraction will be managed through a virtual queue system available via the Disneyland app. There won’t be a traditional standby line, so guests must use the app to secure their spot.

The virtual queue will open twice daily. The first opportunity is at 7 a.m. for guests with a valid park reservation and either a single-park or Park Hopper ticket. The second window opens at 12 p.m. for those already inside Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park with a Park Hopper ticket.

To join the queue, only one member of a group needs to submit the request, provided all tickets are linked to the same Disney account. Disney recommends checking the app just before 7 a.m. or shortly ahead of the visit to improve the chances of securing access.

With its fresh updates and a renewed festive spirit, Haunted Mansion Holiday is expected to be one of the season’s highlights, drawing in both long-time fans and curious newcomers eager to experience the spine-tingling celebration.