Jack Skellington Takes Over Disneyland
During the Halloween Time and holiday seasons at the Disneyland Resort, the classic Haunted Mansion undergoes a spectacular seasonal transformation, emerging as the immensely popular Haunted Mansion Holiday. This creative “collision” merges the eerie aesthetic of Halloween with the cheer of Christmas, all inspired by the film Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. The attraction is completely redecorated as Jack Skellington, dressed as “Sandy Claws,” brings his own macabre and merry interpretation of the holidays from Halloween Town to the ghostly estate, turning the 999 happy haunts into merry ones.
The Grand Hall’s Ginger-Scare Creation
A centerpiece of this annual overlay is the magnificent, giant gingerbread house found in the Grand Hall ballroom, a tradition Jack Skellington maintains for the manor’s spectral residents. Each year, the house features a new spooky-sweet design. For this season, the thirteen-foot-tall gingerbread structure pays homage to the raven, the Haunted Mansion’s guide who takes a hiatus during the holiday takeover. The confection is adorned with a frightening “murder” of black crows, at least thirteen of which rest on the banquet table, their piercing red eyes eerily following passing guests. Several crows are animated, moving on the house and the tower, with one even suffering an electric shock while attempting to rearrange the Christmas lights. This intricate, highly detailed gingerbread display releases a tempting scent of holiday baking throughout the ballroom. Guests should consult the official Disneyland website or app on the day of their visit for necessary details on accessing the attraction.
Frightfully Fun Facts and Details
The transformation involves more than just a new scent and a massive centerpiece. Over 400 flickering candles are used to cast a ghostly glow upon the exterior façade of the manor, while more than 100 jack-o-lanterns shine their ominous light each night. Inside, the beloved Stretching Room features a fully animated sequence starring Jack Skellington and his spectral dog, Zero, who also makes surprise appearances among the transforming portraits in the gallery corridor.
Notable Haunted Mansion Holiday Elements
- Madame Leota: In the Séance Room, the floating psychic is voiced by Kim Irvine, who learned the role from her mother, Disney Legend Leota Toombs. Madame Leota’s “13 Days of Christmas” is showcased on 13 spinning fortune cards that detail the bizarre gifts she received.
- Festive Graveyard: The mansion’s graveyard is blanketed with nearly 7,500 square feet of manufactured snow, and almost 1,000 tiny orange lights festoon the trees, creating a beautifully spooky resting place.
- New Figures: Over two dozen new animated figures, including fearsome wreaths and vampire teddy bears, “materialize” throughout the ride, adding to the macabre holiday spirit.
