{"id":41814,"date":"2015-09-30T12:00:30","date_gmt":"2015-09-30T16:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/?p=41814"},"modified":"2022-04-12T13:38:02","modified_gmt":"2022-04-12T17:38:02","slug":"haunted-mansion-holiday-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/haunted-mansion-holiday-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Haunted Mansion Holiday"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Haunted<\/p>\n

One of the favorite Disneyland attractions is, undoubtedly, the Haunted Mansion.\u00a0 Its eerie exterior beacons the adventurous to enter and escape its ghostly inhabitants.\u00a0 But for a few months in fall and winter, the mansion plays host to a different sort of adventure \u2013 a happily haunted holiday happening.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Haunted<\/p>\n

Now hurry along<\/em><\/p>\n

As they say, \u2018Look alive.\u2019
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

This is one holiday [attraction] you will want to survive.<\/em><\/p>\n

~ Narrator \u2013 Haunted Mansion Holiday<\/p>\n

\"Haunted<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Haunted Mansion Holiday originally opened October 3, 2001 to an enthusiastic crowd and good reviews \u2013 at the time, only Disneyland had this holiday overlay, although you can now find Haunted Mansion Holiday at Tokyo Disneyland as well.\u00a0 In deciding to offer a third holiday overlay, Disneyland was hoping to repeat the success of the other two holiday overlays: Country Bear Christmas Special and It\u2019s a Small World Holiday.<\/p>\n

At first Disney Imagineering toyed with the idea of bringing A Christmas Carol<\/em> into the Haunted Mansion.\u00a0 Although the story fit the Christmas holiday requirement of the new overlay, there were several problems with bring this story into New Orleans Square.\u00a0 That\u2019s when several Cast Members got creative and cobbled together the idea of the holiday overlay for the Haunted Mansion and a shelved ride idea based on the Nightmare before Christmas.<\/em>\u00a0 The result was an instant success that has a near cult following.<\/p>\n

\"Haunted<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Unlike the other two holiday overlays, Haunted Mansion Holiday is very different from its non-overlay attraction.\u00a0 Haunted Mansion Holiday changes the music, narration, decor, many of the audio-animatronics, and even the storyline of the attraction.<\/p>\n

\"Haunted<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A Droning Dirge<\/u><\/p>\n

The first year music for Haunted Mansion Holiday was composed by Gordon Goodwin.\u00a0 His score was more reminiscent of the Haunted Mansion than Nightmare before Christmas<\/em> and was most notable for his scarols (Halloween Town\u2019s version of our favorite Christmas carols) that played in the queue lines in the pet cemetery.<\/p>\n

\"Haunted<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The following year (2002), John Debney was asked to readdress the music for the overlay.\u00a0 He created an adaptation based on Danny Elfman\u2019s original score for the movie which was far more familiar to and popular with the guests visiting the attraction.<\/p>\n

\"Haunted<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Goodwin\u2019s music still plays in the stretching room and exit crypt for those interested in trivia.\u00a0 Sadly, Goodwin\u2019s scarols have been relegated to the pages of yesterland.<\/p>\n

Calling all Spirits<\/u><\/p>\n

Where possible, the original movie voice actors were used for the dialogue in the overlay.\u00a0 Where it was not possible to have the original actors, as with the Haunted Mansion characters carrying over into the overlay (such as the Ghost Host and Madam Leota), Disney brought in voice artists who sound remarkably similar to the original.\u00a0 The overall effect is that the overlay melds both the Haunted Mansion and Nightmare before<\/em> Christmas<\/em> casts.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Haunted<\/p>\n

Better Crypts and Gardens<\/u><\/p>\n

As one could imagine, Jack and his Halloween Town Holiday Committee have made a few notable d\u00e9cor modifications to the mansion and its grounds.\u00a0 From long before reaching the gates, some of these changes can be seen.\u00a0 Pumpkins, Halloween garlands, and black and white striped bows bedazzle the mansion and the grounds.\u00a0 For several years, Sparky\u2019s gravestone has appeared in the pet cemetery.\u00a0 As you enter the mansion, Jack\u2019s team has been busily working to bring holiday cheer to the old house.\u00a0 Christmas lights, jack-o-lanterns, a huge Christmas tree, presents, snow, and good cheer have been loaded in.<\/p>\n

\"Haunted<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Haunted<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The most anticipated surprise each year is the gingerbread house.\u00a0 Never the same twice, this standard fare from American Christmas holidays, dwarfs the ballroom dining table.\u00a0 The smell of ginger and sugar floods your senses as you turn to take in the cookie masterpiece \u2013 have a look at the Disney Parks blog for this year\u2019s creation.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Haunted<\/p>\n

Our Ghosts Change their Skins<\/u><\/p>\n

Each year several audio-animatronics swaps are made.\u00a0 Notably the ravens seen throughout your Haunted Mansion tour have been replaced by Teddy (the vampire teddy bear from the Nightmare before Christmas<\/em>).\u00a0 Do not be surprised to see Zero drop by in the most unexpected places; and be prepared for other Nightmare before Christmas<\/em> characters \u2013 such as Lock, Shock, and Barrel, Oogie Boogie, and Jack himself \u2013 who take over some of the plinths of the notable Haunted Mansion characters.<\/p>\n

\"Haunted<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In Madam Leota\u2019s s\u00e9ance room, the medium recites the 12 days of Christmas as she floats above her table.\u00a0 Have a look at her tarot cards spinning around the room.\u00a0 Her ghoul love is very generous.<\/p>\n

\"Haunted<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This year, the big question was, \u2018Will Hattie be joining in the holiday celebration?\u2019\u00a0 It can now be reported that, though his bride is vacationing, the Hat Box Ghost has stayed on to enjoy his haunted holiday.\u00a0 So, those of you traveling during the overlay time who wanted to see Hattie can still see him.<\/p>\n

Stories Have to be Told<\/u><\/p>\n

The old story goes: It was only last year that Jack, slightly misguidedly, unleashed his version of Sandy Claws on the world.\u00a0 He learned a bit on that night\u2019s ride and agreed with Santa that perhaps Christmas was best left to those of Christmas Town.\u00a0 But it was so much fun that Jack has found a happy coincidence.\u00a0 Here at Disneyland, in the old ghostly mansion, there are 999 happy haunts who might just appreciate Halloween Town\u2019s take on the cheery holiday.\u00a0 So, as a bit of fun, Jack and his friends have set the stage for the best ghost Christmas party of the year.\u00a0 Guests to Disneyland are invited to the party as well.\u00a0 As the guests enter the mansion, they are welcomed by the Ghost Host and Jack who guide them through the Halloween Town Christmas.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Haunted<\/p>\n

A Bit More Fun<\/u><\/p>\n

For those who love the movie, Haunted Mansion Holiday has quite a few Easter eggs.\u00a0 Make sure that you look around you when you are able, you never know who you may find\u2026or when (for example, the Halloween Town Band is often found in the windows of the portrait hall but they are visible only when lightning strikes).<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Haunted<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Some guests have heard of Oogie Boogie\u2019s Holiday Tricks and Treats Scavenger Hunt.\u00a0 This used to be a sheet that could be picked up at City Hall and would give clues as to where you can find Oogie Boogie hidden in the attraction.\u00a0 Now Oogie Boogie is front and center, but you can still find Oogie hidden in other areas if you look.\u00a0 Check the moon for Oogie\u2019s shadow and have a good look through the cluttered attic, there is an Oogie clapping toy in there.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Haunted<\/p>\n

This overlay is a family friendly romp through a mashup of the Haunted Mansion and the Nightmare before Christmas<\/em>.\u00a0 Haunted Mansion Holiday has made a place for itself in the Disneyland pantheon of holiday offerings and is quickly becoming a classic Disneyland attraction.<\/p>\n

\"HMH<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What is your favorite part of Haunted Mansion Holiday? Share in the comments.<\/em><\/p>\n

Incoming search terms:<\/h4>
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    One of the favorite Disneyland attractions is, undoubtedly, the Haunted Mansion.\u00a0 Its eerie exterior beacons the adventurous to enter and escape its ghostly inhabitants.\u00a0 But for a few months in fall and winter, the mansion plays host to a different sort of adventure \u2013 a happily haunted holiday happening.   Now hurry along As they…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":81,"featured_media":41825,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4319],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-41814","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-disneyland-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41814","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/81"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41814"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41814\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41916,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41814\/revisions\/41916"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41825"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41814"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41814"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41814"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}