Something eerie — and festive — has taken place overnight at Disneyland Park. Guests arriving this morning were met with an unmistakable sight: the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay has officially appeared, seemingly materializing out of nowhere. Overnight, the stately New Orleans Square mansion transformed into Jack Skellington’s playground, adorned with garlands of jack-o’-lanterns, twisted wreaths, and a foreboding presence of Nightmare Before Christmas décor that stretches from rooftop to garden gate.
This seasonal transformation is a tradition more than two decades old, and one that always manages to surprise guests who wake up to discover the Mansion reborn as the Pumpkin King’s lair. But this year’s debut carries extra weight. Between the overlay’s sudden arrival, the Mansion’s disappearance from the schedule last week, and the recent passing of actor Terence Stamp — who once played a pivotal role tied to the Haunted Mansion legacy — fans are experiencing a bittersweet mix of celebration and grief.
The new transformation can be seen on X after Matt (@Disneyscoopguy) shared photos, “Nightmare Before Christmas decorations went up overnight on the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland!”
Nightmare Before Christmas decorations went up overnight on the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland! pic.twitter.com/WKWYK9Nhyf
— Matt (@DisneyScoopGuy) August 17, 2025
The Sudden Vanishing of the Haunted Mansion
In early August, sharp-eyed fans noticed that the Haunted Mansion had mysteriously disappeared from Disneyland’s official schedule. Beginning August 11, the attraction showed no posted operating hours. With no official explanation, speculation immediately ran rampant: Was the Haunted Mansion closing down permanently? Was an unannounced refurbishment on the way? Or, perhaps, was something more festive lurking in the shadows?
The disappearance wasn’t without precedent. For over 20 years, Disneyland has closed the attraction for roughly 10 days every late summer to install Haunted Mansion Holiday, an ambitious overlay that reimagines the gothic estate through the lens of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. The calendar gap lined up exactly with that tradition, suggesting the Mansion was simply preparing for its annual seasonal makeover.
That theory proved correct. Overnight, the Mansion has been draped in its otherworldly holiday finery, confirming what many longtime fans already suspected: Jack Skellington and Sally are back, ushering in a months-long takeover that will last through early January.
Haunted Mansion Holiday: A Legacy of Its Own
Debuting in 2001, Haunted Mansion Holiday has become an institution at Disneyland. The overlay blends the eerie gothic style of the original 1969 attraction with Burton’s offbeat Halloween-meets-Christmas universe.
Guests will soon be able to re-experience favorites like the gingerbread house centerpiece (uniquely designed fresh each year), Zero the ghost dog floating through the halls, and the raucous holiday soundtrack recorded with a full orchestra. What started as a seasonal experiment is now one of the most popular overlays in Disney history, drawing repeat visitors who flock to see what Imagineers have dreamed up this time.
Yet the popularity of the overlay has long sparked debate among fans. While some adore the festive spectacle, purists argue that the classic Haunted Mansion — an attraction that has stood since the park’s earliest years — deserves to shine in its original form during more of the year. With the overlay running from late August through early January, nearly five months of each year are dedicated to Jack Skellington’s version rather than the beloved original.
This year, the tension is especially noticeable. With Disneyland still basking in the glow of its 70th Anniversary celebration, many guests hoped to experience the park in its most authentic, nostalgic form. Instead, the classic Haunted Mansion is once again gone during a prime season of anniversary festivities.
Timing and the Halloween Season
Disneyland’s decision to install Haunted Mansion Holiday earlier in the calendar isn’t accidental. The overlay now opens in late August, just in time for the first nights of Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure and the resort-wide shift into Halloween mode.
This year, the attraction will remain closed through August 21, with Haunted Mansion Holiday officially reopening August 22. From that day forward, it will serve as a centerpiece of Disneyland’s Halloween celebrations — and later, its holiday season — until January 7, 2026.
A Somber Note: Remembering Terence Stamp
While guests delight in the Mansion’s transformation, many are also reflecting on a loss deeply connected to its legacy. On August 17, just as the overlay was being prepared, news broke that actor Terence Stamp had passed away at the age of 87.
Disney fans know Stamp best for his role as Ramsley, the butler in the 2003 Haunted Mansion film. A chilling and elegant presence, Stamp’s performance captured the balance of gothic gravitas and supernatural menace that defines the Mansion itself.
But Stamp’s career stretched far beyond Disney. Born in Stepney, London, in 1938, he trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art before making his film debut in Billy Budd (1962). The performance earned him both a Golden Globe for New Star of the Year and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
From there, Stamp’s career became iconic. He starred as General Zod in Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980), Chancellor Valorum in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999), and Bernadette in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994) — a role that won him international acclaim and nominations for both Golden Globe and BAFTA awards. His other credits spanned decades and genres, from Wall Street (1987) to Valkyrie (2008) and Last Night in Soho (2021).
Disney’s announcement of Haunted Mansion Holiday’s arrival comes just as fans mourn Stamp’s passing. His connection to the Mansion’s cinematic history underscores how deeply entwined the attraction is with popular culture and with generations of storytellers who brought it to life.
Nostalgia, Celebration, and Change
The Haunted Mansion Holiday debut highlights a central theme of Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary: the park’s ability to evolve while honoring its history. Overnight transformations like this one demonstrate Disney’s unparalleled knack for storytelling through design and detail. Yet they also remind fans that change often comes at a cost, whether it’s the temporary disappearance of a classic attraction or the loss of an actor who once embodied its spirit.
For visitors arriving today, the sight of Jack Skellington perched atop the Mansion is a thrill — a signal that the Halloween season is upon us, and that one of Disneyland’s most beloved traditions has returned. For others, it’s a moment of reflection: the original Haunted Mansion may be gone for now, but it remains an immortal part of Disneyland’s story.
And with the memory of Terence Stamp woven into the Mansion’s legacy, this year’s overlay carries an extra layer of poignancy. The ghosts inside may be happy haunts, but outside the gates, fans are remembering a performer whose artistry gave the Mansion yet another dimension of life — and death.
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