Disneyland Resort has a fresh official preview of its annual holiday ride overlays, and the 2026 Disney Parks Blog rundown points to the returning favorites guests usually build holiday trips around: Haunted Mansion Holiday, "it’s a small world" Holiday, Cars Land attraction overlays, and seasonal decor across the resort.
The key context is simple: these are returning traditions, not brand-new attractions. Disney’s latest preview is useful because it lays out which seasonal overlays are being highlighted and what guests can expect inside each one.
Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland park
Haunted Mansion Holiday returns in time for Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort. The overlay transforms the classic Haunted Mansion into a seasonal version inspired by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, with Jack Skellington and the residents of Halloween Town taking over the mansion.
Disney’s preview says guests can expect festive scenes, updated decor, holiday-infused music, and familiar Haunted Mansion characters with a seasonal twist. The ballroom gingerbread house is also part of the tradition, with Disney Live Entertainment creating a new design every season.
Disney also shared two background details for Haunted Mansion fans. Walt Disney Imagineers updated the Oogie Boogie Audio-Animatronics figure last year with an adjusted pose and silhouette. The holiday version of Madame Leota uses the face of Imagineer Kim Irvine, daughter of Leota Toombs, the original Madame Leota, a choice made when Haunted Mansion Holiday debuted in October 2001.
"it’s a small world" Holiday at Disneyland park
"it’s a small world" Holiday also returns as one of Disneyland’s signature seasonal overlays. Disney describes the holiday version as a ride through the Seven Seaways canal with different regions celebrating in distinct ways, including Mele Kalikimaka in the South Pacific, Feliz Navidad in Mexico, and New Year traditions across Europe and Asia.
The soundtrack also changes for the season. Disney says the attraction blends "It’s a Small World (After All)" with holiday classics including "Jingle Bells" and "Deck the Halls" in a continuous musical arrangement.
The Disneyland version of the overlay debuted in 1997. Disney says it has since become an annual tradition at the resort, with decorations, lighting, festive soundtracks, costumes, props, and effects. The exterior lighting remains one of the biggest nighttime photo draws during the holiday season.
Cars Land holiday overlays at Disney California Adventure
Disney California Adventure is also part of the holiday overlay lineup through Cars Land. Disney’s preview specifically names two seasonal attraction overlays in Radiator Springs: Mater’s Jingle Jamboree and Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl.
Mater’s Jingle Jamboree is the holiday version of Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree. Disney says the overlay includes seasonal tunes with Mater’s humor and original lyrics, plus festive queue details, garland, lights, and decor around the tractors.
Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl is the holiday version of Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters. According to Disney, Luigi and family celebrate with festive dances set to songs sung by Luigi, while the cars glide, spin, pivot, and cruise around the floor in synchronized choreography.
Holiday decor across the resort
Beyond the ride overlays, Disney also pointed to smaller holiday details around Disneyland Resort. The blog mentions a skipper-inspired tree in Adventureland near the Jungle Cruise exit, garland on Storybook Land Canal Boats, and wreaths on the backside of some Main Street Vehicles.
Disney did not publish exact 2026 start and end dates for every overlay in this article. The specific timing detail included in the preview is that Haunted Mansion Holiday begins in time for Halloween Time at Disneyland Resort. For exact operating dates, guests should check Disneyland’s official calendar closer to their visit.
What to know: Haunted Mansion Holiday, "it’s a small world" Holiday, Mater’s Jingle Jamboree, and Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl are the named ride overlays in Disney’s latest preview, with additional holiday decor appearing across the resort.
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Source: Disney Parks Blog
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