Visiting in January? Anything will help??

[VallCopen]

We are planning a trip to Disneyland in Jan 10' the first week or two and are wondering if they always close the haunted house after Christmas to change the decor? How long is it closed if they do? Last year Small World was closed in Jan. is that common? Any other information on crowds or anything else would be greatly appreciated.. Thank you

 

[Gisele]

For as long as hmh has been held, it generally works this way.... in Sept. after labor day, The Haunted Mansion (Not the haunted house) is closed, then @2 weeks later, it reopens as the haunted mansion holiday. It remains open, until after Jan. 01, where then it will be closed down again, for another @ two weeks, then re open in it's more or less original state.
Refurbishments can and do take place at various times throughout the year. Keep eye on the refurbishment schedule on Disney's web site. It is a good idea to call as well, as your finalized plans begin to take place, just in case, you may need to change a date or two. That being calling Disney's guest services. Mind you, sometimes they do not have information available at the time. Hence, the importance of being mindful of the dates on their site. This forum is a good source as well as other Disney related sites.
Have a wonderful trip!

 

[S. S. Columbia]

We are planning a trip to Disneyland in Jan 10' the first week or two and are wondering if they always close the haunted house after Christmas to change the decor? How long is it closed if they do? Last year Small World was closed in Jan. is that common? Any other information on crowds or anything else would be greatly appreciated.. Thank you

FWIW, the following information is from the MP weekly updates:

HM has been closed on the following dates to remove the HMH overlay:

Jan. 5 to Feb. 13, 2009 (included a refurb???? )
Jan. 7 to Jan. 24, 2008
Jan. 8 to Jan. 18, 2007
Jan. 18 to March 9, 2006 (included a refurb)
Jan. 4 to Jan. 23, 2005
Jan. 5 to Jan. 16, 2004
Jan. 6 to Jan. 23, 2003

FWIW, there has been some unofficial talk saying that the Rivers of America will be closed for maintenance from the mid-January to April 2010 time frame. Fantasmic would not be shown during that time.

HTH

 

[VallCopen]

Thanks for the info!! Sorry about the Haunted House (Mansion) remark I was busy with the baby as I wrote that and was just trying to get it posted and wasn't paying attention.

 

[Gisele]

You are forgiven! But don't let it happen again ......... or else .......... J/K! Although for those of us that love our most beloved mansion, when reference is made as a haunted house, or to that effect, it does make us rather cringe. And not in ghoulish delight either.
Jan. from what I have read on this forum and elsewhere, should be a nice time to go. The weather can be decent, and the crowd levels being nothing like in Dec. or on NYE. I have read many posts, about how the rides were walk ons. I would still take part in the Fast Pass system though, it cannot hurt. For one never knows how the attendance might end up being on any given day. Remember too, that the FP's can be used past their initial time stamp, just not on a different day.

Have fun! And if it is to be one's birthday, or first visit, anniversary, etc. don't forget to ask for your buttons.