At the bottom of this list is the Jingle Cruise. The attraction evolved over the years at Disneyland, starting out with just a few random decorations throughout the jungle scenes, and developing further with a full-fledged backstory about an air crew whose holiday cargo accidentally fell from their craft and was scattered throughout the jungle. The décor and theming improved greatly as each year went by, and as a result, this overlay went from feeling a bit random and unnecessary, to something with heart and humor that was reflected not only in the props, but also interwoven throughout the queue and its accompanying audio, and even into the narration of the Skippers. In reality, the décor never really contained anything major in the way of audio animatronics or other effects, and some of the holiday props were just downright ridiculous. It’s still a bit of a stretch to make real sense of it all, and probably still not really necessary, but that’s what makes it fun – another holiday touch added to the resort not for profit, but for the pure enjoyment of guests. And that’s why it’s a shame the overlay has been M.I.A. since 2017. The Florida resort still carries on the tradition, but at Disneyland it’s an attraction that is only a memory. At the end of the day, it was a fun overlay, but nothing really amazing to write home about, and so Jingle Cruise comes in at last place on our list.

The lone Halloween-time entry on our list is a brilliant concept not quite properly executed. Ghost Galaxy’s exterior – with its eerie sounds and lighting – is arguably the “scariest” part of this attraction, and certainly worth a few minutes of appreciation. Inside the queue, it’s almost easy to miss the overlay. A bit of strange sound here and there, green lighting in the load area, a static-interrupted transmission screen – but nothing really staring you in the face that this is going to be a completely different experience. Once on board, however, it become crystal clear, with a killer soundtrack that sets a great mood. It’s an excellent blend of ominous and exciting, perfect for this concept of a paranormal outer space adventure. The special effects interwoven throughout the ride however – from the lift hills to the finale – are inconsistent. Some of them seem to deliver perfectly. Others feel like they were designed with little to no budget at all. The result is a very inconsistent experience that really fails to live up to its promise. And perhaps this is why Disney doesn’t go even further with making the overlay more obvious. We’ve repeatedly heard guests that return to the loading platform commenting how they didn’t know it was going to be “scary”. Ultimately it’s a ride we exit with mixed emotions each time – wondering how much better this great concept could be with the right amount of time, attention, and budget. As a result, third place is where Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy sits on our list.

We’re in the camp that finds the classic It’s a Small World to be a true Disney original, but not high on our list of “must dos”. The ride is a bit dated, a bit stale, and that song. Yes it’s an earworm, but 12 minutes nonstop feels a bit like nails on a chalkboard. That all being said, we were blown away the first time we experienced It’s a Small World Holiday. Not only does the exterior drip of Disney Holiday magic, but immediately you hear the interwoven “Jingle Bells” carol mixed in with the attraction’s original score. This is pulled off in a way that transforms the tune not just into something tolerable, but downright enjoyable. The interior of the ride is a full-blown holiday extravaganza – it seems almost nothing goes untouched. Each country pays tribute to its local traditions and customs, adding to the kinetic energy and plethora of visual entertainment. The finale is a winter wonderland covered in snow and decorations, with “Deck the Halls” interwoven against the classic theme song. It’s hard to find any faults here, as this version of the ride is just so much better than the original, that it’s hard to get excited when it returns to its classic form each January. The long lines during November and December only serve to backup this argument: It’s a Small World Holiday is the biggest improvement on this list when compared to its classic form, and a pure joy to experience. It’s a very close second place, and an attraction that should not be missed during the Holiday Season.

Let’s be honest: the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland didn’t need to be improved. And it certainly wasn’t crying out for a Holiday overlay. This is a headliner attraction that commands large crowds all year, and very easily could continue to do so in its original form all throughout the holidays, as the Florida version (which receives no seasonal overlay) has proven year after year. But thankfully, back in 2001, the brilliant idea of bringing Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas to the attraction became a reality. And the result is Disney magic on a level rarely matched. The exterior of the attraction is a sight to behold, with hundreds of candles, dozens of skulls, pumpkins, and wreaths - Jack Skellington’s confused but sincere attempt at making two holidays collide. From the moment guests walk inside, the magic begins, with the Ghost Host reciting spooky Christmas themed rhymes. There is hardly an untouched inch of the attraction, as virtually every prop, visual, and effect receives some sort of special transformation from Sandy Claws. And each year, a real and unique giant themed gingerbread house becomes the centerpiece of the dining room scene, its scents drafted up to the riders looking from above in their Doom Buggies. Annually, this overlay is plussed with new effects and props, and continues to improve and impress. And the fact that it runs from mid-September through mid-January attests to its popularity. Simply put: Haunted Mansion Holiday is Disney firing on all cylinders, and hitting all the right marks. It’s the plussing of an already incredible attraction into something better – something that so perfectly blends the Holidays and Disney magic, that this review and ranking really can’t do it proper justice. Suffice it to say, we weep for those Disney theme park fans who have never seen or experienced Haunted Mansion Holiday in person, and we proudly proclaim it the greatest holiday-themed overlay at Disneyland park, and one that gets better and better with each passing year.