The Halloween Town crew have transplanted their countdown wreath clock to the Mansion as well, it's web-wound hands spinning wildly now that it's "000 Days to Xmas" and the holiday season has begun (an ironic commentary since many stores actually DO start stocking shelves with Christmas wares even before Halloween arrives)!

Note that even the construction of the attraction's props embodies the "homemade" look by the Halloween Town denizens, as seen by the crude, quite un-Disney hoisting of the Xmas signage by a rope slung from the upper candelabra and tied off at the balcony railing.

Even the usually somber, invisible-horsedrawn hearse has gotten into the holiday spirit, offering a ride to festive jack o' lanterns who were just dying to be a part of the Haunted Mansion Holiday celebration.

Enough of the outdoor decoration, let's step inside and greet our holiday ghost host in person and join the party! As we enter the foyer, our host's disembodied voice greets us, beginning an entirely new soundtrack created specifically for the HMH show:

'Twas a long time ago,

Even longer now than it seems,

In a place that perhaps

You've seen in your dreams

For the story that you are about to be told

Began with the holiday worlds of old

I know you're curious to see what's inside

It's what happens when two holidays collide!

A similar opening to that of "Nightmare Before Christmas," read in a voice that's remarkably similar to that of the Mansion's original, irreplaceable narrator, Paul Frees. Granted, Paul Frees' voice talent can never be duplicated, but Corey Burton (no relation to Tim) sounds as much like Frees as anyone ever will... perhaps a bit too close for some fans, who worry that rumored rehabs of classic Disneyland rides in 2005 for the park's 50th anniversary will prompt the abandonment of Frees' original Mansion narration. Only time will tell on that note, meanwhile enjoy Corey Burton's excellent work as a worthy successor to Frees' legacy in the Haunted Mansion Holiday. He offers an excellent recreation of Paul Frees' deep intonation, pacing and devilish delivery which suits this new show's theme and holiday tone.

The hidden panels of the foyer have slid open silently, and our Ghost Host beckons us into the portrait gallery which displays a scintillating collection of new... and fragile art.

Welcome, my friends, to our Christmas delight

Come witness a ghoulishly glorious sight

It's time for our holiday tale to begin

There's no turning back now, please come all the way in...