Disneyland’s holiday switch is already visible on ‘it’s a small world,’ weeks before the overlay opens

Disneyland has started dressing one of its most recognizable facades for the holidays before the seasonal version of the ride officially returns. Guests walking through Fantasyland can already spot the first visible change on "it's a small world," even though the attraction is still in its Halloween and fall season window.

The update is on the outside of the original Disneyland attraction. Christmas string lights have been installed across the white facade of "it's a small world," with the decoration standing out most clearly around the gold details on the front of the building.

For now, that is the main holiday change guests are likely to notice. The lights have been put in place, but they will not be switched on until "it's a small world" Holiday opens on November 13, 2026.

The attraction itself is scheduled to close on October 30 for its annual holiday overlay. When it returns, the seasonal version is expected to once again bring the familiar holiday presentation the ride is known for, including thousands of colorful Christmas lights, festive outfits for the doll animatronics inspired by international holiday traditions, and a revised soundtrack that mixes seasonal songs with the attraction’s signature theme.

Another exterior change is still to come after the closure begins. Disneyland is also set to add the bright red Santa Claus hat that appears on the spinning clock face on the Fantasyland facade.

The early decorating matters most for Disneyland Park guests visiting Fantasyland in the second half of October, because the holiday transition has already started even while fall offerings remain in place elsewhere. Anyone hoping to ride the standard version of "it's a small world" still has until October 30 before the attraction goes down for the seasonal conversion. Guests who want the holiday edition will need to wait until November 13, when the overlay officially reopens.