Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment

Little Known Facts about the Foreign Magic Kingdoms

Andrea “Mickeyfantasmic” Monti returns with a potpourri piece about the Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disney Resorts, highlighting some of the lesser known aspects of these resorts and their theme parks.

Published

21 years ago

October 19, 2003

Andrea Monti

Up for a little Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disneyland trivia? Well, then, let me share some of the stories that I’ve heard over the years about these two Magic Kingdoms:

A Trolley Tale
Many of you JHM readers probably already know about Eddie Sotto’s first concept for the Main Street USA area at Disneyland Paris. Where the theming for that part of the theme park wasn’t going to be turn-of-the-century America. But — rather — the United States circa 1925, at the height of the Jazz Age. So Main Street was going to be loaded with flappers, gangsters and speakeasies. Not to mention its very own elevated rail line.

So why didn’t this version of Main Street USA ever get built? Well, while this theme park was still in its development phase, Disney CEO Michael Eisner supposedly caught a rerun of “The Untouchables.” And after learning about how brutal gangsters supposedly really were during this era in American history, the Mouse House’s Big Cheese decided that characters that behaved like that really didn’t belong in a Disney theme park. Which is why Eisner ordered the Imagineers to roll Main Street’s odometer back to where it used to be: turn-of-the-century America.

Of course, now the time period for this part of the park had been shifted back 25 years, an elevated train line really didn’t fit in this timeline. Which is why Main Street USA’s overhead trolley got dropped in favor of the old fashioned horse-drawn trolley that had been featured in all of the other Magic Kingdoms.

Still, the Imagineers wouldn’t give up on their idea of recreating a vintage overhead rail system inside of a Disney theme park. So — when design work began on the American Waterfront section of Tokyo DisneySea — guess what design component was followed into this part of the park almost immediately? You guessed it: An elevated train line.

Thankfully, this time around, this particular ride idea didn’t get cut out or downsized as TDS went through its design permeations. Which is why — every day — visitors to this theme can enjoy a trip from Port Discovery to the Americant waterfront aboard an elevated electric trolley. All because the Imagineers refused to give up on this idea. And — by hook or by crook — they were going to eventually get a recreation of this turn-of-the-20th century transportation built in one of the Disney theme parks.

Sharing Sky Rockets
The Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Seas theme parks are so close together that they actually share a fireworks display. Over on the TDL side of the resort, “Fantasy in the Sky” features its standard soundtrack. But given that this nightly fireworks display can also be seen from inside TDS, the Imagineers opted to come with a unique solution to this situation. Rather than pipe TDL’s “Fantasy in the Sky” soundtrack into TDS (and potentially impact the story telling in that theme park), they created an entirely different soundtrack for this fireworks display.

The TDS version of “Fantasy in the Sky” is called “Buona Sera Serenade.” As TDR guests gather in the Mediterranean Harbour area, the fireworks show that they’re watching is synced up to a melody that features the Tokyo DisneySea theme, “Part of Your World” from “The Little Mermaid,” “Arabian Nights” from “Aladdin” as well as John Williams’ “Raiders of the Lost Ark” march.

So that’s two shows really for the price of one. And — just in case you’re wondering — TDR’s nightly fireworks display are actually fired off from the roof of the Oriental Land Company (the Japanese land management firm that actually owns and operates the Tokyo Disney Resort)’s back stage offices.

One attraction. Four different theme parks. Four different locations.
Talk about your restless spirits! “The Haunted Mansion” is the only attraction to be found in a different land in each of the Disney theme parks worldwide. The original mansion is located in Disneyland’s New Orleans Square area, while WDW’s version is located in Liberty Square. Meanwhile, over in Tokyo Disneyland, that park’s Haunted Mansion is found in Fantasyland. And DLP’s “Phantom Manor” was built at the outermost edges of that theme park’s Frontierland area.

And – if the Imagineers have their way – Disney’s “Haunted Mansion” will continue its wandering ways. For — among the many ideas that are currently being considered for “Phase II” of Hong Kong Disneyland’s construction — is putting a jungle-themed “Haunted Mansion” into that park’s Adventureland section. Which (in theory) would give Hong Kong tourists a reason to return HKDL in 2010 (which is about when this proposed “E Ticket” attraction would be going on line at that theme park).

So — since there’s a “Haunted Mansion” in New Orleans Square, Liberty Square, Frontierland and Fantasyland (and one supposed on the way for HKDL’s Adventureland section) — how soon will it be ’til we see a ghost-based attraction popping up in Tomorrowland? Well according to some of the wags at WDI: Given the large number of attractions that are already closed in Disneyland’s Tomorrowland area, technically this section of this Anaheim theme park already qualifies to be a ghost town. (I’m kidding. Just kidding.)

Really putting yourself into your work
Eddie Sotto, WDI’s lead designer on the Main Street USA section of Disneyland Paris, really wanted to “be part of the magic” in that theme park. “How badly did Eddie want to be ‘part of the magic’ in that theme park?” you ask. Well, Sotto’s voice can be heard as part of the Main Street soundtrack. Those weird little bits of dialogue you hear floating out windows as you wander up the street.

Eddie can be heard as the dentist who seems to be accidentally torturing his patient, the barking dog as well as one of the people talking on the party line. Over in DLP’s Frontierland section, it’s Sotto’s voice you hear in the pre-boarding spiel for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (I.E. “Howdy folks!”).

Mind you, Tokyo Disneyland guests also get to hear Eddie’s golden tones. For he helped provide crowd noises for that theme park’s new “Enchanted Tiki Room” show, “It’s hot-hot-hot!”

Or — if you’d prefer to see Mr. Sotto, rather than eyeballing Eddie — you can see this ubiquitous former Imagineer in the “Star Tours” pre-boarding video (He’s the guy who’s seated next to Chewbacca). Sotto also makes an appearance in the “Space Mountain” pre-boarding video which can be seen at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

That Eddie. He really gets around, doesn’t he?

Will you guys please make up your minds?
Back in the 1960s, when the Imagineers were originally designing Disneyland’s “Haunted Mansion,” they had to get guests from ground level down to 20 or so feet underground. So that these Disneyland visitors could then walk along a tunnel that would take them under the railroad tracks that circle the entire theme park. Whereupon they’d actually be inside of the massive “Haunted Mansion” show building and could begin the ride proper.

In order to do this, the wizards at WED overlaid some weird story elements on top of a somewhat standard elevator. And — Presto Changeo! — what once was an operational necessity became one of the real highlights of the attraction: the Stretching Room.

Of course, given that Disneyland guests had responded so positively to the Stretching Room section of that theme park’s “Haunted Mansion” attraction, the second version (which the Imagineers were prepping for installation at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom) had to have one too. The only problem was … Florida’s version of the “Haunted Mansion” didn’t need to take its guests underground in order to safely transfer them to the attraction’s main show building. The Imagineers had plenty of room to work with in Central Florida. More to the point, given that the theme park was basically being built on top of swampland, the theme park’s construction crew wanted to build everything as high about the groundwater line as they could.

But — given that they really wanted to keep this story moment as part of WDW’s “Haunted Mansion” — the guys from WDI came up with a unique fix. Instead of riding in an elevator that was actually going down, Disney World visitors would remain where they were standing. While all around them, the ceiling and the walls would slow move up, recreating the look and feel of Disneyland’s memorable Stretching Room sequence without the need to really lower the room.

Of course, given that Tokyo Disneyland opted to have a recreation of WDW’s “Haunted Mansion” built as part of that theme park, guests in that Stretching Room don’t actually go anywhere. They just stand still as the room slowly deforms around them.

Whereas — in the case of Disneyland Paris’ “Phantom Manor” — it was Anaheim all over again. The Imagineers had to get DLP guests down below ground so that the Disneyland Paris Railroad could safely pass overhead. Which is why this theme park used an elevator to lower visitors to the tunnel that will take them directly to the main show building for DLP’s “Phantom Manor.”

So — for those of you who are keeping count — that’s two versions of Disneyland’s “Haunted Mansion” that actually feature elevators in their Stretching Rooms and two versions of the attraction that do not.

Of course, just to be contrary, I bet if the Imagineers actually do go forward with construction of an Adventureland-themed “Haunted Mansion” for Hong Kong Disneyland that they’ll use some combination of a working elevator and slow rising walls to drive the illusions in that version of the attraction’s Stretching Room.

Only — in this incarnation of this venerable Disney them park attraction — the walls of the Mansion will expand outward, instead of upward. You know those Imagineers. Always trying to play with our minds.

Club 33 – Version 2.0
I’m sure that a lot of you Disneyana fans dream of the day that you’ll be allowed to dine at Disneyland’s Club 33, that oh-so-exclusive restaurant that’s located upstairs in the park’s New Orleans Square section. Of course, the only way that you’re ever allowed to dine at this hoity-toity establishment is if you’re a member or a guest of a member. Which is why so many of us spend time (whenever we’re visiting the Anaheim theme park) staring longingly at the restaurant’s understated entrance (Which is located — not-so-surprisingly — at 33 Royal Street).

If it’s any consolation, it’s not just stateside Disneyana fans who are feeling deprived at not being able to gain access to this elegant & exclusive eatry. For Tokyo Disneyland too has its own Club 33 (Which is located at 33 Centre Street in the World Bazaar section of that theme park). And — just like the Anaheim original — it features the same sort of understated décor and top-notch service.

The only real difference between the Anaheim & Tokyo versions of Club 33 is that the floor plan of the Japanese eatery features many more private little function rooms. Which — given that TDL’s Club 33 is a favorite spot for Japanese businessmen to take clients that they’re trying to impress — just makes sense. By dining in a small group in one of the restaurant’s smaller function rooms, these Japanese businessmen can impress their clients with the restaurant’s excellent service and exquisite décor without having to worry about who might be listening in on their potentially delicate negotiations.

Do you look like Tarzan? Well, if so, how would you like a ticket to Tokyo?
Here’s an interesting bit of trivia at the Tokyo Disney Resort: Only non Japanese performers are allowed to play face characters in TDR’s theme parks. By that I mean, characters that are usually portrayed in Disney’s theme parks by performers who are NOT wearing masks. Your Snow Whites, your Cinderellas, Your Pocahontases, Prince Erics and Tarzans.

This translate into an unusual career opportunity for Disney cast members who are working at the Anaheim theme parks, Walt Disney World and Disneyland Paris. For the Tokyo Disney Resort always seems to be recruiting attractive performers to portray face characters at both of their theme parks.

On the other hand, the “zoo crew” positions (I.E. Disney characters who are portrayed in the theme parks by performers dressed in full body costumes) are usually played by Japanese cast members. Who are just as gifted as their American and European counter-parts when it comes to playing Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, etc.

Disney Deja Vu
Everyone knows that Disneyland Paris wasn’t exactly a smashing success when it first opened in April 1992. But how many of you realize that Tokyo Disneyland had similar attendance problem when Disney’s first overseas theme park initially opened in April 1983?

Strange but true, folks. But — during its first year of operation — Tokyo Disneyland appears to be on the brink of becoming a massive failure. All because the citizens of Japan refused to initially embrace the idea of “a Disneyland for the Japanese.”

It took until 1986, when TDL opted to relaunch the theme park with a brand new marketing campaign, which reportedly gave Japanese tourists the impression that visiting Tokyo Disneyland was just like taking “a trip to the USA,” before things finally began to turn around.

This new way of marketing the theme park was obviously a roaring success. Even today, the lingering effects of that “Just like a trip to the USA” ad campaign can still be felt. Particularly on the retail side of things, where Japanese tourists still purchase TDL souvenirs to give their friends and neighbors upon their return home from the theme park. Which is just what they’d do if they’d actually made a trip overseas.

Well, that’s enough Disney trivia for today. Here’s hoping that you enjoyed these stories about Tokyo Disney and the Disneyland Paris resorts. And that you’ll now be able to see these resorts and their theme parks through different eyes.

Until next time, “ciao, ciao!”

Mickeyfantasmic

Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment

Disney and Macy’s 90-Year Thanksgiving Day Parade Partnership: From Mickey’s First Balloon to Minnie’s Big Debut

Published

1 month ago

November 15, 2024

Jim Hill

Now, folks, if you’re like me, Thanksgiving just wouldn’t be the same without a coffee, a cozy seat, and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on the TV. And if you’re really like me, you’re watching for one thing: Disney balloons floating down 34th Street. Ever wondered how Mickey, Donald, and soon Minnie Mouse found their way into this beloved New York tradition? Well, grab your popcorn because we’re diving into nearly 90 years of Disney’s partnership with Macy’s.

The Very First Parade and the Early Days of Balloons

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade goes way back to 1924, but if you can believe it, balloons weren’t part of the festivities until 1927. That first lineup included Felix the Cat, a dragon, and a toy soldier, all towering above the crowds. Back then, Macy’s had a pretty wild idea to end the parade: they would let the balloons drift off into the sky, free as birds. But this wasn’t just Macy’s feeling generous. Each balloon had a message attached, offering a $100 reward (about $1,800 in today’s dollars) for anyone who returned it to the flagship store on 34th Street.

And here’s where it gets interesting. This tradition carried on for a few years, right up until 1932, when Felix the Cat almost took down a plane flying over New York City! Imagine that—you’re flying into LaGuardia, and suddenly, there’s a 60-foot balloon drifting toward your wing. Needless to say, that was the end of Macy’s “fly away” stunt, and from then on, the balloons have stayed firmly grounded after the parade ends.

1934: Mickey Mouse Floats In, and Disney Joins the Parade

It was 1934 when Mickey Mouse finally made his grand debut in the Macy’s parade. Rumor has it Walt Disney himself collaborated with Macy’s on the design, and by today’s standards, that first Mickey balloon was a bit of a rough cut. This early Mickey had a hotdog-shaped body, and those oversized ears gave him a slightly lopsided look. But no one seemed to mind. Mickey was there, larger than life, floating down the streets of New York, and the crowd loved him.

Mickey wasn’t alone that year. He was joined by Pluto, Horace Horsecollar, and even the Big Bad Wolf and Practical Pig from The Three Little Pigs, making it a full Disney lineup for the first time. Back then, Disney wasn’t yet the entertainment powerhouse we know today, so for Walt, getting these characters in the parade meant making a deal. Macy’s required its star logo to be featured on each Disney balloon—a small concession that set the stage for Disney’s long-standing presence in the parade.

Donald Duck in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade – Donaldism

Duck Joins and Towers Over Mickey

A year later, in 1935, Macy’s introduced Donald Duck to the lineup, and here’s where things got interesting. Mickey may have been the first Disney character to float through the parade, but Donald made a huge splash—literally. His balloon was an enormous 60 feet tall and 65 feet long, towering over Mickey’s 40-foot frame. Donald quickly became a fan favorite, appearing in the lineup for several years before being retired.

Fast-forward a few decades, and Donald was back for a special appearance in 1984 to celebrate his 50th birthday. Macy’s dug the balloon out of storage, re-inflated it, and sent Donald down 34th Street once again, bringing a bit of nostalgia to the holiday crowd.

A Somber Parade in 2001

Now, one of my most memorable trips to the parade was in 2001, just weeks after the 9/11 attacks. Nancy and I, along with our friends, headed down to New York, and the mood was something I’ll never forget. We watched the start of the parade from Central Park West, but before that, we went to the Museum of Natural History the night before to see the balloons being inflated. They were covered in massive cargo nets, with sandbags holding them down. It’s surreal to see these enormous balloons anchored down before they’re set free.

That year, security was intense, with police lining the streets, and then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani rode on the Big Apple float to roaring applause. People cheered his name, waving and shouting as he passed. It felt like the entire city had turned out to show their resilience. Even amidst all the heightened security and tension, seeing those balloons—brought a bit of joy back to the city.

Balloon Prep: From New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium to California’s D23 Expo

Each year before the parade, Macy’s holds a rehearsal event known as Balloon Fest at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. This is where handlers get their first crack at guiding the balloons, practicing with their parade masters, and learning the ropes—literally. It’s an entire production unto itself, with dozens of people rehearsing to make sure these enormous inflatables glide smoothly down the streets of New York on parade day.

In 2015, Macy’s took the balloon show on the road, bringing their Buzz Lightyear balloon out to California for the D23 Expo. I was lucky enough to be there, and watching Buzz get inflated piece by piece in the Anaheim Convention Center parking lot was something to behold. Each section was filled with helium in stages, and when they got around to Buzz’s lower half, well, there were more than a few gas-related jokes from the crowd.

These balloons seem to have a personality all their own, and seeing one like Buzz come to life up close—even outside of New York—had all the excitement and anticipation of the real deal.

Mickey’s Comeback as a Bandleader and Sailor Mickey

After a long hiatus, Mickey Mouse made his return to the Macy’s parade in 2000, this time sporting a new bandleader outfit. Nine years later, in 2009, Sailor Mickey joined the lineup, promoting Disney Cruise Line with a nautical twist. Over the past two decades, Disney has continued to enchant parade-goers with characters like Buzz Lightyear in 2008 and Olaf from Frozen in 2017. These balloons keep Disney’s iconic characters front and center, drawing in both longtime fans and new viewers.

But ever wonder what happens to the balloons after they reach the end of 34th Street? They don’t just disappear. Each balloon is carefully deflated, rolled up like a massive piece of laundry, and packed into storage bins. From there, they’re carted back through the Lincoln Tunnel to Macy’s Parade Studio in New Jersey, where they await their next flight.

Macy’s Disney Celebration at Hollywood Studios

In 1992, Macy’s took the spirit of the parade down to Disney-MGM Studios in Orlando. After that year’s parade, several balloons—including Santa Goofy, Kermit the Frog, and Betty Boop—were transported to Hollywood Studios, re-inflated, and anchored along New York Street as part of a holiday display. Visitors could walk through this “Macy’s New York Christmas” setup and see the balloons up close, right in the middle of the park. While this display only ran for one season, it paved the way for the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, which became a holiday staple at the park for years to come.

Minnie Mouse’s Long-Awaited Debut in 2024

This year, Minnie Mouse will finally join the parade, making her long-overdue debut. Macy’s is rolling out the red carpet for Minnie’s arrival with special pop-up shops across the country, where fans can find exclusive Minnie ears, blown-glass ornaments, T-shirts, and more to celebrate her first appearance in the Thanksgiving Day Parade.

For those lucky enough to catch the parade this year, you’ll see Minnie take her first float down 34th Street, decked out in her iconic red bow and polka-dot dress. Macy’s and Disney are also unveiling a new Disney Cruise Line float honoring all eight ships, including the latest, the Disney Treasure.

As always, I’ll be watching from my favorite chair, coffee in hand, as Minnie makes her grand entrance. The 98th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade airs live on NBC, and it’s a tradition you won’t want to miss—whether you’re on 34th Street or tuning in from home.

Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment

Disney’s Forgotten Halloween Event: The Original Little Monsters on Main Street

Published

3 months ago

September 22, 2024

Jim Hill

When most Disney fans think of Halloween in the parks, they immediately picture Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World or the Oogie Boogie Bash at Disneyland Resort. But before those events took over as the must-attend spooky celebrations, there was a little-known event at Disneyland called Little Monsters on Main Street. And its origins? Well, they go all the way back to the 1980s, during a time when America was gripped by fear—the Satanic Panic.

You see, back in the mid-1980s, parents were terrified that Halloween had become dangerous. Urban legends about drug-laced candy or razor blades hidden in apples were widespread, and many parents felt they couldn’t let their kids out of sight for even a moment. Halloween, which was once a carefree evening of trick-or-treating in the neighborhood, had suddenly become a night filled with anxiety.

This is where Disneyland’s Little Monsters on Main Street came in.

The Origins of Little Monsters on Main Street

Back in 1989, the Disneyland Community Action Team—later known as the VoluntEARS—decided to create a safe, nostalgic Halloween experience for Cast Members and their families. Many schools in the Anaheim area were struggling to provide basic school supplies to students, and the VoluntEARS saw an opportunity to combine a safe Halloween with a charitable cause. Thus, Little Monsters on Main Street was born.

This event was not open to the general public. Only Disneyland Cast Members could purchase tickets, which were initially priced at just $5 each. Cast Members could bring their kids—but only as many as were listed as dependents with HR. And even then, the park put a cap on attendance: the first event was limited to just 1,000 children.

A Unique Halloween Experience

Little Monsters on Main Street wasn’t just another Halloween party. It was designed to give kids a safe, fun environment to enjoy trick-or-treating, much like the good old days. On Halloween night in 1989, kids in costume wandered through Disneyland with their pillowcases, visiting 20 different trick-or-treat stations. They also had the chance to ride a few of their favorite Fantasyland attractions, all after the park had closed to the general public.

The event was run entirely by the VoluntEARS—about 200 of them—who built and set up all the trick-or-treat stations themselves. They arrived at Disneyland before the park closed and, as soon as the last guest exited, they began setting up stations across Main Street, Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. The event ran from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., and by the time the last pillowcase-wielding kid left, the VoluntEARS cleaned everything up, making sure the park was ready for the next day’s operations.

It wasn’t just candy and rides, though. The event featured unique entertainment, like a Masquerade Parade down Main Street, U.S.A., where kids could show off their costumes. And get this—Disneyland even rigged up a Cast Member dressed as a witch to fly from the top of the Matterhorn to Frontierland on the same wire that Tinker Bell uses during the fireworks. Talk about a magical Halloween experience!

The Haunted Mansion “Tip-Toe” Tour

Perhaps one of the most memorable parts of Little Monsters on Main Street was the special “tip-toe tour” of the Haunted Mansion. Now, Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion can be a pretty scary attraction for younger kids, so during this event, Disney left the doors to the Stretching Room and Portrait Gallery wide open. This allowed kids to walk through and peek at the Haunted Mansion’s spooky interiors without actually having to board the Doom Buggies. For those brave enough to ride, they could, of course, take the full trip through the Haunted Mansion—or they could take the “chicken exit” and leave, no harm done.

Growing Success and a Bigger Event

Thanks to the event’s early success, Little Monsters on Main Street grew in size. By 1991, the attendance cap had been raised to 2,000 kids, and Disneyland added more activities like magic shows and hayrides. They also extended the event’s hours, allowing kids to enjoy the festivities until 10:30 p.m.

In 2002, the event moved over to Disney California Adventure, where it could accommodate even more kids—up to 5,000 in its later years. The name was also shortened to just Little Monsters, since it was no longer held on Main Street. This safe, family-friendly Halloween event continued for several more years, with the last mention of Little Monsters appearing in the Disneyland employee newsletter in 2008. Though some Cast Members recall the event continuing until 2012, it eventually made way for Disney’s more public-facing Halloween events.

From Little Monsters to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary and Oogie Boogie Bash

Starting in the early 2000s, Disney began realizing the potential of Halloween-themed after-hours events for the general public. These early versions of Mickey’s Halloween Party and Mickey’s Halloween Treat eventually evolved into today’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Oogie Boogie Bash. Unfortunately, this also marked the end of the intimate, Cast Member-exclusive Little Monsters event, but it paved the way for the large-scale Halloween celebrations we know and love today.

While it’s bittersweet to see Little Monsters on Main Street fade into Disney history, its legacy lives on through these modern Halloween parties. And even though Cast Members now receive discounted tickets to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary and Oogie Boogie Bash, the special charm of an event created specifically for Disney’s employees and their families remains something worth remembering.

**The Merch: A Piece of Little Monsters History**

For Disney collectors, the exclusive merchandise created for Little Monsters on Main Street is still out there. You can find pins, name tags, and themed pillowcases on sites like eBay. One of the coolest collectibles is a 1997 cloisonné pin set featuring Huey, Dewey, and Louie dressed as characters from Hercules. Other sets paid tribute to the Main Street Electrical Parade and Pocahontas, while the pillowcases were uniquely designed for each year of the event.

While Little Monsters on Main Street may be gone, it’s a fascinating piece of Disneyland history that played a huge role in shaping the Halloween celebrations we enjoy at Disney parks today.

Want to hear more behind-the-scenes stories like this? Be sure to check out I Want That Too, where Lauren and I dive deep into the history behind Disney’s most beloved attractions, events, and of course, merchandise!

Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment

The Story of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party: From One Night to a Halloween Family Tradition

Published

4 months ago

September 7, 2024

Jim Hill

The spooky season is already in full swing at Disney parks on both coasts. On August 9th, the first of 38 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP) nights for 2024 kicked off at Florida’s Magic Kingdom. Meanwhile, over at Disney California Adventure, the Oogie Boogie Bash began on August 23rd and is completely sold out across its 27 dates this year.

Looking back, it’s incredible to think about how these Halloween-themed events have grown. But for Disney, the idea of charging guests for Halloween fun wasn’t always a given. In fact, when the very first Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party debuted on October 31, 1995, it was a modest one-night-only affair. Compare that to the near month-long festivities we see today, and it’s clear that Disney’s approach to Halloween has evolved considerably.

A Not-So-Scary Beginning

I was fortunate enough to attend that very first MNSSHP back in 1995, along with my then 18-month-old daughter Alice and her mom, Michelle. Tickets were a mere $16.95 (I know, can you imagine?), and we pushed Alice around in her sturdy Emmaljunga stroller—Swedish-built and about the size of a small car. Cast Members, charmed by her cuteness, absolutely loaded us up with candy. By the end of the night, we had about 30 pounds of fun-sized candy bars, making that push up to the monorail a bit more challenging.

Mickey’s Halloween Treat 1996 – Photo: Disney

This Halloween event was Disney’s response to the growing popularity of Universal Studios Florida’s own Halloween hard ticket event, which started in 1991 as “Fright Nights” before being rebranded as “Halloween Horror Nights” the following year. Universal’s gamble on a horror-themed experience helped salvage what had been a shaky opening for their park, and by 1993, Halloween Horror Nights was a seven-night event, with ticket prices climbing as high as $35. Universal had stumbled upon a goldmine, and Disney took notice.

A Different Approach

Now, here’s where Disney’s unique strategy comes into play. While Universal embraced the gory, scare-filled world of horror, Disney knew that wasn’t their brand. Instead of competing directly with blood and jump-scares, Disney leaned into what they did best: creating magical, family-friendly experiences.

Thus, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party was born. The focus was on fun and whimsy, not fear. Families could bring their small children without worrying about them being terrified by a chainsaw-wielding maniac around the next corner. This event wasn’t just a Halloween party—it was an extension of the Disney magic that guests had come to expect from the parks.

Disney had some experience with seasonal after-hours events, most notably Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, which had started in 1983. But the Halloween party was different, as the Magic Kingdom wasn’t yet decked out in Halloween decor the way it is today. Disney had to create a spooky (but not too spooky) atmosphere using temporary props, fog machines, and, of course, lots of candy.

A key addition to that first event? The debut of the Headless Horseman, who made his eerie appearance in Liberty Square, riding a massive black Percheron. It wasn’t as elaborate as the Boo-to-You Parade we see today, but it marked the beginning of a beloved Disney Halloween tradition.

A Modest Start but a Big Future

That first MNSSHP in 1995 was seen as a trial run. As Disney World spokesman Greg Albrecht told the Orlando Sentinel, “If it’s successful, we’ll do it again.” And while attendance was sparse that night, there was clearly potential. By 1997, the event expanded to two nights, and by 1999, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party had grown into a multi-night celebration with a full-fledged parade. Today, in 2024, it’s a staple of the fall season at Walt Disney World, offering 38 nights of trick-or-treating, character meet-and-greets, and special entertainment.

Universal’s Influence

It’s interesting to reflect on how Disney’s Halloween event might never have existed without the competition from Universal. Just as “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” forced Disney to step up their game with “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge,” Universal’s success with Halloween Horror Nights likely spurred Disney into action with MNSSHP. The friendly rivalry between the two parks has continually pushed both to offer more to their guests, and we’re all better off because of it.

So the next time you find yourself trick-or-treating through the Magic Kingdom, watching the Headless Horseman gallop by, or marveling at the seasonal fireworks, take a moment to appreciate how this delightful tradition came to be—all thanks to a little competition and Disney’s commitment to creating not-so-scary magic.

For more Disney history and behind-the-scenes stories, check out the latest episodes of the I Want That Too podcast on the Jim Hill Media network.