Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment

Ruminations

Out and about on California’s I-5 freeway with Roger, soup, Harris Ranch … and pot roast!?!??! There’s a full selection of topic drift and other obstacles along the way!

Published

21 years ago

September 4, 2003

Roger Colton

According to Yahoo Maps, it is exactly three hundred and sixty-six point two miles from my front door to Disneyland’s front door. And if I’m lucky, that’s a trip easily made in less than eight hours. If I’m feeling particularly enthusiastic, I’ve been known to make it in less than six hours. That’s averaging sixty-five or better. And really bending the edges of the space time continuum, there was one trip that was a little more than five and a half hours. But, that is really flying, and tends to attract unwanted “Imperial entanglements”. Of course, there are times when if you’re driving less than eighty, you’re just in the way.

All of this mayhem takes place on the Interstate 5, between Tracy and Anaheim. The fun seems to begin when the speed limit goes up and the sun comes down. Crossing the line from the Alameda to the San Joaquin county, it’s “Gentlemen, start your engines!” (And yes, that’s ironic as the Altamont Raceway Park is right there as well!) That’s where the speed limit goes to the maximum in the state at seventy miles per hour. But you wouldn’t know it, unless the men and women of the California Highway Patrol were in the air and on the ground keeping the public under control. And that they do, quite well, thank you very much!

While I have not been a customer of their services, I know plenty of folks who have. From my perspective, it’s a case of not making yourself an obvious target. Weaving in and out of traffic at an excessive rate of speed, you’re just asking for attention, and they won’t hesitate to give you the letter of the law.

So with all that in mind, it’s southbound and down, to paraphrase the Jerry Reed song from the “Smokey & The Bandit” soundtrack. I made this trip for the first time as the section between Interstate 580 and Highway 152 (Pacheco Pass) at Santa Nella opened in the early Seventies. Before the Five, it was either 101 down the coast or 99 down the valley. Both are slow and make their way through a variety of small towns. Spending between ten and twelve hours on the road was not at all unusual before the Interstates came along.

Something you might have missed, but you can thank German efficiency from the pre-war era for our Interstate highway system. Eisenhower cabinet officials observed the success of the autobahn for moving troops and equipment during Cold War operations, and convinced our president that our country needed a similar system. Hence the creation of the Interstate Highway System, not purely as transportation, but as an element of the defense infrastructure. Just another over budget wonder that we’re still paying for, designed for another era and challenged on a daily basis by a lack of capacity in many places.

In 1972, we did the Disneyland thing again and traveled the entire length of the Five from Tracy down to Highway 99 near the Grapevine, now that it was completed. It was a long way between gas stations. Any fast food like McDonalds was rare, as this route was definitely not through population centers. Today, it’s a different story as bedroom communities for the Bay Area dot that first section. So we tended to pack lunches and drank a lot of water and Kool-Aid from the Coleman cooler.

One of the first places to spring up was Anderson’s at Santa Nella. It’s more or less a copy of the original location of Anderson’s Pea Soup on Highway 101 in Buellton. (And it has it’s own Disney connection … from their web pages, ” Robert (Anderson) commissioned Disney-trained artist Milt Neil to re-draw the two cartoon chefs to use for promotion and they became Pea Soup Andersen’s trademark. The big fellow is shown having all the fun and the easy side of the work, as the little one holds the chisel, looking sad and a bit frightened, always in danger of the big mallet. A contest was held and from thousands of entries the names Hap-pea and Pea-Wee were chosen.”) My first trip to Disneyland in the summer of 1965 included a stop in San Luis Obispo to the north and then in Buellton as well. I don’t recall eating there, however.

Throw in the Union Oil 76 Truck Stop, and that’s all I remember from that first time through the area. Later years saw other businesses spring up and now there’s a full selection of burger foundry’s and gas stations along with motels a plenty.

That’s pretty much the case along the rest of I-5 south. When the road first opened, you really paid attention to your vehicles gas gauge. And later when diesel vehicles jumped into the consumer arena, that became another option of choice. One especially memorable trip, I drove a rented diesel-powered Oldsmobile sedan down and back that did not have a working speedometer. That’s the fastest trip I have made to date. We left Disneyland at 2:00 p.m., stopped at Anderson’s for an hour for dinner, and still made it home to Pleasant Hill (another 30 miles up the road) in less than seven hours, arriving before 9:00 p.m.! But, oh, that fuel mileage! I don’t recall it being much better than gasoline for that trip. No economy there …

The weapon or meal of choice (out of a full menu wither in the coffee shop or restaurant) at Anderson’s is, of course, the split pea soup. You can simply enjoy a cup or a bowl, or for those with hearty appetites, there is the “Travelers Special”. It’s “all-you-can-eat” soup, a variety of fresh breads, and a drink (which can be a somewhat interesting milkshake — that’s ice cream and milk with flavoring, as it’s called here in California; not the “cabinet” as I’m told it’s called in Rhode Island.) I’ve managed to enjoy my share of bowls over the years, somewhere in the less than 100 range, I think …

Before we moved to Livermore, this was about ninety minutes from home. (Now, it’s seventy two odd miles and about an hour.) So it was a good chance to pull over and stretch the legs, use the restroom and get a soda before continuing on south or north. Usually a meal stop was in order if the time was right. But if not, it was on down the road.

Another 77 miles down the Five, and it’s the exit for Coalinga. A funny name for an interesting town. Back in the early days when the Southern Pacific was looking to build it’s railroad to connect San Francisco with Los Angeles, one option considered was to run a line south from San Jose, through Hollister, up and over the Coast Range of mountains and connect up with another line going down the San Joaquin valley. The lines from both sides of the mountains were completed, but crossing was abandoned. On the east side of the range, a small town sprang up at what was supposed to be a water and fuel station for the locomotives. Coaling Station “A” became better known as Coalinga. The area saw a boom and later bust of it’s own as oil was discovered along the west side of the valley. It’s a nice little town, and lot’s going on …

1977 was a good year. I met my future wife, graduated high school, and enjoyed a mid-summer visit to Disneyland. Rather than spend the long drive in the Ford LTD Country Squire station wagon with my parents, and four other siblings, I managed to fly down from Oakland to Ontario, and managed to ride Amtrak from San Bernadino to LA and then on to Martinez. As much as I like the train, I have only ridden this route a total of four times. This first trip was aboard the Southwest Limited (now the Southwest Chief) for the short haul and then the Coast Starlight for the rest of the way. I made an identical trip a few years later when returning my sister and her Volkswagen Beetle to Cal Poly Pomona. (Okay, so it was an excuse to go for the train ride home …) Then Michele and I rode the Starlight down and back on our honeymoon in April of 1986. I’ve made a few other trips down by rail on the San Joaquin with it’s bus connections to various LA basin locations, including the Disneyland hotel.

If memory serves, I made my first visit to Harris Ranch the following summer. The Star Trek hobby got me involved with a bunch of folks volunteering at various conventions. One group I shared time with was the crew for a stage illusion based on the original series transporter effect. Under the right circumstances, it was pretty good and you couldn’t see how it was done. One event we were going to set up and perform at was at the Anaheim Convention Center. So one the trip down and back, I’m fairly certain we made a stop at I-5 and Highway 198 in Coalinga. Since then, it’s a regular event on almost any trip down the Five.

Now according to their web pages, the family has been involved in ranching in the area since 1937, and they opened the doors on the restaurant and hotel complex in 1977. Sharing their passions for good food and good times, they’ve created a great place. Whether for a quick stop to refuel your vehicle and or your body, or for the chance to linger over a meal at one of the four opportunities, or spend the night or longer, they have you covered! And if you’re capable, you can even fly in to this place! A landing strip adjacent to the hotel offers pilots the perfect place for lunch. One friend says that whenever he needs to spend some hours keeping himself current, this is his favorite destination.

And if you need another excuse to stop, the place has a great store offering all of the great food products from Harris Ranch along with a Country Store and bakery. On a number of trips, I’ve made purchases of all kinds for birthdays, holidays and just plain fun. One item of note was the Pepper Patch Tipsy Cake. As the web page says, “To make the award-winning Tipsy Cake, we mix pure butter, fresh eggs, new crop pecans and plump raisins, bake ’till golden, and then soak the whole cake in premium Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey.” Or as a friend said while enjoying this cake with his cup of coffee at the local emporium, “It’s only nine o’clock in the morning and this cake is seriously kicking my ass!” Sadly, the last time I passed through Coalinga, they were no longer selling the cake there … It made one heck of great gift!

Now the four places to eat … The Horseshoe Bar “… is the more casual option for a decent meal. Relax by the fireplace, or outside by the fountain. Either way, you can watch any one of our dozen televisions, or enjoy live entertainment on select nights.” (Spent an enjoyable evening here watching Monday Night Football with all the trimmings …) The Jockey Club … “is a favorite establishment among ranchers and local business professionals. Located in our award winning, beautifully appointed Steakhouse, enjoy the ambiance and rich history of the Harris Farm Thoroughbred racing memorabilia. This exclusive, reservation only lunch club, offers small intimate dining areas, perfect for business discussions or private celebrations. Our Executive Chef shares his imaginative and innovative approach to fine dining through his weekly gourmet lunch creations.” Then there is the Steak House. It’s one place I have yet to enjoy, mostly because I fear having to have a room to sleep off a meal here.

But my place of choice here is the Ranch Kitchen. I’ve enjoyed breakfast (eggs and chile rellenos, yumola!), lunch (how about a tri-tip club sandwich?), dinner (beef is best!) and even a late night snack (we’re talking serious pie here) and cup of coffee … A look at the menu gives you an idea of just how industrial a place this is. We are not talking a place for light eaters. The menu does offer choices for smaller appetites. But if you’re hungry, they have you covered!

Now if you’ve driven the Five you can’t help but notice the place. The exit north (of Harris Ranch) is the junction of State Route 33, Highway 145 and the Five. It’s also the location of the Harris Ranch feedlot. That means a large number of cattle and tons of manure. That smell is one powerful odor. If you’re caught unaware, likely it will be with you for more than a few miles. Usually, I turn the air conditioning full up and recirculate the inside air, keeping the odor to a minimum. Sometimes, even that won’t help.

But beef is really what this is all about. Harris Ranch beef is some of the best available in the Golden State. I’ve enjoyed some fine Tri-Tip during a few meals. But it is the Pot Roast that is my entrée of choice. Now it’s a sentimental favorite with me anyway. Something about my grandmother and mother both offering it for Sunday dinners. The kind where it just falls apart on the fork, tender and juicy, served with a fresh steamed vegetable and a mound of mashed potatoes with gravy. Pardon me, while I drool at the memories for a few minutes …

It’s always a great moment to pull in to the parking lot here and find the grill stoked up out in front of the place. Just the smell of all that meat cooking is enough to make me stop, no questions asked!

Stepping inside, you check in at the desk in front of the Ranch Kitchen. (Take the Virtual Tour for a look at the place!) The wait isn’t very long — I’ve never had one more than thirty minutes — and then you’re seated at a table or in a booth inside. On your way in, you pass by some of the local produce displayed, and it is for sale. The décor is just what you would expect with photo’s and artifacts from various things connected with the family’s past. One favorite room has a great display of vintage fruit crate labels. (My personal favorite is “Big Game” showing a Stanford football player (from the Twenties) superimposed above Stanford Stadium.

The staff is part of the success here. I can say in all honesty that these folks do this right. We’ve always been asked about a favorite beverage (both alcoholic and non) soon after being seated, and had our meal choices taken in quick order. And the kitchen staff doesn’t disappoint either; as food somehow seems to end up on our tables quickly.

For me, the Pot Roast or the Pot Roast Sandwich are the usual suspects. This slow roasted tender brisket of beef is served with a selection of fresh steamed vegetables and some great mashed potatoes and gravy. The Pot Roast Sandwich came on fantastic toasted garlic sourdough bread, instead of potatoes, the last time I enjoyed it! I suspect one could even order Pot Roast and eggs for breakfast, but I haven’t made that leap quite yet.

But you don’t need to drive all that way, just for pot roast. As part of their retail efforts, Pot Roast is one of the items easily available from Harris Ranch — either by mail order or from a local retailer. On several train trips, including a short afternoon tour a few months back, we’ve made use of it because of the simplicity of preparation. Fully cooked entrees needing a short time for preparation also include Beef Stew, Tri-Tip Roast, Swiss Steak, Beef Stroganoff and Short Ribs.

If the pre-cooked entrees don’t quite hit the spot, they don’t disappoint. Lots of other great beef packages are available from the web pages. These include select steaks (Filet Mignon, New York Striploin, Sirloins, Porterhouse, Rib Eye and T-Bone cuts) and beef roasts (Santa Maria Tri-Tip, Chipotle Tri-Tip, Beer ‘n’ Spice Tri-Tip, Tri-Tip, Tri-Tip Lovers Special, Santa Maria Barbecue, Corned Beef Brisket, Corned Beef Boneless Round, Boneless Prime Rib, 3 Bone-In Prime Rib Roast, 4 Bone-In Prime Rib Roast, and the 7 Bone-In Prime Rib Roast!)

And they have lots of other great goodies to tempt you to go along with all of this from bakery goods right down to hats, t-shirts and aprons, so you’re all set to handle the next barbecue on your own spread …

Now, I’ll admit that beef is not for everyone. But if you’re like me and enjoy a good slab of cow now and then, a stop here on your next trip down the Five will be worth your time. Check out the menu for the Ranch Kitchen. There’s a great selection of things to tempt your palate.

So there you have another gastronomic tale from the open road. It’s been almost four months since Roger made the pilgrimage, and he’s probably about ready for another road trip, just to fill up.

Next week? Finally, it’s a good look at the life and art of a really nice guy, and a big influence on the Southern California car culture with hot rods, theme parks, and more tales of big food. Don’t miss it!

About Roger’s Amazon Honor System Paybox … here’s the shamless plug! If you’ve enjoyed one of these columns, you can show your appreciation by dropping a buck or two in the box. It doesn’t hurt much, and it keeps him plugging away every week for another nugget of information to share.

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

4 weeks 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

3 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.