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Ruminations: Are We There Yet?

It’s another trip on the Roger Colton special. Where a variety of topics are covered with lots of style & humor. Read and enjoy.

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Oh, where to begin…

How about Disney Home Video? July 6th will bring a quartet of DVD titles that are old favorites for many of you. As these were some of the classic content of Vault Disney and even earlier seen on the Wonderful World of Disney, it’s some what surprising we that they are out at all. Specifically, we can expect:

Or — if you’re more a fan of the Ron Miller era (And let’s face it. Who isn’t!) — they are releasing a selection of titles just for you:


To top it off, we get 1968’s “The One And Only, Genuine, Original Family Band” complete with Kurt Russell, Walter Brennan, Buddy Ebsen, Wally Cox, Richard Deacon, Leslie Ann Warren, John Davidson and Goldie Hawn. Throw in songs by the Sherman Brothers and it’s a favorite of a lot of folks.

For theme park folks, the next time you’re at Disneyland and wandering through the queue at Big Thunder, take a look at the little vertical-boilered steam locomotive. Yup, the same one used in “Hot Lead, Cold Feet”. And you’ll find it’s counterpart also on display along the Big Thunder Trail between Fantasyland and the former Big Thunder ranch.

Now, when do we more of these goodies on DVD like the “Scarecrow of Romney Marsh” or the “Swampfox”?

Well, as promised, I did indeed make an appearance in Anaheim and joined those of the faithful making their pilgrimages with Jim as out native guide. Originally, I hadn’t planned to be in town for this round of tours, but then my mother says “That’s what I would like to do for my birthday.” So, guess what we’re off to do?

She’s a true Disneyland veteran having made her first visit on the Saturday of the Thanksgiving weekend in 1955. She and her sister arrived just after sunset and were waved through the gate to see what the place was all about. So from then to now, she’s almost always ready for another visit. Who am I to disagree?

Typical June weather kept us in search of shade and comfy chairs along the way. Despite a couple of bumps along the way, it was a great weekend. No cheerleaders this time, but there was a baton twirling event taking place out back of Big Thunder in the Festival area. Oh, all of the little egos being bruised…

Jim added a new (at least to me) twist to the tours by bringing along an interesting selection of goodies to illustrate a key point or three from time to time. Funny to recall how all of those promotional pieces printed by the company have now become true historical documents with what might have been as their focus. And as is traditional, he managed to add to his exposure to the elements with a good dose of sun now and then. Michele and I loaned him a hat on several occasions. It’s either that, or he takes up a fashionable bumbershoot. Might come in handy for making that sea of guests part now and then. I’m amusingly reminded of how Elliot Gould wielded a golf umbrella in the original “M*A*S*H”.

On the whole, the crowds in both Disneyland and DCA were fairly healthy. Friday noon we managed to walk right on to the queue for the Tower of Terror. We didn’t ride for a variety of reasons, but enjoyed the décor of the hotel lobby and did pick a few pins from the gift shop. Lots of items for the Hollywood Tower Hotel, and even a selection of art deco pieces all ready to be taken home. I recall the first time I saw the bathrobes and towels in Florida at their version. I couldn’t stop thinking of Arthur Dent and Douglas Adam’s “Hitchhiker’s Guide.” You can only picture how amusing it would be to show up wearing one’s robe and towel to ride the T of T.

Gotta wonder about some of the decisions about T of T out west. One of the key elements I thought worked so well in Florida was that there was a fair distance walk from the gate at Disney MGM and it helped to build tension all the way. Here, you simply turn a corner and there you are. While you can see it from all over the park, there are many obstructed views. Again from what I remember, when you walk down Sunset Blvd at Disney MGM, the Hollywood Tower Hotel pretty much dominates your view. And the décor along the way is entertaining as well. Here we get the back side of the Animation experience building on one side and the Hyperion Theater façade on the short block. True that the Animation building is dressed to look like it’s prototype on the Disney lot in Burbank, but the average guest doesn’t get that connection. Oh well, here’s hoping that word of mouth gets people in line to ride…

I guess that’s one of the things that I find so frustrating about DCA. There are times when the décor is done just so right that it illustrates the genius of folks at Imagineering. It’s a lot like selling the sizzle and not the steak. There’s no more obvious examples of that than Mulholland Madness and the Burger (or as I see it Wallet) Invasion. Both are overdressed versions of something you can find in many other places. Astute readers may recall how I dissed Mulholland Madness before when visiting Paramount’s Great America in Santa Clara, and found the identical ride. The same is horribly true as Burger invasion sells the same menu (again at an inflated price) as the McDonalds across the street on Harbor Blvd.

Okay, pardon the Cranky Pants moment. I’m feeling better now.

Music was another nice ingredient of the weekend. Everything from the Disneyland Band (who Jim seems to have a peculiar talent for attracting) to the jazz musicians out and about in New Orleans Square (especially the new version of the Royal Street Bachelors) and the Bellhop Band out in front of T of T.

The weekend also saw the gathering of most of the JHM staff. Corey Mitchell gets the prize as this was his first visit to Anaheim and he was bound and determined to get the full experience in two days. We saw him a number of times on his way back and forth across both parks.

We managed to gather those of the JHM staff on hand together for a nice dinner. And some great stories were shared during the evening on a variety of Disney and non subjects. Afterwards, the more insane of the bunch went off for a last ride of the long day on Splash Mountain – it was almost midnight! I had to pass as I wasn’t dressed appropriately for such an event, as you can see in this photo.

The usual suspects and then some in Club 33’s main dining room
From left to right: Corey Mitchell, Laurie Colton, Michele Colton, Roger Colton, Scott Liljenquist, “El Jeffe”, Tony Moore and Dave Cobb. Hiding behind the camera, Chuck Oberleitner.

In the last few years, it’s always been easy to stand and point fingers at peeling paint or something needing attention here and there. You could do that this weekend, too – oh, the poor sailing ship Columbia (Thank goodness it doesn’t sail on open waters! Rotting wood on the hull needs serious attention, please.) – but it was far easier to stand back and take in the finished product. Main Street hasn’t looked so good in a long time. With the upcoming Tiki Room project, some folks (both outside as well as inside of the Disney company) will finally be able to concentrate their energies elsewhere.

While taking in the City Hall improvements – including the enlarged counter to handle guest concerns – we checked on a couple of things. A new tour aimed at families with young children seems promising. Called “Discover The Magic” , it includes interaction with Disney characters and a search for clues to solve a mystery. At 3 hours, it includes lunch and a souvenir gift. It has an interesting price structure with the first two participants priced at $49 each and then $39 for each additional member of a group. We watched one of these tours being started from the old Tour Garden behind the AAA Travel Center. I suspect I’ll get a chance to join the fun sometime…

One JHM tour participant (and a City Hall visitor) of note was Pal Mickey. While he isn’t quite ready for primetime, the word is that we might see him all ready to share tidbits of information for next year’s 50th events. Also an unknown is whether you’ll be able to bring one purchased in Florida to Anaheim and have it ready for use there. The new 2.0 version will roll out in Florida next year with lots of updated content, trivia and even new jokes! Now if someone in Merchandising will wise up and plan a line of accessories for Pal Mickey, so you can tell yours from someone else’s. And yes, I still want my Pal Stitch! There is also no truth to rumors of a Pal Jim. Something about problems with being banned from corporate events, topic drift, never finishing a story series and a bad case of sunburn now and then, we hear.

A fair selection of pins to trade for as well as on the racks about the property. Why, I even enjoyed trading with a couple of other pin enthusiasts. No sharks circling about this trip. Disappointing was the cancellation of the Chip and Dale 4th of July pin, however. It was somewhat amusing to note that the remaining holiday pins wouldn’t go on sale until Sunday night at the pin trading event at the Disneyland Hotel. (Good thing they canceled the one pin, as I would have had one long wait and a later drive home if they hadn’t! Michele collects holiday pins and Chip & Dale pins, so I would have been in double trouble…)

Picked up a copy of the “Date Night At Disneyland” CD. Classic evening at the Park in the late 50’s! A great addition to the “Firehouse Five Plus Two at Disneyland” offering some of the vintage nighttime activities. Rumors have “Meet Me Down On Main Street” coming soon, among other titles due later this summer. Check this link from SaveDisney.com for more information.

Watched the new “Imagine” fireworks show on Friday night. With the fog and low clouds rolling in, things seemed somewhat confused. But the show did go on. Music isn’t anything new and spectacular, but I never really did take to “Believe”. Call me traditional, but I always go back to the “Fantasy In The Sky” show as my favorite. For those keeping score, the new soundtrack sounds like a “Quick! Throw together a show!” piece more than anything else. While it almost matches the pyrotechnics, it relies heavily upon songs like “A Whole New World” from “Aladdin”, going back to visit the theme several times. With Disney having such a diverse catalog of tunes to choose from, this was somewhat disappointing. I think I could do better with selections from my iTunes playlist.

Changing topics, Michele took advantage of the new Special Assistance Pass or SAP. Thanks to problems with a knee years ago, she has trouble with stairs. (As does my mother…) And that was just the thing noted (by a rubber stamping of stairs) on the SAP. While we didn’t use it all that often, it was helpful several times. That said, the guide book that came along with the pass offered great information for anyone with a disability visiting the parks. We also saw one of the interactive captioning devices (for the hearing impaired) in use. It’s still early in testing, and of the attractions it is supposed to be helpful on, the majority are dark rides. Curious then that it doesn’t have a backlighting feature. If it did, that wasn’t obvious when we watched it being used on “Pirates”. (Use of the device was free, but there was a $100 deposit required.)

All in all, we had another fine trip down. Stayed on Harbor Blvd. at the Carousel Inn and Suites , right across from the Park. Hadn’t been there before and we managed to find a nice rate through Travelocity about a month before. The room was good sized, away from the street and very quiet. Parking was easy and convenient. The use of flowers and other plants throughout the area was also very relaxing. I expect we’ll probably stay here again on future visits. It’s not the Grand Californian, but the again, what else is?

In other news, the Colton clan is welcoming a new puppy in the next few weeks. The latest in a long line of German Sheperds dating back some 40 odd years, he’s going to be officially known (and AKC registered) as “Yeager von Valkyrie”. Unofficially, he’s likely to be named in honor of a fine German doppelbock beer. One of the best beers we enjoyed in Munich in 2001 was the Andechser Doppelbock Dunkel, as brewed by the monks of the Andechs Monastery . Usually, doppelbock beers all seem to have names that end with “ator” such as Spaten’s Optimator or Augustiner’s Maximator .

The new boy and his pet. He may be cute and cuddly now, but just wait until he’s over 100 excitable pounds on the other end of that leash…
Photo by Laurie Colton

So that’s all for another week. Head out and enjoy the long holiday weekend, safe and sane — and not just the fireworks! As for what’s up next time, oh, that’s a long way yet…

Keep those kind contributions coming to the Amazon Honor System for JHM. It’s always appreciated and manages to make us do more of our part for you, our loyal readers. Get out the hip waders; it’s getting deep in here, and the puppy has nothing to do with it, yet…

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Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment

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

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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.

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Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment

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

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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!

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Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment

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

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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
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.

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