Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment

Debunking Big Thunder Rumors

Jim Hill and Chuck Oberleitner team up today to bring you the second in our occasional series articles about Disneyland’s Big Thunder Mountain tragedy — an article you’ll want to read, particularly if you’ve been hearing some sensational stories about the alleged real cause of this awful accident.

Published

21 years ago

October 13, 2003

Jim Hill

It used to be something that theme park fans would consider a comical cliché. How you’d board a Disney theme park attraction and then … Something would go horribly wrong!?

I mean, think about it, people. Isn’t this the exact same story point that drives the action in Disneyland’s “Star Tours” and “The Indiana Jones Adventure” as well as the now-closed “Alien Encounter” attraction at WDW’s Magic Kingdom? That things initially start out seeming safe … but then something untoward happens. And then that’s when the fun begins.

Well, in the wake of the September 5th Big Thunder tragedy (where something actually DID go horribly wrong, resulting in the death of 22-year old Marcelo Torres as well as the injuring of 10 other Disneyland guests), now much of the humor has gone out of that Disney theme park cliché. Particularly given some of the rumors that have been circulating about this awful accident.

“What sorts of rumors?” you ask. Well, I know that a number of JHM readers were somewhat taken aback when they saw this headline back on Friday: “Police find no sabotage in Disney ride crash.” If you’d like to read the Reuters story that actually went along with this sensational headline, you can do so here.

“So was that Reuters report right, Jim? Was sabotage ever actually seriously considered as a possible cause of the Big Thunder tragedy?” you continue. Well, based on copies of the official Anaheim Police Department report that JimHillMedia.com has been able to obtain, I’m sorry to say that the answer to that question is yes.

Now — before we go any further here — I want you to keep in mind that this sabotage story was one of many theories that were initially floating around as a possible cause of the Big Thunder Mountain accident. And that it was the responsibility of the AHD officers who were investigating this tragedy to make sure that they followed every lead. To leave no stone unturned, so to speak. So it was in this spirit that the Anaheim Police Department began its investigation. Which was why they had at least to look seriously at even the possibility that the Big Thunder Mountain accident was the result of sabotage.

“But why was the idea of ‘sabotage’ even brought up in the first place?” you persist. Well, let’s remember that we live in post-9/11 America, people. Where terrorism — particularly at a place like Disneyland (which in the past has reportedly been considered by Al Qaeda operatives as a possible target for terrorist activities) — must at least be taken into consideration.

But — given the very nature of the Big Thunder accident (and the fact that Disneyland guests have extremely limited access to the ride vehicles, not to mention that all guests entering the theme parks nowadays must have their bags checked before they’re allowed to go through the turnstiles) — the possibility of terrorist activity being the real cause of this tragedy was fairly quickly dismissed. But not the notion of sabotage itself.

Instead, the Anaheim Police Department turned its attention to Disneyland’s own employees. Thoroughly investigating the possibility that this accident could have possibly been caused by a disgruntled cast member.

“But why would a Disneyland employee want to cause an accident on Big Thunder Mountain?” you query. Well, how many of you recall that story that David Koenig did for MousePlanet back on August 12th? Which detailed how unhappy many Disneyland employees were with a new staffing policy that was about to go into effect at the theme park which would keep them “land locked.” (I.E. Prevent them from working on multiple attractions in different parts of the theme park. Rather, locking them into one specific area, so that these cast members can only work the rides and attractions located in that land.)

Given that this new staffing policy was reportedly wildly unpopular among Disneyland employees, it’s been suggested that — in an effort to get this policy repealed — that some cast members may have taken matters into their own hands. And what better way would there be to get this “land locking” system repealed than to be able to show that it adversely effected hourly ride capacity at the park?

This is the story that we had been hearing repeatedly here at JimHillMedia.com over the past few weeks. That the Big Thunder Mountain accident may have actually been caused by an employee who was upset with Disneyland’s new staffing policy. That this cast member allegedly took this action with the hope that it would shut down this Frontierland attraction for a few hours (thereby lowering the theme park’s ride capacity for a few hours with the hope that doing something like this might eventually result in Disneyland’s “land locking” system being repealed). Never realizing that this action might result in tragedy.

“So why has JimHillMedia.com been sitting on this story ’til now?” you ask. Because — in spite of how popular this story may have been among Walt Disney Company employees — we suspected that this oft-told tale was just a rumor. What was particularly troubling was — whenever we tried to pin down someone down, find out who the real source of this story was, it was always the same refrain: “I heard it from a friend of mine. Who heard it from a friend of his. Who knows somebody who’s close to the investigation and/or works on the attraction.” You know the drill.

So anyway … given that FOAF (AKA “Friend of a Friend”) stories always make me nervous, we opted to sit on this info. Sure, it would have been nice for the site to break a story like that. Grab some headlines. But — given the immediate negative impact that an article like this would have had on the Walt Disney Company’s reputation — it just didn’t seem right or responsible to rush this sensational information into print. At least without having some sort of corroboration that this alleged sabotage had actually occurred.

So — over the past few weeks — Chuck Oberleitner made some discreet inquiries. Talking with Anaheim Police Department public information officer Sgt. Rick Martinez, as well as members of Disneyland’s own publicity department. In both cases, while no one was willing to go on record, both Martinez as well as the Mouse’s spokespeople poo-pooed the sabotage idea. Which at least made us feel better about not rushing to put this sensational-sounding story up on the site.

But — given that both Reuters as well as the Los Angeles Times both published stories last week that touched on the possibility that cast member sabotage was initially thought to play a part in the Big Thunder Mountain tragedy — it’s clear that Chuck and I weren’t the only people who had been hearing these rumors.

But now comes the really intriguing question: Who exactly was the person within the Disney organization who initially clued the Anaheim Police Department into this possibility? That cast member sabotage may have played a part in the Big Thunder Mountain tragedy? To date, Chuck and I haven’t been able to uncover that man or woman’s identity. But we continue to work on that aspect of the story.

Anywho … thanks to last Friday’s Reuters story — JHM is finally free to write about all those Disneyland sabotage rumors that have been coming our way. If only to say: “You know that rumor that’s been flying around the web about how a Disneyland employee supposedly deliberately caused the Big Thunder accident? Well, it’s wrong.”

Mind you, this doesn’t mean that the Mouse is totally out of the woods yet. There’s still the matter of the Disneyland employees who were manning Big Thunder Mountain on September 5th. Who — for perhaps as long as 45 minutes — noticed that Train No. 2 on this attraction was making an odd “clanking” noise, but opted not to pull that train out of service.

In the spirit of fairness, it should be pointed out here that (according to the APD reports on the BTMRR accident) — while Train No. 2 was making this odd “clanking” noise — the Big Thunder Mountain Railway cast members who were operating the attraction were reportedly actively debating what they should do. Should they leave the train running or take it out of service and see what was causing that noise? In the end, they allegedly made the decision that they’d pull the vehicle out of service once it had completed its next run. Sadly, it was during that trip around the mountain that Big Thunder Mountain Train No. 2 derailed. Which resulted in the death of Mr. Torres.

So — strictly from a liability point of view — Disneyland managers may have some awfully tough questions to deal with in the future. As in: Did the cast members who were operating “Big Thunder Mountain” on September 5th behave responsibly? Given that Train No. 2 is reported to have been making those odd “clanking” noises for as long as 45 minutes, wouldn’t the smarter thing to do have been to pull BTMRR ride vehicle out of service much earlier that morning?

Hey, hindsight’s 20/20, folks. So it’s always easy to say what should have happened after a tragedy’s occurred. But in this case, if the info that’s contained in those APD reports is correct … well, 45 minutes seems like an awfully long time to leave a train in service that’s been making an odd “clanking” noise. At least to me.

As for what’s been happening since Chuck first spoke with the Anaheim PD and what may have been causing that noise … why don’t I hand the story off to Chuck Oberleitner for a moment. He can fill you in on the particulars:

Last week I again spoke by phone with Anaheim PD media relations officer, Sergeant Rick Martinez. I reminded Sgt. Martinez that in a earlier interview with JimHillMedia and in remarks he made to the Los Angeles Times, he had said that the criminal investigation would stay open as long as the DOSH investigation continued.

“That’s right,” he said. “And when I was told our investigation was being closed (prior to the conclusion of the DOSH investigation) I asked our officers the same thing.”

Sgt. Martinez went on to say that the officers conducting the investigation, working closely with the DOSH investigation team had concluded that there was no evidence of criminal negligence or culpability. Therefore there was no reason to keep the criminal investigation open. “If new evidence were to come up,” he added, “we can always reopen the investigation.”

With the closing of the criminal investigation more information about the events of September 5, are coming out. Just a little over two weeks before the accident, state inspectors had examined Big Thunder Mountain. Nothing out of the ordinary was found.

Transcripts and recordings of the frantic 911 calls made by passengers on the ill-fated train have been released. They show an instant recognition by passengers that one of the train’s occupants was seriously injured in the accident.

This past week, JimHillMedia.com has learned that attention is now being focused on the metal pins used to link the cars of the BTM mine trains together. Investigators want to know how and where these pins are made.

Sources familiar with the history of Big Thunder Mountain tell JHM that at one point these pins and indeed all the major metal components of Disneyland rides were milled on site in Disneyland’s own “mill shop.” Now as part of cost cutting measures put in place by Disney management in the late 90s these pins are no longer produced by Disney craftsmen but rather by outside contractors who presumably produce them for a lower cost than Disney’s own maintenance department.

In an e-mail dated October 6 of this year Bob Tucker, Disneyland Resort Director of Media Relations had the following to say in response to questions about the operational status of the various wood and metal “mill shops” backstage at Disneyland:

“I followed up on your inquiry about the machine shop and sheet metal shop. Just like the mill shop, they also continue to be fully operational. As for contracting out work, we have always operated that way depending on the scope of the job.”

A key figure within Disneyland familiar with the investigation continues to insist that these pins and the relatively recent decision to acquire them from outside contractors remains a prominent part of the ongoing investigation. Furthermore, while the Walt Disney Company will in all likelihood end up paying out millions of dollars in legal settlements, it now appears that Disneyland Resort maintenance may bear the full brunt of responsibility for the accident.

DOSH investigators are on record saying that it could take another four to six weeks to conclude their investigation. In the meantime, questions still remain unanswered about the odd noises heard by BTM CMs prior to the train’s final run and the exact way in which the locomotive partially derailed and became detached from the rest of the train.

In the course of preparing this story Walt Disney Imagineering was asked for information regarding Big Thunder Mountain’s design. Because of the ongoing nature of the investigation they declined to comment.

So there you have it, people. One Big Thunder Mountain rumor put to rest. But there are still many troubling questions that continue to swirl around this tragic accident and its investigation. As we here at JimHillMedia.com learn more, we’ll be sure to pass that info along.

Your thoughts?

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.