Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment

Disney’s Hottest Attractions: Fires in the Park

Published

1 year ago

May 4, 2023

Okay. By now, you have to have seen all of the videos from Saturday night, April 22^nd. That’s when – as the 10:30 p.m. performance of “Fantasmic!” was drawing to a close at Disneyland Park – Murphy the Dragon (That’s the nickname which this piece of show equipment has been stuck with since the Summer of 2009. We’ll get to exactly why Murphy is called that in a few minutes. Anyway … )

What’s cool about this particular moment in “Fantasmic!” is that this is when this 45-foot-tall prop (Which looks just like Maleficent does when that Mistress of Evil turns into a fire-breathing dragon in Disney’s hand-drawn film from 1959, “Sleeping Beauty”) belches out this 35-foot-long plume of flame. Which then seems to set the Rivers of America on fire.

Very cool moment in this show. Looks great. People lined up along the shoreline in Frontierland & New Orleans can actually feel the heat from this sudden burst of flames.

Disneyland’s Animatronic Dragon Catches Fire during “Fantasmic”

Things got a lot little hotter than usual at 10:30 p.m. on April 20, 2023. The Maleficent-the-Dragon prop had just done its setting-the-Rivers-of-America-on-fire thing. Mickey had just said his line “You may think you’re so powerful. But this is my dream.” And – after pulling the Sword from the Stone – Mickey (as he usually does in this part of “Fantasmic!”) seemed to defeat the dragon. So cue the sound effect that now has Maleficent screaming in agony.

That sound effect was a little on the nose. For – as the air was filled with Maleficent’s screams – flames started to shoot out of this mechanical dragon’s head & mouth. Flames that are not typically part of this show.

If you’re watching the right video of what happened back on April 22^nd^, you’ll catch one of those truly classic, only-at-Disneyland moments. Where you’ll hear one kid’s voice – as clear as a bell – say “Is that supposed to be happening?”

Herbie – The Love Bug – Catches Fire at Hollywood Studios

Not the first time America’s youth has been traumatized when an animated piece of show equipment caught fire at a Disney theme park. How many of you remember the Studio Backlot Tour at Disney-MGM (Now Disney’s Hollywood Studios)? There was originally this vignette where – as your tram was rolling down Residential Street – where, after you passed the Golden Girls house, you’d then come across Vern’s house.

Side note: Vern was that off-camera / unseen character that Jim Varney was always interacting with whenever he played Ernest P. Worrell. Varney was a very, very funny / incredibly talented man. Original voice of Slinky Dog in the “Toy Story” movies. Made a quartet of Ernest movies for Disney in the late 1980s / early 1990s. Sadly passed away back in February of 2000 at the age of 51. Gone far too soon. Still quote him to this day (i.e., “Mean old Mr. Gravity”).

At the end of Vern’s driveway, there was this animated prop version of Herbie the Love Bug. And – as the tram rolled by – Herbie would then go through his pre-programmed routine. He’d pop a wheelie. Herbie’s tires would spin & smoke. His hood would fly up. His doors would flap open. Herbie’s headlights would flash and his windshield wipers would flap back & forth. If you were on the right side of the tram (the one facing Vern’s house) you also might get sprayed with Herbie’s windshield wiper fluid (Really just water). Fun little vignette in the Studio Backlot Tour.

There was however the day that Herbie caught fire while he was parked in Vern’s driveway (As it’s been explained to me, it’s believed that the Rosco fog machine that had been installed on the underside of this animated piece of show equipment. That’s what made it look as though Herbie’s tires were smoking when he popped that wheelie) somehow got overheated and then burst into flame.

But here’s the thing: The Imagineers had built this incredibly sturdy piece of show equipment. Which meant that – even as Herbie was on fire – he’d still go through all of his paces as each of those trams rolled up Residential Street full of Guests with their cameras.

Only now when Herbie popped a wheelie, opened his hood, flapped his doors and honked his horn … Given that this animated piece of show equipment was now engulfed in flames, it now looked as though the Love Bug was in agony. That Herbie was imploring those trams full of tourists to please stop. And – for God’s sake – go next door to the Golden Girls house and grab a hose.

I’m told that at least 5 – possibly 10 – trams rolled past Herbie the Love bug while he was on fire before the folks from Reedy Creek got there and finally put out the flames. After this, the animated Herbie prop was removed from the Studio Backlot Lot.

FYI: Residential Street was demolished in 2003 to make room for the stateside version of “Lights, Motor, Action: Extreme Stunt Show.” The Studio Backlot Tour officially shut down for good on September 27, 2014. It was a shadow of its former self at that point. Severely truncated.

Back to fires at the Disney theme parks … Look, Disney is very, very dedicated to safety when it comes to its theme park. But unforeseen things sometimes happen.

WDW’s “Seven Dwarfs Mine Train” Rooftop Fire

The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Walt Disney World. This family coaster first opened to the public back in May of 2014 (It was the very last piece of the New Fantasyland project. Which more than doubled the size of the Magic Kingdom’s most popular land, going from just 10 acres to 21 acres).

Anyway, the show building that houses the 2000 feet of track that the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train runs along is right in the middle of New Fantasyland. Which would have then made it difficult for WDW’s horticultural team to get access to all of the real plants & trees that would then be needed to make this place look like it was actually “ … over the seven jeweled hills, beyond the seven fall.”

FYI: Those are actually the instructions that the Magic Mirror gives the Evil Queen when she’s looking to travel to the Seven Dwarfs cottage and get rid of Snow White once & for all. “Over the seven jeweled hills, beyond the seven fall. Just after the 7/11, the Dwarfs’ place will be the second cottage on your left. They’re right across from the Three Little Pigs. If you see the house where Goldilocks lives, you’ve gone too far.”

Okay. So to make things easier to maintain the exterior of this structure, the Imagineers opted to cover the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train show building with artificial foliage. Fake grass (which looks great from a distance).

This family coaster had only been open five months when – in early November of 2014 – right after “Wishes” had been presented at the Magic Kingdom, a still smoldering fireworks shell tumbled out of the sky and landed on top of the show building for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. This spent shell landed in among a clump of that artificial grass (which – this kind of surprised me – was made out of flammable material). And as a direct result, a small fire broke out.

Want to stress here that this was a very small fire. Lots of videos were taken that night of the top of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train aflame. What wasn’t typically reported was that Reedy Creek was there in the Magic Kingdom within minutes of this fire being reported. They quickly put out that fire. And within one hour of this fireworks-related blaze being reported, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train was re-opened and Guests were once again having a great time on this New Fantasyland attraction.

Side note: Many of the structures in Fantasyland at WDW’s Magic Kingdom have a discreet sprinkler system that – just before each night’s fireworks display – then wets down the roof of these buildings. So that this very thing (i.e., a fire that’s accidentally started by a stray fireworks shell landing in the wrong place at the wrong time) doesn’t happen. Does anyone out there know if the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train has the same sort of system in place on the roof of its show building? I mean, I’d have to assume so. So what went wrong on that night back in November of 2014? Did this spent shell land in the one spot of the roof of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train show building where those sprinklers didn’t reach?

Real Fire at Disneyland’s “Pirates of the Caribbean”

And speaking of fire prevention … There’s a famous story about the original version of “Pirates of the Caribbean” (the one that opened at Disneyland Park back in March of 1967). As the story goes, the Anaheim Fire Chief was touring this attraction just ahead of its grand opening. And when he got to the scene where the pirates have set that city ablaze (That scene is another one of Yale Gracey’s masterpieces. He’s the one who figured out that – if you place a piece of mylar in front of a fan and then light that now-moving piece of fabric with a red & an orange light – you now have a very real looking recreation of fire) …

Anyway, the Anaheim Fire Chief is touring the “Pirates of the Caribbean” show building at Disneyland and see that attraction’s city-ablaze scene and basically says “You need a kill switch for all of the fire effects in this room. Something that can shut down all of these effects all at once. Otherwise, if you ever a fire in this room, my guys won’t be able to tell what’s real and what’s not. And trust me, you don’t want us wasting time in here putting out pretend fires.”

And that fire chief’s warning proved to be prescient. For just three months after Disneyland’s version of “Pirates of the Caribbean” first opened to the public, a fire did break out in this very same room of the attraction.

Luckily, it only impacted just one Audio-Animatronic attraction. Do you remember that drunken pirate in the city-ablaze room? The one who’s kind of holding himself upright by hanging onto a lamp post? He’s got a bottle in his one free hand and is singing “Yo Ho Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me)?

Near as they can figure, a Guest who was floating through this particular show scene aboard one of “Pirates” bateaux flicked a lit cigarette at this AA figure. That lit cigarette got caught somehow in this animatronic’s costume. Which then caught fire.

But here’s the thing: Disneyland’s version of “Pirates of the Caribbean” has only been open for a few months at this point. So many of the Guests who are now floating through this New Orleans Square attraction are doing so for the first time. So they don’t know what the “city ablaze” scene in “Pirates” is supposed to look like. So – when their boat slowly floats past this engulfed-in-flame animatronic figure – they don’t raise an alarm with the Cast Members when they get back to this ride’s Load / Unload station. They just think “ … That was a very realistic looking fire effect.”

The story – as it was told to me – was that … Well, it was only after “Pirates” had closed for the night and a Disneyland employee was floating through this attraction (This is something that they do nightly. Noting things to bring to Maintenance’s attention. Stuff that can be repaired / addressed during Disneyland’s third shift) when they then came upon the now-charred / grotesque / melted AA figure still supposed dangling off of that lamppost with a bottle in his hand.

Disneyland really dodged a bullet here. They were lucky that this one AA figure didn’t set that whole show scene inside of “Pirates of the Caribbean” ablaze.

Coming Out Unscathed – “Fantasmic” & Murphy’s Law

I’ve heard the very same thing about what happened during that performance of “Fantasmic!” back on April 22^nd. That Disneyland was very, very lucky that the wind was blowing in the direction that it was this past Saturday night. Given that Isopar (that’s the petroleum product that produces that 35-foot burst of flame that shoots out of the dragon prop’s mouth) is incredibly flammable … Well, imagine if the wind had been blowing in the opposite direction that night? And some of that stuff had landed on the Cider Mill directly behind that dragon on Tom Sawyer Island? That’s where all of the stage managers and technicians who actually run “Fantasmic!” are typically holed up when this show is being staged. I don’t even want to think about what could have happened then.

Speaking of what could have happened … There’s been a lot of speculation about why Murphy caught fire back on April 22^nd …

Why is the “Fantasmic” Dragon named Murphy?

Need to explain the dragon’s nickname … How many of you remember the dragon that originally appear in “Fantasmic!” when this Disneyland show first debuted back in May of 1992? Back then (due to budget cuts), this piece of show equipment was just a mechanical head on a boom lift. Which then had lengths of non-flammable fabric hanging off of that boom lift to hide that mechanism. To further hide the fact that there was no dragon body below that dragon head, they used to release this cloud of thick chemical fog just before this scene in “Fantasmic!” got underway.

The only problem was that all of the TV ads for “Fantasmic!” (along with all of the billboards along California’s highways. The full page ads in Los Angeles’ newspapers that summer) all showed Mickey Mouse in his Sorcerer’s Apprentice outfit battling with a full-sized Maleficent-the-Dragon with a body below its head.

Disneyland’s Entertainment was genuinely embarrassed by how the dragon originally looked in “Fantasmic!” But since the crowds kept coming to this nighttime show, it took them years (17 in fact) to finally persuade Disneyland management to allow them to upgrade this specific element of this show.

Garner Holt was then hired to build a second dragon for “Fantasmic!” Very tall order. Had to fit in a pit directly below the stage on Tom Sawyer (This is why this dragon is actually in two pieces. A body that’s roughly 23 feet in height. And then a neck & head portion of this same figure that’s 22 feet in height. This element then raises up into place once the dragon’s body is in position. Forming one 45-foot-tall, fire-breathing dragon [FYI: “Fantasmic!” original dragon – the mechanical head of a boom lift – was only 40 feet tall]).

It took a heavy-duty, custom built elevator to quickly lift this 18,000 pound / 32-foot-wide figure up out of that pit. It only has 35 seconds to pull off this particular effect in that show. Four computers then power the 60 microprocessors which control Murphy’s movement. Doing everything from control the actuator that sends that flammable petroleum derivative up to Murphy’s mouth (where it’s then squirted out under high pressure just before it’s ignited. Which – again – is how you get that 35-foot-long jet of flame) to changing the color of this animated prop’s LED-powered eyes.

Disneyland pulled the original version of the “Fantasmic!” dragon (i.e., the mechanical head on a boom lift) off of Tom Sawyer Island in March of 2009. New version of dragon was supposed to debut in June of that same year as part of Disneyland’s Summer Fantasmic! promotion.

That didn’t happen. Had gone from too simple a mechanism to too complex. Los Angeles Time – June 12^th – featured a headline which read “Disneyland’s dragon debut delayed.” Lots of Ds in that sentence.

Hence the name Murphy. As in “Murphy’s Law.” Everything that can go wrong will go wrong.

Finally debuted in early September of that same year. All is forgiven. “Fantasmic!” new dragon looks fantastic. Big wow.

“Fantasmic” Dragon

Still a trifle problematic. August 2010, during that moment in the show where the animated dragon prop has to rise up out of that pit in just 35 seconds (with the 22 foot long head & neck section then rising up over that 23 foot tall body section to form one 45 foot tall dragon), something goes wrong. Entire prop suddenly pitches forward. Murphy winds up with his nose rest of the stage portion of Tom Sawyer’s Island. Show E-stops. Disneyland makes announcement “Please don’t take pictures of the dragon looking like this.” People do anyway.

Different theories as to what happened that night. Disneyland execs say neck mechanic broke. Folks at Garner Holt has told me that it was operator error. Wasn’t until November of that same year that Murphy resumed his regular appearances in Disneyland’s “Fantasmic!”

FYI: Disney does have a contingency plan if Murphy malfunctions / isn’t able to appear that night in “Fantasmic!” There’s a version of this show where that show scene can be handled by projecting animated footage on this show’s water screens.

Original “Fantasmic” Fiasco or Simply Mickey’s Dream?

Final thoughts: There are those that say … Well, if Disneyland had just stuck with their original version of the “Fantasmic!” dragon (i.e., the one that was just a mechanical head at the end of a boom lift. FYI: This is what WDW’s version of “Fantasmic!” – the one that’s been running since October of 1998 and will be celebrating its 25^th anniversary this Fall – still uses), this never would have happened.

Not true. Kevin Kidney (who was a designer on the original version of this Disneyland nighttime show. Back when “Fantasmic!” was called the “Imagination River Spectacular”) tells a story about what happened just one week before this show opened on May 13, 1992. Which was when – as they powered up that fire effect – the dragon head then flew off of that boom lift and clattered to the stage.

Of course, since we now live in the age of “If you didn’t take a picture, it didn’t happen,” no one outside of Disneyland Entertainment vets ever talks about that incident. But it did happen.

This article is based on research for The Disney Dish Podcast “Episode 425”, published on May 1, 2023. The Disney Dish Podcast is part of the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network.

Related Topics:Disneyland Walt Disney World

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Jim Hill

Jim Hill is an entertainment writer who has specialized in covering The Walt Disney Company for nearly 40 years now. Over that time, he has interviewed hundreds of animators, actors, and Imagineers -- many of whom have shared behind-the-scenes stories with Mr. Hill about how the Mouse House really works. In addition to the 4000+ articles Jim has written for the Web, he also co-hosts a trio of popular podcasts: “Disney Dish with Len Testa,” “Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor” and “Marvel US Disney with Aaron Adams.” Mr. Hill makes his home in Southern New Hampshire with his lovely wife Nancy and two obnoxious cats, Ginger & Betty.

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Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment

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

Published

2 weeks ago

September 22, 2024

Jim Hill

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

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

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

The Origins of Little Monsters on Main Street

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

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

A Unique Halloween Experience

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

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

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

The Haunted Mansion “Tip-Toe” Tour

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

Growing Success and a Bigger Event

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment

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

Published

4 weeks 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.

History

The Evolution and History of Mickey’s ToonTown

Published

8 months ago

February 7, 2024

Jim Hill

Disneyland in Anaheim, California, holds a special place in the hearts of Disney fans worldwide, I mean heck, it’s where the magic began after all. Over the years it’s become a place that people visit in search of memorable experiences. One fan favorite area of the park is Mickey’s Toontown, a unique land that lets guests step right into the colorful, “Toony” world of Disney animation. With the recent reimagining of the land and the introduction of Micky and Minnies Runaway Railway, have you ever wondered how this land came to be?

There is a fascinating backstory of how Mickey’s Toontown came into existence. It’s a tale of strategic vision, the influence of Disney executives, and a commitment to meeting the needs of Disney’s valued guests.

The Beginning: Mickey’s Birthdayland

The story of Mickey’s Toontown starts with Mickey’s Birthdayland at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Opened in 1988 to celebrate Mickey Mouse’s 60th birthday, this temporary attraction was met with such overwhelming popularity that it inspired Disney executives to think bigger. The idea was to create a permanent, immersive land where guests could step into the animated world of Mickey Mouse and his friends.

In the early ’90s, Disneyland was in need of a refresh. Michael Eisner, the visionary leader of The Walt Disney Company at the time, had an audacious idea: create a brand-new land in Disneyland that would celebrate Disney characters in a whole new way. This was the birth of Mickey’s Toontown.

Initially, Disney’s creative minds toyed with various concepts, including the idea of crafting a 100-Acre Woods or a land inspired by the Muppets. However, the turning point came when they considered the success of “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.” This film’s popularity and the desire to capitalize on contemporary trends set the stage for Toontown’s creation.

From Concept to Reality: The Birth of Toontown

In 1993, Mickey’s Toontown opened its gates at Disneyland, marking the first time in Disney Park history where guests could experience a fully realized, three-dimensional world of animation. This new land was not just a collection of attractions but a living, breathing community where Disney characters “lived,” worked, and played.

Building Challenges: Innovative Solutions

The design of Mickey’s Toontown broke new ground in theme park aesthetics. Imagineers were tasked with bringing the two-dimensional world of cartoons into a three-dimensional space. This led to the creation of over 2000 custom-built props and structures that embodied the ‘squash and stretch’ principle of animation, giving Toontown its distinctiveness.

And then there was also the challenge of hiding the Team Disney Anaheim building, which bore a striking resemblance to a giant hotdog. The Imagineers had to think creatively, using balloon tests and imaginative landscaping to seamlessly integrate Toontown into the larger park.

Key Attractions: Bringing Animation to Life

Mickey’s Toontown featured several groundbreaking attractions. “Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin,” inspired by the movie “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” became a staple of Toontown, offering an innovative ride experience. Gadget’s Go-Coaster, though initially conceived as a Rescue Rangers-themed ride, became a hit with younger visitors, proving that innovative design could create memorable experiences for all ages.

Another crown jewel of Toontown is Mickey’s House, a walkthrough attraction that allowed guests to explore the home of Mickey Mouse himself. This attraction was more than just a house; it was a carefully crafted piece of Disney lore. The house was designed in the American Craftsman style, reflecting the era when Mickey would have theoretically purchased his first home in Hollywood. The attention to detail was meticulous, with over 2000 hand-crafted, custom-built props, ensuring that every corner of the house was brimming with character and charm. Interestingly, the design of Mickey’s House was inspired by a real home in Wichita Falls, making it a unique blend of real-world inspiration and Disney magic.

Mickey’s House also showcased Disney’s commitment to creating interactive and engaging experiences. Guests could make themselves at home, sitting in Mickey’s chair, listening to the radio, and exploring the many mementos and references to Mickey’s animated adventures throughout the years. This approach to attraction design – where storytelling and interactivity merged seamlessly – was a defining characteristic of ToonTown’s success.

Executive Decisions: Shaping ToonTown’s Unique Attractions

The development of Mickey’s Toontown wasn’t just about creative imagination; it was significantly influenced by strategic decisions from Disney executives. One notable input came from Jeffrey Katzenberg, who suggested incorporating a Rescue Rangers-themed ride. This idea was a reflection of the broader Disney strategy to integrate popular contemporary characters and themes into the park, ensuring that the attractions remained relevant and engaging for visitors.

In addition to Katzenberg’s influence, Frank Wells, the then-President of The Walt Disney Company, played a key role in the strategic launch of Toontown’s attractions. His decision to delay the opening of “Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin” until a year after Toontown’s debut was a calculated move. It was designed to maintain public interest in the park by offering new experiences over time, thereby giving guests more reasons to return to Disneyland.

These executive decisions highlight the careful planning and foresight that went into making Toontown a dynamic and continuously appealing part of Disneyland. By integrating current trends and strategically planning the rollout of attractions, Disney executives ensured that Toontown would not only capture the hearts of visitors upon its opening but would continue to draw them back for new experiences in the years to follow.

Global Influence: Toontown’s Worldwide Appeal

The concept of Mickey’s Toontown resonated so strongly that it was replicated at Tokyo Disneyland and influenced elements in Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland. Each park’s version of Toontown maintained the core essence of the original while adapting to its cultural and logistical environment.

Evolution and Reimagining: Toontown Today

As we approach the present day, Mickey’s Toontown has recently undergone a significant reimagining to welcome “Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway” in 2023. This refurbishment aimed to enhance the land’s interactivity and appeal to a new generation of Disney fans, all while retaining the charm that has made ToonTown a beloved destination for nearly three decades.

Dive Deeper into ToonTown’s Story

Want to know more about Mickey’s Toontown and hear some fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, then check out the latest episode of Disney Unpacked on Patreon @JimHillMedia. In this episode, the main Imagineer who worked on the Toontown project shares lots of interesting stories and details that you can’t find anywhere else. It’s full of great information and fun facts, so be sure to give it a listen!