Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment

“Space” sickness OR “Mission: Space” scrubbed. Repeatedly. With disinfectant.

As Epcot’s newest thrill ride continues its test-and-adjust phase, WDW executives are reportedly growing concerned that this centrifuge-based attraction may really be too rough for many WDW guests. But can anything be done between now and August 15th — the official opening date of “Mission: Space?”

Published

21 years ago

July 13, 2003

Jim Hill

Maybe this really isn’t a story that you should be reading first thing in the morning. Particularly if you’re still eating breakfast.

Still, there’s some rather intriguing news coming out of Orlando these days. Word that WDW executives are going very concerned that “Mission: Space” — Epcot’s yet-to-be-officially-opened brand-new thrill ride — may be a bit too rough for many Disney World guests to enjoy riding.

Ever since this Future World attraction first quietly opened its doors to the paying customers back in June of this year, a significant number of guests as well as cast members — as they stepped out of the simulator capsule — have reported symptoms ranging from dizziness to headache and nausea. Typically, in most cases, the side effects of riding the attraction would pass in just 5 minutes to under a half an hour.

But — in some extreme cases — guests who have ridden “Mission: Space” reported that they were still feeling nauseous and dizzy for days afterward. One Central Florida Disney Annual Passholder is said to have taken to her bed for three days before she was finally able to shake off the ill effects she felt from swirling around inside Epcot’s new flight simulator.

WDW Operations staff first became aware of this problem last month during “Mission: Space”‘s test-and-adjust phase, when only Disney World cast members were allowed to ride this Future World attraction. At that time, many longtime WDW employees — including people who worked on WDW thrill rides like the Magic Kingdom’s “Space Mountain” and Disney-MGM’s “Tower of Terror” — were said to have stepped out of the “Mission: Space” simulator and gotten immediately (and violently) ill.

What was the problem? The Imagineers seem to think that — to date — all of the people who have gotten sick on the ride have made the same mistake. Which was to move their head out of the headrest and/or turned their head to the side as the Future World attraction was spinning. Which (for some reason) induces a strong case of vertigo in these people.

“People who look straight ahead — even people who close their eyes while they’re in the ride — they’re fine,” said one Disney cast member who’s actually been working on “Mission: Space” during its test-and-adjust phase. “It’s those guests who don’t follow the safety spiel — who lift their heads out of the headrest or turn to the side — who are causing all the problems. They’re the ones who have been getting sick.”

Which is why — as guests now enter the pre-show area at “Mission: Space” — they repeatedly encounter Disney cast members who spiel a warning that goes something like this: “‘Mission: Space’ is an extremely intense attraction that recreates the experience of space travel. Which is why this ride may not be suitable for all guests. We strongly urge you to read all of the safety precautions before you decide whether or not you actually want to ride the ride.”

Unfortunately, given the number of times that WDW guests actually hear this warning while they’re waiting in the queue, it eventually becomes just background noise to them. Which is why these people suddenly seem so shocked once they’re on board the flight simulator and find themselves exposed to these extreme stresses.

“That was one rough ride, Jim,” said one Disney World visitor in a recent e-mail to me. “I’m glad that I got on the thing and that I got to experience the attraction before it officially opened. But I don’t think that I’ll be riding ‘Mission: Space’ again anytime soon.”

Which brings us to Disney World’s next concern: “Mission: Space”‘s reride-ability. Even the guests who actually enjoyed this flight-to-Mars simulation during its preview period haven’t been all that eager to get back in line to take another spin on the centrifuge.

Said one Disney cast member who rode “Mission: Space” back in June: “Look, once was enough for me, Jim. What with the claustrophobic cabin and the stresses your body is put under as you spin around, it just wasn’t a fun time. At least for me. Which is why I doubt that I’ll be riding ‘Mission: Space’ again.”

It’s the comments like this — particularly from Disney World cast members and annual passholders — that are really giving WDW Operations staff some pause. Given that the Walt Disney Company and Hewlett-Packard have poured over $100 million dollars into the development and construction of this Future World attraction, they don’t want guests and cast members to be saying things like “Once was enough.” In order for “Mission: Space” to become a popular (more importantly, profitable) addition to Epcot’s array of attractions, it has to become the sort of ride that guests want to ride over and over and over and over …

Which — at this point, anyway — “Mission: Space” clearly isn’t. Which is why WDW Operations staff and the Imagineers are now wondering what they should do to counter all the guest complaints about how rough this ride is. Should they dare to turn down the centrifuge a bit, thereby lessening “Mission: Space”‘s incredible effects … but at least (in theory) that will make the attraction suitable for more guests to ride?

I mean, it’s not like there isn’t a precedent for doing something this. Some of you may recall — when the “Wonders of Life” pavilion first opened at Epcot back in October of 1989 — that the Imagineers were forced to make changes on “Body Wars.” Many WDW guests found this simulator ride (particularly during the trapped-inside-the-lung sequence, where the ride cabin kept moving back-and-forth, back-and-forth) to be more than they could realy handle. Which resulted in numerous “protein spills” (I.E. the code word that “WOL” cast members use when they’re out on stage, among WDW guests, to discreetly spread the news that some unfortunate has vomited inside of one of the “Body Wars” probe vehicles).

To lessen the nausea that this particular sequence in “Body Wars” was inducing in WDW guests, the Imagineers first tried lessening the back-and-forth motion of the simulator. But that didn’t really help; guests were still getting sick. Eventually, the folks at WDI were forced to make some cuts in the Leonard-Nimoy-directed ride film, shortening the amount of time that Disney World visitors had to spend inside the lung. (Even today as you ride “Body Wars,” if you watch carefully you’ll notice that there’s a rather abrupt transition in the lung sequence. As if several seconds has been snipped out of the ride film. Well, it has.)

And — even as recently as March 2001 (just weeks after Disney’s California Adventure theme park had officially opened to the public) — the Imagineers were forced to shut down that park’s “Mullholland Madness” because of guest complaints that that Wild Mouse ride was just too rough. So it’s not like Disney hasn’t responded to guest complaints like this in the past.

Unfortunately, the real crux of the matter here is that Epcot’s “Mission: Space” attraction is driven by a centrifuge. As in: All the ride’s effects key off of your body’s reactions to being spun around at high rates of speed. If WDI opts to turn down the centrifuge (I.E. lessen the number of revolutions per second that your ride cabin experiences), they then run the risk of turning their $100 million thrill ride into a not-so-very-thrilling thrill ride.

Still — based on the number of guest and cast member complaints that they’ve received to date — something clearly needs to be done about this Epcot addition. For now, Disney seems content to just try and get ahead of the negative buzz that’s been building on “Mission: Space.” Which is why — earlier this month — it invited several Central Florida journalists to come experience this Future World attraction well ahead of its August 15th opening.

But even this carefully selected group of press representatives reportedly had problems with the ride. According to the story in the July 2nd edition of the Orlando Sentinel, “More than a few (reporters) walked away on wobbly knees. ‘Four minutes (of spinning in space) was long enough for me,’ said one journalist.”

Which pretty much puts Disney right back where it started. With a $100 million dollar attraction that many WDW guests and cast members — after they initially ride “Mission: Space” — may think is too rough to ride again. Which will hardly translate into the smashing success that the Walt Disney Company believes it need in order to turn Epcot’s attendance problems around.

Mind you, not everyone thinks that “Mission: Space” is too rough a ride. The hardcore coaster fans (as well as the WDW guests who actually follow the safety spiel, who keep their heads in the headrest and look straight ahead, never to the side) actually seem to enjoy the attraction. Said one young rider in a recent e-mail to me, “‘Mission: Space’ is such an awesome recreation of a trip out into space, Jim, that I bet that this ride is actually going to cut into the number of WDW guests who go over to the Kennedy Space Center. I mean, why look at dusty old rockets anymore when you can experience a recreation of the real thing?”

Mind you, this same JHM reader then explained why he had been able to experience “Mission: Space” without experiencing any ill effects (“I made a point of not eating anything that afternoon. After all, you can’t hurl if you have nothing left to hurl.”) He then offered up this intriguing theory as to why so many WDW guests and cast members have found themselves getting sick during the “Mission: Space” previews.

“It’s not the ride itself that’s making people sick, Jim. It’s that giant Gravity Wheel with the Space Simulation Lab sitting on it. That’s all that the guests can see when they’re standing out in the pre-show area, waiting in the queue. They go through the line looking at this 35 foot tall room, standing on its side, as it spins ’round and ’round and ’round.”

“No wonder people who are motion sensitive are exiting ‘Mission: Space” complaining of dizziness and nausea,” this savvy JHM reader continues. “They’ve already been made dizzy by what they’ve forced to look at while they’re waiting in the queue.”

“If Disney really wants to cut down on the number of people who are getting sick on ‘Mission: Space,’ they should just shut down — or at least slow down — the gravity wheel that towers over the queue area. That would probably cut back on the number of guests who are getting off the ride nauseous.”

You know, that may actually be a halfway decent suggestion. I’ll try and pass it off to the folks at WDI. Who — right now, anyway — are still anxiously flailing about, trying to find some sort of solution for their “people-are-getting-sick-on”Mission: Space” problem.

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

1 week 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

2 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.