Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment
Finding Mickey Mouse at Disney World
As a special weekend treat for JimHillMedia.com readers, Wade Sampson shares a special gift from JHM’s old pal, Jim Korkis. Which is the ultimate Mouse scavenger hunt for Florida-bound Disneyana fans.
Was anyone else as disappointed as I was that the 75 statues celebrating Mickey Mouse which were supposed to be on display at Walt Disney World through April got pulled early for the Disney stockholder’s meeting? I had planned to visit Walt Disney World over Spring Break and take some photos since I am a big Mickey Mouse fan (Even though cast members told me that not all of the statues were on display at the Magic Kingdom. Apparently, some did not survive the trip to hot and humid Orlando well and were backstage being touched up.)
Actually, there were 77 statues made. “We created two additional statues to substitute for the official 75 in case something terrible happened to them,” said Maria Gladowski, spokesperson for Disney Consumer Products. Those two extra were “Circle Vision” by Luis Fernandez, an employee of Disney Consumer Products, and “Chocolate Mouse” by Randi S. Johnson, president of TivoliToo which was the company that was involved in creating the statues. So when there was the Janet Jackson controversy and her Mickey statue, “Rhythm Nation 1928”, got pulled, it was easy to substitute “Circle Vision”.
These 700-pound, 6-foot-tall Mickey statues kicked off an eighteen month celebration honoring Mickey Mouse’s 75th Anniversary and they are now touring the country to be reunited at Disneyland for a Sotheby’s auction in 2005.
So I postponed my trip to Walt Disney World and last week I was listening to KOST radio out here in Los Angeles when they were broadcasting from the Disney/MGM Studios and to my surprise they interviewed Disney historian Jim Korkis, who always manages to be charming and informative even when he has to be “Disney correct/” That interview reminded me that over the Christmas holidays, several cast members at Walt Disney World had sent me a scavenger hunt designed by Jim for cast members that I was going to take with me on my trip.
To celebrate the 100 Years of Magic, Jim put together a hunt entitled “Where in the World is Walt?” which is archived elsewhere at this site. Jim found Walt photos and references at the various theme parks at Walt Disney World and put together this hunt so that cast members (and their family and friends) could re-discover the magic in the parks even if they had been there hundreds of time. This last December, to celebrate Mickey Mouse’s birthday, he put together a version entitled “Where in the World is Mickey?” So for all those Disney fans like myself who lost out on the chance to see all the Mickey statues, here is another way to celebrate Mickey’s 75th birthday. I’m sure Jim won’t mind it appearing here since he loves promoting the parks and having people re-discover all the details and this encourages guests to pay that higher admission price to find these secrets hidden in plain sight.
Where in the World is Mickey?
A Special Disney Heritage Adventure
created by Jim Korkis
Magic Kingdom
1. In 1929, one of the earliest of the Mickey Mouse black and white cartoons was released: “Mickey’s Choo-Choo,” which featured Mickey as the engineer on a small town railroad. In fact, he is still wearing his engineer’s cap and checkered shirt when he posed for this photo with Walt Disney who is also wearing a checkered shirt. What is the number on the train engine? (Main Street)
2. There are certainly a lot of “Steamboat Willie” images throughout the parks since this was the first Mickey Mouse cartoon theatrically released but this is the only color reproduction of a “Steamboat Willie” anywhere in the WDW theme parks. In fact, in the small lettering at the bottom of this reproduction, it is listed as a limited edition celebrating what number anniversary? (Main Street)
3. “Canine Caddy” with Mickey & Pluto playing golf was released in 1941 and featured a Mickey Mouse with two-tone ears in an attempt by animator Freddy Moore to make Mickey’s ears more three-dimensional. This short-lived experiment only lasted for two cartoons. While the short is in color, you can view a black and white version of it at this location. What is the title that flashes on the screen immediately after this Mickey Mouse short? (Main Street)
4. “The Cactus Kid” and “Two Gun Mickey” were popular black and white Mickey Mouse cartoons with Mickey as a cowboy. However, this seems to be the only location where guests can purchase an image of Cowboy Mickey in his ten gallon hat and holding a six shooter in his left hand. Of course, you can’t see the rest of his body. Where exactly would you be able to purchase this image? (Frontierland)
5. The picture to the left of the picture of Clarabelle Cow being wooed by a suitor with a flower shows a special outfit for Mickey Mouse for one of his cartoons that was nominated for an Academy Award but lost that year to “Ferdinand the Bull.” On the picture it says “Suit For Gentry”. What is the other two word phrase on that picture? (Fantasyland)
6. Mickey Mouse’s space adventures were primarily limited to his comic book appearances but here a three-dimensional Mickey Mouse dressed in a silver space suit stands proudly behind a flashing light as he looks at Minnie. What is the color of the light? (Tomorrowland)
7. This is an interesting picture because even though it is supposed to suggest that it is Minnie Mouse’s father, it is actually based on a drawing done by famed Mickey Mouse comic strip artist Floyd Gottfredson in 1948 for a popular magazine to show what Mickey Mouse would look like in his old age. (Gottfredson’s version had Mickey holding a box of checkers and a checker board.) Anyway, the aged mouse in this picture holds a cane in right hand, wears reading glasses and holds a newspaper in his left hand. What is the name of the newspaper? (Toontown)
8. There is a color picture of Mickey Mouse as a construction worker with a hard hat outside his bedroom. That exact same picture appears in another location in Toontown. When you find that second location, the picture has a number with a fraction. What is the number and the fraction? (Toontown)
9. In Mickey’s letter to Donald and Goofy, what does he write after he says “It sure looks different all right”? (Toontown)
10. Where exactly can you find Mickey Mouse’s big yellow mailbox with his full name in big red letters? (Toontown)
Epcot
11. When you find the location that has five arrows by each wheel, look up to the top and you will find a classic Mickey Mouse image with his left hand holding how many objects? (World Showcase)
12. This is odd. This is the only country pavilion where one of the pennies in the penny press machine does not have the country name on it. It is also the only one where the image of Mickey Mouse has the classic pie-cut eyes. In what country can you find this unusual penny souvenir? (World Showcase)
13. Mickey is comfortably sitting on his suitcase with a beret on his head and a camera tucked under his right arm. That famous structure in the background was designed by the same man who did the interior structure of the Statue of Liberty. But what is Mickey Mouse holding in his left hand? (World Showcase)
14. Mickey sure looks happy on these signs in his bright yellow shirt but Chip’n’Dale seem to be paying attention to something else. What color buttons are on Mickey’s clothes on these signs? (Nope, not yellow.) (Future World)
15. As you stand in the front of Epcot, looking at SpaceShip Earth, in which hand is Mickey holding his sorcerer’s wand? (It reverses on the other side and by the way, that’s the little finger that is sticking out in the air.) (Future World)
16. This Mickey Mouse phone on the counter is always available for guests to use and has been ever since this air-conditioned location opened. Are Mickey’s feet straddling the phone or are his feet flat on the ground to one side of the dial or is the right foot raised or is the left foot raised? (Maybe if you are nice, the cast members here will point out what they suspect is a Hidden Mickey on the floor carpet.) (Future World)
17. There are two locations in Future World where there are photos of Walt Disney pretending to draw Mickey Mouse as “Steamboat Willie”. Where are those two locations? (Future World)
18. Smiling before the ABC-TV camera, Walt clutches a Charlotte Clark designed Mickey Mouse doll and what other Disney cartoon character dolls also designed by Miss Clark? (Future World)
19. These three dials were obviously meant to resemble Mickey Mouse’s head. Both of Mickey’s ear gauges seem to register approximately “90” on the scale. But the gauge representing Mickey’s head registers just short of what number? (Future World) (Don’t be confused by the dials in another area that register between 120-130!)
20. Mickey’s outline is on a large green gear that twirls periodically between the gears of the outlines of what two other Disney animated characters? (Future World)
Disney – MGM Studios
21. The Carthay Circle Theater was one of only two theaters fitted with Fantasound for the premiere of “Fantasia” featuring Mickey Mouse in 1940. This theater on San Vicente was torn down in 1969 because it was not earthquake safe. In one of the display windows is a reproduction of a poster for the cartoon short, Mickey’s Good Deed.” This exact same poster reproduction is proudly displayed at what other location at the Disney/MGM Studios? (Hollywood Boulevard)
22. What is anatomically incorrect with the big three-dimensional statue of Mickey Mouse as “Steamboat Willie”? The other two statues in the same location are fine. They even got the colors right on the middle one and that doesn’t always happen. (Hollywood Boulevard)
23. What is the word in orange lettering and white neon that is underneath the face of one of the largest Mickey Mouse wristwatches you will ever see? (Hollywood Boulevard)
24. When this star made a lasting impression with his hands (and his nose!), he also wrote “Happy Birthday, Mick!” on 6-26-88. What is the name of that star? (Next time you ride the “Great Movie Ride,” look immediately to your left when you see James Cagney and see if you can find a Hidden Mickey that is not three circles but a body part.) (Hollywood Boulevard)
25. Right between the photo of Walt pretending to draw Bambi and the photo of him being very animated in a pair of suspenders as he acts out in front of the “Pinocchio” storyboard is a photo of Walt reading a book. What is the full title of that book? (Animation Courtyard)
26. “Mickey’s Polo Team” was a 1936 short cartoon inspired by Walt Disney’s love of the game of polo. He had organized a team at the studio and arranged games between some of the other Hollywood celebrities. Unfortunately he had to stop when an accident crushed four of his cervical vertebrae, contributing to an arthritic condition that plagued him the rest of his life. This location features three publicity drawings from that cartoon and in one of the drawings, a helmeted Mickey Mouse is followed by which Disney character carrying Mickey’s bag of polo mallets? (Sunset Boulevard)
27. In the Disneyland ferris wheel, the design of each of the individual cars has Mickey Mouse sharing his ride with Pluto and what other Disney animated character? (Nope, it is not Minnie.) (Sunset Boulevard)
28. Mickey Mouse’s very own red director’s chair has a very battered and probably collectible marionette clinging to one of the arms. Who is that marionette character? (Nope, it is not Pinocchio.) (Sunset Boulevard)
29. So many things have changed in the park since it opened but thank heavens this yellow map with a red banner proclaiming: “Los Angeles and Vicinity Freeways” still hangs where it did when this area first opened. In fact, there is a little red square to identify the location of Disneyland. However, immediately to the upper left is another red square almost directly above the green San Diego Freeway sign that identifies something that helped out the opening of Disneyland. What popular location is the little red square representing? (Look at the little black arrow above the square as well.)? (New York Street)
30. This magazine has what is known as an “infinity cover” which means the cover is repeated on progressively smaller covers to infinity. Mickey is smiling on this color cover and while he is celebrating 75 years today, when this magazine came out, it proclaimed the 75th anniversary of what other achievement? (One Man’s Dream)
Don’t LOOK! Here are the Answers! WARNING!
1. 2 (Two). This photo is in the locker area at the front of the park between lockers B255-295.
2. 70th. This small reproduction is in the first display case in the Kodak Exposition Hall near the “Puttin’ on the Ritz” sheet music.
3. “Hockey Hijinks.” Several sports related cartoons are shown on the big screen in the back of the Main Street Athletic Club.
4. The Penny Press Machine in the lobby of “Country Bear Jamboree.”
5. “Giant Savings.” This picture is in the display window of “Sir Mickey’s” and the phrase is a reference to Mickey as a giant killer in “Brave Little Tailor.”
6. Blue. This is in the center of the “Mickey’s Star Traders” shop.
7.The Cheese Report. This picture is on the mantle of the living room in Minnie Mouse’s house.
8. 23 and 3/15. The picture with the number is on the cover of “Minnie’s Cartoon Country Living” which hangs on the wall in Minnie’s house right before going in to the kitchen.
9. “Let’s Talk”. This letter appears on the counter of the remodeled kitchen in Mickey’s house.
10. On the shelf of Mickey’s garage. It is right above the license plate “MIK’N’MIN”.
Epcot
11. Three (3). This is the white pin trading cart in front of “The American Adventure.” Mickey is holding three geometric, colorful pins in his hand.
12. Morocco. This penny press machine is located in the merchandise shop near the restaurant. The penny of Mickey has him with his left hand on a globe and a suitcase behind him.
13. His passport. This image of Mickey is in the penny press machine in the “Les Halles” merchandise shop in France.
14. Orange. There are three signs for Character Dining in front of the “Garden Grill” Restaurant in “The Land” pavilion and they all feature Mickey in a yellow shirt, blue overalls and orange buttons.
15. Left hand.
16. Right foot raised. This phone is located on the counter of the Guest Relations lobby.
17. The display window of “The Art of Disney” and the south wall mural in Innoventions East.
18. Goofy, Donald, Pluto. This picture is located on the photo wall mural in Innoventions East.
19. 110. These dials are in “Mouse Gear” right underneath the silhouette picture of Scrooge McDuck in his office with Daisy Duck taking dictation.
20. Goofy and the face of Minnie Mouse. These huge gears are in the “Mouse Gear” location, north wall.
Disney – MGM Studios
21. “Sweet Success.” The poster is hanging high on the wall with other posters above the embroidering area known as Head To Toe.
22. Steamboat Willie is missing his tail. This statue is in “Mickey’s of Hollywood.”
23. Jewelry. This wristwatch is a huge sign that is on Hollywood Boulevard between the second and third entrance to Mickey’s of Hollywood.
24. Alan Alda. In the forecourt of the “Chinese Theater” on the upper left side if you are facing the theater.
25. “The Adventures of Mickey Mouse.” This photo is on a filmstrip that winds above the heads of guests in “The Studio Store.”
26. Donald Duck. This photo is on one of the north walls in the “Mouse About Town” store.
27. Donald Duck. This is one of the antique toys in the Carthay Circle merchandise shop near where the artist draws.
28. Minnie Mouse. This is one of the antique toys above one of the doors of the Carthay Circle merchandise shop.
29. Knott’s Berry Farm. This map is located on the wall in Disney’s Writer’s Stop coffee shop. Knott’s Berry Farm lent Disneyland an old rifle to be carried by Fess Parker as Davy Crockett’s “Old Betsy” when it was discovered the real one was left behind in Burbank.
30. Flight. The “Life” magazine from November 1978 is in the display case next to the standee of Roy O. Disney and celebrates “75 Years of Flight”.
Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment
Disney and Macy’s 90-Year Thanksgiving Day Parade Partnership: From Mickey’s First Balloon to Minnie’s Big Debut
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.
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
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
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.
This Halloween event was Disney’s response to the growing popularity of Universal Studios Florida’s own Halloween hard ticket event, which started in 1991 as “Fright Nights” before being rebranded as “Halloween Horror Nights” the following year. Universal’s gamble on a horror-themed experience helped salvage what had been a shaky opening for their park, and by 1993, Halloween Horror Nights was a seven-night event, with ticket prices climbing as high as $35. Universal had stumbled upon a goldmine, and Disney took notice.
A Different Approach
Now, here’s where Disney’s unique strategy comes into play. While Universal embraced the gory, scare-filled world of horror, Disney knew that wasn’t their brand. Instead of competing directly with blood and jump-scares, Disney leaned into what they did best: creating magical, family-friendly experiences.
Thus, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party was born. The focus was on fun and whimsy, not fear. Families could bring their small children without worrying about them being terrified by a chainsaw-wielding maniac around the next corner. This event wasn’t just a Halloween party—it was an extension of the Disney magic that guests had come to expect from the parks.
Disney had some experience with seasonal after-hours events, most notably Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, which had started in 1983. But the Halloween party was different, as the Magic Kingdom wasn’t yet decked out in Halloween decor the way it is today. Disney had to create a spooky (but not too spooky) atmosphere using temporary props, fog machines, and, of course, lots of candy.
A key addition to that first event? The debut of the Headless Horseman, who made his eerie appearance in Liberty Square, riding a massive black Percheron. It wasn’t as elaborate as the Boo-to-You Parade we see today, but it marked the beginning of a beloved Disney Halloween tradition.
A Modest Start but a Big Future
That first MNSSHP in 1995 was seen as a trial run. As Disney World spokesman Greg Albrecht told the Orlando Sentinel, “If it’s successful, we’ll do it again.” And while attendance was sparse that night, there was clearly potential. By 1997, the event expanded to two nights, and by 1999, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party had grown into a multi-night celebration with a full-fledged parade. Today, in 2024, it’s a staple of the fall season at Walt Disney World, offering 38 nights of trick-or-treating, character meet-and-greets, and special entertainment.
Universal’s Influence
It’s interesting to reflect on how Disney’s Halloween event might never have existed without the competition from Universal. Just as “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” forced Disney to step up their game with “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge,” Universal’s success with Halloween Horror Nights likely spurred Disney into action with MNSSHP. The friendly rivalry between the two parks has continually pushed both to offer more to their guests, and we’re all better off because of it.
So the next time you find yourself trick-or-treating through the Magic Kingdom, watching the Headless Horseman gallop by, or marveling at the seasonal fireworks, take a moment to appreciate how this delightful tradition came to be—all thanks to a little competition and Disney’s commitment to creating not-so-scary magic.
For more Disney history and behind-the-scenes stories, check out the latest episodes of the I Want That Too podcast on the Jim Hill Media network.
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