Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment

Let’s do the Time Warp again… and again… and again…

JHM columnist Seth Kubersky returns the planet Transsexual (in the galaxy of Transylvania) with a report on the bi-monthly (Bi? How appropriate) screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Loews Universal Cineplex at Universal’s CityWalk.

Published

21 years ago

November 6, 2003

Seth Kubersky

I would like, if I may, to tell you about my favorite Orlando theme park attraction.

It’s a certified classic, having endured for over 25 years. It’s no longer the hot new thing, and some elements are charmingly dated, but it continues to draw new fans. Legions of long-time admirers extol its eye-popping production design, unforgettable music, and even its uplifting message. While it is nominally a “scary” experience, it is actually a safe way for people to confront certain fears, and many adult fans delight in introducing their children to it. You can experience it hundreds of times and still find new details to love.

You know the attraction I’m talking about?

This is an attraction that broke new ground by combining film with in-theater special effects in a way that had never been seen before. Guests experience water, smoke, and other surprises that bring the action off the screen in delightfully unexpected ways.

You know the attraction I’m talking about?

This show, which can be found at Universal Orlando, mixes film and physical effects with live actors in a way that had never been attempted before. Live actors, performing in front of a movie screen, interact seamlessly with characters on screen. A character rides out on stage on a motorcycle. The actors even run through the theater, providing the audience with a unique in-your-face experience.

You know the attraction I’m talking about?

Of course, I’m not talking about “It’s A Small World” or “The Haunted Mansion.” I’m not talking about “MuppetVision 4D” or “Honey I Shrunk the Audience.” I’m not even talking about “Terminator 2: 3D.”

I’m talking about that enduring cult classic, The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Every second and fourth weekend of the month, the Loews Universal Cineplex at Universal’s CityWalk plays host to a convention of sweet transvestites from the planet Transsexual (in the galaxy of Transylvania). An average crowd of over 100 joins a live cast of performers for midnight celebrations of the original audience participation experience.

This phenomenon began life in 1973 as “The Rocky Horror Show,” a no-budget rock musical written by former “Hair” cast member Richard O’Brien, and performed in London’s miniscule Theater Upstairs. The show is a giddy Frankenstein of sci-fi B-movie schlock, sexual fetishism, and the Wizard of Oz. The original production starred Tim Curry as Dr. Frank N. Furter, the cross-dressing mad scientist, a role he will forever be identified with. The show was an enormous success, transferring to larger houses and running for years. A successful Los Angeles production followed, as did a disastrous attempt at Broadway.

Finally, 20th Century Fox released a film version in 1975. The film starred most of the original London cast, including Curry and O’Brien. Joining the cast were Americans Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, and Meatloaf. Despite the popularity of the stage play, and the close involvement of the original creative team, the film was a spectacular failure. Assaulted by the critics and ignored at the box office, the film should have quickly disappeared into obscurity.

Except…

A small number of theaters, most notably the Waverly in New York’s Greenwich Village, held the film over for midnight showings. Theater managers noticed that, while the audiences were small, they were comprised of the same people who came to see the film over and over. Little by little, these “cultists” developed rituals around the film. People started spontaneously dressing up as their favorite characters and singing along with the soundtrack. The use of props also developed organically, as audience members starting bringing newspapers, rice, and toast to imitate the characters on screen. One night, a schoolteacher in the audience saw Janet (Susan Sarandon) place a newspaper over her head during the rainstorm scene. He shouted, “buy an umbrella, you cheap ***” at the screen, and the audience callback line was born.

By the end of the 1970s, the Rocky Horror cult had spread across the country, and had developed into an elaborate and decadent spectacle. Pre-show performances, involving comedy and musical skits, were added to performances. “Shadow casts” of actors in screen-accurate costume and makeup started performing, first before the film and then in front of the screen during the show, mimicking and commenting on the action in the film. A vast liturgy of callback lines and audience participation gags developed, with each theater having their own individual rituals. By the time the Rocky Horror phenomenon peaked in the early 80’s, it had been featured prominently in mainstream media (Time, Newsweek, the movie “Fame”) and was a permanent fixture in pop-culture consciousness.

Although Rocky Horror is not as popular as it was 2 decades ago, it still has tens of thousands of fans around the world. In the US alone, there are 62 theaters showing the film on a regular basis, and dozens more screen it every Halloween. There was a successful revival of the stage play on Broadway in 2000, and rumors swirl of a Fox TV remake of the film for the 30th anniversary. In Europe a successful production of the original stage play continues to tour. Fans from around the world read fanzines, exchange thoughts on Internet newsgroups, and attend conventions. And every other week it seems VH1 airs a special on it, bringing in more new fans.

What makes this show endure while other pop-culture fads flame out and vanish? For one, the music. The play was one of the first (and perhaps the last) true rock-and-roll musicals, as opposed to watered-down theater pop. Elvis, Keith Moon, and Mick Jagger were all fans of the original show, and the music continues to resonate. Another reason is the production design, which combines styles from the 20’s, 40’s, 50’s, and 70’s in a way that is both nostalgic and timeless. Sue Blaine’s costume designs, featuring torn fishnets and platform heels, had a major founding influence on the punk movement. Rocky Horror was an important factor in making the clothing and makeup of an underground subculture into a mainstream aesthetic, as can be seen today by a visit to the “Hot Topic” in your local mall.

But the thing that makes Rocky Horror endure is its message, as embodied in the lyric “Don’t Dream It, Be It.” Long before “*** Eye for the Straight Guy”, Rocky Horror made the blurring of gender and sexuality mainstream. Rocky Horror preaches acceptance of all, no matter what their persuasion or perversion. Beyond sexual politics, the show ridicules all creeds and cultures equally, leaving no sacred cow unslaughtered. This equal opportunity ethos extends to our live performances, which cast without regard for race or gender. Many a young person, uncertain of their place in society, has found a family in Rocky Horror.

My own story is typical. My first encounter with Rocky Horror (other than an unsatisfying viewing on VHS) came during my freshman year of college. I went for the reason that most guys wind up doing things — my girlfriend wanted to go. I was instantly hooked, and as a frustrated theater student at a fairly conservative school, Rocky Horror was a perfect creative outlet. I stuck with Rocky through college, and when I moved to Orlando after graduation I helped start a show at a run-down local theater. It was a great escape from the pressures of working at Universal, and we were very successful for a time. Eventually, that cast fell apart, and I drifted away from Rocky Horror for a time.

Then, in 2001, the management at the Loews Cineplex at Universal expressed interest in reviving Rocky Horror, which had not been screening in Orlando for a few years. Through my contacts made as a Universal employee, I helped organize a small Rocky Horror convention at the theater. We were ill fated to hold the convention only weeks after 9/11, but still had several hundred fans attend. This led to regular performances, first on a monthly basis, then bi-monthly. Our cast, the “Rich Weirdoes”, has now been performing at Universal for well over a year, with four regularly scheduled performances each month, and our audience continues to grow week-to-week.

What will you experience if you attend a performance of Rocky Horror at Universal? As you approach the theater, you may see a knot of costumed characters entreating passing CityWalk patrons to enter. After buying your ticket (and a beer, if you like), you’ll find a crowd of fans in the lobby, many in costume, and cast member selling “prop bags”. These audience participation kits contain everything you’ll need to join in the fun, including rice, newspaper, confetti, and more, along with instructions on how to use them. Inside the theater, the cast prepares the stage while punk-rock covers of the movie soundtrack play over the sound system.

At the stroke of midnight, the pre-show entertainment begins. Your MC for the evening may be a scantily clad dominatrix, a drag queen, or something truly bizarre. The house rules will be explained (no lighters, no water guns, stay out of the aisles) and anyone thinking they’ve wandered into a PG-rated production will be warned to escape while they still can. Depending on the night, you may be treated to a lip-synched dance routine or a live musical number. The heart of the pre-show is the “de-virginizing”, where first-time audience members are initiated into the cult in an embarrassing (but harmless) ritual. If you are a virgin, don’t try to hide, because we will find you and hunt you down!

Finally, at the end of the pre-show, the entire audience gives the projectionist the finger, and the film can begin. The actual show is a blend of a movie, a play, and sheer anarchy. A full cast of live actors, in costume and makeup identical to the screen characters, act out the show in front of the screen. This elaborate pantomime is both a loving homage to the film and a sly satire of it, and involves elaborate props, special effects, lighting, and sight gags. The actors sometimes leave the stage and perform in among the audience, literally bringing the show into their laps. At the same time, cast members planted in the audience lead the crowd in shouting callback lines and throwing props. The overall effect is one of barely controlled chaos. By the end of the night the theater is a mess, the audience goes home happy, and the cast goes home exhausted.

It’s a great honor to be able to perform this show at Universal. The Loews Cineplex is one of the most beautiful theaters in Orlando, and the theater management is more accommodating of the show than any I’ve worked with. But just imagine if there was a true merger of Rocky Horror and theme park entertainment? The influence of Rocky Horror can be seen in a number of theme park attractions, most notably MuppetVision and Terminator. What if the theme parks returned the favor? What if there was a Rocky Horror theme park attraction?

Just imagine…

The year is 2009, and Universal opens its long-awaited 3rd theme park. Built on a portion of the property Universal purchased from Lockheed-Martin, it is a year-round horror themed park.

There is the “Classic Monsters” section, with a “Dracula’s Castle” roller coaster and a “House of Frankenstein” walk-through attraction.

There is the “Modern Masterpieces” area, featuring a 3-D movie based on “The Ring” and an E-ticket ride through Peter Jackson’s remake of “King Kong.”

And then there is my favorite section, a land dedicated to “Cult Favorites.” There is the “Army of Darkness” stunt show, and a “Dawn of the Dead” ride-through interactive shooting gallery. And the centerpiece — “The Rocky Horror Experience.”

Guests enter the façade of a decrepit movie theater, patterned after New York’s Waverly. It is minutes before midnight on a Friday during the height of Rocky Horror’s popularity, and the theater is buzzing with excitement. The queue winds through the theater lobby, decorated with B-movie posters that magically transform into video screens, showing clips from Rocky Horror history.

An usher guides you into the theater auditorium, once opulent but now threadbare. The velvet curtains part and the film begins with an up-tempo rendition of “Science Fiction Double Feature.” The iconic singing red lips are superimposed over clips from the sci-fi and horror classics mentioned in the song.

Next, Brad and Janet appear on screen, enacting the post-wedding scene from the beginning of the play. Magically, they step through the screen and appear as flesh-and-blood actors in front of the audience. They perform an edited version of the song “Dammit Janet”, and then disappear as the Narrator appears on screen. The narrator, perhaps played by Tim Curry himself, sets up the story of Brad and Janet, a newly engaged couple out for a drive on a dark, stormy, night. With a flash of lightning, the screen disappears, and the rainy country road on screen has become a real environment.

The audience rises out of their seats and steps into the film. The winding path through the woods passes Brad and Janet’s abandoned car, though an ominous gate with a sign warning “Enter At Your Own Risk!” and up to the doorstep of a gothic castle.

Guests enter the castle lobby, styled to look identical to the one in the movie. At the appointed time, the coffin-shaped grandfather clock in the corner begins to chime, and an actor portraying the butler Riff Raff enters. He sings the first verse of the “Time Warp” and at the chorus leads the guests into the castle ballroom.

What follows is a 12 minute digest of the remainder of the show, performed with a combination of live actors, animatronics, video projection, and special effects. The audience becomes Brad and Janet, witnessing the arrival of Dr. Frank N. Furter to the song “Sweet Transvestite,” and the spectacular birth of his creation, Rock Horror. Eddie arrives on a motorcycle to sing “Hot Patootie”, and the wheelchair-bound Dr. Scott smashes through wall. In the end, Riff Raff returns to destroy Frank and his creation, warning the guests to leave before he beams the entire castle back to their home planet. As the castle collapses around them, guests escape into the inevitable gift shop to the strains of “Superheroes” and “Science Fiction Double Feature Reprise.”

Obviously, this is a blue-sky proposal that could never exist. Not even Universal, known for its PG-13 attractions, would push the envelope this far. But we can dream, and Rocky Horror is all about dreams and fantasies. So, if you don’t mind, I’ve got to go get my fishnets pressed. After all — in just seven days — it’ll be time once more to “… take a jump to the left, and a step to the right.”

For more information on Rocky Horror at Universal Orlando, please visit www.richweirdoes.com.

History

The Super Bowl & Disney: The Untold Story Behind ‘I’m Going to Disneyland!’

Published

2 months ago

February 6, 2025

Jim Hill

One of the highlights of the Super Bowl isn’t just the game itself—it’s the moment when the winning quarterback turns to the camera and exclaims, “I’m going to Disney World!” This now-iconic phrase has been a staple of post-game celebrations for decades. But where did this tradition begin? Surprisingly, it didn’t originate in a stadium but at a dinner table in 1987, in a conversation involving Michael Eisner, George Lucas, and aviation pioneers Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager.

The Unlikely Beginning of a Marketing Sensation

To understand the origins of this campaign, we have to go back to December 1986, when the Rutan Voyager became the first aircraft to fly around the world without stopping or refueling. Pilots Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager completed the nine-day journey on December 23, 1986, flying over 26,000 miles before landing at Edwards Air Force Base. Their historic achievement earned them national recognition, and just days later, President Ronald Reagan awarded them the Presidential Citizen Medal at the White House.

Meanwhile, Disney was gearing up for the grand opening of Star Tours at Disneyland, set for January 12, 1987. Following its usual playbook of associating major theme park attractions with real-world pioneers, Disney’s PR team invited astronauts Gordon Cooper and Deke Slayton to the launch event. But in a twist, they also invited Rutan and Yeager, who were still making headlines.

A Dinner Conversation That Changed Advertising Forever

After the Star Tours opening ceremony, a private dinner was held with Disney CEO Michael Eisner, George Lucas, and Eisner’s wife, Jane. During the meal, Eisner asked Rutan and Yeager, “You just made history. You traveled non-stop around the planet on a plane without ever refueling. How are you ever going to top that, career-wise? What are you two gonna do next?”

Without hesitation, Jeana Yeager replied, “Well, after being cramped inside that tiny plane for nine days, I’m just glad to be anywhere else. And even though you folks were nice enough to fly us here, invite us to your party… Well, as soon as we finish eating, I’m gonna go over to the Park and ride some rides. I’m going to Disneyland.”

Jane Eisner immediately recognized the power of Yeager’s statement. On the car ride home, she turned to Michael and said, “That’s a great slogan. I think you should use that to promote the theme parks.” Like many husbands, Michael initially dismissed the idea, but Jane persisted. Eventually, Eisner relented and pitched it to his team.

The Super Bowl Connection

With Super Bowl XXI just around the corner, Disney’s PR team saw an opportunity. The game was set for January 25, 1987, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena—just miles from Disney Studios. What if they convinced the winning quarterback to say, “I’m going to Disneyland” live on-air?

Disney quickly struck a deal with both quarterbacks—Phil Simms of the New York Giants and John Elway of the Denver Broncos—offering each $75,000 to deliver the line if their team won. Simms led the Giants to victory, making history as the first athlete to say, “I’m going to Disney World!” on national television.

A Marketing Triumph

That year’s Super Bowl had the second-highest viewership in television history, with 87 million people watching Simms say the famous line. The next day, Disney turned the clip into a national commercial, cementing the phrase as a marketing goldmine.

Since then, “I’m going to Disneyland” (or Disney World, depending on the commercial) has been a staple of championship celebrations, spanning the NFL, NBA, and even the Olympics. What started as a casual remark at dinner became one of the most successful advertising campaigns in history.

A Lasting Legacy

Jane Eisner’s keen instinct and Disney’s ability to act quickly on a great idea created a tradition that continues to captivate audiences. The “I’m going to Disneyland” campaign remains a testament to the power of spontaneous inspiration and smart marketing, proving that sometimes, the best ideas come from the most unexpected places.

To learn more about Disney’s ties to the world of sports, check out I Want That Too: A Disney History and Consumer Product Podcast.

Television & Shows

How the Creators of South Park Tricked A-List Celebrities to Roast Universal – “Your Studio & You”

Published

3 months ago

January 12, 2025

Jim Hill

Universal Studios has a rich and storied history, but few moments are as peculiar—and as hilariously cutting—as the creation of Your Studio & You. This 14-minute parody film, commissioned in 1995 to celebrate Universal’s new ownership under Seagram’s, brings together an all-star cast, biting humor, and the unmistakable comedic fingerprints of Matt Stone and Trey Parker.

Long before South Park debuted on Comedy Central in 1997, Stone and Parker were already carving out a reputation for their irreverent style, and Your Studio & You perfectly encapsulates their knack for turning even the most corporate project into something delightfully subversive.

Matt Stone & Trey Parker Before South Park

Stone & Parker were already known out in Hollywood as funny guys. Thanks largely to “The Spirit of Christmas,” which was this video greeting card that they’d crafted for a Fox executive – who then distributed this infamously funny thing (which had Our Lord Jesus Christ & Santa Claus literally duking it out for the holiday affections of Cartman, Kenny, Stan & Kyle) to friends & family.

This was the early 1990s. No internet. Each copy of “The Spirit of Christmas” was made on VHS tape and then mailed. Went viral the old-fashioned way. It’s rumored that George Clooney made over 300 copies of “The Spirit of Christmas” and passed these VHS taps along to friends and family.

Things didn’t move as fast as they do today. “The Spirit of Christmas” still became a sensation out West.

Zucker Brothers

Matt & Trey also had other supporters in the entertainment industry. Among them David Zucker, who was one of the members of ZAZ (i.e., Zucker Abrahams Zucker), the talented trio that made “Airplane!” in 1980, “Top Secret!” in 1984 and the three “Naked Gun” movies.

The original “Naked Gun” in 1988
“Naked Gun 2 & 1/2 : The Smell of Fear” in 1991
and “Naked Gun 33 & a 1/3: The Final Insult” in 1994

All five of these parody films had been made for Paramount Pictures. But in the Late Winter / Early Spring of 1995, Universal had persuaded the Zucker Brothers to come over and set up shop in a bungalow on their lower lot. With the hope that – at some point further on down the line – David & his brother Jerry would start making funny films for Universal.

Zucker Brothers featured in "Your Studio and You"

And it’s during this same window of time (We’re now talking April of 1995) that news breaks that Seagrams (Yep, the adult beverage company. Who – at the time – was making an absolute fortune on the sales of wine coolers) was about to buy a majority stake in MCAUniversal. We’re talking control of 80% of that company’s stock. Which would effectively make Seagrams the new owners of Universal Studios.

Edgar Bronfman

And Edgar Bronfman – the owner of Seagrams – knew that Universal had had a tough time with its previous owners – which had been the Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. of Japan. Matsushita had bought MCA back in November of 1990 for $7.5 billion but had never really understood the entertainment industry.

This is why – after repeatedly butting heads with Lew Wasserman & Sidney Sheinberg (i.e., the heads of Universal Studios & the Universal theme park respectively) when it came to creative control of this company – Matsushita decided to wash it hands of the entire enterprise. Agreeing to sell their holdings in MCA to Seagrams for $5.7 billion (effectively taking a nearly $2 billion loss on this investment).

And Bronfman … He knew that some bad feeling had developed between Hollywood’s creative community and the Japanese owners of Universal. The thinking was that executives at Matsushita Electric had just not gotten what it took to make movies & TV shows.

And Edgar? Right from the get-go, he wanted to show that Seagrams was NOT going to be Matsushita Electric Redux. Bronfman was looking for a way to send a clear message to Hollywood’s creative community that Universal’s new owners got it. That they were willing to work with Hollywood to make the best possible movies & TV shows at Universal.

And how did Edgar decide to get this message across? By making a funny movie.

Zucker Commissions Trey Parker for “Your Studio & You”

Mind you, Bronfman himself didn’t make this film. The owner of Seagrams reached out to David Zucker. Who – after initially agreeing to produce this introduction-to-Universal film – then farmed out the production of the actual project to Trey Parker. Who – just two days before shooting was supposed to star on the Universal Lot – persuaded Matt Stone to come help him on this project.

Which brings us to “Your Studio and You.” Which is a parody of an educational film from the 1950s, right down to being shot in black & white and featuring a very generic soundtrack.

Now what’s amazing about watching “Your Studio and You” today is that this 14-minute-long film features some of the biggest names working in Hollywood back in the mid-1990s. We’re talking about people like recent Golden Globe winner Demi Moore, Sylvester Stallone, Michael J. Fox and Angela Lansbury. Not to mention two of the most powerful men in all of Hollywood, Steven Spielberg & Jeffrey Katzenberg.

And what’s especially interesting about watch “Your Studio and You” is that – as you watch these performers go through their paces in this motion pictures (which – most of the time – involves doing some innocuous task while holding a Seagram’s wine cooler) – you often get the feeling that this star is not in on the gag.

So how did Matt & Trey get away with this? Simple. There was never actually a script for “Your Studio and You.”

Filming “Your Studio & You” at Universal Studios Hollywood

Mind you, David Zucker would always insist that there was. Especially when he’d phone up celebrities on the Universal Lot and say “Hey, I’m sending over a couple of college kids later today. They’re working with me on a new parody film. It’s something that we’re doing for the new owners of Universal. I need just a half hour of your time. We’re shooting something special for the party we’ll be holding when the Seagrams people first arrive at the Studio. Absolutely. You’ll definitely get an invite to that party. So can I count on you to help these kids out? Beautiful. They’ll be over there later this morning.”

And then Matt & Trey would show up and say “… Dang, Miss Lansbury. We’re sorry. We must have left our copy of the ‘Your Studio and You’ script back in our office. Which is clear on the other side of the Lot. So – rather than waste your time – why don’t we do this instead? Follow us over to the Psycho House. Where we’re then going to get footage of you painting the front porch on Mother Bates’ house while you say ‘Gosh, with all of the wonderful improvements going on around here, everyone is going to want to work at Universal.’ Oh, and can we also get you to wear this button on the front of your blazer which reads ‘Universal is A-OK’ ? “

And over & over again, the biggest names who were working for Universal at that time took part in the production of “Your Studio & You” because A) David Zucker vouched for Matt Stone & Trey Parker and B) this was something that was being made for the new owners of Universal. And it’s just natural to want to get in good with the new boss.

Steven Spielberg, Jeffery Katzenberg, and Jaws

But no one at Universal anticipated that “Your Studio & You” would wind up being as sharp edged as the finished product turned out to be. I mean, it’s one thing to bite the hand that feeds you. But “Your Studio & You” ? It doesn’t just bite the hand. It takes the hand off at the wrist.

It’s a brutally funny film. With one of the meanest moments reserved for Steven Spielberg, who plays a driver on the Universal Studio Tour who’s trying to persuade a tram full of bored tourists (one of whom is played by Jeffery Katzenberg) that the “Shark Attack” scene down by Jaws Lagoon is actually exciting.

Spielberg actually says lines like “ … Whoa, whoa. What is going on here? Ladies and gentlemen, this never happens. Look out! It’s a shark! Whoa, that is one big scary shark.”

Mind you, as footage of this mechanical shark repeatedly coming up out of the water is shown, “Your Studio & You” ‘s off-screen narrator (who is voiced by Trey Parker says):

“But what about tomorrow? If we don’t keep in step with the times, things that were once neat and thrilling can become old and stupid.”

“Your Studio & You” Reception

This film was supposed to be shown only once at the welcoming party for Seagrams executive on the Universal Lot. And I’m told that – when Edgar Bronfman saw the finished product at that party – he reportedly turned to David Zucker and said “ … That’s a little more mean-spirited that I think it needed to be.”

And with that, “Your Studio & You” was supposed to go back into the Universal vault, never to be seen again. But when “South Park” debuted on Comedy Central in August of 1997 and then became a sensation for its biting humor, there was suddenly a lot of interest in what else Matt & Trey had done. Which is why copies of “The Spirit of Christmas” began to circulate. And – over time – copies of “Your Studio & You” began to bubble up.

Which – as Stone & Parker have repeatedly pointed out – was just not supposed to happen. Largely because none of the celebrities who appeared in “Your Studio & You” had never signed releases for Universal’s legal department. Because – again – this was for a movie that was only going to be shown once at a private function on the Universal Lot.

Matt mentioned (as part of a career retrospective at the Paley Center in LA back in 2000) that “ … they wouldn’t even let us keep a copy of the finished film.”

It’s a funny but brutal movie. And worth taking a look at today especially if you’re a theme park history buff because it shows Universal Studios Hollywood’s “Jurassic Park: The Ride” still under construction on the Lower Lot. That attraction would finally open to the public in June of 1996.

“Your Studio & You” became a lot easier to see after Seagrams sold off its share of Universal to Vivendi in 2000. Copies began propagating online after that. Though Universal Legal will periodically make an effort to get the latest copy of “Your Studio & You” taken off the Internet because – again – none of the performers who appear on camera ever signed the proper releases and/or were paid for their efforts.

That said, if you’re up for a mean-spirited laugh, “Your Studio & You” is well worth 14 minutes of your time. That said, once you watch this thing, be warned:

You’re immediately going to be thirsty for a Seagram’s wine cooler
And you’re going to have a sudden desire to go out & buy a porcelain deer.

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

5 months 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.

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.